236 - It Costs You Nothing to Make Mistakes (Cole Carson)
About this episode
Cole Carson drops a wild mix of engineering brain and chaos gremlin energy, from Texas Mini Grand Prix crashes to a Benelli TNT135 that’s “Italian-inspired” but Chinese-built. He explains how he got hooked on tiny motorcycle racing after college Formula SAE, and how his aerospace/systems background helps him build custom solutions—pistons, cams, and even live data logging. The episode’s standout story is his dad’s public-road handlebar disaster that turned into multiple collarbone setbacks. Cole also shares Craigslist/Marketplace addiction, scooter rally mishaps, and upcoming TMGP plans like Quincy TT.
Cole smuggled a been in a cop car... Seth thinks 4 crashes is a lot... and Scott just learned that surgical screws can back out, and now he has to live with that knowledge...
Cole Carson joins us to talk about formula SAE, dirt bikes on a farm, old free Civics, "flight systems," the engineers problem, and mini bike events to put on your list.
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Track Locking
"And we are Track Locking. Tonight we have Cole Carson who has a unholy affinity for Italian design combined with Chinese manufacturing."
This is basically the podcast/show branding. It signals that the conversation is about racing and track experiences.
“Track Locking” appears to be the show’s name/segment branding. It frames the episode as being about what happens at racetracks and how people learn from driving and racing mistakes.
racing tiny motorcycles
"I met Cole racing tiny motorcycles with Texas Mini Grand Prix. And probably half of what I know about Cole"
Small bikes handle differently than big bikes. Because they’re lighter and quicker, it’s easier to lose control if you make a mistake.
Racing small motorcycles (often called mini bikes or pocket bikes) changes the dynamics compared to full-size bikes: less mass, quicker acceleration, and different braking/traction behavior. That can make mistakes feel “bigger” because the rider has less margin for error.
Texas Mini Grand Prix
"I met Cole racing tiny motorcycles with Texas Mini Grand Prix. And probably half of what I know about Cole"
This is a specific mini-bike racing event in Texas. It gives context for where the riders were competing.
Texas Mini Grand Prix is referenced as the racing event where the host met Cole. It’s a specific grassroots venue context that helps listeners understand the type of racing community being discussed.
crash count
"And I think I've done the crash count on it recently. [120.3s] And it's somewhere like over 100 in between 100 and 120 since we got it in 2020."
A “crash count” just means how many times someone has crashed. On a track, it can be a way to measure how much you’re learning and how often mistakes happen.
A “crash count” is a tally of how many times a rider has crashed or gone down. In a track context, it’s often used to talk about learning, risk, and how frequently mistakes happen while improving.
TMGP
"...I asked all my TMGP friends who do you most want to hear interviewed. [140.2s] And Cole was absolutely at the top of the list... [150.5s] Oh, I've got a good TMGP story for you."
TMGP is the name of the motorcycle racing group/series they’re talking about. It sounds like there are rules for what bikes and setups are allowed.
TMGP appears to be the motorcycle racing/track series or organization the hosts and rider are discussing. The context suggests it’s a structured program with rules that require things like safety wire and bike eligibility.
cruiser tires
"...a $600 TTR 125 that had cruiser tires mounted to both ends and enough safety wire to be rules legal."
Cruiser tires are tires made for a more relaxed, street-style bike. Using them on a small race bike means they weren’t starting with track tires, but they were trying to get it working for racing.
“Cruiser tires” refers to tire types typically designed for cruiser motorcycles, often with different tread patterns and carcass characteristics than track-focused tires. Mounting them “to both ends” suggests they were using what they had to make the bike rideable and legal for the series.
Denton round
"So we showed up to a Denton round. [202.8s] This is probably like 2017 or something like that."
A “Denton round” sounds like a race event held in Denton as part of a bigger series. It’s probably one stop in a season with multiple races.
“Denton round” likely refers to a specific event date/location within the TMGP series. Calling it a “round” implies a multi-event season where riders compete at different venues.
dirt suspension
"On said TTR on dirt suspension. I had no idea what I was doing first time out on the track."
Dirt suspension is made for rough ground—more bump absorption and better grip on uneven surfaces. That changes how the bike feels when you hit corners or land after bumps.
“Dirt suspension” refers to suspension setups designed for off-road traction and impacts, typically with more travel and different damping than street setups. On track, suspension choice affects how the bike absorbs bumps and how stable it feels through corners.
Motor Liberty
"Actually borrowed a suit from Audrey at Motor Liberty. One of her crash ones that she had up on the wall."
Motor Liberty sounds like a local shop or community where they got the riding gear they needed. It highlights that being prepared with the right suit matters when you’re learning on track.
Motor Liberty is referenced as the place where the speaker borrowed a riding suit. For listeners, this is a reminder that track learning often involves proper gear and local support from shops or training communities.
Ryder School
"Did Ryder School. High-sighted a borrowed Grom in Ryder School. In corner three it didn't."
