Saturday Night Live
Sunday, January 6, 2013 | 5:20 AM
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PrintThis was Anaheim 1 and the race was awesome. The place was packed and the fans were pumped and the buzz was, um, buzzing. And the racing delivered. Couldn't ask for much more. Maybe a little bit warmer temps? It was really, really cold down on the floor and in the pits once the sun set.
Yeah, a bunch of the favorites had a rough go of it, but don't think for a second that Davi Millsaps' win wasn't legit. He was fast every time he rolled out on the track—all three practices, his heat (which he won) and the main. And, he did one of the hardest things of all in this sport, when he got passed for the lead he regrouped, found new lines, and put on another attack. After the race, Millsaps was smiling ear to ear and singing the praises of his new team. We'll have more with him in our Monday Conversation.
Trey Canard is usually one of the funniest, most well-spoken riders out there, but he was rendered almost speechless after his second-place finish. It's probably the happiest we've ever seen Trey after a race, including his wins and titles. “It just feels like a win to me,” he said. “It was almost like a dream at times.”
Did Chad Reed suck? Not hardly, he got faster as the day went on and his fourth-place points will pay well for the long haul. He didn't have anything for the Dungey/Canard/Barcia/Millsaps group ahead of him, but no doubt, Reed's focused on the long season, as always. And remember not to put too much stock in speed at the opener. Last year Ryan Villopoto blew everyone away at Anaheim 1, but a few weeks later Reed was on pace and battling him for wins. Until Chad himself counts himself out, no one else can.
Ryan Dungey never looked great all day, and never looked bad, either. He's running that new air shock (no external spring on that thing) and admitted the team has to do some real fine tuning before it's perfect. But he likes it. Well, no rider would ever tell us if they did hate something but we expect the shock to stay on his bike.
Lots of hype on Justin Barcia, and we figured he'd do well at A1 since he's pretty much immune to pressure and nerves and things like that. BamBam just wants to race! But, apparently even he can't ignore the scope of A1. His mechanic, Snikey, told us Justin was nervous all day and nervous on the line for the main. He had a crash in the main but wasn't hurt.
Even the normally stress-free Barcia had a case of the Anaheim 1 nerves. Still could have pulled off a podium.
Cudby photo
Seriously, almost everyone is nervous at Anaheim and that makes it hard to guage what's for real and what isn't. In practice, the only guys that looked consistently on it were Villopoto, Stewart and Millsaps. Everyone else was up and down. It'll be a few weeks before things really shake down.
The Yoshimura Suzuki guys were obviously bummed about James Stewart's knee injury, especially since he didn't even crash. “We have it on video, if you didn't know it was coming, you wouldn't even notice it,” said Team Manager Mike Webb. After Stewart suited up and raced his heat race, they realized he was going about three seconds per lap slower than he was before the knee injury. So they softened the suspension up for the main, and Stewart rode smart to collect eighth.
Ryan Villopoto was really, really fast. He duked it out with Stewart for fastest times in practice, then caught Justin Barcia from way back to nearly win his heat. But he blew the start in the main and crashed two too many times coming through---good news is that Kawasaki folks say he's not hurt.
Jake Weimer rode the world's most uneventful race to finish fifth in the main. “Nope, I pretty much didn't battle anyone,” he said afterwards. And, really, what more is there to say, in that case?
Eli Tomac did everything he could to avoid his 250—he didn't even get on it until December. That was still enough time to dial it in and go win. In qualifying, he looked way, way faster than everyone else in 250SX, but his lap times only showed the slimmest margins in speed over the competition. In the main, he turned it up and no one was going to touch him.
Blake Baggett got the short end of the stick when Jessy Nelson crashed in turn one of the Lites main. Baggett got caught up and started the race a half lap behind. He finished 14th but was riding pretty well.
The new #4 didn't get to show what he had.
Cudby photo
Cole Seely wasn't the same rider he was at Anaheim 1 last year, you could see he was nervous after all the time off last year with injuries. He got steadily better as the night went on, and even made a brief run at Roczen for second. He's more than glad to take a podium at this point in the season.
Jason Anderson rode very well and even kept the heat on Seely for a little while in hopes of a podium. Overall, a good night for Rockstar Energy Racing.
