SoCal Race Event Sat June 18th at Willow Springs Raceway-2011

GoldenMotor.com

Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
7,333
1,967
113
Los Angeles, CA.
We had a blast out there yesterday!! It was really kewl to meet so many other forum members!

It was interesting to see mow many racers there were who did very well with very basic bikes! (^)
 

Brokenpedals

New Member
Apr 21, 2011
70
0
0
CA
I had such a great time meeting everyone! Yet Had a blast being able to run with you guys on track! Hopefully we can all do this again! Seemed like a good number turned out! Place was packed!

Hmmm, during the race, I lost my kickstand, fender, and exhaust broke! My pedals were already broken. Ill post some of my pics from my phone when I get some time later today.

IF YOU GUYS WANNA SEE PHOTO SHOTS OF THE EVENT caliphotography.com has a bunch covering the races

Cheers! dance1
 

Brokenpedals

New Member
Apr 21, 2011
70
0
0
CA
Seriously! Some great action shots there! Especially the poor fella that landed on his head??? Hope he was alright, looks like it was a nasty spill! .bf.
 

GearNut

Active Member
Aug 19, 2009
5,104
11
38
San Diego, Kaliforgnia
Congratulations Magrider!

Very good photos by caliphotography.com. I sooo wish I could have been there!
I worked 10am to 6pm. Cannot afford time off right now. Perhaps after my first year when I am eligible for paid time off I will finally get to enjoy one of these races. I gotta build up a race bike too!
 

oldbiker

New Member
Jul 21, 2010
95
0
0
Temecula CA.
Thanks Bimoped for putting this race together. You did what usually takes a large crew todo. I could tell everyone, win or lose, had a great time. I learned a lot from talking to the other racers in my class how to improve the performance of that little 2 stroke engine. I could not believe how fast some of those can go. On that track it looked like the tire adhesion was the main concern. It lest it was for me.
 

culvercityclassic

Well-Known Member
Sep 27, 2009
3,115
177
63
Culver City, Ca
The race was a blast. It was fun racing in all the different classes. Nice to see past racers from Death Race and meet new racers at this event. Big thanks to Neil for all his hard work and gathering up all the nice prizes from the vendor sponsors. I walked away with all kinds of Opti products and a much needed Manic Mechanic 50 tooth sprocket and adapter. Can’t wait till the next event.
 

ducedave

Member
Apr 17, 2011
370
4
18
Mentone Ca.
I'm a little disturbed that all the racers used my go fast and corner hard strategy- so I'm planning a new one for next year- like maybe go faster corner harder I think that might work
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVER ONE THAT PUT THIS ON
AND EVER ONE WHO CAME OUT SOME OF THE COOLEST PEOPLE YOU WOULD EVER HOPE TO MEET
can we do this again next week? or maybe after lunch!
 

strotter

Member
Aug 7, 2008
49
1
8
Way to go Neil!!
Two thumbs up!!
Make plans for next year. I'm going to start a "Ca. legal" class. 50cc (or smaller) engine. I already have 6 people signed up. Only need 4 more to make it happen......

Again, lots of fun. Don't miss it next time.
 

magrider

Member
Aug 24, 2010
511
1
16
OrangeCounty, CA
I had a great time at the Willow Race. It was great to see familiar faces from the Death Race and the El Dorado rally, and meet some new Motor Bicycle enthusiast. The turn out was large as the racers took up 2 rows of pits. I don’t know anyone who had a better time than me, because I got to battle head to head with Dave in the 2 stroke Final, Battle with Culver City Classics ‘Jeff’ in the Trophy Dash, and ultimately take the win in both Races with my family and loved ones there.

Also, everyone witnessed the future of competitive motorbicycle racing with the AGK 4 Stroke topping out at 50mph. down the back straight, it was unbelievable that they did it with a Harbor Freight engine costing under $100 (I might be wrong I didn’t get this information from the builders mouth)

A big thanks to everyone who was able to make this event succeed, Doug713 for the tip on the tires, all the volunteers, the scorers, the flagmen, the great Sponsors, the photographers, and Bimoped Neil. And a speedy recovery for anyone who took a spill. I’m looking forward to the next event. -Magrider-
 