“Ryder School” appears to be a structured riding/track training session where riders learn technique and lines. The speaker mentions doing it and then practicing afterward, suggesting it’s part of a progression from instruction to real track riding.
crash early
"In corner three it didn't. You know. As long as I'm crashing early. Yeah."
If you crash early, it means you’re testing what the bike can do before you go faster. The goal is to learn where you’re losing control so you can ride smarter next time.
“Crashing early” is a learning strategy: you push just enough to find the limit, then back off and adjust. On a track, early mistakes can help you understand braking points, corner entry speed, and traction before you build bad habits.
TTR 125
"Went out there and then proceeded to crash the living shit out of the TTR 125. I mean it cruised the tires on both ends."
The TTR 125 is a beginner-friendly dirt bike. It’s small and common for learning how to ride on dirt tracks, which is why it shows up when someone is practicing and making mistakes.
The Yamaha TTR 125 is a small dirt bike aimed at beginners and younger riders, commonly used for track days and motocross-style practice. In this segment, it’s the bike the speaker crashes while learning track basics, highlighting how approachable the platform can be for learning.
cruised the tires
"Went out there and then proceeded to crash the living shit out of the TTR 125. I mean it cruised the tires on both ends. Thought it was super fun."
“Cruised the tires” is a rider’s way of describing tire spin or sliding—using the tires’ grip (and loss of grip) to move the bike around. It usually indicates the rider found traction limits and was having fun with controlled loss of grip.
three hours of sterling
"Thought it was super fun. Sat there and did it for three hours of sterling and his dad until we got sick of it."
This sounds like they rode for about three hours at a track/event called Sterling. More time on track usually means more practice and faster learning.
“Three hours of sterling” likely refers to a track session duration (Sterling being a track or event name). Time-on-track is a key factor in learning because it increases repetitions and feedback.
cheap vs go kart racing
"Besides it just seemed like it would be a fun thing to do and it was cheap. Oh my gosh it was so much cheaper than a go kart racing."
The speaker compares the cost of track riding to go-kart racing, emphasizing that entry-level motorsports can be much cheaper depending on equipment and venue. This is a practical concept for listeners: budget and barrier-to-entry often determine what kind of racing/training people pursue.
building formula cars
"Oh my gosh it was so much cheaper than a go kart racing. And I was building formula cars at the time and anything is cheaper than formula cars."
“Building formula cars” refers to constructing and maintaining open-wheel-style race cars, which can be expensive and time-consuming. The speaker uses it to explain why dirt-bike track riding felt like a more affordable hobby at the time.
dirt bikes are controlled at least on the farm where you only have to deal with gravity
"You can only get dirt bikes because street bikes are dangerous and dirt bikes are controlled at least on the farm where you only have to deal with gravity. So went off to college or to UTA to do aerospace engineering, picked up a major in aerospace engineering, a minor in mechanical engineering..."
They’re basically saying dirt biking feels safer because you’re not dealing with cars and traffic. On a farm you can go slower and the main challenge is controlling your speed and balance on the ground.
This is describing how off-road riding on a farm can feel more predictable than street riding. On dirt, traction and speed are typically lower, and the rider’s main “forces” to manage are gravity and traction rather than traffic hazards.
TIG, MIG, ARC and gas welding certificates
"...a minor in metallurgy and then some TIG, MIG, ARC and gas welding certificates while I was there took me way too long to get out of college because I kept getting distracted with different things to pick up..."
Those are different ways to weld metal together. TIG, MIG, and arc welding are common shop processes, and gas welding uses a flame—each one is useful for different kinds of metal work.
TIG, MIG, and ARC are different welding processes used to join metal. TIG (tungsten inert gas) is known for precision, MIG (metal inert gas) is often faster for production-style work, and “ARC” typically refers to arc welding methods; gas welding uses a fuel/oxygen flame.
building race cars during college
"[422.4s] I would say building race cars during college was the funnest thing in college. [427.1s] Just the the formula SAE stuff? Yeah so I did the UTA formula SAE. I probably did just about [434.7s] every position they had on the FSAE team."
They’re describing how building a race car in college is like a real engineering project. Students learn by doing the work—designing and building—while still taking classes.
The segment highlights how building race cars in a student program can function like real-world engineering training. Instead of only taking classes, students do full development work—design, fabrication, sponsorship coordination, and testing—while learning alongside coursework.
Formula SAE
"Yep. Yeah so college sounds fun. I'm sure it was an experience. [422.4s] I would say building race cars during college was the funnest thing in college. [427.1s] Just the the formula SAE stuff? Yeah so I did the UTA formula SAE."
Formula SAE is a college competition where students build their own race car from scratch. Teams learn how to design the car, assemble it, and then test it for performance.
Formula SAE (often written FSAE) is a student engineering competition where teams design, build, and race a small formula-style car. It’s a hands-on way to learn the full vehicle development process—everything from chassis and suspension to aerodynamics and powertrain integration.
chassis design
"[434.7s] every position they had on the FSAE team. I did let's see chassis design, suspension, engine, [445.0s] aero, composites."