Everyone liked the A1 track. The proof was that no one really talked about it—it wasn't the focus of anyone's story, because it did its job. Passing was plentiful and the layout looked fairly fun. Last year, everyone was hating on the opener track.
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Sunday morning live...is it possible to save the proggresive pass of the race until the friggen race is over? Keep trying to take this sport "mainstream" like nascar and its going to suck..leave silent bobs little brother in the satellite truck next week.
Millsaps pass for the lead was in the exact same corner that Canard used to pass him. If Trey had waited a little longer to use that move he might have gotten the win. Great race. I love it when everyone predictions are wrong, even my own. Now we have an even bigger list of potential winners, assuming Stewart is ok. Hope everyone stays healthy and I hope the big dogs get up front and start mixing it up next week. I'm hoping for lots of different race winners this year and tons of drama all the way to the end.
I agree, someone in supercross hired a PR person to try emulate other sports and it SUCKS. I do need to sit in front of a TV for 4 hours watching commercials either. The old way, heat-semi-LCq- main was way better and more efficient.
Watch supercross is becoming disappointing, and they are dumbing it down for people that don't understand it. Except they don't realize those people don't watch it anyway
the ama needs to relook at the rule of reentering the track vilopoto should have been docked for speeding up while off the track to not lose positions yes he stayed in the rules so not hating on him im hating on the ama. under this rule a rider could go off the track to avoid a section that he doesnt like i know its far fetched but possible other than that great race. still remember millsaps and lichtle doing the uphill at steelcity on 80s when half the pros couldnt on 125
The SPEED coverage had some issues.
NEVER cut away from a good race to show a long replay. Replays should be short and to the point.....and get back to the real race. SPEED should schedule post race air time for replays and interviews to summerize the event.
I'm available if they need a spotter for the series.
I miss David Bailey being on air.
yeah that was boring....wait...yep that was boring...sure there was a great story with canard..was there a race last nite?...too much hype...Millsaps did good....spread the money out...some riders arent worth the trucks they pit out of...ok...start the bashing..haha.
Millsaps winning is definitely a surprise, but him being at a competitive pace on any given week doesn't surprise me that much. Hopefully, he won't follow it up with a 9th or 10th, like he has often done in the past.
I've been saying for the last several weeks that I thought Canard would be the fastest Honda guy.
Reed was were I thought he might be, a little off the pace of the top guys. It's been a long time since he raced at that level, so maybe with the first race behind him, he can pick it up.
Nothing Stewart does really surprises me anymore. RV having so much trouble did. His ability to carve through the pack is on of his greatest strengths, but occasionally its his downfall. This was just one of those nights. I just hope that he isn't hurt. The team said he was fine right after he injured his knee last year, so they don't have a lot of credibility in that area for me.
Did anyone here Ricky, sometime during the pre-race stuff, say the word "preparate"? He was trying to say "preparation". He corrected it, after a second of two had gone by. Pretty funny though.
Can't we just go with Ralph and Fro for the commentating? Sorry folks but RC just doe's not have what it takes, and Rutledge Wood and Miss Monster energy seems to be taking the sport in the wrong direction.
Other than that and the 10,000 commercials it was a nice night of racing.
Saying RV should have been docked points for what happened is rediculous.
* I hate the long replays especially when you hear the live crowd go crazy in the background.
* Kharma payed Hanson a visit in the LCQ. which was nice to see.
* What was with the TV guys wearing riding gloves and talking with their hands?
* All in All a fantastic race!
* I do not like JS7 but I was pleasantly surprised to see him put in a solid main. That launch into the sand must have hurt his knee like hell.
THANKS SPEED AND MONSTER FOR THE LIVE RACING!
Speeds coverage was not very goo. The "pass of the race" came before the race was over and we missed some of Millsaps gaining back on Canard.. Cutting away from live coverage to show that was dumb, and the race wasnt even over.. The real "Pass of the race" came later.. Speed dropped the ball last night..
Great race and a great way to start the season including the drama. I'm not a fan of everyone cutting on the coverage, I grew up in an era of NO coverage at all, so this is like a dream come true. I agree that Rutledge Wood may not be the best on-air personality but at least we don't have Brett Micheal "Get Your Ride On", or whatever that was.
