Atlanta Motorcycle Schools

After attending a few races, I wanted to try racing myself. But I didn’t know where to start. After taking advice from a friend, I went to a Fastlap trackday to get my feet wet. Next, I took the Ed Bargy Race School—and as they say, “The rest is history!”

My first race season was 2003 and it wasn’t encouraging. My bike setup poorly and it was hard to be competitive. I ended up crashing 3 times with no warning. Talk about a trip on one’s head… Going back to the track was difficult at best. So I didn’t race very often or very well. I wanted to quit, but something told me to hang in there.

Photos taken by VHS Photography (770) 356-8094

2004 Season results:

For 2005 I’m switching classes to Vintage 7 Middleweight. I simply can’t get the seat time to be competitive on a contingency eligible bike. Therefore, I won’t spend 11 grand every two years on bikes alone. I’ll be racing a 1993 Honda CBR 600 F2. It is still a fast bike, but not nearly as expensive to race. The Vintage class riders are much more friendly—on and off the track. I like that.

To pay the bills, I work for Mitsubishi Motors shipping car parts to our dealers. I am looking forward to, and very proud to be, teamates with my dear friend Megan. I am more than willing to answer any questions about track experience (i.e., getting started, "tooling up", where to find bargains, bike setup, the positive returns of track time, people that are fun, etc.). I started at the absolute bottom and I am working my way up. No better way to learn that than from someone who has “been there, done that, and LOVES it!!” Corner me at the track on race day, or send me an email via Ken Murray at ken@jkminc.com.

Looking forward to 2005 with you guys,

Bike list:

1993 Honda CBR 600F2 race bike
1993 Honda CBR 600F2 parts bike
2002 Honda xr100 pit/training bike (LOTS of fun!!!)
2003 Honda CBR600RR Street bike
2001 Suzuki SV 650 leftover parts bike (for sale)

Additional sponsors:

Ken Johnson (Fishboy)
WERA ex# 167

Race Reports

March 19-20, 2005—First Race of the Season—Roebling Road

Savannah was frustrating, ’cause the guy who sold me the bike said that the bike was faster than it actually was. So I needed to go into the bike and “iron it out” after all of this…

Gearing was weak—I was told that the bike was geared (front and rear sprockets) for Road Atlanta. That straight-away is 5700 feet long, the longest straight in the Southeast—meaning low gear ratio is needed for maximum top speed. While I was going down the straight at Roebling (2750 feet long), I was on the rev limiter halfway down the straight. This means I had stopped accelerating before the straight was over, bouncing on the rev limiter. You want to continue accelerating until you roll off of the gas for the turn at the end of the straight-away. This was aggravating, to put it very mildly. You know how animated I am, so imagine the “colorful language” I was using when I discovered this. Now I laugh about it, but at the time I was not anyone’s friend.

I watched my “arch rival” pull away from me, because he was able to continually accelerate down this straight-away., while I was not. I still fought like a dog, didn’t give up, and came home second. Some say “Better than third”, but I want to do my absolute best—always. I was held back a bit by not checking my gearing before I went to the track THAT was the hard part for me, after the fact. Whomever rides, decides. Number one adage of riding.

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May 28-29, 2005—2nd Race—Jennings

I decided that Jennings was "going to be different". I had to repeat this over and over to myself.

I put "Morgan" in the shop for a few changes. I had Doug put in new cam chain guides and change the front sprocket. Turns out that the bike had a 14 tooth front—bike comes stock with 15 tooth front. Easy explanation as to why it wouldn't run down the straight (sheesh). I also put a different pipe on, as the one I had at RRR was a bit too lean.

On to the race… I toaded my start (did a BAD job) and went into turn one in, like, 8th place or something. Picked off a couple of guys in one, then went about in search of my "arch rival". Didn't see him in the straight (This means I am getting beaten ,BAD). Fought like a dog in traffic for two laps, and found a nice opening. I looked up the straight, and THERE was my "arch rival" within striking distance. I began to smile…

I closed in on him in the "Esses" and followed him for a bit. Good smooth rider I waited until the lap was over. We went into one, I crept up, and "pipped" him coming out of Turn 2. He came back in 13 on my right—I followed him around only once more. I drafted him while going for the Esses and "slammed the door" on his front wheel. I never saw him on the track in that race again.

