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#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Justin Bogle
Location: San Diego, CA
Date: January 14th 2017
Photographer: Daryl Ecklund
Camera: Canon 5D Mark iv
Lens: 70-200mm F2.8
Focal length: 200mm
Exposure: 1/1000 sec.
F-stop: 4.5
ISO: 500

INJURED LIST IT STARTING TO GROW

Mitchell Oldenburg getting a ride at San Diego.

Jimmy Albertson- San Diego practice crash and sat out San Diego, but will be at A2.
Mike Alessi- Injured after a crash at Anaheim. Should be back in action this weekend.
Chris Alldredge- Broken collarbone. Will be out 3 to 4 weeks.
Justin Barcia- Wrist injury. Replaced by Jake Weimer.
Trey Canard- Out with a torn rotator cuff. The report says it is a minor injury and may be back any week.
Mitchell Oldenburg- Broke his collarbone in practice in San Diego.
Colt Nicholls– Broken leg. Replaced by Dan Reardon.
Bradley Taft- Concussion while practicing after San Diego

AREANACROSS RESULTS ROUND 2: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

From left to right: Chris Blose, Jace Owen, Matt Goerke.

250AX Class Overall Results (Main Event Results)

1. Jace Owen, Matoon, Ill., Honda (1-1)
2. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Yamaha (2-2)
3. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Florida, Yamaha (3-4)
4. Heath Harrison, Silverhill, Ala., KTM (4-3)
5. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Honda (5-5)
6. Gared Steinke, Woodland, Calif., Kawasaki (9-6)
7. Daniel Herrlein, Bethesda, Ohio, KTM (7-7)
8. Cody VanBuskirk, Harvard, Ill., KTM (6-8)
9. Gavin Faith, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Kawasaki (8-11)
10. Ben Lamay, Forney, Texas, Honda (11-9)

From left to right: Justin Cooper, Heath Harrison, Isaac Teasdale.

Eastern Regional AX Lites Class Results

1. Heath Harrison, Silverhill, Ala., KTM
2. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha
3. Isaac Teasdale, Robbinsville, N.C., KTM
4. Samuel Redman, Clarksville, Tenn., Kawasaki
5. Brandon Gourley, Boonville, Ind., KTM
6. Scott Zont, Algonquin, Ill., Kawasaki
7. Carter Gordon, Matoon, Ill., Yamaha
8. Jacob Williamson, Swartz Creek, Mich., Kawasaki
9. Cody Williams, Barneveld, Wis., Kawasaki
10. Donny Brown, Hermitage, Tenn., Yamaha

RIDERS TALK ABOUT THEIR RACE AT PETCO PARK OVER THE WEEKEND

From left to right: Marvin Musquin, Ken Roczen, Ryan Dungey.

KEN ROCZEN

“Ryan [Dungey] kept me on my toes. The track broke down and it was really rough out there, but that’s the fun part, I hope the fans enjoyed it. That’s what they want to see [a battle for the win]. I’m actually happier with this weekend’s win than last weekend’s. I’m happy to be up here again. Another day in the books and I’m looking forward to next weekend.”

RYAN DUNGEY

“I had two spots where I thought I could [make the pass] and I made a mistake before each of them. I came in too hot into one of the corners. I knew it was the last lap and I was trying hard. We [Roczen and I] fought to the end. It was an intense race. It was good because I led a little bit and then he led. We were really pushing the pace and if you’re going to race someone like that, it’s going to be a battle to the end.”

SHANE MCELRATH

“It’s unreal to explain [winning two in a row] but I try to treat the race like a practice day where we go through every scenario except with a little less intensity. I have been working really hard – spiritually, mentally and physically – and have just been in the zone. The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM team works their butts off every week and I’m so thankful. Last week’s win could have been a fluke but tonight proved to be the real thing and I want to keep it going. The track was really demanding tonight, it was one of those things where I just had to run it in there, it’s not what I would have liked to do but that’s racing – it was for the win so I’ll take it.”

SHANE TALKS ABOUT HIS WIN

JUSTIN HILL ON RIDING INTO SHAPE AND BONUS CHECKS

SUPERCROSS KNOWLEDGE: SAN DIEGO ROUND 2

The start of the 450 main event in San Diego.

By Broc Bridges

1. Ken Roczen earned his 11^th career victory with his win in San Diego. A Honda rider hadn’t won the first two races of the season since 1999 (Ezra Lusk). A rider hadn’t won the first two rounds on any brand since 2007 (James Stewart, Kawasaki).

2. The last time Honda started off the season with three wins by the same rider was 1996 Jeremy McGrath. Roczen could do this in Anaheim II.