Overall I was very happy with the race and the coverage, the 3 hours of qualifying on supercrosslive was awesome too, that's a FULL day of SX coverage and that can't be a bad thing, I'll take that anyday!
RCs best quote of the night, "braap, braap, braaaaaaap!"
"Did anyone here Ricky, sometime during the pre-race stuff, say the word "preparate"? " Yup I did hear him.
The "pass of the race" timing was perfect. I guess the crew didn't have much faith in Milsaps.
Why was Drew Carey hosting SX?
I thought it was Price is Right he hosted. Lame....is all I can say!!
Do not show re-plays during the race!!!!!!!!
I too was glad to see Hanson crash because he was trying to push a rider off that jump.
I like RC commentating. Id rather hear him mess up or use hillbilly language now and again than hear Ralph's super cheesy comments all night.
I must be part redkneck/hillbilly.....never noticed RC talkin' funny? Replays on split-screen would solve the problem. I've seen it before on Speed SX coverage. Speed just needs to fine-tune thier machine a little. Not much they can do about the commercials.....there's just too much time between heats and lcq s and mains. Maybe have pre-recorded 5 min interviews or GoPro pit walks......?
Looks like we are in for a treat! All the drama at a1.....
Congrats to Davey!
Go RV
point being where is it fair if you go off track and speed up on outside of track while guys on track cant pass you because they are not on the smooth part. i dont care who the rider is it is an unfair advantage that should be looked at by the ama. im pointing out bad rules not bad riders
I hope Ricky is also laughing at all the poor grammar is these sentences too. I did not here Ricky, but I did HEAR Ricky say preparate. Also what word is doe's and rediculius? If you can't do better, let it go.
Give Ricky a break.. Not brake.
Hanny = Giant P.O.S
Great write up Jason - on the next podcast pleae give Steve Matthes a hard time for his incessant bagging on Davi - tell him to suck it! Tell him before our eyes we witnessed a leopard change its spots! - well not Davalos but the crash was not his fault...
BTW you are not the least knowledgable reporter in MX/SX - problem is the fanboys on here do not know "reason" beacuse they are too "fanatical"
Cheers.
I missed that last take out, doesn't surprise me. I think we should all put some $ together to pay the fine and have someone give this jerk the beatdown he deserves. He was trying to push Chisholm off that wall into the mechanics and Chiz was smart enough to check up so Hiney couldn't bank off him back on the track. Make this ass ride AX.
The racing was great and as unpredictable as we thought it would be. The only predictable thing is we're in for a great season and I think we're going to see at least 5 different winners. Overall I think the TV coverage was good with some nice angles but I do agree as above with saving the highlights until the race is over or as mentioned use split screen. I wish they would give the rider a chance at the end of his post race interview to thank anybody he wants so we don't have to listen to the scripted fast pace thanks instead of talking about the race he was just in. Now for the Rutledge Wood experiment, I didn't like it. It felt like MTV does SX. I would have rather watched Georgia Lindsey, Matthes or JT do the work and also mix in some fan interaction. I like hearing Ricky's down to earth perspective on what's going on. I still think David Bailey was the best.
I must be crazy but to me the race and coverage was great. We may not like everything going on as hardcore followers but the bottom line is this sport needs main stream. We need to dumb it down for new followers. That's how we get new money for the bottom half of the gate pick. Read the mike g. Article for motococepts on this site . They maybe crazy but he's right.
somewhere in Canada an alternative band was missing their singer and we had him...I sure hope he makes it back to the woods....who the he*l was that guy...geezus. the anthem made my dog howl...wow.......loved the show but NO...cutting away while the race for FIRST is bangin away...c'mon.. RC's jackets continue to amaze me...lol.... Absolute fantastic track and racing...congrats Milsaps (even though I was standing and screaming for Canard)...great RIDE.....Zook power......so KTM was of course doin R&D on the brand new air shoc at A1...too bad , but 3rd ain't to shabby either.. Hanson is truly sickening and got karma be-otch slapped in a hurry and i must admit I enjoyed it. Next week its DVR only so as to miss the 2 hrs of fluff.....hope Havoc isn't down and was nice to see him man up and get some points....next week will be even better with more "preperatin"...only RV haters will complain of the off track deal...he did it right ..it was the safest way and gained no position...end of non-story....@climbon ...boring? huh...I think you were on the wrong channel bud.
