Cobie Fair
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Posts
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Posts posted by Cobie Fair
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Well, I finially figure how to convert a mov into avi and edit a video of my crash. It is a tank mount camera and natural is limited as you can see where I am looking or such.
Any critique is welcomed.
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b143/uki...=Movie_0001.flv
Uklime: where did this happen? Which track? If at a school, what level were you taking and have you taken?
Best,
CF
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TOC,
Thanks for the post, very glad to hear it went well.
Best,
Cobie
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Keith has posted a letter regarding Freddie closing, and it's on R/World.
Here's the link:
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34782
Honestly, felt the same way, sad to see him go. It is not an easy industry to be in and at first (with the current economic times) I thought, hey--good for us! But in the end, wish it hadn't gone that way.
CF
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I think tire wear and traction are inversely proportional. In other words, you have to sacrifice one for the other.
As stated earlier, I have traction adequate for the type and environment (street) of riding that I do. When I go to the track, I change the pressures.
That's right, you did say that earlier. I'm a bit greedy, I like a lot of traction and some to spare
CF
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JBird,
Is the theory clear on the downshifting and why/how?
C
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I hope that what we're seeing regarding spam is an improvement. By no means is it fool proof, or to the point of "set it and forget it". Take a look at the IP.Board forums. There are several strategies there other admins have posted for dealing with SPAM issues on this software. If you need any help, PM me and leave a phone number, or I'll send mine.
Hey Jaybird,
Thanks for keeping an eye on this stuff and your willingness to help out. Some of these spammers, I'd like to....
Best,
CF
ps--going to be at the track for 4 days, and I know Kevin is also out over the weekend, hope we don't get tons of up here.
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So I'm having a discussion on whether the rear of the bike squats or rises under acceleration. I've shown my friend video of bikes rising under acceleration on a dyno and some slow motion of race bikes, but he's still not convinced.
Does anyone have a data logging system on their bike with a shock pot on the rear for rear suspension travel? Basically, I'm just looking for someone who has data logged for throttle, rpm, wheel speed, and rear shock position. I've got MoTeC, Pi, and Bosch if anyone uses those; I'm open to any other software that I can get for free.
Thanks
Allard
Allard,
I know it does, Keith and some engineers have gone over it with me more than once. Way back when to prove it Keith would have students stick their fingers in the rear springs of the old 2 shock bikes, and see for themselves what happened.
If we do get some data up here on it, (a few engineers and tech guys visit the forum), see if we can get some pictures or make it so everyone can understand it, please
CF
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How cool---working in Italy. I've been abroad, but never to Italy--what's the bike culture like there, everyone an Italian nut, skilled but crazy? How's the food too? The whole country Rossi-crazed?
C
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And here I am, probably the youngest one and NOT having my mind in the gutter. haha.Younger than 16? that is my maturity and emotional developement at any rate, about 16. That way when my kids are taking to long with something, I can say, "Hey, I have a short attention span!
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Thanks for putting this info up, good to hear what you guys are doing, have done.
I tried and tried and tried to get contacts in, couldn't get it done, stuck with glasses.
C
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Lots of good stuff up here, tiny re-cap of a few things:
1. Timed correctly, it will not mess up your transmission. Every bike Will and I own has been ridden this way for years, no problems (and many other bikes and riders too).
2. Start at an easy speed, no need to go fast. The up and the downshifting can be done at any RPM virtually. I'm often in 4, 5th at 3k riding around town, not using the clutch at all.
3. Can pre-load the shift lever a little, but don't do it for a long time.
4. Leaning to do it with the clutch might be best in the long run. Like Racer pointed out, start with the blipping. I have had 2 students that struggled a little doing it with the clutch, did it w/out and thought it easier.
Let us know what happens.
CF
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Your write up was awesome. Sounds like you had darn near the perfect CSS experience. Makes me want to go that much more.
Hey Hubbard,
I was looking at your profile (on your posts) and says Chandler, AZ--is that where you are now?
CF
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...and uses it as stress relief.
No. We're talking about his leg...
LOL!
yeah, me too
CF
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Tire flexion builds heat.
Less pressure increases flexion and increases heat. Higher pressure reduces flexion and reduces heat.
In any case, typical street riding won't build enough heat anyway. That's why I recommend not running track tires on the street. It's basically pointless. Unless you are pushing hard enough to be dragging your knee, you won't build or maintain enough heat to activate a track compound. You just wear out your tires faster.
Ah, you're right...I run the higher pressure to reduce tire wear...seems to be working.
Back to one of the original points, better tire wear, but better traction?
CF
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Cobie,
What do you mean by easier on the rider? Can you explain the benefits in learning this?
The short version is: the control actions are the same--excpet there is one less to do! Simultaneous braking and downshifting is the single most complicated action in riding a motorcycle. It can come at a very busy time for a rider, while entering a turn, has to set his speed, location, deal with traffic, hit his turn in point, get ready to look into the turn--this gets busy. So, eliminating a whole action, simpler for the rider, don't you think?