3. Roczen’s 11 wins puts him in a tie for 17^th on the all-time 450SX class win list (Mike Bell). One more win will tie him for 15^th on the list (tied with David Bailey and Ezra Lusk).

Ken Roczen throws an arm off celebrating his second victory in a row.

4. When Roczen won Anaheim 1, he became the 30^th rider to win a 450SX class race on a Honda. With a win in San Diego, he is now only one victory away from being in the top 15 all-time on three different brand’s win lists (Honda, Suzuki, KTM).

5. San Diego was Roczen’s 49^th career 450SX class start. If he can make the gate for Anaheim II, it will be number 50.

6. For the fourth time in Supercross history, the winners of both classes have been the same in the first two rounds: 1999, Lusk and Casey Johnson; 1994, Jeremy McGrath and Lusk; 1989, Rick Johnson and Jeff Matiasevich.

7. Shane McElrath joins Jason Anderson as the only KTM 250SX class riders to win the first two rounds of a season.

Shane McElrath is two for two.

8. Ryan Dungey made his 119^th start in San Diego. He finished second place for his 91^st career podium.

9. Marvin Musquin has now started the season with back-to-back podiums. It was his seventh career podium in 23 starts.

Marvin will not settle for third place. He wants to battle for the championship.

10. Chad Reed, making his 205^th start, rode to his first top-10 of the season. He has never gone four rounds without a podium.

11. Yamaha now has a 77-round losing streak. Their last win was Daytona 2012 (James Stewart). Suzuki holds the record with 84 winless rounds (only Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha considered in this stat).

It is up to the rookie Cooper Webb and veteran Chad Reed get Yamaha out of their losing streak. 

12. The top four 450 riders have been identical for the first two rounds (Roczen, Dungey, Musquin, Anderson). This hasn’t happened since 2007 (Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, Reed, and Travis Preston).

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BULLET PROOF DESIGNS GEN 2 KTM RADIATOR GUARDS

Bullet Proof Designs’ Radiator Guards are the premier protection for off-road racers and recreational riders alike. Machined from solid 6061-T6 billet aluminum, these guards offer superior strength with minimal weight gain. The Bullet Proof Designs Radiator Guards mount directly to the frame for better front and side coverage. New Gen 2 Guards offer lower bowl protection as well as a ribbed design for added strength. Another new feature are the pre-drilled holes that allows riders to add the Bullet Proof O-Ring Kit which precisely holds the shroud pieces in place. Our master engineers designed these guards to provide unbeatable protection without restricting air flow to your radiators. Bullet Proof Designs Radiator Guards are made in the USA and come with a lifetime warranty.

Price: $219

Contact: 816-695-3784

Website: www.bulletproofdesigns.com

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: BRETT COOP’S STORY BEHIND HIS 2009 KX500AF BUILD

A father and son project that came to fruition.

By Brett Coop

I would like to proudly present to you my 2009 KX500AF. It all started when my father and I took on the project early last year and spent several months creating mounts and fitting parts. My father was a cabinet builder for 20 plus years, so he knew his way around woodworking, so the transition to metal working wasn’t too big for him. It all started with buying a neighbor’s 2000 KX500 and a dream to put it into an aluminum frame; the best of both worlds. Shortly after buying the KX500, we were able to locate a 2009 KX450F. We of course knew of the challenge we had ahead of ourselves, seeing as how we don’t have big fancy CNC or lathe machines. Everything was accomplished using a table saw, a grinder, a jig saw, and a drum sander, which resulted in countless hours of precision hand crafting and tuning. All in all, I believe the project took about 8 months from start to finish.

The KX500’s engine was torn apart down to the cases. We started by boring out the KX500 cases to accept the larger swing arm bolt of the KX450F. The down tube/rails from the Y piece to the cross member on the KX450F were replaced with longer rails made of 6063 aluminum.  Any obsolete or unnecessary mounting tabs (like the amplifier mount) were removed from the frame. The stock Y piece was sanded down and modified to remove the stock KX450F four-stroke engine mounting point. The KX500 motor mounts were made out of 5/8” thick 6061-T6 aluminum. They were created by using a table saw to mill down a solid 1” thick block, as well as a grinder for shaping, and a drum sander for finish work. We were most concerned with making a very strong head stay; the actual mounting point was created out of 1-1/8” thick 6061-T6 aluminum. The actual head stay brackets were made from ½” thick 6061-T6 aluminum.

The KX500 engine and all its glory.

