Racing is Hard on Equipment

     It's not a saw blade, it is what's left of a rear sprocket on a strutted Sportster after a hard run across the country. 

     I first noticed extreme chain and sprocket wear during Stampede 9, when my Sportster was strutted. 
     I wrote about that unusual wear in my "belt vs Chain" post (click on the label below).

     I think that there is something about a strutted Sportster that causes heavy chain and sprocket wear. Perhaps it is the lack of any "cush drive", like we see in many other chain driven motorcycles. 

     Gordon Porritt (#4) finished 33rd despite the extreme chain and sprocket wear. 
     

Richie Pan and Michael Napolitano, A Terrible Accident

     On Saturday morning we all took a ride through the North Carolina country side. We stopped at a roadside fruit stand and I took this photo of Michael Lichter taking a photograph of Richie Pan. 
     Late that night Richard Pannarra and Michael Napolitano were hit and killed while crossing the street in Southern Pines, North Carolina. 

Smoke Out 16

     The Smoke Out is, by far, my favorite motorcycle event. It's not the largest rally by any means, but it has more going on than all the others.

     The palatial Stampede compound, where we were front and center on the happenings at Smoke Out 16. And there's a lot to take in.

It's always fun to check out the mini bikes and mini bike racing.

Diesel bikes, could be the next big thing. 

Two stroke choppers are cool. I sure like this one.

There are bands to listen to,

cute girls to enjoy,

and loads of bikes to look at.