flak monkey
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 03:08 PM |
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The World's Fastest....
...A10?
It started in 2012, when we had a mad idea... why not build a bike to run at Bonneville? So my mate Briz set about building a one off Weslake and
along with 5 other bikes we shipped them over to the USA and set off on a bit of a road trip.
Oh and the BBC came along for the ride too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnJNQIXMYv0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQO_4b7GnUM
http://saltflashracing.co.uk/gallery.html
After that first trip, we got bitten by the salt bug and made plans to go back again, with a different bike this year. We started building it back in
late 2012, and something completely different this time.
We had a hunt through the rule book and found there was no class record in Vintage 750cc for a blown (turbo) bike in either fuel or gas class. Trying
to think of something to fit the bill and as it was the 40th anniversary of Briz getting his first BSA A10 it seemed only fitting to go with something
loosely based on one of those.
Vintage class means it has to be pre '55 - but in special construction it only required us to use the original crankcase and head. So everything
else on the bike is a one off, purpose made for the job. From a specially designed cam, billet crank and forged pistons to a cro-moly frame it's
all been built with one thing in mind - going as quick as possible and making it the fastest A10 
So why bother with something that only ever did 60mph from the factory? Well, its a challenge - at Bonneville even your stock Hyabusa will only top
around 180mph due to the heat and altitude - 30% down on power compared to sea level in the UK. We are aiming at 130mph - enough to set a respectable
record for the class.
What we ended up with is this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc4q4Z7JDR0
So how did Bonneville 2014 go? We we finished the bike and got it shipped, flew out there, picked it up from the shippers and drove 800 miles. Only
for the event to be cancelled at the very last minute due to rain flooding the place 10" deep. So it was a wasted journey and we came away
feeling rather disappointed.
Our plans are to go back this year and in the mean time put the bike through its paces at Santa Pod and a few sprint events. So keep an eye out for
us, and come and say hello.
The bike ships in about 12 weeks now....
All we need to do is find enough money to do it all over again in a years time, so if you are feeling generous, pop by our Go Fund Me page. Even if
it's only a quid, it all helps us claim another British record 
http://www.gofundme.com/SaltFlash
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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pewe
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 03:43 PM |
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Best of luck you guys.
A real piece of proper British engineering.
Donation sent.
Will he be wearing de rigeur Bonneville kit as per the late, great George Brown of Super Nero fame?
Bonnevill kit
As a kid (60's) resurrecting a James Comet (why did I even bother?) I visited the Parts Dept in Golden Hillock Road, Brum.
An older guy was talking to the Parts Manager and it was quite an interesting conversation.
When he left I asked who it was only to be told "George Brown".
In those days before Wiki etc. I vaguely recognised the name. Now I'd be bending his ear for tales of daring do.....
Hope the weather's good and keep the sunny side up, safe riding.
Cheers, Pewe10 
[Edited on 26/2/15 by pewe]
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flak monkey
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 03:51 PM |
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Thank you! 
The rules have been tightened a fair bit since then We have the wonderful joy of one piece leathers in 45+C heat. Oh and they make you have all of
the perforations replaced with normal leather too, for extra torture!
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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adithorp
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 04:27 PM |
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Nice one. BBC are repeating the original programme at the moment. Part one was last week.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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JMW
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 05:03 PM |
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Bonnevill and spectators
Any advice for someone who happened to be in the US nearby and fancied coming along to watch?
Is it a practical proposition?
What do you get to see?
Where would you base yourself accommidation-wise?
Is there a problem taking a hire car onto the salt?
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 05:08 PM |
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saw part one last week and thought about you guys....i had an A10 with ape hangers many moons ago,60 was entering the frightening zone :-)...oh and
good luck !.
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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flak monkey
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 06:17 PM |
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Thanks guys. Yes the BBC show is being repeated at the mo...
quote:
Originally posted by JMW
Any advice for someone who happened to be in the US nearby and fancied coming along to watch?
Is it a practical proposition?
What do you get to see?
Where would you base yourself accommidation-wise?
Is there a problem taking a hire car onto the salt?
Its $10/day as a spectator. You can get up to the start line of the 2 long courses and access to the pits. Be warned that its 45+C during the day and
you need to be totally covered and plenty of factor 80 sun block. Walking around isn't a proposition, its too hot and the pits are 2 lanes, each
2 miles long. The trip from the pits to the start line is around 10 miles each way.
Accommodation is in Wendover - but be warned that it's probably 80% booked up by now. There's hot rods gathered at the Nugget every night,
beyond that there's nothing to do in the town. Next closest place is Salt Lake City, which is 120 miles away.
Hire cars - the companies hate it. Don't tell them, and make sure you pressure wash it off underneath before you take it back. The salt sticks
to EVERYTHING.
[Edited on 26/2/15 by flak monkey]
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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JMW
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 06:21 PM |
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Wow, thanks for the facts. Serious considerations there.
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pewe
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| posted on 26/2/15 at 06:25 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by flak monkey
The rules have been tightened a fair bit since then We have the wonderful joy of one piece leathers in 45+C heat. Oh and they make you have all of
the perforations replaced with normal leather too, for extra torture!
I think it was Brown who had worn leathers but even then they weren't particularly thick.
He reckoned that the salt was so abrasive it wore through the leather almost instantly 
Up-side was that by the time he came to rest the salt had cauterised the abrasions - but you really didn't need to know that did you?
Cheers, Pewe10
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jeffw
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| posted on 27/2/15 at 09:04 AM |
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Contributed and posted on Facebook.....good luck guys.
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flak monkey
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| posted on 27/2/15 at 09:19 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jeffw
Contributed and posted on Facebook.....good luck guys.
Thank you!
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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adithorp
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| posted on 27/2/15 at 02:21 PM |
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Is there any reason for having no fairing?
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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flak monkey
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| posted on 27/2/15 at 06:22 PM |
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Different classes. Basically you have unfaired, partially streamlined and fully streamlined then all of the various construction classes, engine sizes
and fuels. It's complicated, but each has it's own class and record which may or may not have been claimed.
http://roadprose.com/2013/08/22/land-speed-racing-at-the-bonneville-salt-flats-so-many-classes/
http://roadprose.com/2013/09/05/bonneville-land-speed-racing-understanding-the-classes-part-ii/
[Edited on 27/2/15 by flak monkey]
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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