New use for bike racks.

I will bite. You should use a recubment with a fiberglass shell if you
are serious.

Quoted message said:

I will bite. You should use a recubment with a fiberglass shell if you
are serious.

But, but, my other bikes would have to live outside. On some of these
hills I can imagine hitting terminal velocities of 70-80-maybe even 90
MPH. That would be choice to get a ticket for doing 80 down a hill on a
non-motor vehicle on a regular highway.
Don't give me any ideas, I might bite.
Bill Baka

Bill Baka said:

I have my metal Fred racks on the back of my bike and took a mountain
ride today out of boredom. Coming back down hill, not the really big
hill but a smaller one where I usually get a 30 MPH free ride.
Today I tried something different, inspired by a guy in the 40's trying
to set a speed record of 150 MPH on a Vincent motorcycle. I put my feet
up off the pedals and rested them on the rack over the back tire and put
chin to the handlebar stem. My usual 30 MPH turned into a 39.3 MPH
recorded maximum. The only drawback is that most of my weight was now on
my arms and it was a real strain to hold that position for long so I had
to give up and sit up before the steepest part.

Time to start doing lots of push ups again. If I try that up where I hit
50 I might hit 60 or more, but it is harder to control the bike. Road
rash is not my favorite thing since I have lost 2 weeks work to it after
crashing a motorcycle in 1976, on July 4th no less.

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

It was a rush though.

Bill (not totally sane) Baka

My 6 year old son does that sometimes. He calls it the "Superman" and I
believe it was inspired by those crazies who do free-style motorcross.

Sure it's fun and fast, but if you get a wobble, you're doomed. Not
having your legs for stability, the bike just starts doing a slalom
back and forth under you until you crash. I've seen him do it several
times.

Joseph

Bill Baka said:

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

I wouldn't do it because of the potential for a death wobble (which
could happen to a bike that never wobbles if you sideswipe a small
rock with the front tire, for example). But I remember doing the same
thing on my first motorcycle (a 125cc Kawasaki). I could get it to
70.00000 mph by laying flat on the saddle/tank with my feet straight
out the back, several mph above its "normal" terminal velocity.

And yes, I realize that by riding it like that I was trying to
reinvent the term "terminal velocity"... ;-)

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Bill Baka said:

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

I usually do this when I'm headed down Eastgate way (a fairly steep
hill) on my fixie. At more than 33 mph it's easier to clip out than to
maintain pedaling at greater than 160 rpm. [1] I know plenty of other
fixie riders here in Seattle who do the same.

The bad part about doing it on a fixie is you're not able to get your
feet back into the pedals until the rpm drops again.

I think the danger aspect is rather overblown. However, I don't
recommend doing this on a fixie unless you have a lot of faith in your
brakes setup.

[1] My fixie is only running 67 gear inches.

--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
``Also, whenever a programmer thinks, "Hey, skins, what a cool idea",
their computer's speakers should create some sort of [censored]-shaped
soundwave and plunge it repeatedly through their skulls.'' -- Makali

Dane Buson said:

Bill Baka said:

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

I usually do this when I'm headed down Eastgate way (a fairly steep
hill) on my fixie. At more than 33 mph it's easier to clip out than to
maintain pedaling at greater than 160 rpm. [1] I know plenty of other
fixie riders here in Seattle who do the same.

Back when I used to be stupid, I put my feet on the down-tube where the
shifters would have been had it been a road bike. I never had wobble
problems, perhaps due to the somewhat normal weight distribution from
the feet on the down-tube position. You stick your feet out the back?

Quoted message said:

The bad part about doing it on a fixie is you're not able to get your
feet back into the pedals until the rpm drops again.

I think the danger aspect is rather overblown. However, I don't
recommend doing this on a fixie unless you have a lot of faith in your
brakes setup.

So you mean something a little more predictable than putting your
sneaker on the front tire?

Joseph

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka said:

I have my metal Fred racks on the back of my bike and took a mountain
ride today out of boredom. Coming back down hill, not the really big
hill but a smaller one where I usually get a 30 MPH free ride.
Today I tried something different, inspired by a guy in the 40's trying
to set a speed record of 150 MPH on a Vincent motorcycle. I put my feet
up off the pedals and rested them on the rack over the back tire and put
chin to the handlebar stem. My usual 30 MPH turned into a 39.3 MPH
recorded maximum. The only drawback is that most of my weight was now on
my arms and it was a real strain to hold that position for long so I had
to give up and sit up before the steepest part.

