Advice on Set up for the new 100 class

[Dennis Jones]

An old saying I like is :

The best way to go faster on your bike is the fuel - Run all you can through the tank [8D]

Dennis Jones

[Paul Danik]

Ernie,

   Take some advice from an old guy who has been there, and fortunately enough is still there, savor the time you and Kid Christopher are spending together, that is the REAL trophy that you will always cherish, and believe me, so will Christopher.  Thanks for sharing the picture.

Good luck,
Paul

[Mick Milakovic]

And Dennis, speaking of fuel, make sure you have enough!  I ran out of gas at Mid-Ohio in '04, 200 yards from the finish while leading the race!  My kids still laugh at me over that one! [:I]

[Lew Mayer]

Mick, ya got company. I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt. [B)][8]

Lew Mayer

[Ernie Phillips]

Paul,  You are absolutely correct - these are cherished times.  My dad took time to ride with me and my brother many, many years ago.  We have very fond memories of the trail rides and Enduros.  And, now get to ride and wrench with my kid.  Blessed,

Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN

[johnbowman]

quote:Originally posted by Paul Danik

Hi,

   My comments are geared toward the newer rider who is starting out in racing, and is looking to possibly brake into racing in the new 100cc class, and might possibly be overwhelmed with all of the technical information that is being presented by the more advanced riders and tuners.
   The quote below is from a post listed above, to me this is the most important thing for the newer rider to remember,

 " As you know, rider is 90% and bike is 10%. "  

   You can argue the percentages forever, but the fact is that the guy who wins usually can win on most of the bikes in the class, I said usually because sometimes when everything else is equel the bike will obviously make a difference. For the newer rider the name of the game is good basic machine preperation and as much practice time as you can get. Concentrate on making your bike as reliable as possible, check your engine bolts, swingarm bolt,every nut and bolt, have your cables working perfectly, oil them up to reduce any resistance and besure they are in good condition.  Run newer tires, don't buy porting if you can't afford newer tires. Get your carb dialed in perfect, don't show up with a bike that wants to load up. Before you get porting get some good shocks and possibly install 35mm forks if your bike has the 32mm forks on it. Besure your brake cams are not rusted up in the backing plates, take them out and wire wheel them and put a dab of never sieze or grease on them so that they turn easily.  Make sure your brake shoes are in good condition and not adjusted to the point of wanting to go over center.
  Ride your bike as much as possible, all the porting in the world is not of any use if you are not "one with your machine". When you ride try to keep your feet up as much as possible and try to be smooth. If you don't have much trail to ride, ride it in both directions, try to ride till you are tired, this will help to prepare you for your races. Try to gear you Sachs engine so that you can start out in second gear, possibly 13 X 60 gearing, as this will eliminate the worst shift in the Sachs and will put your remaining gears in a nice sequence.
   The name of the game in small bore racing is keeping your momentum up, in the turns and really everywhere as much as possible, try to run the turns without as much breaking.
   Besure that your bike will push without any rolling resistance, this can be caused by improper brake adjustment or your rear tire rubbing the chain guard or swingarm, rolling resistance will rob you of horsepower.  Make sure that your wheel bearings and sprocket carrier bearings are in great condition as well as your chain and sprockets.
   Check that your piston isn't wore out or that your rings aren't wore out, sometimes the rings can be worn and the piston is still good, a new ring job can really make a difference.  
   As I said before, I am only trying to help the newer rider who might be overwhelmed by all of the great information that is being presented, you have to finish the races before you can win them.
   If others have different views or more things that may help the new rider, please post them.

Good luck to all of you racers.
Paul

Paul,

I realize that this posting is meant for the 100 crowd and "a few days old", but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate advice like this on this forum. As a new Penton owner and rookie racer, this posting is like finding gold. I really appreciate how you wrote this posting. You don't come across as someone suffering through the new guy asking yet another rookie question. You come across as someone that loves Pentons, Penton riders, and people in general. When I read this, I felt like you were pulling me aside as a rookie rider at my first event and helping me to calm down and focus on what really matters. This attitude is what made me want to be a part of the Penton rider family. John Penton should be proud that his motorcycles and leadership created an environment where riders who want to learn to ride can find mentors like you who want to teach.

I will never be a world class rider. I started too old and don't have the benefits of youth and time to develop my skills. That won't stop me from nervously lining up my 72 Penton SD at a cross country race, dreaming of getting that one awesome holeshot, and celebrating the occasional lap where everything went right and I feel a small part of what all of you guys felt in 1972. That's enough for me.

If people like you hadn't taken the time to write posts like this, that wouldn't happen for me. Thanks for your help, all these years later. I appreciate it.

John

[Pat Oshaughnessy]

Mick  your not the only one thats done that.[)]