Its called tvo my brothers. Record it and start watching it an hr in....fast forward through all that bull.crap. And im glad to see js7 didnt throw in the towel.
Great win by Davi! This year should be interesting.
Why does there need to be 20+ hangers-on on the podium? No more than them manager/mech and wife and kids should be allowed. Looks almost as ridiculous as the DesNations podium. Most of them weren't around when Davi was struggling! Glom fest
Davi got 2nd in points last year and finished among the top guys in practice so it should be no suprise that he has the speed to win and go for the championship!
The race was fantastic, coverage was good. I too am thankful that it's even on TV but I had to rewind a few times because I lost interest during all the bull between moto's. It would be cool if they had a technical guy like an ex mechanic who could talk about trick features on the bikes in more detail like the air shock on Dungey's KTM.
i agree with pretty much everyone has said here. speeds coverage was one of the worst I've seen. the automated cameras sucked. too close up most of the time..cutting away at the wrong times, and the same commercials over and over again. if i see another progressive commercial i'm gonna puke! any news on josh hill?
A1 is allways good but way to much hype this year now that its over let the season begin not a stewart fan but glad to see him stay in it and not line up for the main i think he is in it this year for him self and not the fame reed will be there rv2 will forsure bethere hurt or not hurt and dungey same ole puts him self it the right place and the right time for sure not agressive still and congrats to millsaps i hope he is in it for the long run and canard is gonna be good all year bam bam will be fast i think he needed a race to get the jitters out so lets see a long healthy season for all the riders and make is good one
Two Words; "Trey Canard"
I kept trying to pinch the screen in the general vicinity of Millsaps rear fender lip, just to slow him down a fraction enough, so Trey could recieve his (more than just) dues he has garnered up over the last several years.
Hours before the race yesterday, I watched "Revival41" and have to say it was an emotional pull, crossing my fingers in anticipation of last nights return to the big show.
And I have to say, If there is any consolation about losing 1st place in the last few corners, it has to be that he lost it to someone (nearly) as deserved as he, that being Davi Millsaps. That is the closest thing to (storybook) without having the full meal deal of an actual top box finish.
Congratulations Trey, on a triumphant return to the sport you have been kept from for far too long. Welcome back...
@Tonewall; Total agreement about Ricky's tailor. I thought the moths would have taken care of that coat over the winter, for his own good. Maybe he has (all) his riding gear on under it, so he can make his "Superman" quick-change and onto the bike if required to save the production effort in times of dire need.
Ditto on Hannie, that little, Prick with Ears!!!
who the heck was that nerd host guy" Roughing Wood". Where did they find him Key West?
First Live Monster Energy Supercross in Australia. Mix that with a dozen mates & 3 dozen Coronas on a Sunday afternoon. No complaints Down Under just a massive thank you. Top it off with such a fantastic race, looking like a fantastic 2013!
Thanks to speed for live coverage,
just wish they could show the action and crashes. Also, if RC and Fro could announce the race and talk about what's happening in the moment rather than belabouring their points while passes are being made, that would be appreciated.
Awesome race, and good write up Weege!
I started recording the race then started watching it over an hour into the show. I still caught up due to all the comercials pretty quickly, but I guess they are a necessary evil. Pretty good racing all in all, liked seeing the young talent really going for it kind of glad to see Millsaps have a great ride hope he continues.
I'm a fan of RV, but that was a shocking mental meltdown at A1. How bad do you have to panic to forget that you can't win the championship in the first race, but you sure as hell can lose it. It was like he completely lost his mind after the first turn.
I stopped watching or caring how he finished when he skipped a whole section of the track at mach1, after JG33 spooked him and he went over the berm. Was waiting to see the black flag. Hopefully, he can practice calming down. That extreme panic is what shattered his leg when he was fighting with Dungey for the title.
Hopefully, the AMA/Feld can quit being so lame. Cutting the track like that is way, way, waaaaaay outside the margins of acceptable. Something has to be done.
