For all the guys and girls that have those really cool folding levers, check this out. http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=32231 for me, i think a cheap brake lever in my tool box will do fine.
Its a shame and happens on occasion. We have no choice but to believe Cardenas about having no brake lever. He doesn't have a history of taking people out (that I'm aware of). Say a prayer for Nicky and hope things don't happen in threes. So much for a good start to the Superbike season for Tommy.
That was some crazy footage to watch. Looked like he was hauling ass into that turn but if I remember correctly, I recall smoke coming from the rear tire as he came into that turn just before the crash. Ken
If his contact with Rapp was hard enough to break the stop on a folding lever, without the folding lever, the contact would have most certainly snapped a non folding lever completely off (or made him lock up the front, sending him over the bars.....how many times have we seen that ?!) and he would have still been without brakes. Every single MotoGP and Factory Superbike machine in the World has been using them for several years now, this is the first incident that has ever even been suspected (no one is sure) to have caused a problem, so their value seems to outweigh any risk. I'll keep mine, Kevin, as based on your logic, we should all be riding on solid rubber tires or cable actuated drum brakes, as neither could suffer the same type of catastophic failure as their technologically more advanced radial or hydraulic replacements. Nothing mechanical comes without risk. Shit happens.
folding levers are the new cool thing, David Podulsky has them on his Ducati. when people notice them the first thing they do is flip them up and down, this weakens the pivot point and makes it more likely to have a failer. David does tell a funny story how his clutch lever went missing while down shifting into a corner so it does happen without contact from another rider. i think it has something to do with Murphy law. solid rubber tires? why not stone...coming out to pocono Bobby?
Kev... It was no easier for the bolt that apparently wasn't properly tightened (or secured) to work itself loose and fall out of the hinged mechanism of Dave's clutch lever as it would have been for an un properly tightened (or secured) bolt that holds a standard lever in place to work itself loose from it's perch and also fall out, with the same result; no lever. Maybe Dave should have safety wired it, but from what I understand, you STT Tech Inspectors don't really check that stuff, doya? (lol) YES...although due to NJMP I hope this will be the last time I every see Pocono Raceway, I expect to be there on the 18th, as I have some new electronic stuff I need to play with in order to get my bike set up properly for the rest on the year.
Bobby i really miss having these debates with you it feels like old times davids clutch lever did not fall off... it had unexpectedly flipped up. because of this he is very cautious how his levers are adjusted and wont let anyone touch them. dont get me wrong if you want to run them thats fine with me. the question for me is why, why do i need this really cool and expensive part that everyone wants to play with and make it dangerous for me.maybe i just answered my question, but seriously when professional racers have failures then how will that translate to thousands of trackday riders who often do not have the same knowledge or support. the purpose for this technology is to help racers win championships not so trackday riders get a few more laps in after a crash. for a racer the reward clearly outweighs the risk but for a trackday or street rider i think the risk outweighs the reward. this is just a question i wanted to raise before the flood of folding levers comes in from china. as for safety wiring clutch perch bolts, effective immediately all clutch perch bolts will be needed to be safety wired in the B group. LOL.
They spend most of their efforts checking for double-gasketed oil filters :wink: Hi, Bobby Hope to see ya at Pocono
Hey Doug...what's going on? Haven't thrown either of my withered and crooked legs over a running motorcycle for almost 8 months, so I'm even looking forwards to going to Pocono (weather permitting), although as I pointing out, this might be the last time I ever see the place. It's been almost 33 years since I first went to Pocono and became enchanted with the sounds and smells of the racing world, and almost 32 years since I first rode there (yes...I crashed <g>). And despite many of my fondest memories, the forging of some of my most cherished friendships, and all of my life changing mishaps having taken place there, I look forwards to leaving it in my past, as Pocono's distain for motorcycling has me looking toward NJMP to become my new "home " track.
Perhaps hitting Rapp caused the lever to flip up. I'd take the low side when compared to going over the handle bars Like Rapp did at Road America.
Bobby I liked what wrote about Ponoco how it was your 1st experience to the racing world and now you're closing a chapter in your life. I only hope you will stop by of a visit as you know we all miss you.