Chassis design is about building the car’s main structure. In a race car, it needs to be strong and rigid so the wheels and suspension can work predictably.
Chassis design is the process of creating the car’s structural frame so it’s strong, stiff, and safe while also meeting weight and packaging goals. In race cars, chassis stiffness and geometry strongly influence handling and how consistently the suspension can do its job.
aero
"[445.0s] aero, composites. One point I was our shop foreman for a while. Did kind of just a little bit of [451.2s] everything while I was there."
Aero means how the car’s shape interacts with air. In racing, it’s used to push the car down for better grip in turns.
Aero (aerodynamics) in race cars is about shaping airflow to generate downforce and reduce drag. Better aero can improve cornering grip and stability, while too much drag can hurt acceleration and top speed.
composites
"[445.0s] aero, composites. One point I was our shop foreman for a while. Did kind of just a little bit of [451.2s] everything while I was there."
Composites are lightweight materials made from fibers and resin. Race teams use them to make parts that are strong but not heavy.
Composites are materials made by combining fibers (like carbon or fiberglass) with a resin to create strong, lightweight parts. In motorsports, composites are often used for body panels and structural components to reduce weight without sacrificing stiffness.
Ford Bronco
"...just always been repairing things, restored a 85 Bronco while I was in high school and then one thing to ..."
The Ford Bronco is a type of SUV built for off-road driving. People often restore older Broncos and work on them themselves, so it can come up in conversations about repairs and projects. It’s known for having lots of parts and support for DIY work.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged off-road SUV known for its body-on-frame design and strong aftermarket support. In the podcast, it comes up as a project vehicle—someone restored an ’85 Bronco and then kept dealing with repairs, which highlights how these trucks can be hands-on ownership experiences. It’s often discussed because it’s a popular platform for restoration and customization.
Chevrolet Chevelle
"...rs when he was in high school so he rebuilt a 65 Chevelle but I mean I can do just about anything. I did a..."
The Chevrolet Chevelle is an older muscle car, and the ’65 is a well-known version. The podcast mentions rebuilding one, which means taking it apart and fixing or replacing worn parts. People talk about it a lot because it’s a popular classic to restore and work on.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic American muscle car, and the ’65 mentioned in the podcast is a particularly iconic year. The conversation focuses on rebuilding—someone rebuilt a ’65 Chevelle after earlier experiences with cars—showing how these vehicles are often kept alive through restoration and mechanical work. It’s discussed because the Chevelle has a large enthusiast community and a strong parts/restoration ecosystem.
Formula SE
"So you're doing Formula SE, how did you have any interest in doing like track car stuff outside Formula SE? Yeah, I actually was trying to build a lemon's car for a long time..."
Formula SE is a program that mixes engineering learning with racing. The guest says it helped steer them toward motor sports and eventually motorcycles.
Formula SE is a motorsports/engineering program that helps participants get hands-on experience in racing-related engineering. In this segment, it’s described as a path that influenced the guest’s interest in motor sports and later motorcycles.
lemon's car
"Yeah, I actually was trying to build a lemon's car for a long time with a bunch of the guys that I went to college with..."
A “lemon’s car” is a joke term for a race car that’s not supposed to be perfect—often cheap and a little unreliable. The fun is building something that can still race.
A “lemon’s car” refers to building a car intended for endurance-style racing events that celebrate unreliable, budget builds—commonly associated with the “Worst car” culture. The idea is to compete with a car that’s more about ingenuity and persistence than perfection.
IndyCar
"I've got several friends that IndyCar just came to Arlington and I've got several friends on IndyCar race teams as either race engineers or various other positions..."
IndyCar is a major kind of race series in the U.S. The guest mentions friends who work on IndyCar teams in technical roles like engineering.
IndyCar is the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States. Here it’s used to describe the guest’s network and career path, including friends working as race engineers and other team roles.
Moto Liberty
"How did that go Aray? Because when I met you you were still working at Moto Liberty and your mom was terrified that you'd never get a real job..."
Moto Liberty is a motorcycle gear shop mentioned as the guest’s workplace. The conversation frames it as a high-quality environment for riders—especially because they stock lots of leathers and gear and employ passionate staff.
circle track
"...every shop like there's a bunch of circle track shops, then there's you know a few road course shops..."
Circle track racing is racing on an oval track where the cars mostly go around in circles. Because the turns are consistent, teams set up the car to handle that kind of driving and tire wear.
Circle track racing is a form of motorsport where cars run on an oval or circular track, typically turning left for most of the lap. It’s common in series like NASCAR-style racing and often uses specialized setups for traction and tire management.
road course
"...then there's you know a few road course shops, but like even within those..."
A road course is a track designed with a mix of left and right turns, braking zones, and elevation changes—more like real-world driving. Cars and suspension setups are usually tuned for repeated cornering and braking rather than mostly steady oval-speed running.
one stop shop
"...It would be nice if we had like literally one stop shop."