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flex man

New Member
Feb 24, 2011
253
1
0
Woodland Hills Ca.
Hi Guys
Had a great Time wish I had more seat time befor the race but its fun learning the limits of your machine .During the practice period I was just starting on my 10th tank of gas and the tank holds 1 liter so not much time
on the motor . anyway the clutch didnt hook up untill about 10 ft. away from last braking point on the straight away . next time at least I will have alittle experience on the track and this bike. And it will be broken in and clutch set up .As well as carb set up it was doing a weird starving thing and motor would just go dead. But with all these things was still able to take 5th in heat and 6th in main in unlimited class riding against seasoned racers plus I went down in the main in the infeild dont no what lap we were on lucky the motor was still running so I straighten the bars Hoped on and took off. Had a great time dicing it up with dave31 and easy rider and some guy on a tandem just halling ass the four of us were all about equal as far as speed so the rest was if you had a boble or not so even thou we were mid pack we had some heavy racing goin on . It was fantastic . Dave31 and I crashed in the same spot about 3 laps apart during practice and it cracked me up everytime we went around track and I saw both of our pieces of peddal laying on the track
next to each other.
So Dave31 and easyrider and Guy on the tandem THANKS FOR THE GREAT RACE WE WERE HAVING A BALL WERNT WE .AND CULVER CITY Except I just got to see the tail end of your bike we diced it up alittle and you should have seen that Big grinn on your face as you went by me also magrider was that you in the blue outfit on the other 9.4 just trying to put forum names with faces and real names.........Flex Man
 
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bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes
Aug 18, 2009
6,537
264
63
living the dream in southern california
my willow springs saga...

here's my experiences:

after the Death Race, i replaced the pull-back cruiser bars for some almost straight bars and got a layback seatpost, for that low-down, cafe racer style riding position.

after pre-riding the willow track, my set-up seemed alright to me, needed a few tweaks, so i tore down and re-built the engine.

then, i started working full time, so i had to spend friday night installing the motor, changing my rear sprocket, and some other tweaks, and got it together about midnight. raced it around the block, and was ready to go, so i slept for 3-4 hours and drove out to willow.

then the fun began.

first practice, i leaned in to the last corner before the top straight and washed out. slid across the track on my forearm, which had an elbow pad covering it, but it slid down as well.

got right back up, then washed out again in the corner before the last long straight. slid on my forearm again, and my pedal, my axle, and my grip.

jumped back on again and kept going. i was getting pretty good at sliding out.

this crash broke my pedal, bent my crank so it was hitting the engine, and somehow ripped out the bolt that holds my coaster brake arm on, so that spun around, loosening my cones and ulimately stripping my axle.

so, i ran around the pits, bought another wheel for 20 bucks from someone (sorry, forgot your name, but thanks!) and accidentally stole some pedals from Piston Bike's Robert (sorry, forgot to come back and pay you) and got to work rebuilding my bike. i was just finishing switching out the axle and bending my crank arm so it would clear the motor when the checkered flag came down on group 2's first race. meaning, i missed it. good thing there's two qualifiers.

i was last on the track for heat 2, as i had some other minor malfunctions, so everyone was already in a single line across the track, so i figured i'd start behind everyone.

took it a little easier as i just wanted to qualify for the main, so no crashes and passed enough people to get 6th in the heat (i think.) too bad my exhaust pipe didn't finish along with me. it bounced down the track around the second to last lap, along with the studs, nuts, and all the aluminum that makes up the threads. who says these engines need back pressure to run?

back to the pits, trying to scrounge some 1/4-20 bolts (thanks Jeff!) which i proceeded to jam into the hollowed out 6mm holes, without a tap, just 'cause that's all i could do. and it worked.

took a bunch of practice laps to make sure nothing else was gonna fall off my bike, and woked on my lines so i wouldn't fall off, either.

when the main race was announced, it didn't matter what place i qualified, as they decided to let everyone run it. this oughtta be fun. a nice small track with limited passing space and 30+ people on it.

oh well, just get out front and deal with traffic later, right?

getting up front worked out alright, as i was battling it out with Culver City Jeff for 4th as we headed into my least favorite corner. Jeff signaled for me to pass, so i did, then forgot which line i was supposed to take, and decided it'd be fun to slide down the track on my wrist and hip.

but, having so much practice earlier with riding a bike in a horizontal position, i never let go of the clutch or the throttle, jumped back on it without stalling, and only got passed by Jeff and two other guys. passed them easy enough, and the look on Jeff's face when he turned around and saw me trying to ride my bike up his a$$ again was priceless.

took a few laps, but i finally put him down, to end up with a solid 4th place.

in the trophy dash race, i had to drop out, 'cause me and my bike had taken such a beating all day, i just couldn't hang anymore. i'd had it.

got off the track just in time to see the finish, with Magrider Steve capitalizing on Jeff's chain malfunction in the last lap, 2 turns from the finish line. woulda been a pretty interesting finish if Jeff's monster bike woulda held together for 20 more seconds.