Time to start doing lots of push ups again. If I try that up where I hit
50 I might hit 60 or more, but it is harder to control the bike. Road
rash is not my favorite thing since I have lost 2 weeks work to it after
crashing a motorcycle in 1976, on July 4th no less.

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

It was a rush though.

Bill (not totally sane) Baka

My 6 year old son does that sometimes. He calls it the "Superman" and I
believe it was inspired by those crazies who do free-style motorcross.

Your 6 year old? I have seen those 'Supercross' events and what they
don't tell you is how many kids mangle themselves before ever getting a
television shot. Even the experienced ones admit to having broken dozens
of bones crashing before they got it right.

Quoted message said:

Sure it's fun and fast, but if you get a wobble, you're doomed. Not
having your legs for stability, the bike just starts doing a slalom
back and forth under you until you crash. I've seen him do it several
times.

Yup,
I noticed that at about 40 MPH so I am rethinking the try for 70 thing.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Joseph

Mark Hickey said:

Bill Baka said:

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

I wouldn't do it because of the potential for a death wobble (which
could happen to a bike that never wobbles if you sideswipe a small
rock with the front tire, for example). But I remember doing the same
thing on my first motorcycle (a 125cc Kawasaki). I could get it to
70.00000 mph by laying flat on the saddle/tank with my feet straight
out the back, several mph above its "normal" terminal velocity.

And yes, I realize that by riding it like that I was trying to
reinvent the term "terminal velocity"... ;-)

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

You are correct, since I did notice more instability as I went faster.
There was also the strain on my arms holding up a much larger part of my
body mass in an awkward position. I had a 100cc Yamaha that got stolen
and trashed (caught the kid ripping things off to make a dirt bike), and
a 100cc Kawasaki, both of which maxed out at about 62 MPH. They were
doing such high RPM that I think 70 MPH would have exploded the motors.
I guess I could save my money and buy a Buell to go fast and American.
Bill Baka

Dane Buson said:

Bill Baka said:

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

I usually do this when I'm headed down Eastgate way (a fairly steep
hill) on my fixie. At more than 33 mph it's easier to clip out than to
maintain pedaling at greater than 160 rpm. [1] I know plenty of other
fixie riders here in Seattle who do the same.

The bad part about doing it on a fixie is you're not able to get your
feet back into the pedals until the rpm drops again.

I think the danger aspect is rather overblown. However, I don't
recommend doing this on a fixie unless you have a lot of faith in your
brakes setup.

[1] My fixie is only running 67 gear inches.

I do agree that trying to pedal 160 RPM is a bit much since I can't put
out any real power over about 130 RPM. I would have thought the fixie
riders would just unclip rather than put their feet on a rack in back.
You really can't do it without a rack or your feet would just rub the
tire and probably make you crash.
It is nice to know that I am not the only nutty rider.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Dane Buson said:

Bill Baka said:

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

I usually do this when I'm headed down Eastgate way (a fairly steep
hill) on my fixie. At more than 33 mph it's easier to clip out than to
maintain pedaling at greater than 160 rpm. [1] I know plenty of other
fixie riders here in Seattle who do the same.

Back when I used to be stupid, I put my feet on the down-tube where the
shifters would have been had it been a road bike. I never had wobble
problems, perhaps due to the somewhat normal weight distribution from
the feet on the down-tube position. You stick your feet out the back?

Yes,
I stuck my feet out the back and rested them on the saddle rack I had on
the bike. Dane didn't mention doing exactly that, but the weight
distribution takes more out of the arms than I thought.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The bad part about doing it on a fixie is you're not able to get your
feet back into the pedals until the rpm drops again.

I think the danger aspect is rather overblown. However, I don't
recommend doing this on a fixie unless you have a lot of faith in your
brakes setup.

So you mean something a little more predictable than putting your
sneaker on the front tire?