A “one stop shop” is a place where you can get everything you need in one place. For racing gear, the hard part is making sure it fits, and returns can take time.
“One stop shop” refers to a single retailer or supplier that can provide everything you need for a specific racing discipline—parts, fitment help, and returns. In motorsports, fitment uncertainty can be expensive because you may need to order, test, and return items until they fit correctly.
OBD2 sensor
"...the private sector stuff was mostly a really fancy wireless OBD2 sensor that could report back vehicle diagnostic data"
OBD2 is a built-in diagnostics system in most cars that can report what the car is doing and what faults it detects. An OBD2 sensor/device reads that information so you can track vehicle health or performance.
OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, second generation) is the standardized system cars use to report diagnostic trouble codes and sensor data. An “OBD2 sensor” in this context sounds like a device that plugs into the OBD-II port to collect vehicle diagnostic data for monitoring or analysis.
complex system integration
"So like right now I do complex system integration. The easiest way I can describe it is imagine all the electronics in your car."
Complex system integration is making sure all the different parts of a vehicle’s electronics work together. It’s less about one single component and more about getting the whole system to behave correctly.
Complex system integration is the work of making many subsystems (like ECU, ABS, and other electronics) function together as one coordinated system. It often involves extensive testing to confirm communication, data integrity, and correct behavior under real operating conditions.
ECU
"...imagine all the electronics in your car. They're all different electronics that have to talk to each other. So you've got your ECU, you've got your ABS modules and stuff like that."
An ECU is the car’s main computer. It controls things like engine behavior, and it also has to “talk” to other computers in the car so everything works together.
ECU stands for Engine Control Unit, the car’s main computer that manages engine and many related functions. In modern cars, the ECU also has to communicate with other modules (like ABS) so the whole vehicle system works correctly.
ABS modules
"...So you've got your ECU, you've got your ABS modules and stuff like that. When everything's tested, they test it individually."
ABS modules are the car’s computers that help prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. They need to work with other car computers so the braking behavior matches what the sensors are saying.
ABS modules are the electronic control units responsible for anti-lock braking system operation. They must communicate with the rest of the vehicle electronics to ensure sensor data and control commands are consistent and correctly timed.
ABS testing
"When everything's tested, they test it individually. They're always going to do all their ABS testing but as soon as you hook that up into the real system, does it work?"
ABS testing is making sure the anti-lock brakes work properly. It’s not just about testing one part alone—it's also about making sure it works correctly with the rest of the car.
ABS testing refers to validating anti-lock braking system behavior both in isolation and as part of the full vehicle network. The key challenge is whether it works when integrated—e.g., whether sensors, timing, and data communication are correct across modules.
real system communication
"...but as soon as you hook that up into the real system, does it work? Is everything communicating on the right clocks? Are you getting the right data transmitted between everything? What are all your interfaces compatible with everything?"
This is about making sure all the car computers work together once they’re connected. Even if each part works alone, integration testing checks that they share the right information at the right time.
This describes integration testing: verifying that multiple vehicle electronic modules communicate correctly once connected into the full system. It includes checking data timing (“right clocks”), interface compatibility, and whether the correct information is transmitted between modules.
interfaces
"...Are you getting the right data transmitted between everything? What are all your interfaces compatible with everything? So I do a lot of that testing for flight systems right now"
Here, “interfaces” means how different car computers connect and share information. If they aren’t compatible, they might not understand each other even if both are working.
In this context, interfaces are the communication links and protocols between different electronic modules. Compatibility means the modules can exchange the expected data in the expected format and timing.
rule books changed
"cars because everything on a race car is, oh, we thought we had this done, rule books changed."
In racing, rule changes can force teams to redesign parts or strategies on short notice to stay compliant. That’s why teams often build with flexibility and maintain processes to quickly re-engineer solutions when regulations shift.
systems engineering
"Realistically, I'm a systems engineer is how I would describe it. So like I make sure every system works together. I would say I'm a systems engineer in the true mechanical side of systems engineering versus the software side of systems engineering that's pretty popular nowadays."
Systems engineering is basically “making sure everything works together.” Instead of focusing on just one part of the car, you coordinate multiple teams so the whole race car meets the same rules and goals.
Systems engineering is the approach of designing and managing a complex project so all subsystems work together toward the same requirements. In motorsport, that means coordinating suspension, chassis, powertrain, electronics, and safety so one team’s work doesn’t break another team’s goals.
electronics and safety team
"like in a car, you'd have your suspension, your chassis team, your suspension team, your powertrain team, your electronics and your safety team to make sure that everybody is fulfilling the same requirements"
The electronics and safety team covers systems like data acquisition, control electronics, and safety-critical components that must function reliably under racing loads. Their work must match the car’s mechanical requirements and rulebook constraints to avoid conflicts between teams.
powertrain team
"like in a car, you'd have your suspension, your chassis team, your suspension team, your powertrain team, your electronics and your safety team to make sure that everybody is fulfilling the same requirements"
The powertrain team is responsible for the components that generate and deliver drive—typically the engine, transmission, and related driveline systems. In a race program, their work must align with chassis and electronics requirements so the car behaves consistently under race conditions.
mathematically and financially impossible cost benefit analysis
"Like it's just mathematically and financially impossible cost benefit analysis. You cannot have more fun on two wheels."