The race seemed so incredibly long, because EVERYONE secretly wanted Millsaps to pull off the win. AND, it has become apparent that the only way Trey can stay in the lead, or win a race in the pros, is to slam into or make contact with any challengers.
Not a JS fan, but can't believe he actually rode, since he is like #4 on RacerX's Top 30 All-Time Quitters list. Good for him. But, would he have actually done it if poor old Mr. Webb didn't go on TV to sulk and cry that JS doesn't want to ride?
I mean every word in the previous paragraphs, even though it is gonna piss off almost everyone in some way or another.
Gonna be a crazy year.
crossedup wrote: who the heck was that nerd host guy" Roughing Wood". Where did they find him, Key West?
Props. That's funny.
The Comments are as usual, The GOOD,The bad and the Ugly ones! Just remember last year the first 4 races 4 differrent winners! We will see more when the tracks get tougher and the best riders will begin to shine. I am very happy for Millsaps and Canard glad they did it and yes ther is no shame in even qualifying for the main! How many of you have ever ridden on a real Suppercross track? They are pretty tame if copared to what they had iin the 80's.
@ Fred and the Fox Shocks- I am prety shure the FOX patent has expired? I have been wondering when someone was going to do it again? Most people think air but you have to use 100% Nitrogen in the shocks. Nitrogen is a compresable gas and it does work like a spring. In 75 I modified my YZ 125 forks using 2 seals and I had then had trouble with fork flex it worked really good though back then. I also raced an 83?YZ465 with fox shocks and Fox supposed to have been prtotype Fox forks. The forks worked better than the shock but both were great
Great night of racing and NOBODY had that sceanrio in they're predictions last week. I think a few folks had Canard as a podium guy, but dont think I say any Milsaps taking it all ....
Milsaps/Canard - Great race....I thought Saps would get better as the series went on, but WOW...right out of the tunnel in practice he was top 3 all day ....Canard looked great..little squirelly here and there...but he'll get wins this year and will be in contention come Vegas time!!!
Stewart - Sucks about the knee..Hope its just a sprain or bruise and next week he is good to go with a little duct tape and therapy. It was actually ironic to see JS7 being the calm cautious playing it safe guy while chaos wass happening right next too him...He didnt take any chances and did what he should have done...probably his "smartest" ride ever.....
RV - Love RV, but I think he was just going too hard for the W after that horrible start...he could have easily got 3rd I think if he just slowed up a bit and settled down a bit....Stewart wasnt putting up any serious fights obviously and RV ran in on him pretty good and made a huge mistake....He would have passed Stew and Reed in the next lap or so and then Dungey and Barcia would have handed him the podium.....
Reed - I am sure he'll pick it up, but after All of his jokes and "crap" from the press conference - i thought it was kind of funny because obviously other guys did take it more serious and it certainly showed all night.....the"huddle" picture of team two two after the races looked like a team that had already accepted defeat....so we'll see.....
Dungey - He was right there and was making some little mistakes hanging with Barcia...he looked hesitant or scared to pass the kid....But he was in the right place when Barcia threw it away ( i predicted that would happen) and got that final spot...
Regarding the coverage, I said this in another posting but I really think Speed dropped the ball on the replays. The one's they did show were lengthy, but at the same time they completely missed showing the mishaps of Dungey and Barcia. And both of these happened when they were battling near the front of the race and ultimately affected the outcome of the riders. I realize that it is impossible to make 100% of the people happy with a broadcast, but I also think the stuff happening at the front of the race needs to be shown. Even a quick summary after the finish would be good. I agree with others as well, the camera work seemed a little off as well.
I think some of this will work itself out, last year the first couple of broadcasts were a little rough around the edges but by week 4 things were working pretty well.
As for the Seth Rogen lookalike host guy Rutledge, I might actually take him in a trade for the disappearance of Brett Michaels. And yes he could be from a Canadian alt-band (as I am Canadian I recognize the type easily), or he could be some hipster doofus riding a fixie around to coffee shops in Portland. Either way, I'm not a big fan but he's better than any Brett Michaels presence.
Finally don't be hatin' on Dianna getting some TV time, we should all be saying "Schwing!"
