Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: redrider on June 17, 2015, 05:57:12 AM
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Superbike Planet has a photo of the infamous "V Block". I read an interview with the late George Kerker about his early days racing a Guzzi and how the AMA tried to ban the machine because of width. (Most likely at the request of HD). The 70's. Where's that way back machine?
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Somewhere in my pile-o-stuff is an anecdotal story with referenced quotes about a Guzzi rider using width - which is to say V-splay - in an offensive/defensive manner.
Hopefully I can remember the particulars accurately enough to not extend the narrative beyond belief:
The rider, while taking advantage of the V's tractability and compression braking would present as an annoyance entering turns and if able to would take some of the starch outa competition's greater exit surges. One of the others (Ducati?) began to negotiate corners more aggressively defensive and our man would be up along side-inside and deliberately, if not noticeable enough for censure, begin to lift the outside cylinder into the other bike. This decidedly unsettled the rider and his ride allowing the Goose to get past and dissuade the Duc from behaving in that manner anymore. While our hero notes the beneficial effects of the act - he said that it did in fact correspond to a predetermined favorable line for him. Shallow defense, that, but still...
The Goose rider is quoted in the article (book passage?) as repeatedly taking advantage of his bike's architecture in relation to power delivery particulars and the bike's inherent stability on several occasions.
Coulda been one of Dr John's riders. I hope I did a remotely respectable job of recalling the writing - perhaps (most likely) some one else will recall it in greater detail. It was a fun read.
Todd.
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Hmm , seems a bit odd that BMWs were never outlawed .
Dusty
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Somewhere in my pile-o-stuff is an anecdotal story with referenced quotes about a Guzzi rider using width - which is to say V-splay - in an offensive/defensive manner.
Hopefully I can remember the particulars accurately enough to not extend the narrative beyond belief:
The rider, while taking advantage of the V's tractability and compression braking would present as an annoyance entering turns and if able to would take some of the starch outa competition's greater exit surges. One of the others (Ducati?) began to negotiate corners more aggressively defensive and our man would be up along side-inside and deliberately, if not noticeable enough for censure, begin to lift the outside cylinder into the other bike. This decidedly unsettled the rider and his ride allowing the Goose to get past and dissuade the Duc from behaving in that manner anymore. While our hero notes the beneficial effects of the act - he said that it did in fact correspond to a predetermined favorable line for him. Shallow defense, that, but still...
The Goose rider is quoted in the article (book passage?) as repeatedly taking advantage of his bike's architecture in relation to power delivery particulars and the bike's inherent stability on several occasions.
Coulda been one of Dr John's riders. I hope I did a remotely respectable job of recalling the writing - perhaps (most likely) some one else will recall it in greater detail. It was a fun read.
Todd.
I think you're remembering a section from Greg Field's "Moto Guzzi Big Twins". That book also has information about the V-block and it's use to disqualify the Kerker/ZDS Guzzi.
(http://www.vintagemotorcyclesonline.com/zenphoto/albums/VMOL%20wallpapers/italian/zdswalkerbook.jpg)
This interesting info. was found on Facebook:
THE STORY OF KERKER'S ZDS MOTO GUZZI AND THE VON DUTCH LETTERING
"....Bill, I don't remember if I told you or not, but about ten years ago I made a concentrated effort to track down the ZDS racer. The first person I called was Greg, who told me (that he heard) the bike was last seen somewhere in Texas.
I have most of my notes and research saved, even though near the end of my work I was told the bike had been broken down for parts. I am still not sure.
George Kerker worked for Bob Blair, who owned ZDS. At that time, ZDS was the west coast distributor for Moto Guzzi. Details are a little fuzzy, but I believe Bob Blair passed away years ago and Kerker later committed suicide. Research is more difficult when the two main parties aren't around to answer questions!
I did track down Bob's wife, who told me that ownership of the bike was retained by her husband, and that it had been raced successfully by the shop in local events. According to her, it 'disappeared' after sitting in the shop for many years. When she asked what happened to it, she was told 'someone wanted the racing parts off of it for something else'.
The bike weighed 331 pounds, ready to race. The forks were from Rickman, as was the Lookheed disc and caliper. The wheel (19") looks to use the housing from a large drum; hollowed out to partially fit/attach the rotating disc inside.
The engine was built and tuned by C.R. Axtell, who commissioned Norris to modify the valve train and make a cam. Mondial 10-1 pistons were fitted, along with Ducati megaphones. Geared for Daytona, the bike was reported to be capable of 150 mph!
The biggest glitch was the stock Ambo transmission, which was too widely spaced for short tracks. For Daytona however...no wonder it was banned by the AMA, eh?
Of course, this was accomplished before Jan Kampen and Lino Tonti began their performance work, and tjhe engine was taken a whole new level. Some of the old-timers at the factory felt ZDS's accomplishments has been overlooked, and they approached what Tonti had pulled off with his V7-based endurance racers.
Note: The stripling/lettering was applied by the legendary Von Dutch.
Another contribute by Nolan Woodbury (Great thanks)