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Ok so lets start Friday with me packing up to get to the track. Hobbs had dropped the Duc of at RJ's in Nashua on thursday for a badly needed Dyno tune so I head down with no racebike in the trailer. Arrive around 10am and unpack. I then call RJ's... Bike is ready.
Haul ass down to RJ's so as to make it back for practice. Great shop and they did great work on short notice. 77 hp and 53 ft/lbs torqueRoger at RJ's Explained to me about a cavitation problem with the fuel line in the tank and how I needed to clamp it to get any better reading.
Get the bike back and unpacked. Get it teched and do practice. The rear end keeps kicking out in 3. I can't figure it out, it seems like there is something on the tire but I can't find a leak. Go talk to Miles (Bridgestones) and Sto (Michelin the tires I am running) They both look at the tire and think there is plenty of tread left... maybe they are just losing grip..
Miles mounts a pair of used slicks for me to try in morning practice. I mount em up just before dark with help from the 1a crew.
Awake Saturday AM, confidence is shot, out for practice and have NO issues with the tires, confidence starts coming back!
Now do I stay on slicks or go with DOT's? Long story short I stick with my Michelin DOT's, I am not going fast enough for slicks yet.
Race LWSS and Dan and I battle, well mostly I follow him and try and catch up most of the race until setting him up for a pass on the last lap for the win!
Posted a 1:27. Not great but getting better and getting all the bugs out and confidence back with the tires.
The Bike isn't pulling as well as it should on the straights but not a slip from the tires. Into the pits to clamp the fuel lines in the tank.
Sunday brings wet weather but I go out for practice to get a few laps in. Feeling ok, New tires, fixed the fuel delivery problem and the bike is pulling hard again. Minor hiccup when I lost the pinch bolt in the shifter but got that sorted. (thanks zip tie alley for the assist.)
The day stays overcast but the track is dry for Race #8 ULSB. I love this race! The whole friggin 1a pit empties for this one. Only 6 riders on the AM grid and I know 5 of um (do I know Steve Schmidt?)
Still working on my launches and couldn't see the flag over Jay's shoulder, crappy launch but it feels good with only 4 guys in front of you.
Bob Stone late brakes me into one and is gone by 6. Dan and I settle down to battle for last place (again) My Duc is finally pulling well and I am stayin on his SV without problems, I know where I am quicker and we pass each other back and forth until I decide to drop the hammer
and stop playing.
drop a 1:26 on lap 3 and pull about 1 whole second on him!
Still trying to wiff Bob's exhaust fumes, I see him in 3 as I come out of 2... maybe I can catch him as he is being held up by a slower expert. Nope, Bob is gone... maybe I can get the expert... He is about 7 seconds ahead but I pull 3 seconds on him on the next lap, "Did that guy in the stands just take my picture as I am coming out of 12? Where did Dan go?"
Coming outta 12 on the 7th lap I have just enough time to think... "huh, Gino shoulda lapped me by now." when he blasts past me up the inside with his foot out saying HI! I think "ok cool maybe I can follow him into 1 to watch his line" then I see the checkers and my race is done. 5/6 or second to last.
Important to note that the Duc is finally back and running strong, everything seems to be adjusted and I have no excuses (ok the forks could us a refresh but...) I am getting my "fast" back and posted three 1:26's. Not my best but for the first race weekend back on the Duc not all that bad.
I won't be back until Aug 9th at the earliest. Most likely Aug 30th hope to get a trackday in before now and then.
Slowly but surely getting the confidence back.
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Originally Posted by Doc
Yup! That's Brewmaster 
Until then I will be pulling a Hobbs