I spoke to an official, Tom “Rodan” Evans, from the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) about rules, classes and Bonneville racing. Delvene reminded me that it was time to pre-register. "Running open bikes is the most fun," Rodan said. "But let’s look at what you have?" According to Rodan the 1940 45 Flatty will run in the 500cc class, but there are several categories. We discovered that the record for the Modified Vintage 500 cc Gas Class is 126 mph. Get this the MPS-VF, vintage, partially streamlined fuel class record is 110 mph and the gas record in the same category is 123 mph. We're going after the MPS-VF first then change classes if we break that record.

Remember that the record must be obtained by running both ways on the salt within 1.5 hours and the average speed is our score.

Here’s the deal on the famous Salt Shaker, 120-inch (Accurate Engineering engine and Baker Transmission) Panhead Sportbike, designed by John Reed and modified by Bandit. That’s me. It can run in the Pushrod category 2000 cc class or A-PG. A Harley currently holds the gas record at 165.5 mph, but get this, the A-PF record (fuel), is just 157.010. We will shoot for that one first. “Run nitrous,” Rodan said. “It’s one way to make up for the shitty air on the salt flats.”

Now here’s the secret score for the day from Departure Bike Works. Speed secrets from the early days, slipped to us under the counter in the DBW service department:

”We received a communique from none other than Fast Eddie Boomhower himself, regarding the Bonne Belle motor,” said Greg from DBW.

“This page will self-destruct in 2 minutes, so read fast. This is some kick ass info. You can post some of it on Bikernet if you wish, so the faithful readers can see how it was done BEFORE computers and CNC machines....”

Eddie Boomhaur owned Richmond, Virginia, Harley-Davidson until the late ‘70s. He still restores vintage engines and sets them up for vintage racing. He also builds replica vintage Sprint frames.

Factory venturi blueprint.

Keep It Greasy,
Greg @ DBW
service@departure.com