207 mph ZX12 --9.5 sec 1/4 mi @150 mph

[OB_VegasDude]

I think Bike was refering to zx12's tested in Germany, not in the US of A. Germany reported as to having gone 194 mph top speed on the 12 and a bad wobble at 180 whereby one or two bikes crashed.

 

[OB_GSXRTURBO1]

GIXXER1300R, the only problem I would have concerning the use of gasgacinch in place of a base gasket is the fact that it would change cam timing, and I doubt that they had adjustable cam sprockets. They would have to be extremely lucky to just hit better numbers for the cams without degreeing them, any compression gained would likely be nullified by the cam timing change. Since they didn't have extra gaskets, maybe they used the gasgacinch to prevent leaks...? Either way, the numbers were impressive, but the magazine tests will be more telling. They DO correct the times for perfect conditions (altitude, temp, humidity), but they correct them for ALL the bikes. The numbers may be a tad optimistic, but they will be optimistic for all bikes ran that day. The MPH will tell the HP tale, ET will tell us how good the power is put to the pavement. I for one cannot wait for the first tests!!! - Tom Gafa

[This message has been edited by GSXRTURBO1 (edited 23 December 1999).]

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

FRANK a question on clutch use off the line. My approach is to always to pin the throttle off the line and make excuses for wheelspin and wheelies with the clutch.

Do you think it's better to lock the clutch at less than 6,000 revs within 60 feet?

 

[OB_c.dolan]

It's not real hard to stretch the holes on stock cam sprockets, with die grinder, or mill. .040 ~ .080 isn't much, and would only have to do on one sprocket, to compensate for height change.

 

[OB_GSXRTURBO1]

I'm not saying it couldn't be done, what I'm saying is that I don't think they did it.

 

[OB_Jay]

If the 12 is a large 9 as has been reported, then the cam sprocket will be pressed on the cam, and would be very hard to adjust. (some supersport racers do it).

I am sure he was not running without a head gasket. I don't thonk that can be done, no matter what you brush obn the parts.

Jay

 

[OB_tinhead]

REDELK:
I recall the rumors of lack of high speed stability in zx12's coming from (gasp) this site. Something along the lines of there's three in the country, Ricky G. has one, one crashed while attempting a high speed pass and the third is a parts bike for the other two. Sometime early dec. if you want to search.

 

[OB_falcon fool]

Who cares if the zx-whatever is faster than the 'Busa. I love the bike for what it is...so ugly it is beautiful...so powerful it is docile...so calm it is deceiving! There is nothing that compares to this Ultimate Sportbike! Anyway 90% of us will never tap out the 'Busa.

 

[OB_redelk]

Thanks, tinhead! VegasDude said it was BIKE magazine, in the "Road a '00 ZX9R" thread. The way I understood it, there are 5 ZX12Rs in the U.S., right now. Two are running (Ricky has one and Muzzy has the other for a exhaust design mule), two are non-running displays and the other one is a "cut-away" display.

VegasDude said BIKE refered to it as a rumor. I'll try to find something on it and I'll post it. I'll now have to "hunt down" the crash rumor. Any ideas where to start? As everyone knows, I'm getting a 12R as soon as the first one hits Arkansas (been on the list since Aug.).

Since I'm a comfirmed "wuss", I not too worried about the "200 mph thing", but the 160 mph crash does concern me. Handling has alway been first, for me. I just need the HP to catch back up with everyone that smoked me in the corner.

MERRY XMAS to all you busa "boys" and all your dreams be fill with knee draggin'!

[This message has been edited by redelk (edited 23 December 1999).]

 

[Frank Adams]

Dp: At first I thought the "Ole Dog" was just kidding around? <Grin> But....

Now since you have the "Brock Davidson" clutch mod, here is what I would do if I were going to be making a couple of passes on your bike.

1. (With all my gear on) I'd roll around the water box so my front tire wouldn't get wet.
(Have you ever seen somebody "dump" thier bike on the way to the starting line?)

2. Back the bike to the damp EDGE of the water puddle. (Don't start in the middle of the puddle!)

3. Ok stand up with your wieght off the bike. Start your Burn Out. Now sit back down with the tire spinning. Slide the rear end from side to side. (This helps to get the entire tire hot & sticky)
When your ready, Roll down on the thottle(spinning the tire faster) while your easing off the brake.

