2012 Updates
9/2/2012
Ok - before I start this update I'll state upfront that won't be able to make racing in 2012 :( but the good news is that I have the go ahead for 2013 :)
This is a long post as I have had a few things on the go and they are all just starting to produce results now, which means in 2013 I should have a pretty mean machine!!!
After many many hours of banging my head against free OpenFOAM CFD software I am now getting sensible results with my 3D scanned Vespa :) I am able to calculate drag and how much power I need at what speed. I can also visualise the problem areas. I've evolved the motorbike example, which comes with the software, from 20 minute "toy" result, to something that is way more accurate that runs over 24 CPU hours (with more accurate runs planned). I can do a decent run over night, so this gets me a few hundred virtual salt runs before '13 and so I can tweak the body work and make it perfect :)
2) Bits and Pieces
The next part of the puzzle was producing the said bits above. Yesterday I took delivery of my CNC set-up
3) Gearing and better manifold
After the last dyno I found I needed taller gearing
So I have a lot to keep me busy preparing. Especially since I have now changed my target. It was 100mph, however Tony O'Brien in the UK just got 100.5mph. So I am now aiming for 107+mph with better aerodynamics and some radical engine modifications (more on that later when I have something to show for it). Oh - am I planning a Philip Island trip this year to confirm top speed and get used to riding it at those speeds ;)
Cheers,
Paul