From: Dale Walker Subject: Re: Vmax 85 max -into the ten's Hi Terry and others on the list - I could go on all day on how to launch a V-max at the strip. I=C6ll give you a few tips. Before I go into that, here=C6s a couple of other points. 1. I=C6ve run in the tens 10:50 to 10:90 on several V-maxes well 6 or 8 anyway. Two for magazines and others where on customer=C6s bikes. I weight 170 lbs race ready in leathers and helmet. 2. Keep in mind I=C6ve made over 20,000 passes and have set over 50 production records on variety of motorcycles so don=C6t be hard on yourself for not posting those big numbers. I also ran a drag racing school sponsored by Kawasaki in the late 80=C6s. 3. The V-max pee wee Jay Gleason rode was a pre-production bike that was positively massaged. Jay also at the time weighed about 130 lbs suited and could ride equal to myself. So power to weight ratio is a biggy. 4. I have found that when you can milk everything from a production bike with your riding talent that every ten pounds is worth about 6-8 hundredths. 5. Many of the magazines these days correct the times for sea level. I wish they would post the numbers on the time slip then tell you the temperature, track and altitude where the test took place. This would be much more of a real world test in my opinion. All the ETS I ran were on the scoreboard not corrected. The tracks were Fremont raceway and Sacramento Raceway in California. Both can be very fast or 3 tenth slow depending on tail wind, temperature, day vs night, etc. There are many factors. LAUNCHING THE V-MAX!!! I guarantee you=C6ll lower your ets and be more consistent using my technique at the strip. This is how I ride the V-max only not necessarily other models. Problem#1: most riders get too eager and turn the throttle too early and slip the clutch when they launch. This causes you to spin up the RPM, burn up clutches and wheelie or get sideways when the clutch does engage or just plain be inconsistent. Answer: a. Do your burnout in second gear to heat the tire. Be sure to let the clutch out quickly with the front brake clamp tight and apply throttle. Start with the tire in the waterbox then roll forward to the edge of the dry pavement before letting the clutch out. WARNING: never get the front tire wet. Always back in to the bleach box. b. Get in your launch riding position early not while staging. Feet back a little near rear foot peg area on the ground, arms slightly bent leaning upper body forward. Your body should be in a straight line from a side view with a lean forward look. 2. Clutch and throttle control: I call my V-max technique the loft out method - - pre-load the clutch just so the bike does not creep. Do not hold into the grip. By doing so, you have no clutch control whatsoever. - - try to launch from 4000 to 6000 RPM. Start at 4000. Keep the throttle very steady. Do not blip the throttle or let the throttle creep up!. This is crucial. When the light comes down start to slide the clutch out aggressively. This doesn=C6t mean dump it or slip it. Do not turn the throttle yet! When you hear the exhaust, note pulling down its time to let the clutch engage fully and at that exact moment begin to roll into the throttle and drive through the bog. If you feel it bogged too much then try 500 RPM higher on the launch until you find that sweet spot for your weight and track surface. Remember clutch first then throttle. This is the key to control the front wheel lift, wheel spin and consistent launches without clutch damage. 3. Be sure to let your Max cool down between runs and do not let it run in the staging lanes waiting to make your pass. 4. If the fan kicks on or you let the temp gauge climb too high, you=C6ll take the clutch out in a heartbeat. 5. I know a lot of you are probably sold on some type of synthetic motor oil. Well good luck at the strip. The clutch will go away much sooner when running it. 6. Remember to be smooth when rolling into the throttle not just snap it open. The V-max is pretty torquey and this can ruin a good launch. I hope you consider this a good contribution to the list. I=C6ve been gun shy to get on here lately after all the mud-slinging. I have a drag racing riding instructional video and booklet set if anyone=C6s interested. Yours Truly, Dale Walker p.s. If you guys would like to put together a few V-max drag racing clinics at different tracks, let me know. It would be great to meet some of you in person and do a school day. I would fly in and give you personal instructions and you would all have a fantastic time and I really enjoy teaching drag racing techniques. Most tracks have a test and tune day or maybe you could talk to your local track owner about an exclusive V-max school day. Sounds like fun to me, what do you think? Sounds like its something to talk about, and I=C6m sure we can work out the details. - -- Holeshot Performance http://www.holeshot.com/ (408) 761-2808 --------------------------- > I intend to do some 1/4 mile passes, but don't want to burn up my clutch just > trying to get some technique. Could you expound on: > >Start with the tire in the waterbox then roll forward to the edge of the > >dry pavement before letting the clutch out. >> Does the full circumference of the tire get wet? Back into the water as far as you can without getting the front tire wet, then roll forward to the edge of drag pavement to begin your burnout. > >Do not hold > >into the grip. By doing so, you have no clutch control whatsoever. > >- - try to launch from 4000 to 6000 RPM. >> Do not hold the clutch lever all the way in to the grip? Which & how many > fingers? Don't want to toast the plates. Depends how big your hands are and how your clutch freeplay is set up from the factory. Preload then pull in just a tad then launch from there. > > >If the fan kicks on or you let the temp gauge climb too high, > >you=C6ll take the clutch out in a heartbeat. > > How high is too high on the guage? I intend to ride this thing home the same > night. Start your burnout with your engine warmed up just enough to run. By the time you get to the starting line, its plenty warm. Be sure to let cool down between each pass. > >I know a lot of you are probably sold on some type of synthetic > >motor oil. Well good luck at the strip. The clutch will go away much > >sooner when running it. > > How about Honda Semi-Synth Racing 10w40? If not, what do you recommend > (again)? I'm sold on 20W-50 Kendal motorcycle oil. Its the best petroleum I've ever tested. NO SEMI-SYNTHETIC. We sell Kendall for $2.50 per quart plus $1 each for UPS. Dale Walker --------------------- Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 17:31:38 -0800 From: Dale Walker Subject: Re: Vmax 85 max -into the ten's Part Two! Here's the rest of running a low E.T. at the strip. 1. Be tucked in by the time you get in second gear. I call this getting under the paint. This really helps ET and MPH especially on a non fairinged bike like the V-max. 2. A properly tuned V-max with a 4-1 exhaust will pull up to 10,000 RPM. I know your saying: but on the Dyno my peak power is 8,900 RPM so why turn it so hard. Well this is why: the trans has too much of a gear drop from each gear and they shift much better if you buzz the motor up. I've found 10,500 is uneccessary. 10,000 to 10,2000 seem to be the sweet spot on the ET and MPH. 3. Shifting techniques: Power shifting will run the best ETS. But unless you have a very good shifting bike, it can be hard on parts. Also if you miss a shift you could tag a valve. Power shifting is when you hold the throttle full open and fan the clutch just enough to complete the shift. I've ridden a few V-maxes where I could power shift 1-2-3 but had to back off and use the clutch to make it hit 4th. These were new bikes as well. 4. I highly recommend my Electric Powershifter 2 with reversed shift linkage. This allows a one up four down pattern thats much more positive. My Powershifter allows full throttle clutchless shifts by interrupting the ignition momentarily. This allows for a fast smooth gear change. The clutch stays fully engaged saving clutch plates and the basket from getting hammered during shifts. 5. Stay tucked tight through the last MPH light then slowly roll out of the throttle and sit up. Once you've reached about 110 MPH apply gentle even braking. 6. If you ever hit something on the track or develop a speed wobble never clamp on the brakes. The best thing to do is pull in the clutch and keep a tight grip on the bars until you come out of it. 7. Go change your underwear. So till next time, have a great time on your V-max. Yours Truly, Dale Walker - -- Holeshot Performance http://www.holeshot.com/ (408) 761-2808