Communication Skills
I’ve been working with Kenny and his Dad, Eric, for a few years now. Kenny is moving from Kart track bikes to full size track bikes and we have been up grading his suspension. We are also working on his communication skills as they apply to working with his crew chief.
On this test day at a top secret Kart track we did a little test after dialing in the bike and rider. I sent Kenny out for a few laps at a time with the settings mess up in a way that I knew what he would feel then listened to how he explained the feel of the bike.
It’s the job of the rider to tell the crew chief what he or she feels. It’s the job of the crew chief to understand what the rider is saying. To make this understanding come about a little work is required from both.
In this photo I’m making changes without Kenny knowing what they are. Then he will do 2 laps and report back.
The last test was the toughest one, I messed with the bikes balance. When Kenny was riding Eric asked what Kenny would feel and I answered. When Kenny came he said almost word for word what I said he would.
Now Kenny and I know we are speaking the same language.
Data systems were developed because crews could not get good info from most riders. When Kenny gets on a bike with data and what he says matches what the data says you can be sure his crew chief will be happy.
By the way, Kenny won his races the day after this test.
Kenny Anderson, is sponsored by Lindemann Engineering.
No, Thank you!
Ray sent me his 2002 BMW R1150RT-P shock for a rebuild and correct rate spring. This is what he had to say.
“Just wanted to let you know that I installed the shock on Saturday and had a chance to give it a road test. Well done! Works perfect and the bike rides like new.
Thanks for doing a great job.
Ray”
The stock spring rate is not strong enough for the bike an rider. With the correct spring rate you ride near the top of the travel where the suspension can move fast and deal with sharp bumps. This is what give the nice ride.
Enjoy your ride, Ray and Thank you!
3 Seconds Faster!
At yesterday’s MotoYard track day one of my clients had an on board timer. He did a few sessions before deciding to hire me.
I made my first set of adjustments based on what he said about the bike and what I felt by bouncing on it in the pits.
When he came in from his next ride he showed me his timer, 3 seconds a lap faster and he said it took less effort. Sounds like a good way to spend $50 to me!
AFM @ Button
I plan to be at Buttonwillow Friday, Saturday and Sunday working with a bunch of AFM guys. We’ll be in garage #3. Hope to see you there!
Happy Group
After each ride they stop at my pit for a de-brief and adjustments.
Better in the Sunshine.
We had 13 suspension adjustment clients today with MotoYard at Willow Springs. They are all happy!
One guy took 7 seconds off his lap time, onother took 3 seconds off.
One guy was not sure I was worth 50 bucks, after all, he already paid someone else $30 to do the same thing. After watching what I did for his friends bike, he hired me anyway. When I asked him later if it was worth it he said, YES!
One guys steering head bearings were so loose the whole front end flopped back and forth when I bounced on the bike, fixed that too.
Their tires had less wear.
They went faster with less risk.
Lindemann Engineering and EDventure Racing, we make riding your bike in the sunshine even better!
Clicker clicking
Tomorrow, Lindemann Engineering will join you and MotoYard at Willow Springs. You’ll ride your bike in the sunshine and I’ll be there to make you and it go faster with less risk.
We’ll start by setting the bikes sag and making some clicker adjustments. Then we’ll talk after each of your rides in the sunshine and use your feedback to dial the suspension in more.
Don’t worry that you don’t know h…ow to tell your Crew Chief what the bike is doing. It’s my job to ask the right questions, I have lots of practice.
I’ll be easy to find, just look for all the happy riders going on and on about how good their bike feels. Last months best quote was “I didn’t know a front end could feel that good.”
Lindemann Engineering
LE-suspension.com
909 838-4587See More
MG’s Report
MG had a good Saturday, all the new stuff worked and he won his race. Today he crashed on cold tires and a cold track so the bike is back for repairs and now engine work.
MG, not just a little car.
My friend/client MG, brought me his race bike the other day. The bike is an odd ball, MZ something-or-other with a single cylinder 500cc engine. Not the kind of bike I get excited about. In fact some, including MG, may have heard me make disparaging remarks about bikes like this.Anyway, MG can be a smart guy sometimes and he seams to have me all figured out. Along with his bike he brought some parts, a plan, a deadline and money. A few days later I received gifts and more money.
The job included replacing the stock wheels with a SV650 rear wheel and front end. For the rear I made new axle spacers and trapped them. I had to move the caliper so I put it under the axle for easy wheel changes. To do the front end I cut the SV steam to fit the MZ head bearings. Then I hacked the tab for the steering lock off with my power saw. I also made some nice adjustable steering stops and chucked the ‘70‘s era damper and replaced it with a cross mount from a GSXR, you can get them for about a dollar.
MG sounded a little worried when I told him how much fun it was to cut stuff off his bike.
A new throttle assembly solved all the problem with his old disaster throttle, along with new brakes and clip-ons. None of this stuff is “new,” by the way, it’s all used stuff from other race bikes or a junk yard near MG’s place of residence.
A job like this can be done many ways and MG’s genius was in letting me choose the way. Letting me exercise my artistic side is a great way to get me excited about a job. Just like you want the cook to be happy, you want the guy with the hack saw happy.
I like clean bikes. MG’s bikes are never “Ed” clean. I’ve washed this one four times so far. Tomorrow, when I’m out, I’m going to get some of the engine degreaser spray on stuff. It works, if you use a brush too.
The new rear sets were fun. Drilling holes in things is always fun. Woodcraft rear sets from a SV650. Cutting up the butchered wire harness was fun too. I reduced weight and routed it better. I also removed the on/off switch and have not told MG how to turn the bike on, yet.
Another smart move by MG, bring or sending me the needed stuff. Rather than using up my energy and adding to the money problem.
Tomorrow I’ll work on mounting the seat and body work. A job like this is never done and a few things like the placement of the pegs will be tested for the first time at the WERA Vegas race in a week and a half. Then I’ll make finale adjustments and only then can MG try the same tricks on a painter.
MG’s genius? Letting me do it my way. That, and the deadline.
16 Decades!
In this photo from last weekends WSMC races.
Tony Serra, left, has won races spanning 6 decades, ‘60, ‘00 & ‘10.
Ed Sorbo, center, has won races in 4 consecutive decades, ‘80, ‘90, ‘00 & ‘10.
With his win in 250 GP on Sunday, John Ulrich, right, has now won races in 5 consecutive decades, ‘70, ‘80, ‘90, ‘00 & ‘10.