I got 2nd again—lost to a "Reentry" racer—the guy was an original member of Team Velocity, a semipro/factory team. He got out of racing for a while and then decided to reenter racing. He had to do it in MY class, of all classes. Sheesh. Another serving of humble pie for Fishboy.

A la mode with ice cream of course..................................

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June 4-5, 2005—Back to RRR, race # 3 ,still tasting humble pie…

Practice was OK, rain was coming and going. Savannah has a HORRIBLE, patchy surface, which is slick as ice when wet. So a card game of what to put on for tires is what's happening in the pits. And everyone has an opinion—made it more interesting…

I registered for two races, middleweight and heavyweight. Heavyweight means I would be up against 1000s and 1100s. We do this for more seat time. This is called "Bumping up". The heavyweight V7 class is called and we do our "warm up lap". I went out on full rain tires. The front straight was almost completely dry, but the turns were wet in places. Going down the straight, it being dry, will chew up a set of full rain tires. I pulled in after the warm up, saving the tires. Oh well. That's racing on a budget (LOL). On to my race…

I was in the middle position, front row. I turkeyed my start again, (another bad start) and was immediately demoted to 6th place. I pipped two guys going into 1, and was in 4th. I ripped around as best as I could, drafted some guy in the straight, got up to third by the second lap .I had a harder time getting up in the ranks, 'cause I wondered which patches were dry and which ones weren't. Oh well, that's racing. I soldiered on. Two laps later I caught the two in front of me, and I was on them like stink on sardines. I pipped the second place guy going into 3, and set after my "arch rival".

We go into 8, and I gain on him and make it look easy. I did well enough in that turn to pull him through 9, and pass him as we get onto the straight. This is called "Getting a good drive on someone". No better person to do this to than your own "arch rival".

I lead going across the stripe and into one. I know my name was announced as taking the lead. Yes it does feel really good (LOL). I ran out front long enough to take the white flag (one lap left). I made a mistake going into 1 by going in too wide. I had to slow Morgan down quite a bit to get her back where I wanted to be for the exit of turn 2. I was in the wrong place for turn 3, so I decide to swing wide. When I did, I got passed. He was sitting in "the catbird seat" the whole time, I found out later. I chased him through the back section and pulled him in. I thought "This is gonna be good". I caught up to him him turn 8. I got close enough to him going though 9 to stick my hand right in his rear wheel. When I thought I had him, he "checked up", meaning he pulled his bike to the upright position, mid corner, to readjust his line. I had to check up also. We almost hit.

I regroup and get right back on him. He does it AGAIN .I check up again, regroup again, and get on him again. He used all of the track going though 9, meaning he swung WAY wide coming out. 9 is a right hander, meaning all this time he swung waaaaaaay left, with me close enough to slap his seat, on his left, at 85+ mph. He used all of the track, running me onto the "gator strips". The gator strips are painted—that stuff is slick when it's wet. It was the only place I had to go that was paved, besides hitting him. I yanked the bike up straight, rode it like a bullrider (gator strips are NOT level, bike was bucking up and down), felt the rear wheel spin like mad, and watched him pull a gap on me.

Man, I did all I could to reel him in. I looked over my shoulder (after all this happened, if there wasn't enough going on) and reentered the track. I wanted to make sue I wasn't going to hit someone while reentering the track. I had a good enough gap over 3rd place, so I "rolled out of it". I lost by a half second, after all of this. I out-rode him on the last lap, but he still won. I did my best, so I was smiling. No harm,no foul. Road Atlanta is next. And so is he…

So—three races, three podiums, three 2nd place finishes to 3 different people. Weird mathematically, but for now I'll take it!

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July 1-3, 2005—Road Atlanta—Earning Respect

Saturday

Off to Road Atlanta. This is the big one! A large turnout always happens at Road A and Barber, so it's a big deal to get a good finish at either of these tracks. Plus it was a unique experience for your lil buddy Kenny.

