Back in the saddle after a unwanted break, literally and figuratively.

I found a shorter turn throttle. Now I don't have to make two grabs to twist the throttle to full. I can't say it is faster or not compared to a stock throttle, since my hand doesn't work well and this only lets me ride normally. I had replaced the chain, extremely worn sprockets and other wheel parts that were worn to hell. I had never replaced these sprockets and I have had them since 2003! Um yes, it was time. I thought the bike would feel much faster and while it wasn't protesting as loudly as before, I still felt like the thing squatting on turn exits and just not holding corners well.

I practiced Saturday, and by midday I was still about 4 seconds off my usual practise times at Willow Springs. I just could not hold it open in turn two without running wide, I was hitting my peg in turn nine and dragging my knee in turn one. All those told me that my suspension wasn't working correctly. We called Dave at GP Suspension and he said to check the pressure in the shock, that it may be low. Sure enough, I had 100 psi in the shock instead of the 200 it should have. We recharged it and I went out again. Two laps felt great but then, by lap four I felt the bike running wide so I checked the shock, and it was down to 100 psi again - a fast leak! There was no suspension service at the track, but Kelly Baker was able to look at my shock and found that the cap that covers the valve had come apart and the internal rubber thingy had stuck the valve partially open. Weird! But kind of depressing when I looked back through my notes and saw that my bike felt like this since April. We fixed that up and it held a charge, and practice was over. Race Day

The two short practice sessions in the morning left me feeling less that thrilled with my shock. It still was bottoming everywhere and pushing wide in the long, fast turn two. I borrowed a shock for the 250 race from Barrett Meeker, since his bike wouldn't even start. About halfway through the race I was having a tough time holding corner speed and the bike was bottoming everywhere still! I thought about pulling off but I was actually having fun battling with Joel Manes on his limping RS250, so I finished the race in 10th place. So, it clearly wasn't my shock internals. Barretts older bike had a serviced shock and stock spring (7.0) which is what I had on my bike. Either Willow Springs has gotten bumpier or I have gained a lot of weight and not noticed...:-S I put my shock back on, cranked up the compression and rebound and jacked up the ride height. This thing was NOT going to bottom out on me!

After the nice sidecar racers oiled turn 8 very thoroughly, it was turning into a long day. All the races (except the F1 race) were shortened to 6 laps, which was ok by me in 100 degree weather. Finally the 125 race came around. I was gridded fourth and got a good start but Kevin Murray got the beat start I have ever seen him get and he beat me by a hair to turn one. My setup felt very rough, but it wasn't bottoming and I went faster than I had all weekend. The bike still felt out of control over turn 6 and especially rough in turn four, but it held up at least and I managed a lonely 2nd place without giving Kevin so much as a wheel. I didn't care though, I was just happy that I finished two races, rode hard, and that my throttle really helped my hand out. It felt so great to be racing again!

Turn Four, I am happy to be with you again