| Golden Eagle at 2003 Bonneville Salt Flats! |
We had SO MUCH FUN, when we took the Golden Eagles to Bonneville,
we have to share!
Golden Eagle needed
to be officially
clocked,
actual proof of the
speeds it is capable
of - to show what
could be reasonably
expected,
regardless of location
and riding condition
or surface. It is
said an engine will
loose
20% performance at
the Bonneville Salt
Flats
in Utah, because
of the elevation
and track
surface, we thought
"this sounds
like
a good test".
The mental images
conjured
by the word 'Bonneville'
were big, fast machines
and rocket cars.
We were excited when
Utah
Salt Flats Racing
Association assured
us
we would be welcome,
the same rules would
apply to us as the
Bar Stools (bar stools!?!).
What would the track be like? Would racing tires sink,
like they would into sand? Would a fatter,
knobbier tire be better? What % performance
loss would the Eagle experience? Well, if a bar stool
can do it, we're game! |
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Yes, it does taste like salt! My first step
onto the salt felt like walking on a frozen
lake with a dusting of course, gritty salt
stuck to the surface. It's hard and cold,
not like ice but the solid salt carries a
chill you can feel when you spread your hand
flat.
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The pit area stretches quite a distance,
our heads are spinning, machines everywhere
you look - big cars, big motorcycles, beautiful
machines. When the big engines are fired
up, you can't be sure its the noise of the
engine or your heart pounding so hard that
causes the vibration in your chest! Is it
the noise of the engines or the blood rushing
through your ears that prevents you from
hearing anything else?
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| There is a carnival like atmosphere; friendly,
smiling people moving from venders, to the
food booths (complete w/tent, tables &
chairs), and among the pits for all the entrants
- Cars, Motorcycles, Bar Stools and Unicycles
- with big engines and human powered!! We don't feel 'out of place'
at all. |
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1st - it's to the inspection tent. The Eagles
are closely checked for mechanical condition
- tires, brakes, overall safety. Now it's
on to the track. |
Dennis is on the left, on the right is Robert
Craig, a customer and good friend from San
Diego, CA who decided, at the last minute,
to fly over to meet and ride with us. Thank
You Robert!!! Can't tell you how much I appreciate
Robert making that first run for me!
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| "Photo curtsey of Hal Cannon, Western
Folklife Center" |
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| There are three lines on the 130 Club track,
everyone gets into line and run in the order
of arrival - we're right in there with everybody
else. The salt on the track gets deeper after
several days racing the large machines but
crews drag the track, clearing much of the
excess salt and smoothing the track. We're
ready! |
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This Stock 25.4cc Komatsu Zenoah/RedMax engine
is 'right out of the box', without even the
advantage of being broken in. Mounted on
a 26" Giant Sedona with 150lb rider,
the best run for #L137 was 30.868mph. The
figures show we are only loosing aprox 10%
on the speed; I was just happy I remained
upright that 1/2 mile and didn't go sliding
off across the salt. This looks too much
like sand, even on a motorcycle if I see
sand I'm going down, I don't attempt snow
and ice.
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This unused, stock 25.4cc Eagle is mounted
on a 24" Mongoose MGX DXR and is fitted
with a pipe we had been testing - we are
hoping for more torque for better hill climb
power, not additional speed, the Eagle is
fast enough for a bicycle. The best time
for #L136 was 31.565mph with a 175lb rider.
We were expecting a power loss and were happy
with this speed, it was not until we returned
to MI that it was noticed the Strato Charge
line was split. (wasn't noticed or was Dennis
afraid Robert would beat his time? Humm,
I wonder.)
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Stock 25.4cc Golden Eagle, mounted on a Giant
Simple with 700c tires. Fitted with a different
pipe we have been testing for high end torque
and speed (some customers want to compete
on the tracks). With a 200lb rider, #L138
achieved a top speed of 37.760mph.
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| We regret not taking more photos, were to
busy gawking, my jaw was dragging the ground
most of the time - BUT - you can see some
great shots at www.saltflats.com Click on the 130 Club, Sunday Runs to see
our best times, we are listed as Golden Eagle
Motors. |
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Heading back to Salt Lake City on our way
home, we reflect on the great time we had,
the nice people we met, the sights we had
seen - wondering - what would my speed have
been if the engine were broken in? If I had
run out the full mile? If I used a different
jet? That settles it, we've GOT to go back!
Next year! Maybe we'll even think to get
real "store bought" numbers for
the bikes instead of having to use paper
plates. Maybe some of our other customers
would like to join us there? Robert says
he's bringing His bike next year! Hal and
his bud, Roly, may even build up an Eagle
for the Streamliner class.
Better look out,
guys, I'm going to
get some
miles on old L137
this year, get that
engine
broken in. Then we'll
see what a stock
engine
can do, who knows,
if I'm not shaking
too
badly, I may even
run the mile out!
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