2013 Sandblast Rally - March 2 - SC

Is there any other?. I think this statement describes anybody in RM. looking forward to it as well!!! Got to go teach a bunch of ladies how to ride...ta ta.

<a href="http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz66/hardwaregrrl/?action=view&current=48F12AB8-DF2E-44BC-AEBD-C0A708C227B7-10658-00000E49BDA4820F.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/h/hardwaregrrl_48F12AB8-DF2E-44BC-AEBD-C0A708C227B7-10658-00000E49BDA4820F.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

The exhaust valve was out of spec. I wonder if that was causing the lack of peak power last year. Clutch plates are in good shape, however.

Jenna : see you there.

jack

HAHAHA, that's funny

I had a huge milestone today with my 690, it's been a bumpy road and I figured I had to share the story. Some of you know that I DNF'd WV and never made it to BRS because of my 690 running problems. Even Mike Bradway has had some issues. Not being one to give up, I decided to rip out the KTM mystery EFI box and retrofit the Microsquirt system. Thankfully, I've been doing rally type stuff since 1999 and I've met some real talented people over the years. A few of those people helped me tackle this project and I actually rode it today for more than 5 minutes in random parking lots

I spent the afternoon riding on the lake today, trying to get a feel for the fuel/ignition mapping and of course getting comfortable on the ice again. It's been a year! So far so good, She ran great in the sub zero temps and the power was really good, even with a 50-60lb ice tire on the back. Next week, I'll be racing some friends on the ice, which should be the true test.
I'm really looking forward to racing my 690 again, I love this bike!

click the pic for some video if you're so inclined, be warned, it's a bit boring




Lets hear some bike prep stories or even some interesting rally stories you might have! I have many years worth but would rather hear yours

Bike sounds great. Is the Microsquirt smother than the stock EFI.

I finally installed the Shorai battery in my F800GS....this battery has been sitting on the shelf for a year because of all the stories about failures i keep reading about. Anyhow, this battery definately seems to have more cranking power than the factory battery, and it weighs a whopping 8 lbs. less.

Next on the list is to disconnect and remove the right side brake and caliper assembly. This bike rarely sees any street duties so I really dont need the extra weight. I had already converted the spaghettifront brake line factory design into a simple MX style brake lines soon after I bought the bike new.

Hey: So far it looks like the turn out for SB is going to be great, 48 Bikes entered already. 12 more and we go to the 30 second start times. :eek1. I have enough trouble just doing the minutes.


Jack

And how many more after that for a dead engine hare scramble start?

Two or three bikes per minute would be exciting but would be a potential nightmare for the timekeepers -->

Not exactly bike prep but it is rally prep. I'm working on a few new camera angles to spice up the highlight reels.

I made a backpack mount for the GoPro to provide a better 3rd person/over-the-shoulder view.

Give these a look and let me know if you think they have any disorieting effect.

Special thanks to Bruno for providing the venue and the bikes.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IXN0XU4F7G0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nGLvXU7Qu4M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SUuLak2zZqE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Cool angle on those shots. Now you just need to figure out one of those MotoGP style gyro stabilized ones where the camera is always inline with the horizon.

I have had rough ideas on my head for a sort of stedicam mount for a bike but had not figured out how to mount it. I am thinking the backpack idea might work there.

Will Rally license and membership info be processed soon? I mailed it over a month ago.

I like that idea. Some guys use servos and a gyro but I think that is a bit too complex for the dirt and wet of the rally environment. I think I could come up with a way to give it one plane of freedom so it would keep the horizon level. If I find the right swivel I could hang the camera as a pedulum and let gravity do the rest...if...

Here's one of the videos I used for a starting plan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQmwcTSJDrk I have a shorter boom and mine comes straight off the T at the backpack to minimize part count and complexity. I can break it down and fit it all in my backpack that I use for Rally.

I'll do a how-to thread when I get it all dialed in.

Which of the three angles looked best?

I prefered the first angle Best field of view without the wiggles.

Sure there are no hardparts to hurt you in a crash with a boom like that?

If you paid, don't worry. You may just get them when you Check in at SB.

put the camera on your head and the horizon will stay mostly level.

OK, thanks. I was worried about my lack of smily faces :)

Dont worry. Anders checks everything manually. Hes very thorough, but sometimes it doesnt show up fr a while. If you sent it, though, its gotten i reckon

I mentioned this earlier....

I have a new in-the-box Leo Vinci titanium (full) exhaust for a BMW G450X.

Any takers....?

email me @ ds@sammel.co