Best,
CF
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Hey Bpez--thanks for letting us know about these spammers, appreciate that.
Not sure if any of the moderators will be available over the weekend though...
Best,
CF
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Thanks Cobie - the info regarding the contacts does help. At the track a few weeks ago, I started out wearing my sunglasses, but found they moved around too much and it was very distracting. I bought a tinted shield, so the sun should be less of a problem, but I think I might investigate the possibility of wearing contact lenses.
Jaybird - I don't know if I'm a good candidate for laser eye surgery, but I'll certainly ask.
Thanks!!
Dan
There have been a few coaches that have had the surgery, no ill effects that I know of.
CF
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Clutchless downshifting works well, and can be done completely smoothley. You for sure do have to give it a little blip, that unweights the transmission for a moment, and you can make the downshift.
With rare excpetion, I have been doing this for years, and so have other coaches at the school. It not only (I think) is easier on the rider, it is no harm to the bike (with the 2 provisios stated before--don't preload the shift lever, don't stomp it into gear if one gets a false neurtral). It can take a little practice to get the timing right, so there is not surging, but learnable for sure.
CF
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I have plenty of room right by my house to work on this. I will let you guys know how it goes. I'll put in steps, if I can, how I get into a corner on East, which is 4th to 2nd gear.
On the straight I pop into 4th for maybe couple seconds, get a good twist, and get ready to downshift.
I clamp onto the tank, pull in the clutch and start on the brake at about the same time. I do this between the 3 and 4 cone.
I downshift from 4th to 2nd while I'm squeezing the brakes.
As I brake, I let the clutch out slowly using the engine to help me decelerate, having it completely out by the 2 cone.
I'm back on the throttle before the clutch is all the way out to maintain speed and turn about 5 feet past the 1 cone.
OK--so, one reason that the clutch should come out between each shift is one is not sure, 100% sure, that the bike went down 1 gear, and 1 gear only. The standard is to let the clutch out between each shift. Sometimes it won't go down, and it has happened where it's gone down more than 1 gear.
The blip (quick on/off of the throttle), matches the speed of the engine to the speed of the rear wheel, so the rear tire doesn't lock up, or the clutch being let out very slowly (which is distracting).
How about just practicing the blip, and don't even worry about the braking at first. Get a piece of road, accelerate up to 4th, then just pull in the clutch and blip the throttle--don't even worry about downshifting to start, just get the blip done.
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I'd be inclinded to agree with Racer on this one: the only reason I know to move the leg is to get the foot into position for a left, after shifting gears.
It's like with Doohan and the whole thumb activated rear brake, that was a fad for a while, then went away. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was laughing in his Cheerios (or whatever he eats).
C
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I last had my eyes checked about 2 years ago; 20/20 in each eye. However, I think my vision is deteriorating a bit (I spend my working hours in front of a computer). I do wear very mild glasses at work just to sharpen things up a bit, but don't wear them at any other time.
For those that have glasses or contacts to correct your vision, do you prefer to use the glasses or contact lenses while at the track?
I am asking because I want to go in for another eye exam and was contemplating contact lenses as I think they'd be less intrusive than a pair of glasses under the helmet.
Thanks for your input!
Dan
Hi Dan,
I noticed when I was doing more driving (long distance in the trucks) my eyesitght would get better after a while. My father, who is over 70, still flies airplanes, and doesn't wear glasses for hardly anything, but he sure doesn't spend that much time in front of a computer.
I know Keith usually wears glasses when he rides, but doesn't wear them all the time normally. I need glasses for reading and driving at night, but don't use them at the track (though I'm considering starting to). I have known a number of guys that have used contacts, even a few of the coaches do. Haven't heard many complaints, now and again a contact moves on them and it can be distracting, but that is about it.
Not sure if that helps or not, just some info for you.
Best,
Cobie
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Kevin was up on the board when the POS posted the list of porno links filled with viruses and ActiveX malware. I PM'd him to point it out and BAM... another one bites the dust, hey hey, another one bites the dust.
Hey Racer--thanks for that. He told me he will be out of action from now until Sunday. I'll be in the office from now until Friday evening, but over the weekend--there won't be any of us regularly staying on it.
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Kevin was up on the board when the POS posted the list of porno links filled with viruses and ActiveX malware. I PM'd him to point it out and BAM... another one bites the dust, hey hey, another one bites the dust.
Hey Racer--thanks for that. He told me he will be out of action from now until Sunday. I'll be in the office from now until Friday evening, but over the weekend--there won't be any of us regularly staying on it.
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Ace--it would be good to find out what your friend's mileage is--wanna ask him?
I've heard of good mileage coming out of twins, like to get some specifics.
CF
And here I am, probably the youngest one and NOT having my mind in the gutter. haha.
Track Tires?
in School Questions/General Discussion
Posted
I think this is CYA. I don't see how a higher pressure (smaller contact patch) is going to get greater traction, and for a long time, even superbike slicks were 30 psi (roughly), with the new generation of stuff way lower (we run our N-tec slicks at 18).
C