Sunday is the sprint races for points. Saturday is for racing called "Solo" races. At Road Atlanta they are 16 laps. At Jennings they are 20, due to the length of the track. The only prize is money, and it ain't much. Most people use these races for extra seat time. This is exactly, and the ONLY, reason I do Solos races. Here's why.

I'm doing the Middleweight Solo 16. These are mostly 600 inline four machinery, with no limits on modifications. Remember, I'm on a '93 600, which is the equivalent of a pre-pentium PC. So yeah, I'm out- gunned at sign-up. I request to be gridded in the back. I'm using this as a 75 dollar track day at Road Atlanta. That is about the only smart thing about this particular day that I do.

I go out for practice, thinking this will be a learning experience. That it was, and a heck of an eye-opener to boot. I was well aware that fuel-injected bikes were way faster than carbed one are (considering I own an '03 CBR600RR street bike). Boy howdy, humiliatingly fast is a better description.

I do the usual, scrub some heat in the tires for the first lap, them turn up the wick. I start to make Morgan howl with excitement, much to my own amusement and delight. When her engine is at 12000 rpm and climbing, I wish I could see my own face. Until an F.I. (fuel injected) bike goes by. Then the math gets done in my head really fast. More horsepower stock (about 25-30). Then Power Commander, deck the heads, so on and so forth. Back to Earth I quickly go.

Race is called and I'm gridded on the last row of 2 full waves. Row 30-something. All 600s, all experts, AMA regulars and hopefuls. I take a quick look at the bikes and I realize that the older ones are in the back with me .Someone was thinking like I was, and it brought some relief.

Green flag goes and so does the first wave. The officials wait until everyone is safe and clear of turn 3 before we get sent. Then bang, we're off.

What a log jam that was. Everyone screaming to turn one,then on the brakes. Mad-dash-ripple-effect-
backwards. All of us got through OK. Always a pleasant surprise/relief in a class referred to as "The Meat Grinder". Any/all 600cc class is referred to as that, due to the high number of entries. I piddle around the first lap, just trying to finish it safely. Can't win it on the first lap, but you sure as heck can lose the whole weekend on the first lap.

Soon as it was done, I decide to move ahead. There were 3 other "Vintage" bikes with me so I HAD to
beat them. So I picked off two early on, and went after the third. Got him going into 6 (which is not easy 'cause the turn is completely blind). I poke through 7 (also blind), and pull the trigger. I thought, "Man, One more lap and I'll have 10 laps to myself"... WOOOOOOSH. My buddy Nick from Faith on Wheels goes by on a '00 R6. More motor was to his advantage. I'll get that rascal, I thought. Careful what you wish for. I go into 10a with Nick just ahead. Then all of a sudden I'm reeling him in QUICK (while still on the brakes). Heart rate skyrockets as I have to throw it in early to keep from hitting him. This is when I realize that Nick didn't belong out here in this class. This is NOT the time to "Try out your new bike and see how it feels". Go to Jennings, dude, is what I say as I pass him in 10b.

We go through 12 and he motors me again in the front straight. "Nick and I raced in '04 on SVs and he learns quick", I recall. He also raced Clubman with Megan. Anyway, I pull him in going into turn 1 and man, I almost hit him, again. I regroup, pull the trigger and chase him up the hill. Then I can't help but notice that he looks as though he is skiing. Wide swoopy lines. This ain't good. As we approach the "bus stop", he swings wide left and I close REALLY fast. Then he comes over on me (I'm to his right), hard. I then stab front and rear brakes as hard as I can while trying not to "lock it and dump it"................

BAM!!!! We hit. Not touch, or "rub", we HIT. I get punted across the grass to the right and he vanishes
from sight. I cut the chicane, do a quick once over to make sure that all is well with Morgan. "Jesus,what was he thinking?" quickly goes though my head. "He wasn't" says the Devils' Advocate on my right shoulder. I pull the trigger and head down "the esses". Careful what you wish for. That's racin'.