They’re basically saying that for the money, riding/racing motorcycles gives you more enjoyment than you’d expect. It’s their way of judging whether spending on bikes is “worth it.”
This is a framing concept: the hosts argue that the enjoyment per dollar of motorcycle racing (“fun on two wheels”) is so high that it beats other spending options. It’s not a technical term, but it’s a recurring way they evaluate racing choices—budget vs. satisfaction.
parts availability
"I challenge you to tell me that it's not better than a Grom except for there's no parts available for it."
In racing, you need parts for repairs and upgrades. The hosts are saying the Benelli may be harder to support because it’s not as easy to find replacement or upgrade parts.
“Parts availability” is a practical racing concept: even if a bike is fast, it can be hard to maintain or improve if parts are scarce. Here, the hosts say the Benelli TNT135 is limited because there aren’t many parts available compared with the Honda Grom ecosystem.
Honda Grom
"I challenge you to tell me that it's not better than a Grom except for there's no parts available for it. Well, except that it's worse than a Grom."
The Honda Grom is one of the most common mini bikes for racing. In this segment, it’s the comparison point for speed and—especially—how easy it is to find parts.
The Honda Grom is a benchmark mini-bike in this racing context, used for lap-time comparisons. The hosts argue that the Benelli TNT135 is better in some ways, but that the Grom has more available parts and can be faster with hotter engines.
hotter motors
"there's only two Groms faster than us and they have hotter motors than we do."
“Hotter motors” means the engine is set up to make more power. That can help lap times, but it may also run hotter and stress the bike more.
“Hotter motors” refers to engines that are tuned or modified to run at higher performance levels, often producing more power. In racing comparisons, it usually implies more aggressive tuning (and sometimes more heat and wear) than a stock setup.
Benelli TNT135
"So you ride the Benelli TNT135. Benelli is an Italian company that is responsible for the design of the bike. Is that right?"
The Benelli TNT135 is a small motorcycle the host is racing. They’re talking about whether it’s a good choice for the rules and how it stacks up against other popular mini bikes.
The Benelli TNT135 is a small-displacement motorcycle used here as the speaker’s race bike. The discussion focuses on how it performs under TMGP rules and how it compares to other mini bikes like the Honda Grom.
Aprilia
"So it's got a lot of the, what can I call it, Ducati and Aprilia if you squint aesthetics, but kind of the same Chinese designs..."
Aprilia is another brand used as a visual comparison. The hosts are saying the bike’s styling looks inspired by European sport bikes.
Aprilia is mentioned alongside Ducati as another European design reference. The hosts are using these brands to describe the TNT135’s “squint” resemblance in styling, not claiming shared engineering.
Ducati
"So it's got a lot of the, what can I call it, Ducati and Aprilia if you squint aesthetics, but kind of the same Chinese designs..."
Ducati is used here as a reference for what the bike “looks like” design-wise. The point is that the styling reminds people of European sport bikes.
Ducati is referenced as a style comparison point for the Benelli TNT135’s aesthetics. The hosts imply the bike’s design language resembles Ducati (and similar European brands) even if the underlying manufacturing approach is different.
frame similar to something else but heavier
"where they'll do a frame that's very similar to something else, but it'll be about 20% heavier than anything on the market"
The hosts describe a common pattern in some budget motorcycles: a frame design that looks similar to other models, but with different (often heavier) mass. Weight affects acceleration, braking, and handling, so being ~20% heavier can change lap times and tire wear.
clubman bars
"from like an 85 or something like that on it right now to a set of clubman bars from a cafe eraser and try and emulate clip-ons"
Clubman bars are handlebars used on café-racer-style motorcycles. They change your riding position and how you can brace during braking, and in this story that setup didn’t work out safely.
Clubman bars are a handlebar style with a wide, low, often rearward-leaning shape, commonly associated with café racer builds. They can alter rider position and braking leverage, and in this segment the speaker argues this particular setup contributed to the crash dynamics.
clip-ons
"try and emulate clip-ons because lower is better, right? It was not. Sure. The problem with those clip-on or those that style of bars"
Clip-ons are a type of handlebar setup that puts the bars closer to the bike and usually lower. That can make the bike feel more “sporty,” but it can also make it harder to hold on or brace if something goes wrong.
Clip-ons are handlebars mounted directly to the fork tubes, typically lower and closer to the rider. They’re popular on sport bikes because they can improve aerodynamics and leverage, but they can also change how you brace during hard braking.