A1 has come and gone and the only thing I can say for sure is
I F u C k Ing hate Ralph Shaheen
He's sells my favorite sport that I've loved since birth like a F'ing McDonalds happy meal. Goddamn retard makes me so mad listening to him try to sling some buzz words around while he pretends like he knows what the hell he's talking about, which he doesn't.
First let me say that I agree with everything MX Bob said***I thought it was interesting that RD was the only one of the riders who did the press conference to finish on the podium. I guess next weeks press conference will have 18 and 41 sitting at the table in front of the mics***Very happy for Milsaps and Canard***RV must be pissed. This is his 2nd race back since his injury and hasn't gotten a podium yet***I would say Mitch Payton must be pissed too but I'm sure he is not worried at all.
Anyone who is ripping on Speed for their coverage of A1 is an idiot! We got live coverage of our beloved sport- something we do not get on an every-event basis. Yes, there were some gaffes, but just like the teams and riders, Speed was covering their first event of the season. They'll get better, but until then there is something called a DVR to bypass all the nonsense! Thanks Speed TV for your live coverage of Supercross!
Why cant they use 'picture in picture' to keep the leaders on screen- while they are showing a replay? With the price of tickets they should have 3 cameras in every single corner. Way too much shit happened last night that we didn't get to see- I hope they do a better job with Phoenix.
All gases are compressable, and nitrogen is not necessary. Nitrogen is INERT so it doesn't oxidize the oil.. ie its clean.
All gases expand basically at the same rate, and compressed air is 80% nitrogen anyways.. So don't let anyone convince you nitrogen is something special. It's just not a catalyst.. That's why it's used.
In the old days there were no rubber bladders so nitrogen was used to prevent premature oil breakdown because the nitrogen was actually in contact with the oil.
@ rickamatuzio
TYVM hank you for explaining nitrogen. Of course, no one has ever heard of it.
& you say "Nitrogen is INERT." If so, let us know if Rutledge Wood is ANERD?
Unfortunately Speed cutting away to spend a long time on a replay when action is happening at the front is nothing new.
All in all it was a great race. I agree that Villopoto seemed to be pushing too hard. Just over riding the track enough for it to bite him. I wouldn't have expected that from him. Oh well, at least it wasn't boring and predictable!
Rutlege Wood looks JUST like Michael Moore
Wood
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1R2PRFA_enUS419&sclient=psy-ab&q=rutledge+wood+images&rlz=1R2PRFA_enUS419&oq=rutledge+wood+ima&gs_l=hp.1.0.33i21.1045.4555.3.6099.4.4.0.0.0.0.780.1903.0j1j1j6-2.4.0.les;..0.0...1c.1.eHsvSis4eb4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.b2U&fp=a4c147812de756a9&bpcl=40096503&biw=1093&bih=473
Moore
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1R2PRFA_enUS419&sclient=psy-ab&q=michael+moore+images&rlz=1R2PRFA_enUS419&oq=michael+moore+images&gs_l=hp.3..0.1981.4181.2.5085.7.6.0.0.0.0.1513.2996.0j3j7-1j1.5.0.les;..0.0...1c.1.HVRirNHhvn8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.b2U&fp=a4c147812de756a9&bpcl=40096503&biw=1093&bih=473
see?
Watched it again this morning millsaps is for real his heat race he came from 6th place to win it...he held off canard Barcia dungey for a long time ..I would of loved to see Barcia and dungey stay up and get in there with 18 and 41 on laps 18-20....but race was still epic....the thing I saw last night with rv is even the best rider on the track will not be able to overcome bad starts or a mistake...the field is just to deep and talented to blow through the field ...way too hard to pass the talent in positions 6-12 to just get to the top 5 which will be putting the same lap times you are...barcias starts just might be a factor cause he will keep it on 2 wheels and gain confidence
I hear you pnkfloyd42- but we could also say we remember when the bikes cost 1000 dollars and you could race even with a job at Burger King.
The only thing wrong with the race was that they were not on 2 strokes.
Actually nitogen doesn't react to heat like air , I believe is one of the main reasons its used and as far back as Fox airs just about anything refillable had bladders.....air forks/shocs have one MAJOR flaw .....if they even partially fail your day is done ...nada..,that new shock most likely has a sealed cartridge like a fork to prevent leakage and failure...springs still work REALLY good...especially Ti ones with a rotation bearing....its a matter of what you buy'll or fall for...