4. Stop, pick your groove to the line. It's time for your practice launch.( This is to get the feel of the clutch and see if your tire is hooking)
In most cases your practice launch is the same thing your trying to accomplish when you leave the line.

5. Get your bike straight, roll up to the first set of lights. This is where you set your rpm's. Run the R's up (6 grand is a good place to start) with your front brake locked. Ease off the brake untill the next stageing light comes on.

6. When you leave the line you want to start slipping the clutch out the same time your rolling down on the thottle.

Remember Dp, you want to do this as fast as you can. But too much will cause either wheel spin or a wheelie.

Find your sweet spot! If your tire doesn't spin at 6k try 7k then 8k, keep going until your tire breaks loose.

Once you find the rpm that doesn't break the tire loose start getting more aggressive with your clutch. Slide it out so the front end wont to come up. If it starts coming up, pull back in on the clutch a little bit to keep the front end down. (this is the hardest part I think)

This is probably more info than you were looking for, sorry!

....Frank

 

[Frank Adams]

Dp: Even I think I'm a AMATEUR.

One thing is for sure though, you've got to be on your game when your at the track.

Nerves and Wheel spin are your biggest enemies!

Dp, wheel spin is the worst thing you can do when you leave the line.(outside of red lighting)

Wheelies can be controled with use of the clutch.

DON'T SPIN THE TIRE...

Reduce your rpm's.(bogg the motor more if you have to)

Do everything you have to, to keep the tire from breaking loose!

Set your bike up every way you can so it won't spin the tire.

You know your getting good when you start seeing 1.50's short times(60ft times) on a stock wheel base...

Dp, on your bike with your wieght you should be able to run 9.60's. That is no BS. I have a friend that has 20pds on you with almost the same mod's as your Busa and he went 9.65 (foot shifting)

Dp, I know you can do it, you know why?
Because I know you have "Determination"

....Frank

 

[OB_GSXRTURBO1]

Jay, the reference to using gasgacinch was for a base gasket, not a head gasket. You are correct, you cannot seal a head without a gasket, but you CAN increase compression with a thinner base gasket or even more without a gasket altogther. I just don't think they did this, but time will tell how close a production ZX12R is to what Rickey had. I'm sorry to say this, but I really think production ZX12Rs will make as much or more power than what Rickey had. I sincerely hope I'm wrong...Tom Gafa

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

Thanks c.dolan and Frank for the advice. I think we all agree on throttle and clutch use off the line.

Frank, that's a great staging checklist...so thanks. I like your burnout techniques...make a lot of sense. The practice launch I've never done so that's new for me too and I'll practise it on the street before I go to the strip.

I realize now that my stagings have been pretty amateur. But then, that's what I am...an amateur!

What you're recommending for the launch itself is exactly what I do for hard street launches. That's what I meant by "making excuses for wheelspin and wheelies with the clutch."

On a pinned throttle I use my clutch as my only input until the shift, and slip it 90% of the way through first to prevent too much wheelspin or high wheelying. I have to let the wheel spin some because if I don't the whole thing just heads skyward (I'm 185 plus gear).

The clutch then stays locked going into second and on typical street pavement I get some wheel spin at the beginning of second but it quickly hooks up and turns into a low wheely.

 

[OB_c.dolan]

Dirty Pete: I do a couple of short hops / burnouts to the line. I go with the best rpm sound, since I'm only looking at the tree, when staged. The few times I looked at the tach, it was showing 8,000 +-. I hold steady rpm when tree goes down, launch with much rpm, and slow feed of clutch. Might use 60' , or more, till clutch is all out, depending on elevation of front end. A good run will usually carry a 6" "floater", all of 1st gear, full power. This is on stock bike, no lowering. You're sometimes more likely to stand it up with too low an rpm, or "easy" takeoff. I weigh 220, suited, and use all of that trying to keep front end down. Stock clutch is hard to slip, so working on different combination, with less plates, (thicker), and more spring pressure. Currently experimenting with early GPZ plates, both stock, and Barnett.

 

[Frank Adams]

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you also!

Wronglane: No bars, and a street tire.

Where I live you can run at a Dragstrip pretty much every night of the week when the weather permits.

 

[OB_Wronglane]

Merry Christmas everyone!

Frank>>>>>You said your friend has 1.50 short times on a stock wheelbase Busa.That's great!Is that on a street tire without a wheelie bar?Also,I saw pictures of your bike with the extended and polished arm......very,very nice!