SURPRISING FLATTRACK RACE ON THE HARLEY DAVIDSON 350 ERS 

My problem is that I never raced as a kid, so now I am old and a complete novice, but it's fun. There are a lot of old guys out there that are really fast but thank you.

@@bullpencycles Fun is where it's at!

Yes. Thank you. Hard to imagine my advise is good tho

I stalled it straight off, remember?

That's probably a good way to put it!

I could see why it was painful! to watch. I am completely and admitted a novice especially when changing bikes for the first time. Heck, sometimes I need a cane just to walk, but still having fun. I really appreciate your comments on how these should run. Pretty hard to shift on a 1/3 mile, but boy, its fun! I plan to change to sprockets and try again.

@@bullpencycles Oh wow! 1/3 mile. You definitely need to shift. Ride it as much as you can to get used to the shift pattern. It looks like a groove track. Where are you? With a Sprint you need to stay as close to the inside as you can. You will not be able to pass on the outside. Mine had major modifications to the engine and the frame. The biggest change to the frame was to relocate the upper shock mount so the shocks were more vertical. Harley wanted to make the Sprint look like a Sportster so the shocks were tilted forward. Good for looks, sucks for handling. Koni shocks. Unfortunately I don't remember the model shocks or spring weight. I''m 68 so this was a long time ago. The engine had a .040 over BSA 650 piston and a stroker plate about 1/4" thick. It wasn't a stroker but the piston height from the wrist pin to the top ring land was about 1/4" taller than a Sprint. Then we had to clay the piston/valve clearance so the valves wouldn't touch the piston. REALLY high compression. Sifton aluminum pushrods and a 34 mm Mikuni carburetor. I got the jetting from Mert Lawwill to start from. So much fun to ride. Just remember they don't have a lot of top speed but they pull off the corners strong and always got good traction.

@@bullpencycles Did you race when you were younger or are you just starting now? If you are just starting now you are doing well to simply get out there. As I said, I am 68 and was just looking over the Lodi Cycle Bowl schedule. I was thinking of taking my 11 year old grandson to see what I did as a kid for fun. I saw that my DR350 qualifies for the vintage class and I can race in the 50+ age group. I was seriously thinking of doing it all again. But $1500 for wheels, tires and stuff to make it legal. The two titanium knees and likely surgery soon to fuse a couple of points on my back coming up. Kind of made me rethink it all. I subscribed so if you ride again please post so we can keep in touch.

@@bryanwhitton1784 Yeah, I never raced when I was younger. My dad wouldn't let me get a bike. I bought an old Harley 125 and never told him. I never even rode dirt till a couple of years ago. Im 60 and wired together for other reasons now

@@bullpencycles I just sent you an email to your shop. If the track is near your shop it is likely a sandy track. Probably a cushion. Lot's of traction. Was your 125 a Rapido? I had a 1971 Rapido. My uncle was the owner of Sam Arena's Harley Davidson in San Jose, CA.

First ride out on that thing ever, anyway

Maybe because I was chicken or I don't know what i'm doing

Well, letting off to back it in is OK. You just need to get back on it to keep it spinning. Sprints have tremendous traction so it is real easy to keep it pointed in the right line. With the 1 up and 3 down it is really fast to shift coming out of the turns. I like to have my rear brake on the handlebar like a front brake rather on the right side. Didn't need it for much other than the pit area but on some tight blue grove tracks it had some uses. On a 1/4 mile or longer simply backing it in was more than enough braking. Man, those days were fun. I wish I could do it all again.

Thanks!

If I do that, I will loose all my powers

You are correct Samson

Yeah, but you don't say it.

Sampson, I see and understand completely, your strengths are from your hair, then don't cut it or you will become weak