David Parker from King, N.C. took his highly modified 1524cc 1986 Guzzi Lemans IV to the East Coast Timing Association's (ECT) Speed Trials 10/31/98 and established one-mile speed records in 3 classes as follows:
Modified Partial Streamlined Pushrod Gas (MPS/PG) up to 1650cc with 138.8 mph.;
MPS/PG up to 2000cc with 138.6 mph;
M/PG (Modified Pushrod Gas) up to 2000cc with 134.1 mph
The trials were run on an air-strip south of Laurinburg, N.C. There was a 15-20 mph head wind and Dave said he thought he could have made it up to 145 or 146 without the wind. Only problem was, on the last run, the weight used to balance the crank moved and hit one of the Carillo rods. A piece hit the bottom of the piston and tore up the bottom of the sleeve. (needs new piston, connecting rod and cylinder sleeve) Luckily the company that placed the weights on the crank have volunteered to help finance fixing the bike. Dave says it will be his winter project and he'll have it on the road ready to make the New Cumberland Rally in West Virginia in May.
Mods made to Dave's bike include: 94mm custom crank machined from a Chevy crank; 101.6mm piston; Computer designed WEB cam shaft; 45mm flat slide Mikuni carbs; Lightened flywheel; Carillo rods; Chevy (Delco Remy) alternator positioned behind the cylinders and driven off the flywheel; Dyna/MSP ignition; Bob Tolley stainless exhaust; Dymag hollow spoke die cast magnesium wheels (front 17 by 3 1/2" and rear 18 by 4 1/2" offset to clear swingarm) wearing Metzler MEZ1 tires (F-120/70/17 and R-160/60/18); Braced swingarm; Stock suspension except for FAC dampers; 320mm EBC floating disks with Harrison billet 6 piston calipers (Dave says one finger stopping).
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320mm EBC floating disks with Harrison billet 6 piston calipers (Dave says one finger stopping). |
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Chevy (Delco Remy) alternator positioned behind the cylinders and driven off the flywheel; 45mm flat slide Mikuni carbs from Raceco. |
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Dave demonstrates the winning riding position - left hand on fork tube and right on throttle. He rode without a seat so he could tuck down lower. |
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The usual suspects pose with Dave and bike. |
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Usual suspects pose as spectators. Notice the condition of the pavement. There were lots of cracks and patches. The air strip is in the middle of a cotton field. You couldn't see anything from the spectator's area except the vehicle crossing the finish line. But you could sure hear them... |
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Alice demonstrates her respect for authority. |
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Another competitor, Carey D. McNamara ( yes, a girl), astride her Honda CX650 - top speed as of noon was 106 mph. She just started riding motorcycles in May. She said she was working on going real fast in a straight line and next she would start working on going real fast around curves. |
page last updated 02/20/00