I look back when I exit turn 7—this is where one enters the back straight. Nick is not there. Oh well. I keep going and I soon realize that I have the track to myself. I go through 3 again and Nick isn't there. Turn 4, no Nick. Turn 5 same story. I figured he was coming, so I stayed motivated.

I plod along trying different braking points and such. Road A has lots of dynamics, and I wanted to get the feel of the track. If you can go fast at Road A, you can go fast anywhere. I get the halfway flags from Charlie Edgeworth, and wave to him as I go by. Still by myself, singing Aretha, Sinatra, and Ozzy at my leisure. I fumble through 7 and get on the straight, thinking, "When are the leaders coming by?", and Woooosh wooooosh, there they went. Jesus H Palomino, it was Opie Caylor and David Weber, two AMA regulars, and flying low they were. About 25MPH faster than me and pulling away. This is where the whole race changed for me.
Going into 10 after the "blow by", I realize that more were coming. And FAST. So I go up 11, down 12 and headed for 1. I look back, just before flicking it in and 3 bikes were ON MY A## and closing fast. I pull over to the right and flag them by with my left foot. Then I thought, "This is how I'll avoid causing a pile up". I ended up doing this for the rest of the race. Looking over your shoulder is not much fun, but I had to do it. I was too stubborn to pull off the track. I paid my money, and I was going to get to the checker.

So that's how that went for Saturday. I beat the other guys with like bikes, and I didn't quit. I was happy, and many people applauded my effort. 75 bucks well spent.

Sunday

This it kids. Everyone is here and the gloves are off.

Practice goes without incident for me so it's on to the race.

I am gridded on the 2nd row, inside. The grids go 3-2-3-2-3. Three bike first row, 2 bikes 2nd row etc., etc. I look around and feel confident. Green flag drops and away we go.

After the usual log jam, I notice that I'm down on power to some guys. I get motored up the hill for turn 3 and then another log jam. More chaos ensues, with bikes everywhere like someone kicked over an anthill. Over here, over there, everywhere, V7 Middleweight bikes are scrambling about. I couldn't wait to just get around to 1 again, then I could focus on running down my new "arch rival".

We head for 6 on the first lap and I go after a guy named Tim. Soon as I get there, his entire exhaust FALLS OFF RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I saw a Muzzy logo going 100mph on it's own. But, I got in front of it and used it to block going into 6. Lap 1 ended without excitement.

Lap 2 was unique. I get by the squids, with and without exhausts, and set out for my new and old arch rivals. Up ahead I see them together. Green bike in front of red bike. Now it's gonna get good. As I burn down the back straight, I get passed by a 250GP bike. Yamaha TZ250. Jesus, this'll be interesting I think. He passes me and one of the rivals going into 10 (Gravity Cavity). He gets alongside the Green rival, makes a mistake, they hook together run off the track, and fall down in the kitty litter. One down, one to go, I think to myself.
I head down into 12, getting on the front straight, aiming at the red rival. I pull the trigger and Morgan starts sputtering. I hold it wide open, and more sputtering. I could not believe that this was happening. Nothing could cure my ill at that moment.

She was still running, one rival was out and I needed points. So I stayed out. She would sputter, then run good, then sputter. "So it must be electrical" I thought. I stayed out and soldiered on. I looked at corner workers in 3 and 7, pointing at my tank letting them know I had a problem. The only way now that I was getting off the track was a mechanical failure or a black flag. I signaled Chuck as I went by the start-finish line, letting him know I had a problem. He nodded. That was it.

So I puttered around and got 13th, looking over my shoulder the whole time. Road A has not been kind to me. Guess I gottta earn her respect.

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July 30-31, 2005—Roebling Road—2nd Place

More humble pie is hard to take sometimes. Just added fuel to the fire.

The first couple of laps were a good dogfight. Got another poor start and fought to fourth by lap 2. The rain earlier that day hadn't quite dried up, and was still slick in a few spots. I had red rival in front of me, letting him be my guide. I let him show me where the slick spots were. Clever, huh?