Sneaker on the rear works good as an emergency brake for me. I haven't
tried the front tire yet.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Joseph

Bill Baka said:

You are correct, since I did notice more instability as I went faster.
There was also the strain on my arms holding up a much larger part of my
body mass in an awkward position. I had a 100cc Yamaha that got stolen
and trashed (caught the kid ripping things off to make a dirt bike), and
a 100cc Kawasaki, both of which maxed out at about 62 MPH. They were
doing such high RPM that I think 70 MPH would have exploded the motors.
I guess I could save my money and buy a Buell to go fast and American.

I once stopped by the side of the road to see what was wrong with a
young french fellow who was busy taking the head off his small
two-stroke. He said it had "just stopped". It was quite a small
engine - 100 or 125 cc, I think; one of those funny looking Hondas (?)
with the fuel in a large tube that was also the main frame spar.

When we saw the piston there was a hole the size of a old penny -
almost the whole crown was melted away. He'd been drafting the
lorries to keep his speed up; worked for a while, I suppose.

To Bill Baka:

If I ever managed to get a ticket for going 90 mph on my bike, I'de have
it framed (the ticket, not the bike! LOL).

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

Chris Z The Wheelman said:

To Bill Baka:

If I ever managed to get a ticket for going 90 mph on my bike, I'de have
it framed (the ticket, not the bike! LOL).

That's what I meant about getting the ticket. It would make one hell of
a conversation piece. I would pay the fine with a grin.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

Bill Baka said:

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka said:

I have my metal Fred racks on the back of my bike and took a mountain
ride today out of boredom. Coming back down hill, not the really big
hill but a smaller one where I usually get a 30 MPH free ride.
Today I tried something different, inspired by a guy in the 40's trying
to set a speed record of 150 MPH on a Vincent motorcycle. I put my feet
up off the pedals and rested them on the rack over the back tire and put
chin to the handlebar stem. My usual 30 MPH turned into a 39.3 MPH
recorded maximum. The only drawback is that most of my weight was now on
my arms and it was a real strain to hold that position for long so I had
to give up and sit up before the steepest part.

Time to start doing lots of push ups again. If I try that up where I hit
50 I might hit 60 or more, but it is harder to control the bike. Road
rash is not my favorite thing since I have lost 2 weeks work to it after
crashing a motorcycle in 1976, on July 4th no less.

Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
Brickhead calls planet Baka.

It was a rush though.

Bill (not totally sane) Baka

My 6 year old son does that sometimes. He calls it the "Superman" and I
believe it was inspired by those crazies who do free-style motorcross.

Your 6 year old? I have seen those 'Supercross' events and what they
don't tell you is how many kids mangle themselves before ever getting a
television shot. Even the experienced ones admit to having broken dozens
of bones crashing before they got it right.

When he was born, my wife and I decided he could be anything he wanted
to be except an accountant or a motorcycle racer. I've tried to keep
him from seeing free-style motorcross, but it was a lost cause, as it
is just too cool. I'm not too worried though. Even at 6 he has a pretty
good handle on what is safe and what is not. He wanted to be an
astronaut until he saw a video of the Columbia. Now he wants to work at
Ground Control. It seems most of the FMX guys don't even bother with
pads. Lost cause I guess.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sure it's fun and fast, but if you get a wobble, you're doomed. Not
having your legs for stability, the bike just starts doing a slalom
back and forth under you until you crash. I've seen him do it several
times.

Yup,
I noticed that at about 40 MPH so I am rethinking the try for 70 thing.
Bill Baka

Maybe lying down on a skateboard or some other low CG way is what you
need for your quest for 70 MPH!

Joseph

Dane Buson said:

Quoted message said:

Dane Buson said:

I usually do this when I'm headed down Eastgate way (a fairly steep
hill) on my fixie. At more than 33 mph it's easier to clip out than to
maintain pedaling at greater than 160 rpm. [1] I know plenty of other
fixie riders here in Seattle who do the same.

Back when I used to be stupid, I put my feet on the down-tube where the
shifters would have been had it been a road bike. I never had wobble
problems, perhaps due to the somewhat normal weight distribution from
the feet on the down-tube position. You stick your feet out the back?

I have a Carradice SQR bag, so I sort of tuck them under it. It's not
uncomfortable to do it for a couple minutes. I don't think it would be
suitable for a couple miles of downhill. But before I did that sort of
thing, I think I'd get around to get a freewheel for the other side of
the hub.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The bad part about doing it on a fixie is you're not able to get your
feet back into the pedals until the rpm drops again.

