2
TLDR - I'm back, and on a competitive mount for a change!
Slightly longer version - I've got some large new bike development teething issues to sort, the biggies are a potential tank leak and a rear shock that's completely off the map wrong for the bike. I spent Friday's advanced school and Saturday's practices and GTL trying to figure out why I couldn't get the bike to turn or accelerate without it going into hysterics assuming I was just REALLY rusty. Peter Kates gave the machine the old 'bouncy bouncy' just before I went out for race #8, noted the rear end had about 1/2" of usable travel and softened it up as much as he could given the way off spring and valving. That extra 1/4" of movement and action was enough to transform the bike. I now had enough confidence to put up a fight and hopefully justify my yellow plates. Can't wait to try it with functional suspension!
No impressive results, had a killer battle with Roland in race 10, we changed places 6 or 8 times I think. Race 8 Gino lapped me and then was gracious enough to give a tail tap and lead me around. I'm sure he was coasting at that point but it was nice to be able to keep him in sight for a bit. Turned 28s after Roland lit a fire under me, PB is 25s so I've still got a huge way to go to be back on pace.
Todos:
- Shift the frigging thing, I'm only shifting half as much as I should and loosing drive all over the place
- Sort the shock and tank issues
- Clean up my lines, advanced school helped but I'm still sloppy.
- Pull the restrictor plate or jet for it.
- Learn to launch this thing