I wanted to pass him right away, but his technique going into 1 was unusual. He would go in wide (left), and slowly drift over (right) and "toss out the anchors". That means hit the brakes hard. He was losing lots of time. We went around one more time, using him as a guide. The track was dry enough to pull the trigger.
I waited til he started his "routine" in turn 1, and just dove in under him. Simple, yet effective. I then ran like heck, trying to get closer to Bryan Nelson ('03 and '04 National Champion). Let's just say that he is fast.
As I took 2nd place, I could see him up ahead. He's good. But he didn't "Run away and hide". Man, I can't wait to show him a wheel.

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August 6-7, 2005—Jennings—1st Place

Jennings is a tight and technical track. Lots of flipping a bike one side to another. Not quite a horsepower track like Road A or RRR, but lots of fun.

I'm gridded on the second row of my class, but on row 18. Towards the end of the season, some grids thin out a bit. Many folks run low on cash, get injured, motors detonate, etc., etc., etc. So, they put multiple classes on the grids, fastest bikes up front. Also helps to know that we don't have lights, so we race daylight as well. The grid was Heavyweight Twins in front (1000cc two cylinder bikes) expert and novice, then V6HW (GSXR 1100s,FZR1000s etc.), then us.

Anyway, we grid up and I am ready to fight. 1 board goes up and the guy in front of me WHEELIES before they green flag drops. I instantly think, "He'll get a stop-and-go for that". He didn't just jump the start, he stood it up. Easy kill, or so I thought.

Green flag drops, and I dispose of my red rival right away. I pull behind the wheelie king and stay behind him and the end of lap 2. I stay right with them, watching what they do, taking notes a la Rossi. The wheelie king in this race is Borge Larsen, who owns the track, literally. Good place to go to school, I thought. His track, he knows the fast way 'round.

We come up on the halfway flag, and I notice that there is no stop-and-go for Mr. Larsen. If it doesn't happen now, then it's not gonna happen. I throw it hard into 1 running wide. I got on the gas hard exiting 1, holding it open through 2. Wouldn't you know it, I pulled in on him like I had a tractor beam. Thank you MSP Cycles, great job. He rolled out of it going into 3 a little sooner than last time and POW!! I got by him. But as soon as I did that, POW!! I got by the green rival as well. All in one turn. Now I was leading the race.

I saw the HWT Twins in front of us, and I needed to get to them now. I got the last V6hw bike, and set after the Ducati in front of me. Zapped him in the double apexer in the back and pinned it in the back straight.
I nabbed another twin going into 1, and took off. Got an RC51 going into 13 and kept running. I looked
back as I crossed the finish line to take the white flag and the green rival was just coming out of 14. All I had to do now was not crash.

I got greedy. I had to get one more bike. I pipped a guy on an SV1000 going into 13. I crossed the stripe in 1st place. When there is nothing between you and the checker but your tach, life is sweet. Gotta get some of that again.

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More from Kenny:

Chronicles of the Suzuki DR200

So I ask,"Well, how much?"

He replies, "Hadn't thought about it yet. I'll let you know later today", and strides away. He's back in less than 5 minutes and says ,"For you ,1000 dollars." I reply, "Lemme think about it. I'll give you a positive answer today—yes or no."

I go to him 5 minutes later and say, "What denomination would you like,large or small?" He hands me a stack of paperwork. Bike has never been registered or titled, but I now have all legal paperwork leading back to the original owner. I ain't goin to jail..................

The next day I give him 1k and head home. "What a gas saver. I'll ride this thing 'til there's nothing left of
it." I say to myself. Famous last words. Read on.........

First stop on the way home is Freewheeling Honda/Suzuki to see my friends Chris and Barry. I get a couple of filters and 2 plugs for it. I waste no time boogying home to get to work. I tweaked the carb on this same bike about 1 1/2 years earlier to get it to quit sputtering for my supervisor. Plus most imported carbed bikes come in this country lean as a snake. I'm a little familiar with this ride.