I think the danger aspect is rather overblown. However, I don't
recommend doing this on a fixie unless you have a lot of faith in your
brakes setup.

So you mean something a little more predictable than putting your
sneaker on the front tire?

Well, there's always plan B: slowing via skin friction.

I never said it was a *good* alternate plan.

I thought the whole fixie deal was, "Go Around".
;-)

Joseph

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka said:

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka wrote:
> I have my metal Fred racks on the back of my bike and took a mountain
> ride today out of boredom. Coming back down hill, not the really big
> hill but a smaller one where I usually get a 30 MPH free ride.
> Today I tried something different, inspired by a guy in the 40's trying
> to set a speed record of 150 MPH on a Vincent motorcycle. I put my feet
> up off the pedals and rested them on the rack over the back tire and put
> chin to the handlebar stem. My usual 30 MPH turned into a 39.3 MPH
> recorded maximum. The only drawback is that most of my weight was now on
> my arms and it was a real strain to hold that position for long so I had
> to give up and sit up before the steepest part.
>
> Time to start doing lots of push ups again. If I try that up where I hit
> 50 I might hit 60 or more, but it is harder to control the bike. Road
> rash is not my favorite thing since I have lost 2 weeks work to it after
> crashing a motorcycle in 1976, on July 4th no less.
>
> Maybe some of the braver (more insane) riders might try it and post
> back. I just don't want anybody getting killed doing what I do on what
> Brickhead calls planet Baka.
>
> It was a rush though.
>
> Bill (not totally sane) Baka
My 6 year old son does that sometimes. He calls it the "Superman" and I
believe it was inspired by those crazies who do free-style motorcross.

Your 6 year old? I have seen those 'Supercross' events and what they
don't tell you is how many kids mangle themselves before ever getting a
television shot. Even the experienced ones admit to having broken dozens
of bones crashing before they got it right.

When he was born, my wife and I decided he could be anything he wanted
to be except an accountant or a motorcycle racer. I've tried to keep
him from seeing free-style motorcross, but it was a lost cause, as it
is just too cool. I'm not too worried though. Even at 6 he has a pretty
good handle on what is safe and what is not. He wanted to be an
astronaut until he saw a video of the Columbia. Now he wants to work at
Ground Control. It seems most of the FMX guys don't even bother with
pads. Lost cause I guess.

Sounds like my youth, err, me even now. I like to race a motorcycle on a
flat dirt oval where I can (still) throttle the rear wheel out. That is
fun and on the ground so a wipe out mostly means a face full of dust
rather than a fall from 30 feet up at 50 MPH.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sure it's fun and fast, but if you get a wobble, you're doomed. Not
having your legs for stability, the bike just starts doing a slalom
back and forth under you until you crash. I've seen him do it several
times.

Yup,
I noticed that at about 40 MPH so I am rethinking the try for 70 thing.
Bill Baka

Maybe lying down on a skateboard or some other low CG way is what you
need for your quest for 70 MPH!

Joseph

I tried surfing when I was a teenager and it was the cool thing to do,
but alas I never had the sense of balance for that or a skateboard.
Bill Baka

Quoted message said:

Dane Buson said:

Quoted message said:

So you mean something a little more predictable than putting your
sneaker on the front tire?

Well, there's always plan B: slowing via skin friction.

I never said it was a *good* alternate plan.

I thought the whole fixie deal was, "Go Around".
;-)

Heh, I live on a hill and work on a hill. In between those is two
bridges and lots of little hills. So, not too many options for "Go
Around".

Still, it could always be worse. I could still live in Cincinnati.
*shudder*

--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
Live never to be ashamed if anything you do or say is
published around the world -- even if what is published is not true.
-- Messiah's Handbook : Reminders for the Advanced Soul

Quoted message said:

My 6 year old son does that sometimes. He calls it the "Superman" and I
believe it was inspired by those crazies who do free-style motorcross.

Are you sure he hasn't been watching the discovery channel? Back when I
had TV, I watched a show about land speed records. They featured film
of Rollie Free on his Vincent setting a land speed record of 150mph. He
rode in the Superman position wearing nothing but shoes, a pair of
skivvies, and a bathing cap. Here's a picture:

http://myvincent.co.uk/rfree.php

-Buck