Benelli
"whenever you hit the brakes on the Benelli, you have to use the bars to brace because I took the tank off and there's nothing for you to grab onto on the frame"
Benelli makes motorcycles. Here, the speaker is saying that on their Benelli, the way the handlebars were set up made braking feel unstable and unsafe.
Benelli is an Italian motorcycle brand. In this story, the speaker describes how a braking event on a Benelli became dangerous because the handlebar setup didn’t provide a safe bracing position.
bracing during hard braking
"whenever you hit the brakes on the Benelli, you have to use the bars to brace because I took the tank off and there's nothing for you to grab onto on the frame"
Bracing during hard braking is about where the rider can safely grab and support their body when decelerating aggressively. This segment explains that removing the tank and using low bars removed the rider’s ability to brace effectively, increasing the chance of being thrown forward.
run-off area
"goes into a drainage ditch and then essentially broke his fall with his collarbone meeting the driveway and drainage ditch that was in the run-off area of the road"
The run-off area is the space next to the road that’s supposed to help if you go off the lane. Here, it wasn’t fully safe because there was a drainage ditch in it.
The run-off area is the space beside or beyond the roadway intended to reduce injury severity when a vehicle leaves the lane. The speaker describes the crash occurring in a drainage ditch within the run-off area, emphasizing how off-track/off-lane space can still be hazardous.
self-ejecting bike
"So he hits the ground. You built a self-ejecting bike that you're dead on on road. Which is why every time anybody asks me how I felt about those bars"
“Self-ejecting” is a dramatic way of saying the bike can throw you off by itself when you brake hard or crash. In this case, the handlebar setup made it easier for the rider to get pitched forward.
A “self-ejecting” bike is a rider-centered way of describing a motorcycle that throws the rider off during a crash or sudden maneuver. Here, the speaker links the handlebar height/shape to how the rider’s body position during braking can lead to being launched over the front.
no plates, no insurance
"track bike, no plates, no insurance, no anything. And the lady also apparently didn't have the best insurance in the world."
That phrase means the bike wasn’t street-legal and didn’t have insurance. If there’s an accident, it can make everything harder for the rider and the other party.
“No plates, no insurance” means the motorcycle wasn’t legally registered and didn’t have active coverage. This matters because it affects liability, recovery of damages, and how incidents are handled after a crash.
side stand
"but it doesn't have a side stand on it because we cut that off about a year before this, and then immediately trips"
A side stand is the little leg that you flip down so the bike can stand on its own. In this story, removing it meant the rider couldn’t park safely and ended up tripping right after the crash.
A side stand is the kick-out support leg that lets a motorcycle rest upright without being held. The speaker notes the bike didn’t have a side stand because it was cut off, which led to an awkward fall while the rider was already injured.
vibration loosening fasteners
"my dad's version of do whatever you want is go operate a bunch of heavy machinery that has a bunch of vibrations, so it backed out a few of the screws and the plates..."
If something is bolted together and it gets lots of shaking, the bolts can gradually loosen. Once they loosen, the body may not heal properly and problems can happen.
The speakers describe how vibration from heavy machinery can cause screws that pass through a plate into bone to back out. This is a general mechanical principle: repeated vibration can overcome friction and allow threaded hardware to loosen, which can then contribute to complications like infection or delayed healing.
Loctite
"Fuck that noise, do they not use Loctite or something? What are these people doing?"
Loctite is a sticky chemical that’s put on screw threads so they don’t loosen over time. It’s meant to resist vibration, which is exactly what can make screws slowly back out.
Loctite is a brand of thread-locking adhesive used to keep threaded fasteners (like screws and bolts) from backing out due to vibration. In orthopedic hardware discussions, people often wonder whether a thread-locker would help prevent loosening.
safety wire
"here. You motorcycle guys love safety wiring everything. Oh my gosh, I have so much safety wire on everything. That's what I'm saying, like just, I don't know, attach a ligament to it."
Safety wire is a thin wire that’s twisted through holes in bolts so the bolt can’t loosen. It’s popular in racing because it helps keep important parts tight even when the car or bike vibrates a lot.
Safety wire is a method of mechanically securing fasteners (like bolts and screws) so they can’t loosen or back out under vibration. It’s commonly used in motorsports because it provides a redundant, tamper-resistant lock without relying on adhesives.
external fixation
"Don't you usually get external fixation of the wire so then they can Yeah, because it was where I broke my hand was in a really awkward spot because I split the joint in half and there wasn't really a lot of area to get a screw in if I needed a screw in."
External fixation is when doctors put pins into the bone and connect them to a frame outside the body to keep the bone in the right position. It’s used when there isn’t an easy way to hold the break internally with screws.
External fixation is a medical technique where pins or wires are attached to bone and connected to an external frame to hold alignment while healing. In the transcript, it’s discussed as an alternative to screws for stabilizing a broken joint in a difficult location.
external pins
"Yeah, because it was where I broke my hand was in a really awkward spot because I split the joint in half and there wasn't really a lot of area to get a screw in if I needed a screw in. So they were either going to have to put two screws in on other sides of my thumb and then a net that pulled the piece back or external pins to pull the like the tension to get that corner of the joint that I broke off back into place."