Read Boyles Law. All gases expand at "almost" the same rate. Of course helium can't be used because its a small molecule and would escape the bladder.
People are using nitrogen in tires now which is kinda stupid.. Because as the tires warns pressure increases regardless what gas is in the tire. The good part of nitrogen, like I said, its clean and inert. It won't oxidize and aluminum rim and wreck the bead seating. (In a tube tire like a bladder shock it makes no difference).
My friend also works in the CR division at American Honda of Ohio. Honda cannot used compressed air in some strange instance if the shock body somehow breaks and exposed, compressed air containing oxygen is flammable catalyst.
Trust me, I have gone rounds with shock people about this for years and talked to our lab boys that are chemists and physicists. Gas is gas.. It's only there so the oil displaced by the shock shaft can move into that chamber and squeeze the bladder. The pressure also helps cut down and squash air foam bubbles.
You can charge your shock with compressed air(clean and dry), Argon, nitrogen, or stargon and nobody in the world would ever know. (The psi in your shock actually climbs about 80psi or more during a hot Moto), its such a small volume.
I know this stuff!! I'm a mechanical junkie engineer guru NERD like that dork speed hired. Forgot his name
Tonewall you are correct about seals.. Nitrogen will not affect rubber like normal air. However an oring lasts about 10 years so its not a problem barring extreme heat, and seal conditioners are added to the oil so they don't expand or dry.
Throw an oring in laquer thinner and watch what it does. If your transmission has old seals that have blow by, 1 cap full of laquer thinner will make the Transmission seal up and shift for about a week before it does it again. We kinda did it for a test.. Except too much actually killed it. A teaspoon will stop a power steering pump from dripping for a week.
Just a FYI if your lazy and don't feel like taking it apart right away.
Anyway, the reason people really use nitrogen is that its clean, no moisture, and you don't really find tanks of compressed air with 2500psi to buy.
I know more about nitrous oxide than all of you combined ....
They've been using air sprung forks and shocks on mountain bikes for quite some time. You just pump plain ol' air in there.
I forgot to mention kudos to JS for riding when he's not 100%, and to Millsaps for proving me wrong.
pinkfld42: If RV keeps reading his own press, you could be right. I'm starting to think the exact same thing. It seems that, like Stewart, he thinks he is too good to take a 2nd or 3rd on nights when things aren't going well. Everyone brags on how he can slice through the pack if he gets a bad start or falls but that's because he takes a bunch of big risk to do that and it will finally bite you like it has Stewart the last few years. I think he needs to quit listening to all that because it may be going to his head and clouding his judgement.If you ever watch him in person, you'll notice that he is always riding on the edge. That's what makes him so fun to watch though...
As a non-Stewart fan, I hope he didn't learn too much about riding smart and taking what you can get on a bad night because if he did, I think he will be in the hunt. I just really wonder if he can ever do that when healthy...
The guy who call himself Jesus is right. RC and or Emig(just Emig would be best to me) need to call the race as it happens and shut up with the other stuff. I just don't ever see RC being smooth enough no matter how much he "preparates" ;)
Anybody get the feeling that RD and CR are gonna be okay in the end?
Why are you guys talking about Nitrogen????
I think Milsaps win last night is equivelant to Shorts win last year, Not a complete fluke, but it took the stars to align for him.
We all know Canard has been out it seems forever, but for him to come back and ride and come in 2nd???? That guy is motivated.
WIsh we could have seen Barcias crash, he looked a little loose, but didn't seem to being pushing over the top,
How come NO ONE took a picture of Dungeys Rearshock???????? Don't worry, He may only win 2 races this year, but he'll be the CHAMP again.
RC was the only commentator watching the race, because Ralphy boy and FRO were to busy fondling eachother to watch the race.....Shaheen just sucks, Rutledge needs to Go away, Since RC isn't a full time announcer, I give him a C+, and FRO has come along with I give him a solid B.
Suprised JS rode, and rode smart....his he finally getting smarter??
