For the first time on the track with the new bike.
It has been a long way, from idea, planning, designing, chasing parts and manufacturing to get there, the first time open the trottle at the track. The list of involved people is so long that it needs a separate story to describe how the work has been done and by whom.
Two days before the event was spent in the pits by the team starting and testing systems and set-ups. The team was Jarmo Pulkkinen, Mats Tärnström, Carina and Charley. Hans Björkman, machinist and inventor who has spent days and nights in the Karling workshop together with Mats and Charley, stayed at home following the event. The Super Twin Rider Greger Johansson was also in team for the weekend and will also be so in Finland. Greger is making new engines and will be out later during the summer. Christian and Viktoria now with the little daughter Liv and changes in work situation do not have the time to spend the time that is needed.
We did miss the first qualification session because we did not get the right temperature at the rear cylinder. On the second session we were out. The engine responded very well and the clutch hooked up as it should with only the primary arms in the burn-out. Maybe the rpm:s went up a little bit to high, the wheel speed went up to 380 km/h (230 mph). It´s tricky to know the trottle response before you tried it. With a fuel pressure higher than it ever had been before we got a smaller leak from one hose and have to shut the engine off. We fixed the leak easy but as the rules are we miss that run.
Next day rain and wind and the day after that also rain. Not one single round in the European Championship, cars or bikes, could be completed because of the rain.
So we did not qualify and even if we did not get a run it gave us a lot. Just a burn-out and the data we got from it shows that we are on the right track. We did work in the pit for three days starting tuning testing to get a basic setup and also get all functions to work properly.
Since September last year when we started the bike for the first time we have been doing many changes. Here is a few examples. The main thing is a new designed mounting of the front primary drive pulley to the crankshaft. The McClure Overkill crank is modified to fit the new mounting and the main bearings in the crankcase is moved to give more room for the mounting.
The engine also have got improved lubrication system with some new ports inside the Overkill crankcase. Both the feed and return is changed to get better circulation and less outside hoses. The Autoverdi oil-pump is doing its job and the oil pressure variation is only 5 psi from idle 3000 rpm up to 7000 rpm.
The Clutch Cannon is redesigned for other seals to prevent the air from coming into the oil.
The 44-amp Dual MSD Magneto Ignition have got improvements with waste spark boxes for the 14 plugs we not have on our two cylinder engine. It helps to keep the spark energy up.
These new designed or modified components seems to work very well and we are sure there will be more when we get more runs on the bike. We now look forward to the next event in Finland in July. But before that, coming weekend Custom Bike Show in Norrtälje SWEDEN.
