Quote:
Originally Posted by JeniSkunk
Why was a new bike essential each season?
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In racing everything has to be the best it can be and this years bike or car will be better than last years.
If you were buying a bike for transport there is no issue as its job is transport...a race bikes job is to win and that job is hard enough against equal machinery but if on last years model the job is very difficult.
Each year the motor is a little better and the suspension a little better as the developments made on the factory bikes ( those raced by the factory with all the latest best bits) trickle down to the average racers.
Even with the latest bike one does stuff to make it better...I would drill holes in the brake shoes to reduce weight by a little bit, port and polish the motor, make the intake and exhaust ports just a little larger. ... cut slightly into the top of the piston to promote turbulance in the fuel... when getting new tires and tubes I would go armed with scales to make sure that even though all the same brand I got the lightest in stock...the lighter the bike and more efficient the greater placed to beat others.
Its like astronomy the more attention to detail the better the experience.
My efforts saw me at least third thru the first corner ... I spent so much time in the garage just practising starts..in those days you started with your hand on your helmet and the bike in nuetral...so by practice I could usually leave the line first which is a big deal when there are 35 riders in a start...more chance of placing well and less chance of being hurt in the inevitable first corner pile up.
Anyways who doesnt want the lattest model☺
Alex