Vintage Drag Bikes, gotta love them !

Posted on June 12, 2013January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

12 Jun

If any of you are like me, then you will like this Blog that I have put together, it is hard to explain, but I have always had a fascination for the drags, even as a kid, I would sneak out the house on a Saturday or Sunday morning, take my old motorcycle helmet and hitch hike to Snetterton race track to either watch Clubman racing, or watch the Drags.

It must be something to do with the Noise, the smell of burning rubber, the sheer speed and ferocity of these 2 wheeled machines.

The Vintage stuff still turns my dial every time, as that was a handful to control, don’t get me wrong , the new bikes are so fast but older stuff usually breaks down or will throw you off if it has a mind to.

Just you and the machine, against another crazy person with as much ambition as you, fight it out over 300 yards to see who is the fastest,.

Be it old or new I dig it all but Nostalgia drags are now very far and few between, Bring them back as it is such a cool thing to see, the bikes are simply eye candy.

Look at that 9.64 on the 1/4 in 1964 Thats MAD!!!!!

I cant get enugh of these cool rides.

Exhilarating just to watch, let alone ride.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I have doing this as these really do turn my dial.

Make sure you get out to an 1/8th or 1/4 mile sanctioned event, its a blast and the kids will dig it for noise and smell alone.

This is my era but always wanted to have a go and never got the opportunity.

Look at these steeds, all set to pull your neck off!!!

This is all me, I would love to have ridden this.

Triple motors just blow me away, every time.

Clean machine and sleek as hell.

Great to see when either husband and wife or girlfriend and boyfriend hang out together.

Awesome CBX

This is insane, laying down with all this behind you!!!!!

Yes please, I would take this right now.

Check out the guys old Stadium Fiberglass helmet and bubble visor.

This would be awesome hanging in my workshop.

Into it, full throttle and hanging on for life!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out these crazy Vintage shots, I really dig all the Nostalgia rides and maybe one day will get to ride one.

Irwindale Drags on Sunday !!!!

Posted on June 10, 2013January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

10 Jun

Sunday at Irwindale !!!!

Sunday was a good morning for me, the clouds were nice and grey for a while. what we call JUNE gloom was here in Southern California, something I enjoy, as by Mid-day, the Sun burns the clouds away and gets hot.

Kota has a New ZRX Kawasaki and this was his first shake down run to see how the bike handles and he reacts to , as this has a longer wheel base as well as a little bit more power from the New model.

Sunday was overcast to start with but good to see people there, Kota was getting ready for his first run and needed to see how the bike would perform, as this is a Brand new bike with new clutch set up etc,, and after a steady Burn out, he ran hard and fast, the tire hooking and launching him down the 1/8th mile tarmac.

t was determined after another Pass, that the rear tire seemed to be spinning too much, but that can be a multitude of things on a new bike, for one, Kota weighs about 140 and this could be an issue why the rear lights up, he may need to eat more Burrito’s to get some serious weight at the rear.

The clutch needed some fine adjustment and tire pressure etc but thats all part of the day in Drag racing.

Dakota sits in the staging area, his Girlfriend ” Taylor” is there to give him support, and to her right is Kota’s lovely Mum Jennifer as she always makes sure to give him a good luck hug before he gets on the track.

Aaron sits on his ride and gets ready to take the 1/8th mile with anticipation of a good ET.

Dakota above getting a run in, but clutch and tire issues for this new ride is causing a few headaches and frustrations.

Dakota’s dad- Aaron Pine, getting to grips with his ride. As the temperature starts to climb on this muggy morning at Irwindale.

The track was warming up, but unfortunately the track is never cleaned up as much as everyone would like, and that can cause all sorts of issues further on in the day.

There were a few Brands out there, Harley, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda. so someone favorite brand to root for.

Last minute checks before Aaron takes off and hopes to run mid 5 seconds on His Suzuki.

Pop’s giving Dakota some last minute tips before he ventures forward and gets to his race lane.

Words of advice from the ” Old man “.

Time for Dakota to contemplate what he has to do in the next few minutes, you need to “Focus” when you are running a 6 second or less 2 wheeled drag bike.

Mum’s good luck tap and then its up to her lad to come up with the goods.

Aaron and Bob try and sort out the clutch issue on this run as the tire was lighting up, and with a bag full of MTC parts, this should be back together in no time at all.

MTC design great clutch kits that give you many variables in drag racing and they are sure glad they have them supplying their parts for the bikes.

Kota back out again to see if he can dial his New machine in, the track wasn’t helping either as the Sun was out and the track seemed to deteriorate fast.

There was more rubber laying around than a Trojan manufacturing machine being serviced.

Kota kai up on the left lane and getting ready to launch , whilst his pops is checking the lane out before its his turn. Whilst Grandpa Bob gets ready for both of his lads.

More stuff to try and dial in, some times things like this can be a bit of a headache to get the thing to how you want.

Well, Dakota looking a little bewildered, and not surprising on a Brand New machine, nothing goes right out of the box as we would all be racing.