Never have, Never will like Reed, he can go back down under, unless he Brings Townley here to ride the outdoors for Tu-Tu
And last but not least, RV.....don't know what to say, but we had a saying in my lastline of work, and it kinda was a life or death work environment....slow is smooth-smooth is fast.....now RV has never been slow, his slow is lightning speed to us mere mortals on a motorcycles, but when racing against the top 20 in the world, if you aren't smooth and still trying to go fast........well it just doesn't work out to well
@tonewall you were referencing Steve Page weren't you? hehehe good one. I wish everyone would stop bagging on the GOAT for not being an accomplished broadcaster and stop bagging on Ralph for not being an ex pro racer. Fish don't climb trees, deal with it. The broadcast being live is like live music, there are missed notes and forgotten verses. it's all good.... as a matter of fact it was all very good, I got to see the race complete with side notes that you don't get at the stadium.. I wonder if Eric Kehoe wants to join the broadcast crew? David Bailey are you busy? More pros would be an asset to the broadcast IMHO.
pinkfld42, couldn't agree with you more. All everyone does is complain and bit** about everything single thing in addition to down talking these professional athletes. REAL fans of the sport shouldn't be doing any of that.
there are a million posts before this but I just want to say lets preparate for brap. brap. braaaap!!!
Thanks Speed! Awsome!
I'm a huge RV fan so it was sad to see his bad luck...I hope he doesn't do this all season long ! BUt very happy for #18Millsaps !! Millsaps was riding different than previous years...Mabey he got over his health problems...
I mess up my speech all the time, although i have head injury ,,I think it's understandable for Ricky to mess up 1 word all night under pressure and excitement of A1....But I still hear a lot of OOOooohs and aaaaaaAAAWwws during the race, from our favourite anouncers....lol THey need to do it like in hockey, they talk fast to get all the action of whats going on...
Josh Hansen is good racer, lots of talent .. mabey he was paying that dude back for something in the past...I duno!! Can't hold it against him, i think he's capable of pulling it together and making the podium regularily...
With jobs limited, how does a complete knucklehead like that Rutledge get that position? Get David Bailey back out there. How about a Doug Henry? Drop the cool flanel shirt and don't worry about how hip they are. Even the Monster chick knew he was harmless. That is how chicks act around gay dudes.
It sure is nice to have our sport covered live though. No RC hater here. He cracks me up. He could be an arrogant. big headed dude, but instead he is humble and even throws insults at himself. With his record and accomplishments, I often would have to throw Emig down alil and give him more shit, if I was RC.
Overall, this is gonna be a great season.
Over-thinking on the nitrogen. You want the atmosphere inside the shock to be devoid of water vapor or free oxygen. You also want it otherwise inert. Many gases would do, but nitrogen is simply the cheapest gas readily available that meets the spec. BTW, nitrogen is 78% of what is in your lungs right now. Easy to find....
Ahh, air forks. Made my own in '74 on a CR125. Take out the springs, tap schrader air valves into the fork caps, fill with nitrogen, go ride.
Took 'nads to finally just sky it on a jump and see what happened. But it worked amazingly well. Problem was it was just too progressive a spring rate. Dropped the oil as low as possible. Small help. Got better when I welded shut the handlebar ends and plumbed the forks into it for more air volume. Much better, but still not enough. I ended up with a spare (bent) frame and cut/welded the front downtube to make an even bigger air reservoir. Worked awesome, but couldn't make myself repeat it on my good (race) frame.
The reason it works now, I think, is the modern fork-tube diameter and thus the bigger air volume. But if they are still too progressive, then Honda/? should feel free to plumb-in a chamber from the frame and send me a check for the idea. Make it a biggie, please.
Fantastic having Supercross live on TV !!! - on a network available everywhere. Props to Speed (Fox) for working out a great package. Let's see how CBS does though.
But, Speed/Feld(?) must have a fresh group of camera operators and directors this year. Camera work was crappy - lots of shots of the dirt, tuff blocks, sky - everything by the action on the track. And direction - Did not see Reed, Short, Wiemer or anyone between 5th - 10th during the Main. I'll cut some slack for the first event - but lets hope the crew steps up and gets better next week.
To all those carping about RC and his lack of grammar on air - I agree he sounds like a dope, but at least learn to spell before you type your rants ;)
Ya, I guess we got alittle off topic on the nitrogen!!
Just wanted to make the point Nitrogen isnt necessary.