Congrats Steve, Jeff, and everyone else on their wins, and/or participation, and to Niel and everyone else for making this an event to remember.

my personal opinion, though, after leaving more skin on that track then rubber, is, i hate that track...;)

body damage (and 1950's black label converse damage):
 

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buck0

New Member
Apr 24, 2011
376
0
0
Orange County, Ca


Thanks for the link Venice and brokenpedal. Very nice pictures were taken.
It was nice to see some familiar faces from the Death Race attend this race at Willow Springs and a chance to meet new fellow MB'ers. And to Willow Springs for letting us make this happen, thanks to the sponsors, and thanks to BiMoPed for making this happen.
Although I wasnt one of the fastest out there, I had some really great battles on the track. #805 (sorry I dont know your name and forum nickname) and #71 - doug713. It seemed like we battled approximately 5 laps or so but WOW that was fun!!!

I ended up placing heat #1- 9th place, heat #2- 8th place and 12th in the A-main final
 
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Mike B

New Member
Mar 23, 2011
2,256
7
0
Central CA
Good to hear that all you guys had big fun.

Uuggg, blood on the track.

Yeah, I might go to one of these things sometime, but nah, no racing for this this old grey haired gent.
 

scotto-

Custom 4-Stroke Bike Builder
Jun 3, 2010
6,505
25
38
Ridin' inSane Diego, CA.
Just call me "guy on the tandem"....#3 aka Scotto-, aka Wildman lol.

No excuses here, had a great time, didn't crash and raced 6 races!

I want to thank Neil (BiMoPed), all of the Sponsors and their great prizes (which I got more than my share ;)), Willow Springs for having us and all of the other racers (and riders) and spectators for being there....it was more than a great time!

A little side note to Flex Man....this was the first real time riding this tandem which was finished 2 days before the race, same lack of track time, half the horsepower of your Morini and 3 times the weight and twice the length of your BoXer.....but yes, it was fun dicing with you (and others) in the Final ;) EDIT: the guy in blue suit is Alex #0....aka the blue fox

And thank you Jeff (culvercityclassic) for letting me ride your beautiful "Beast" of a bike....we ride (and race)!

Cheers,
scotto- dnut

Hi Guys
Had a great Time wish I had more seat time befor the race but its fun learning the limits of your machine .During the practice period I was just starting on my 10th tank of gas and the tank holds 1 liter so not much time
on the motor . anyway the clutch didnt hook up untill about 10 ft. away from last braking point on the straight away . next time at least I will have alittle experience on the track and this bike. And it will be broken in and clutch set up .As well as carb set up it was doing a weird starving thing and motor would just go dead. But with all these things was still able to take 5th in heat and 6th in main in unlimited class riding against seasoned racers plus I went down in the main in the infeild dont no what lap we were on lucky the motor was still running so I straighten the bars Hoped on and took off. Had a great time dicing it up with dave31 and easy rider and some guy on a tandem just halling ass the four of us were all about equal as far as speed so the rest was if you had a boble or not so even thou we were mid pack we had some heavy racing goin on . It was fantastic . Dave31 and I crashed in the same spot about 3 laps apart during practice and it cracked me up everytime we went around track and I saw both of our pieces of peddal laying on the track
next to each other.
So Dave31 and easyrider and Guy on the tandem THANKS FOR THE GREAT RACE WE WERE HAVING A BALL WERNT WE .AND CULVER CITY Except I just got to see the tail end of your bike we diced it up alittle and you should have seen that Big grinn on your face as you went by me also magrider was that you in the blue outfit on the other 9.4 just trying to put forum names with faces and real names.........Flex Man
 
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Easy Rider

Santa Cruz Scooter Works
Jan 15, 2008
2,145
7
38
Nor*Cal
That was you Scoto on the tandem?
...Man, you were haulin but on that bike. It was fun just going out there and having fun. Just like Flexman, I need more seat time. I have a few pictures that I'll post later.
BTW, are the results going to be posted? We left right after the races so we could be back home for Fathers Day.

Just call me "guy on the tandem"....#3 aka Scotto-, aka Wildman lol.

No excuses here, had a great time, didn't crash and raced 6 races!

I want to thank Neil (BiMoPed), all of the Sponsors and their great prizes (which I got more than my share ;)), Willow Springs for having us and all of the other racers (and riders) and spectators for being there....it was more than a great time!

A little side note to Flex Man....this was the first real time riding this tandem which was finished 2 days before the race, same lack of track time, half the horsepower of your Morini and 3 times the weight and twice the length of your BoXer.....but yes, it was fun dicing with you (and others) in the Final ;) EDIT: the guy in blue suit is Alex #0....aka the blue fox

And thank you Jeff (culvercityclassic) for letting me ride your beautiful "Beast" of a bike....we ride (and race)!

Cheers,
scotto- dnut