current build

[Hoofhearted]

I apologize if I insulted Kev. My mind can't wrap around -35. I meant that I'd be heading south with the geese if the temps got that low.

[kgdb]

Originally Posted by jerseymutt

What are you saying, the geese are smarter then Kev? I wouldn't have said that even if I was thinking it.

Mutt

Hahaha Sometimes I really have to wonder. But on a positive note tonight its supposed to hit a balmy 40 below zero! If it gets much colder its time to look for my long johns!

[Hoofhearted]

Kevin. You are my hero! Anyone who can say -40 and not be headed for the nearest airport for a flight south is a big hero in my books. Its in the mid 50s here right now. After reading your post I will bravely head out to the garage tonight and work on the sidecar without whining.

[kgdb]

Originally Posted by Hoofhearted

Kevin. You are my hero! Anyone who can say -40 and not be headed for the nearest airport for a flight south is a big hero in my books. Its in the mid 50s here right now. After reading your post I will bravely head out to the garage tonight and work on the sidecar without whining.

haha Well I have been here all my life and while you never get used to these temperatures, it is home. You cats that have never experienced temps like this should do so at least once in your lifetime, you just wouldn't believe it. We usually get a real good whack at minus 50 at least once or so during the winter. I have seen minus 60 a few times, that aint pretty, no fun there. Hoof, where are you located?

[Hoofhearted]

I'm in SoCal about 100 or so miles north of the Mexican border although sometimes you wouldn't think so. Riverside. My late Brother-in-law lived about 2 hours north of Toronto and he used to tell me I should come visit him when it was sub zero. I told him I'd take his word for it. I am a total weenie when it comes to cold. El Mirage dry lake is in the high desert. At the November meet it can drop into the mid 20s. The problem is that during the day it can get to the mid 70s and as soon as the sun goes down the temp follows it very quickly. A few days ago the temp hit 81. The low that night was 34. You tend to notice such a difference. Stay warm.

[RogerMason]

Originally Posted by Hoofhearted

I'm in SoCal about 100 or so miles north of the Mexican border although sometimes you wouldn't think so. Riverside. My late Brother-in-law lived about 2 hours north of Toronto and he used to tell me I should come visit him when it was sub zero. I told him I'd take his word for it. I am a total weenie when it comes to cold. El Mirage dry lake is in the high desert. At the November meet it can drop into the mid 20s. The problem is that during the day it can get to the mid 70s and as soon as the sun goes down the temp follows it very quickly. A few days ago the temp hit 81. The low that night was 34. You tend to notice such a difference. Stay warm.

Were almost neighbors, I'm only around 350 miles or so north. Just above Sacramento about 60 miles in foothills. High 40's today

[Hoofhearted]

Finally got the bodywork done and painted. Threw it on to see if I liked it. It will do although I think it could be better. But I'm too lazy to build another body.


By weslake at 2012-02-19

[RogerMason]

ok so when ya gonna see how fast it goes...

[Bonehead9]

That thing is wild. Looks good.

[Hoofhearted]

Originally Posted by RogerMason

ok so when ya gonna see how fast it goes...

The El Mirage season starts May 18-19. But I still have a ton of work to do yet. This afternoon I'll be pulling the engine to get it ready for a rebuild to become a 544cc engine to run in the 650 class. Its pretty much done what it is going to do in the 500 class.

The 650cc class at El Mirage is open but unlike Bonneville, El Mirage has minimums for records. The 650 gas minimum is 110 and the fuel is 115. So I figured I'd have a shot at them. The SCTA has a rule that says in order to run in a class you must be above the legal limit of the class below. Meaning I can't run a 500 in the 650 class. Or anything smaller. The ECTA doesn't have that rule but I can't see myself hauling to Ohio to run.

The standard Weslake bore is 85.9 mm. And as they are built to the class limit there are no over size pistons available. I found that the piston from a GM speedway engine is dimensionally identical to a Cosworth except for the bore which is 90mm. Hopefully it will be an easy build (famous last words) and I will have a 544 to run in the 650 class. I don't mind giving away 100cc. Weslakes are great little engines.

The original intent was to build it for El Mirage. But last year at Bonneville we met up with friends and had a hoot of a week. So much so that plans were made for this years Bonneville before we left last year. With the oversize engine rattling around my head I thought I'd have a look at the 650 pushrod sidecar records at Bonneville. Was I in for a shock! The gas record is 83+ and the fuel 104+! My 500 gas record is 36 mph faster. I'm going to have a shot at them and see how high I can re-set them. And if I don't kill them I'll be very embarrassed.

For several years now I have been talking via e-mail to a friend in Denmark. One of his dreams was to see Bonneville. Hi mother passed away last year and left him a few bucks so he and his wife are making the trip this year. I said to him that its a long way to travel just to spectate so why not take the sidecar for a few laps? Its pretty simple. I list him as an alternative rider and when he gets here he joins the BNI, does the rookie orientation and he's good to go.

He's a little shorter and stockier than me so i still have to organize some leathers for him. Failing that I guess it will be stuff him into my leathers. Judging by his e-mails he seems quite excited. I'll have to make sure that everything is 100%

And I've finally corrected an oversight. Joe Darbyshire has been my crew chief for three SpeedWeeks. This year will be his fourth. He is a hell of a crew chief and makes life so much easier for me. Apart from, just before he fires me up, shouting in my ear "Ya sure ya know which way to go?" he's all that's needed in a crew chief. So this year we will run as Anderson and Darbyshire.

Sorry for wandering.

By weslake at 2012-02-12