After much test fitting, we had workable motor mounts that were welded on by a professional welder. Now it was time to turn our attention to the fuel tank; as this was a 09 bike, it was fuel injected. After much deliberation, we decided on replicating the stock fuel pump plate (which is a hex shape – we made this also out of 6061-T6 aluminum), and had an aluminum barbed fitting welded to the plate, which we then bolted to the fuel tank using the OEM fuel tank o-ring. After this portion was done, we fabricated a block off plate for the air box out of 1/8” thick 5053 aluminum and riveted it to the air box using washers on the plastic backing. We then used a 2003 KX250 air boot/cage assembly and matched it to the aluminum plate, which worked out really great for fitment with the carburetor. The pipe cone mount and silencer tab mount were the only 2 parts sourced from conversionparts500.com.

The biggest headache of this build was the exhaust pipe (because we wanted to keep everything stock looking – so the silencer mounting points were the same as the 450). We started with a CR500 pro circuit works pipe and welded the “nose” off a kx500 pipe onto it. The lower mount on the pipe was put in a vise and bent a small amount. The tail section was then rotated and extended so that it would allow the silencer (a CR500 Pro Circuit 304) to remain in the stock KX450F location tucked nicely behind the number plate. For the mid-pipe mounting point, we replicated a CR500 mount (only extended it) and welded a thick piece of aluminum inside the frame and bolted that on. With the exhaust sorted, we made a coil mount out of 3/16” 6061-T6 aluminum. We opted to run the Service Honda green radiator hoses, so we sent off the OEM radiators to Myler’s for our specified work. They come back with zero leaks and zero fitment issues.

The new-aged KX500 has a compression release installed to keep the cases and the leg kicking it intact.

With the frame now fully fabricated, we turned our attention to the engine. Every single piece was torn apart and for the most part, was replaced. Every single bearing, washer, circlip, everything you could imagine, was replaced just for peace of mind. The crank was sent off to crankworks to be rebuilt with an OEM rod kit, as well as have the connecting pin welded (we were worried about distortion over time). The cylinder was matched with a Pro-X piston and was turned over to PowerSeal USA to be re-Nikasil plated. The OEM cylinder head was sent to a gentleman by the name of Larry Weichman who lives in IL to have a compression release installed (we were worried about breaking the case…and our leg). I also contacted Mike of OEM-Cyle for one of his 2-piece clutch covers. With all of the parts back in hand, the assembly went over smooth than we could of thought.

After we were happy with all the fabrication, we decided to litter the bike with all kinds of billet goodies. It features DubyaUSA Kite elite wheels with Dunlop MX3S tires & MotoMaster flame rotors (270mm on the front – covered by an Acerbis carbon disc guard), numerous Hammerhead Designs parts (brake caps, spacers, shifter, etc), green Renthal fatbars, Twinring Sprocket, Raptor Titanium footpegs, P3 Carbon pipe guard, Pro Moto Billet Kickstand, TM Designworks slider, chain guide, etc. The carburetor is a 44mm Lectron with a Packard Racing oversize bowl. We also used a Moto Tassinari Vforce2 reed assembly. The skid plate was custom fabricated out of HDPE green plastic using a TM Designworks mounting kit for a KTM. To finish the bike off, I made a call to Danny at D’Cor for a custom Monster Energy KX500AF graphics kit. We unfortunately ran into the problem of overtightening the fuel plate bolts on the stock tank, which resulted in cracking the threads. Not to be discouraged, we were leaning towards an oversize tank anyhow–an Acerbis 2.7 gallon tank.  It’s a good thing we upgraded, because this thing loves to drink fuel. The bike fired up in a few kicks (very easily with the compression release) and ran like a bat out of hell after some slight carburetor tuning (which is incredibly easy on a Lectron). Overall we are very happy with our build. I think we may try our hand at a CR500AF next–keep on the lookout for us! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

AN EYE FOR AN EYE

In the second corner of the first lap in the 250 West main event, Dan Reardon (122) deliberately came in hard on Martin Davalos (30). It threw Martin off balance, but he did not crash.

The contact lit a fire in Martin for revenge. Reardon was in second and Martin in third. Martin repaid the favor and came in hard on Reardon to get him back for the move a lap earlier. Reardon crashed out of the race.

BLAKE BAGGETT’S  LOOP-OUT SEQUENCE

  

MALCOLM STEWART TO RIDE A RIDE 365 SUZUKI

The new yellow Ride 365 RM-Z450 of Malcolm Stewart. It is very unfortunate the 2016 250 West champ couldn’t find a ride for the 2017 season.  Malcolm, as well as his multi-champion brother, James Stewart were left high and dry. It is hard to make it as a privateer. But if anyone can do it, it is the Stewarts. They have the experience, talent and knowledge to get them to the top once again.