External pins are small metal pins put into the bone, then held by supports outside the body. They help keep a broken piece lined up while it heals.
External pins refer to pins placed into bone that are held by an external support structure to maintain alignment and stability. In this context, they’re mentioned as a way to apply tension and pull a joint fragment back into place when screws aren’t practical.
motorcycle racing
"So you're an adult now and have an adult job and you're getting back in a motorcycle racing. Well, yeah, but we're in the past. We're not going to talk about right now."
Motorcycle racing is tough on parts because everything shakes and loads up hard. That’s why racers use extra ways to make sure bolts and fasteners don’t loosen.
Motorcycle racing is a high-vibration, high-load environment where small hardware failures can become dangerous quickly. That’s why practices like safety wiring and other redundant retention methods are common in racing setups.
F4i
"So I got a F4i as a parking solution while I was in college because it was about two miles to walk from the parking lot... First car people, an F4i is a CBR 600 of what vintage?"
They’re talking about a Honda sport motorcycle called the CBR600F4i. It’s a 600cc bike from the early 2000s that the host says is reliable and easy to live with.
The speaker is referring to a Honda CBR600F4i, a 600cc sportbike era from the early 2000s. They’re using it as a practical “parking solution” while in college, then discussing its reputation and how it compares to other 600s.
CBR 600
"First car people, an F4i is a CBR 600 of what vintage? It's 2001 to 2004, I believe... Okay, widely considered to be one of the best 600s made."
The host compares the Honda CBR600F4i to the broader CBR 600 family, specifically noting the era and that it’s “widely considered” among the best 600cc sportbikes. This is part of why they chose it as a dependable track/dyno platform.
fuel injection
"It's 2001 to 2004, I believe, because it's the same thing as the CBR F4 just with fuel injection."
Fuel injection is how the bike delivers fuel to the engine using sensors and electronics. Compared to older carburetors, it usually makes the bike start easier and run more consistently.
Fuel injection is the system that meters fuel into the engine using electronic controls rather than a carburetor. The host highlights it as the defining difference between the CBR F4 and the CBR F4i, implying smoother operation and easier day-to-day reliability.
CBR F4
"It's 2001 to 2004, I believe, because it's the same thing as the CBR F4 just with fuel injection."
The speaker says the CBR600F4i is essentially the CBR F4 “just with fuel injection,” explaining the key difference between carbureted and fuel-injected versions. Fuel injection generally improves cold starts and throttle response consistency, which matters for track use.
Fiat 600
"...n. Okay, widely considered to be one of the best 600s made. They are the most indestructible motorcycl..."
The Fiat 600 is a small older car. In the podcast, they’re saying it’s known for being very tough and reliable compared to many other vintage cars. That reputation is part of why people still talk about and restore them.
The Fiat 600 is a small, early compact car that’s often remembered for being simple and durable. The podcast describes it as widely considered one of the best “600s” made and calls out its reputation for being hard to break. It’s discussed because these cars are frequently restored and used as dependable classics.
indestructible motorcycle
"They are the most indestructible motorcycle on the planet. You could not kill one of those if you tried."
The host claims the Honda CBR600F4i engine is “indestructible,” emphasizing durability under extreme conditions. They support it with examples like long operation without oil and continued running afterward, framing it as a track/dyno-friendly powerplant.
oiling system
"The oiling system that bike is awesome. It's actually one of the most common motors we used in the formula cars..."
The oiling system is how the engine gets oil to all the moving parts. On a track, the bike can experience oil starvation if the system isn’t good, so a strong oiling setup helps prevent engine damage.
The speaker credits the bike’s oiling system for its durability, implying strong lubrication and oil pickup performance. In track and racing contexts, oiling quality is crucial because sustained high RPM and cornering loads can starve the engine of oil.
oil starvation
"I think our record is 13 minutes without oil and it was fine. Motor still runs..."
The host mentions their record of running “13 minutes without oil,” which is essentially oil starvation. Oil starvation can quickly damage engines, so the claim underscores why they consider this motor unusually tolerant of abuse.
rod knock
"And no rod knock, no crazy clearances. When we put oil in it and then changed the oil..."
Rod knock is a scary-sounding engine noise that usually means internal wear. If there’s no rod knock, it suggests the engine isn’t suffering from major internal damage.
Rod knock is a serious mechanical noise caused by excessive clearance or bearing damage inside the engine. The host says there was “no rod knock,” using it as evidence the engine internals stayed healthy despite hard use.
odometer
"The bike I bought was D&D's dyno and track bike that had... 3,500 miles on the original odometer, which may or may not have been the original odometer."