Task number one is to pull the plug and check the motor's health. Bike has 1900 miles on it. Plug is good and toasty colored. "Niiiiiice" I say. Change the oil and filter. Stuff myself into my helmet and off I go. The bike (for me, a licensed expert road racer) is kinda slow but will do. Like a big XR100 with lights. Cooler than a moped and not as derelict looking. Almost as cheap to operate too!!

I run to the gas station up the road. My giggling is almost uncontrollable. I can't believe how much bike this is, for so cheap. "Peanut gas tank too,man I'll save some dough this summer " constantly goes through my head. While stuffing the nozzle in the gas tank and looking at some gals, "Clack!". Man that was quick! A whopping 3 dollars to fill. I reset the trip odometer and speed off (well,for what the bike is I did). I buzz around Paulding county just getting used to the bike. Quick "tip in" while turning,light as a feather. Leans over far also. Doesn't squirm either. But, ya gotta pull the trigger a bit harder than usual to get going. Only way it'll wheelie is to "clutch it up" from a dead stop. Lotsa fun.

Two days later I flip it to reserve. Later that day I swing by my favorite convenience store to top up. Looking down, I see I've put 120 miles on it." Not bad," I think." I gotta be the cheapest s.o.b. on Earth. I love this" I think to myself (This is when gas was a whopping $1.50 or so a gallon). That evening I call my insurance people to put it on my policy, alongside my CBR 600RR. I actually made my insurance company laugh. Know why? I got a 13 dollar credit for a multi-bike policy. More reason to have more bikes (lol).

Commuting on this bike is great, just don't take the Interstate. I take back roads,about 21 miles one way. Some sweet curves and a few hills. Gotta watch for that bloodhound that sometimes gets out by the high-tension lines. He'll make you stop for him. And I thought I was stubborn (lol).

I rode this bike while my truck was in the shop with a failing fuel pump (This fuel pump is what caused me to miss the Barber round in April. 500 bucks. OUCH!!). I decide to entertain myself on the way to the shop by getting in the draft of a Honda Element. Top acquired speed at this point was a whopping 62 mph indicated, downhill of course. I figure with the boxy shape of said Honda, I'll really get going. All the way to 70mph I went with the valves just a floatin'. Good thing they were in spec, or I'd be pushing that bike home with a dropped valve.

Then I get creative. I decided to try and pass this car. I pull out to pass and hit a wall of air, the likes of which I never experienced before. Remember, I do this for fun at the track at 140+. It shoved me back QUICK, as if it were the hand of God. "Highspeed" playtime was over .

The rains came (remember?). The bike sat and sat. I won't ride in the rain, if I have a choice. I guess that's why some bozo invented cars. Bully for him.

So I go to a WERA race and take the DR as a pitbike. I'm yapping with a friend about this bike and a WERA official says, "You wanna get your money back outta that bike?" I reply, "Man,I'll ride this thing 'til there's nothing left of it." Famous last words................

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Chronicles of the Honda F2

I go to MSP Cycles to have my racebike carbs serviced. The guys there tell me, "Hey Kenny, we got one of those for sale in the other room." There it sits, a red and white F2 that had a huge whammy on the clutch lever side. I ask how much. Rod says 1200 bucks. I go away thinking, how can I come up with 1200 bucks quick?

When I get home I quickly call Tony Pentacost and tell him, "Yeah, 'cause I like you I'll sell you this bike". We arrange to meet, swap paperwork (Thanks to Metro Cycles admin department for their help in fixing the paperwork for cheap) and DR for cash. I then book back to MSP.

The DR is now gone. I wanted an all Honda garage. Here goes..............

I take a good look at the F2 ."Title here?", I ask. "Yep" is Roger's reply. There's a Fox shock and a manual cam chain adjuster. Front tire has had it, rear still looks good. BT56SS, an old favorite of mine. High miles (45000), and a big whammy on the left side. Roger fires it up. No tics or tacs, nice and quiet motor. Throttles up smooth.

"What happened here?", I ask, pointing to the "injury". He tells me that the owner hit a jaywalking pedestrian at night, who was wearing all black. Fairing bracket was bent, left side upper fairing was destroyed, headlamp was in a separate box. All bodywork was in the back. I ask to see it. Not perfect, but it'll be OK with a lil lovin.

