A Weismann 4 speed set the 3 quickest passes in Funny Bike history in the talented hands of Austin Christopher!
The old record was a freak 6.22 pass that has stood for several years.
Austin blew past that time and the teens entirely, producing 2 passes at 6.08 and one even quicker at 6.07 seconds in a 1/4 mile!
Always going against the grain, we teamed up years ago with the late James Daughtery to produce a new engine / transmission package to revolutionize the Funny Bike scene.
It was an ambitious task when we embarked on this road together almost 20 years ago and while there have been some major obstacles throw in our path, one racer in particular had the gumption and ingenuity to stick with it and carry on with James' dream... and his name is Gary Christopher.
Gary was one our first customers to purchase our innovative KZ3 speed over 30 years ago!
To this day he continues to win events with his little orange bike against the most modern bikes out there with all their sophisticated engine controllers and whatever.
To this day he continues to win events with his little orange bike against the most modern bikes out there with all their sophisticated engine controllers and whatever.
There are some real negative people out there that don't want this bike to work. One in particular really screwed over Gary and almost pushed him to quit.
After a lengthy phone call between myself and Gary, we turned that negativity around and instead used it to give us the spirit to persevere and to just trust in ourselves.
So back on the bike is Gary's custom turbo system that he designed and built for the bike, and of course our 4 speed gearbox is still in the bike.
After a lengthy phone call between myself and Gary, we turned that negativity around and instead used it to give us the spirit to persevere and to just trust in ourselves.
So back on the bike is Gary's custom turbo system that he designed and built for the bike, and of course our 4 speed gearbox is still in the bike.
Not happy with the way the our tradition 4 speed shifter stuck out into the wind on the side of the motor plate, we devised a clean way to stuff it down the center of the output sprocket.
The clutch has been the biggest issues we have had to deal with... sometimes getting only a pass or two before something would go wrong.
Admittedly, the power and high rotational speed of the big 2 litre engine, combined with the weight of the big bike has been a tough nut to crack. But with each step we have been getting closer and closer to making the clutch last through the weekend.
Admittedly, the power and high rotational speed of the big 2 litre engine, combined with the weight of the big bike has been a tough nut to crack. But with each step we have been getting closer and closer to making the clutch last through the weekend.
We tried several innovative ideas to overcome the forces produced by the engine and over time we have developed the clutch to get the bike down the track quicker than anyone else ever has!
Not resting on our laurels, we have updated the clutch once again to tackle a ceramic bearing failure from the last event.
Not resting on our laurels, we have updated the clutch once again to tackle a ceramic bearing failure from the last event.
Our hats are off to Gary for not giving up and proving to everyone watching that it could be done.
Stay tuned as Austin, Gary, his wife Sherry, machinist John and the rest of the team attempt to build and ride the first Funny Bike past the 6 second barrier!
cW
Stay tuned as Austin, Gary, his wife Sherry, machinist John and the rest of the team attempt to build and ride the first Funny Bike past the 6 second barrier!
cW