Kota looking on as he has seen some Vintage tin that his Boss really digs.

Yep! That’s a Genuine 650 Tiger 110 and these are a rare breed in this condition that’s for sure.

OK, here we go again, time to take bike off the stand and head back to the track.

Taylor and Dakota spend a few minutes together.

Taylor, reminding Kota that even though she has Denim shorts on, ” She” wears the trousers.

Yes dear, I understand.

Grandpa and Kota with the fist pump, many drag racers like to stick to their ” Special ” good luck routines before each pass.

Mum gives her boy a pat to let him know she loves him and wishes him luck before he leaves for the lanes.

Kota lights them up, we think he may fare better with a full slick next race.

Back again to see if the clutch is set to how they want it, once this bike is dialed in, you just watch Kota fly.

Yes I know, unlimited texting, nice!

Vintage Iron was there all day banging fenders.

More bikes and I love watching them, I never did this as a youngster, always wished I could but love going to the drags any time.

” Hey whats that?” Looks like NOS to me?

Jeez! I haven’t seen centerlines for years !!!

An array of cars and trucks turn up for Summit and love to see, hear and smell the whole event.

Tri Chevy ran hard all day.

Mid 9’s getting back from a run, and the day was full of tire burning fun for me, the lads didn’t fair well this time but I assure you, when these guys are set and the track is in good condition, they go all the way.

I had A blast-TRY AND GET OUT TO THE DRAGS IF YOU CAN AS IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR AND I AM SURE YOU WIULL GET HOOKED LIKE I HAVE?

I want to thank Aaron, Bob, and of course Dakota for a cool Sunday as always and I look forward to July for their next encounter, try and come out and watch too, you will love it.

Shop grease Monkey ” Dakota ” Races at Drags.

Posted on March 12, 2013January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

12 Mar

Well, Sunday the sun came out and by this I mean two fold, one, was my Shop Fabricator ” Dakota Kai Sun” was at Irwindale drag strip for the 1/8th mile races and two, the sun its self popped its head from out of the clouds, and began its demise of my European skin tone, to change it into burnt bacon.
Dakota gets to the strip in his New leathers and last years Kawasaki 1400 and ready’s himself the the 1/8th mile.

Kota is dialing his bike to the track as temperatures seem to be increase by every thirty minutes.

But also Kota’s Dad ” Aaron Pine is racing too and seems to be in the groove also, he is in the left lane.

Now Kota is back again for another run. This time in the right lane, and he aint into this lane as it has a double hump three quarters up the way and causes a rider to whack his chin on the tank .

Kota’s Dad ” Aaron” is now on the track for his second run at the 1/8th mile.

Aaron comes out for another run.

Dakota gets into the next round and is in the far lane, he likes the rev limiter in this round and gets a great E.T.

Everything seems to be going well on the rides he is having, but in Drag racing any glitch or hiccup and its all over for the day.
Kota seems to run well but is just pipped on time but he was fast too.

But a great day and here are some cool shots of the day for you lot to have a look and share the time that we had there too.

Kota putting on his New ” Squeaky clean ” leathers, that’s his Crew chief and grandad, great guy too.

Kota’s Dad ” Aaron Pine” Checking to see if anyone wants to race with him today !

Kota’s dad on the line and ready to rock.

Watch out lads, as that’s all you are going to be looking at.

The ‘ SUN ” in your eyes.

Kota’s dad prepping his ride for the next round.

Just chilling until the next round for him.

Waiting in the staging lanes, and getting zoned to race once more.

Other riders tell stories of how far ahead they were of the other guy.

Aaron and Dakota trying to focus and get prepared for their next 1/8th mile run they have.

Today was super hot, almost 80 degree’s and with a New leather set of gear on, it gets pretty uncomfortable out there waiting to race.

Another one goes by the wayside.

More bikes battling it out in the rounds to try and get to the next stage.

oh yes, there were more than just bikes there at the Irwindale track today and was great watching the Gassers fly by.

Little Red Baron beetle was as quick as hell at the track, I was really surprised at some of the passes this Dub made.

yes, there were some cool rides there, the 56 in the background and the 55 gasser in the foreground sounded awesome.

Bow tie from 55 all decked out, Big motor with 10 degree rake, 5 spokes and radius rear arches, straight axle and plexi glass made this tri-Chevy a much loved favorite.

Another Gasser, this time an early 1957 Ranchero was making some hard 6’s at the track.

Cannot stop watching Gassers.

bsp;

Kota’s dad giving him some advise.

Kota and his Girlie chill in between racing.

it was almost 80 degree’s but there’s still plenty of Snow on the mountains behind.

Kota and his lovely mum sit at the lanes awaiting the call to get on the strip.

Even though he didn’t get to the final, which he is very good at doing, bracket racing is a tight race everytime and a split one thousandth can send you home, but he did great and we are very proud of him.

Has an awesome day there and we all enjoyed our selves but boy did I pay the price for sitting with no baseball cap on.

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