WORLD RECORD FOR CRAIG JONES AND BUELL MOTORCYCLES
Craig Jones World Stoppie record 15th August 2003
Written and prepared by Craig Jones
Location
. Florida Evaluation Centre (F.E.C), Naples, Florida.
Date
. 15th August 2003-08-18
Time
. 14.30 hours
Bike used
. Buell XB12R
Air Temperature
. 93.6 degrees
Track Temperature
102.0 degrees
Wind speed
. 2 mph head wind
Relative Humidity
. 51
Starting take off speed
130 mph ( 208 km/hr)
Distance carried on front wheel
873 feet (266 metres)
Modifications to bike
.
Remove all rear brake system inc rear disc
Remove passenger pegs
Remove passenger seat
Remove all indicators
Remove rear view mirrors
Replace clip-on handle bars with motocross type bars
Load front fairing area with approx 30 kg of lead ballast weight
Important notes
..
1. We realised that the last world record stoppie of 740 feet (225.5 metres), was probably the limit using a stock Buell XB9S all but changing the handlebars. So to go a greater distance would require extensively modifying a stock bike.
Looking at the challenge scientifically, three factors were realised. We needed a greater take off speed. We needed a more aerodynamic shape in order to gain speed and stability. We needed to lighten the back end of the bike and add additional front forward ballast weight to make the bike lift easier.
The Buell XB12R was chosen. It automatically has more top speed due to the bigger engine size and power output. It has a more aerodynamic fairing shape but more importantly, the fairing is frame mounted. This enables additional weight to be added to this area without effecting steering. So the bike will remain stable. This additional ballast weight positioned in the front fairing area has three purposes. (a) The buell has a very low centre of gravity which is ideal for track and road handling. However, for the purpose of this high speed stoppie, which is a very unnatural and extreme maneuvre, a relatively low centre of gravity is not necessarily required. So a front forward ballast weight will lift the centre of gravity forward and up. (b) A ballast weight will act as a counter balance weight against the weight of the rider. Thus creating a pendulum effect pivoting via the front wheel. (c) A ballast weight will help to prevent the bike from being lifted so high when the front brake is initially applied at high speed due to high air pressure and drag.
The combination of the above has resulted in Craig Jones being capable of carrying an EXTRA front wheel stoppie distance of 133 feet (40.5 metres) over and above the existing world record set by himself.
END
here is the buell
