Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Bonneville Salt Flats - 1st Run Experience

I thought a few of you might like an update on my Salt Flats run.

BUB Speed Trials
September 2 – 5, 2007

It is one of those desires a little kid has when he is ripping the cord out of his SST and sending it flying across the floor; to actually be inside flying across the ground at warp speed. Well, forty some years later I found myself perched on my Triumph Speedmaster headed full throttle across the Bonneville Salt Flats.

After all the preparation all I had to do was drive the 1,900 miles across the country from Nashville, TN to Wendover, UT that took all of 36 hours. Arriving Saturday late afternoon I drove straight to the entrance only to be turned out because they had closed for the day. Since I wasn't scheduled to arrive until Sunday I had no hotel room for the night, so I slept in the truck at the "bend in the road." It is another story but I met an 80 year old man from Indiana that was going to run a V-Rod; in 1955 he ran a duel Harley engine bike for a one way speed of 157.2mph.

Sunday found me back and out on the salt in line for my first run. At 1:10pm it was my turn. Three deep breaths and I watched the green flag drop. Let out the clutch and gradually twisted the throttle through 1st into 2nd. The first half mile was a bit rough and loose so the hand is controlling the throttle - inside I wanted to just rip through the gears like I would on the pavement; not very smart when on salt. 3rd gear into 4th - the heart is pounding - 1 mile marker is approaching quickly; up into 5th just as I enter the measured mile. Full throttle and looking straight ahead; by the 1 and 1/2 mile marker I am settled in and believe it or not - enjoying the view. Looking through my visor I see nothing but flat white salt with the mountains in the distance. This is what the little kid in me had been waiting all these years for! Exit the 2 mile marker with a gradual deceleration and a lift of the head, followed by a yell for joy of accomplishment.



Back to the pits and straight to the booth to pick up the timing slip - 105.567mph for my first run. Monday brought a second run of 111.101mph. For my third & fourth runs I changed gearing down one tooth in the front but experienced fish tailing and loose salt which required me to slow and then accelerate again for runs of 106.106mph and 106.190mph respectively.

What an experience it has been. I met some of the friendliest people, saw some great machines, and had the experience of a life time. Now what am I going to do with the "Salt Fever?"

Outstanding!! Congrats on a great experience and thanks for the write up.

How cool is this???!!! What a great writeup and pic here, Tod! Thanks for sharing this with us.

I would write something here but I'm far too jealous.

What a dream come true.

That is totally outstanding! Kudos!

I'm jealous too, maybe one day...

Execlenet write up though, congrats

Super cool!!! What a trip!!! just to cool! Congrats on "marking one off the list"


now... you KNOW you would have clocked a much faster speed if it had been a Red America

Excellent, and great timings as well, and to top it off a really cool photo. Thanks for the write up.

Dude, awsome!

mike

Cool!

That photo is now my wallpaper. Heck the bike is even the right color.

Fantastic!!!!! Also, what were your gear ratios?

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott

Great stuff. And great picture. I will be stealing this picture for my computer.

As for you fullfilling a child hood dream...an inspiration to all of us, thank you

Now, how do i get a ride in a F1 Ferrari around the Monaco race circuit.

Very cool, did you happen to look at your speedo? I am curious what it was reading.

That is a great photo by the way, something to show the young-uns

...would of been faster if it was a black one....



Wendell

PS awsome run.. wish I could do it...

What a great write up! Now, that's what I call an Epic Ride.

Excellent story and the photo is great, it even looks fast!

I love the salt flats. Even though I've never been out to the Speed weeks or have competed, I used to go out there every so often when I still lived in Utah. I do have a few friends that are part of the 130 Club.

Looking at your photo, I'm curious about your peg/shifter setup.

Absolutley AWESOME!! I had planned on taking a 675 out there this year, but finances just didnt work out. I am glad that you went and rode the heck out of that Speedy. It's an awesome picture too!

Soren

AWESOME!
Looks like that rear set up worked nicely!

Truly amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Great dream, great job. Lots of guys talk about there dream you did it. Great job!!!!

Dang, that just sounds like fun

Hey C.S. tell us the process / procedure you went thru to run the salt flats please.

AWESOME!!!! it is an awsome experience, isnt it?? knowing that others have come before you and that this is where the fastest moveing land vehichles on the planet have been is only explainable with the word awsome!!!! as some here know in 77/78 i took a trip around the country with Prudence (my 72 Triumph) and as i was passing thru that neck of the woods i noticed they were running, so i stopped in and met some really good people. one of which was Tyrone Malone, he was running a Kenworth Tractor at 180something, MAN!! that truck was something to see, anyway, i got to talkin with these guy's and i was helping them clean the truck with WD-40 (to git rid of the salt) and they talked me into running Prudence. so it was after official time for running was up but he went and talked to some people and they let me have a go. 102.2 was the ticket. not bad for a 1972 mostly stock 500cc Triumph Daytona. that night we all went to town and had a great time. i will never forget how stoked i was, the adreniline was flowing pretty good for a couple days. I know what a thrill it was for me, and it was never a dream of mine, nor was it planned, so i can only imagine what a thrill it must have been for you. AWSOME, its the only word i can think of that comes close to describing that experience!!!!

The picture is amazing ... I'm a bit into photography and haven't seen such a dynamic shot for a long time!

The bike looks like a galloping horse with his foretop flying on the wind!

Congrats on the event and making a dream come true ....

PS. Can you tell a bit more ... how is it riding on the salt? Hows the grip, handling etc.

Sorry you didn't break into the 130 club. If you had I'm sure it would only had been a bonus. Just the fact you were there and tried what only a few have done (and many who like me are still wishing they can be there) must have been a thrill. You got one heck of a memory that no one can take away! your the man man!

very cool

Ed

great story.. :

Man, you were "livin' the dream" and you got a fantastic photo to back up your braggin' rights forever. Kudos, Mr. Tonne Up!

I stopped by my dealer today. Apparently one of our guys raced a partially streamlined Bonnie and set a record. Can't find any details online (yet). But, he has been building a faring for almost the last year.

Soren

I remeber that bike....isnt he an engineer or something? get info and post if you can.

Outstnding, thanks for the post, really cool and other kudos to you. Was it fun? (already know the answer) How much did it cost, (don't know the answer to that one) .. Congrats. Great pic.