I pay them 12 large bills and book for the house. I have an F2 parts bike that has the stock fairing bracket already at home. Bodywork on my parts bike is blue/white. This bike is red/white. I'll make it happen. For cheap too!! <wink wink>.

To keep myself from riding this bike I strip the remaining front bodywork and get to tweaking. I scrub the engine cases with a soft copper brush and citrus engine cleaner (WalMart, about 3 dollars total) and then the exhaust. I then sand and spray the exhaust black (another 3 bucks... lol). I look for the missing left side upper all over the place. From Honda it's 458 dollars. I put out an APB on the WERA bulletin board. A guy from Kansas says he has a cracked one that he's tired of stepping over. 3 days and 25 dollars later it's on my porch.
It's cracked and it's OEM purple. Brainstorm. I call The Plastic DR and meet up with him. I hand him the front fender too (small crack). He tells me he can shoot it red also. I say do it.

The fork seals are leaking and the chain needs to be replaced. I run the bike over to Highside Motorsports. I can do this myself, but I support my friends when I can. I've known them for several years. Yes, I even pay retail sometimes.

After I get the bike back a week later from Highside, I yank the wheels and go to Cycle Gear on Hwy 41. They have the best prices/selection in store on tires, apparel, and accessories. I go in and pick out a set of Bridgestone BT014s. Can't remember what the tire price was, but mount and balance was 12 DOLLARS EACH!!! On a touchless tire removal machine,too!!! Not an arrogant attitude to be found. I grab 4 quarts of Motul on the way out. Boy that was nice. A great bunch of guys, too. Really friendly, not condescending at all. 'Bout time (lol). I go back all the time and hit the clearance rack (lol).

A day later Mark (Plastic DR) says my stuff is ready. I go get it and it looks great. Not perfect,but great for how inexpensive it was. Reassembly is the next task. I spend two after-work evenings putting her back together. She went together pretty easy. Wrench in one hand, talkin to Kim with the phone in the other. I ask if she'd like to go ride. She says yes. Off we go.

About 3/4s of the way up to Morganton she dies. Electrical. Shoulda known, being a Honda guy. It was classic symptoms of the regulator rectifier. Kim and I had so much fun after she died on us, maybe I oughta break down more often (lol).

I decide on an aftermarket rectifier. I trot down to Marietta Motorsports and talk to Scott. He gets me a Tour Max, made in Japan. He informs me that the Chinese stuff may be cheaper, but they aren't given the ingredients for good electricals, yet. He says that currently the best are Japanese and Taiwan. That's always good to know.

An ounce of prevention is always good. I decide I want a voltage gauge for this bike, to prevent this from happening again. I make my way to WOW International, and see "Smokin Joe" Campbell, the accessory guy. Out of the "Big Bike Book" we decide on a small digital strip gauge that tells temp, time, voltage, and ice warning. 26 bucks for all that. I'll take it.

I strip the top of the bike and beginning running the wires in the gauge. I decide that while I have the tank off, I'll look in the airbox...........

What I found I did not like. There was an over-oiled UNI filter in it. People, the best for a streetbike is
paper—period. The "Highflow" filters you see are good for the track and that's about it. Most modern bikes
('90-current) with airboxes rely on pressurized air for efficiency. Highflow filters disrupt this. The only time a highflow filter is beneficial is on a HIGH horsepower racebike (125 hp for 600cc, 170+ hp for 1000cc). The track is a controlled environment. There's limited dirt, trash, debris, and so forth. The street isn't like this, so paper is best.

I toss the UNI and replace it with OEM paper. I finally finish the F2 and take her for a quick spin. She zung up to 10k rpm quick. I bet I gained 10hp by replacing the air filter alone. NOW she runs good. A quick clutch adjustment and she was really easy to ride.

All said and done, I now have about 1700 dollars in this bike. It's now my primary streetbike. Good cheap fun!!

Cheers,
Kenny

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