The speaker discusses the motorcycle’s mileage (“3,500 miles on the original odometer”) and questions whether it was truly original. Mileage matters for buying and assessing wear, especially for track bikes where components can be stressed even at low indicated miles.
wheelie
"...it's the stunner bike of choice. You can leave them at a 12 o'clock wheelie almost all day where"
A wheelie is when you accelerate and the front wheel comes up. They’re saying this bike is easy to keep in that lifted position for a long time.
A wheelie is when the front wheel lifts off the ground under acceleration. The host says you can “leave them at a 12 o'clock wheelie almost all day,” describing how controllable the bike is for stunt/abuse-style riding.
oil pickups
"the oil pickups at and not blow the motor. They absolutely love them. They take a beating like nobody's business."
Oil pickups are the parts inside the engine that help pull oil from the bottom up to where it needs to go. If they don’t work right, the engine may not get enough oil and can get damaged.
Oil pickups are the intake screens/tubes inside the engine oil pan that draw oil up to the pump. If they’re clogged or damaged, the engine can lose oil pressure and overheat or fail.
timing chain
"Can't be the only thing wrong with them is they have a bad timing chain every now and then and you just put the manual adjuster in and that's it."
The timing chain keeps the engine’s moving parts lined up. If it goes bad, the engine timing can get off and cause major problems.
A timing chain synchronizes the crankshaft and camshaft so valves open at the correct time. If it stretches or fails, the engine can run poorly or suffer serious internal damage.
manual adjuster
"and you just put the manual adjuster in and that's it. So how did you go from what is like a reasonable sport bike"
A manual adjuster is a way to tighten or set the timing chain correctly. It can help fix timing-chain slack without replacing everything.
A manual timing-chain adjuster is a service part that lets you set chain tension to restore proper timing. It’s often used when a chain has slack or an automatic tensioner isn’t holding correctly.
first street bike
"So I got the F4i, rode it exactly four times, realized that was probably the stupidest motorcycle I could have bought as my first street bike"
Choosing a first street bike is about matching power delivery, weight, and ergonomics to your experience. Dirt-bike riders often expect different throttle response and traction behavior, so the “right” first bike depends on how you’ll actually ride.
DMV
"showed up to the DMV with all my paperwork and they went off. There's no way you can title this bike."
The DMV is where you go to make a vehicle legal on the road. They check paperwork and decide if it can be titled and registered.
The DMV is the government office that handles vehicle titling, registration, and licensing requirements. In this story, the DMV’s decision affects whether the motorcycle can legally be titled and registered.
safety inspection
"There's no way you'll get a safety inspection that will pass. And I went, well, cool. Here's my passing safety inspection."
A safety inspection is a check to make sure the bike is safe to drive. If it doesn’t pass, you may not be able to register or insure it.
A safety inspection verifies that a vehicle meets minimum roadworthiness requirements (brakes, lights, tires, etc.). Passing it is often required before a vehicle can be registered or insured.
temporary plates
"they were like, no, no temporary plates, no anything. Turns out that had been an insurance fraud"
Temporary plates are a short-term way to make a vehicle legal while you finish paperwork. In the story, they couldn’t get them, so the bike couldn’t be driven legally.
Temporary plates are short-term registration permits that allow limited legal operation while permanent paperwork is processed. The speaker says they were denied temporary plates, which prevented them from riding the bike legally.
insurance fraud
"Turns out that had been an insurance fraud and was registered as a crushed and repairable cube of metal due to them paying somebody out."
Insurance fraud is when someone lies or manipulates an insurance claim. It can cause a vehicle to get labeled as wrecked, which then makes it hard or impossible to get a clean title.
Insurance fraud is illegal deception to obtain a payout or benefits from an insurer. In this case, the motorcycle was allegedly involved in a claim that led to it being recorded as a wrecked vehicle, complicating titling and registration.
untitled
"Still untitled at this point? Oh, yes. Stolded to some stunner in Houston, actually. Drove all the way up"
Untitled means the bike doesn’t have the legal paperwork that proves ownership. Without that, you can’t easily register or insure it, and selling it later can be a headache.
An untitled vehicle hasn’t been properly issued a legal title, which can block registration, insurance, and resale. The host’s situation shows how a low purchase price can turn into a long, uncertain process to fix the title status.
title issues
"going to get this registered. It's got every title issue in the book. It's a great track bike. I've got all the track bearings on and it's kind of been converted into a street fighter, but you're kind of SOL on the title."
A “title issue” is a paperwork problem with who legally owns the bike. The bike can be fun to ride, but you might not be able to register it normally or sell it easily.
“Title issues” means the vehicle’s legal ownership paperwork has problems (for example, missing/incorrect paperwork, liens, or branding). Even if the bike runs great, title problems can make registration, insurance, or resale difficult.
street fighter
"It's a great track bike. I've got all the track bearings on and it's kind of been converted into a street fighter, but you're kind of SOL on the title."
A “street fighter” is a motorcycle that’s been modified to look tough and minimal, often by removing the bulky fairings. It’s usually done for style and a more direct riding feel.
A “street fighter” is a motorcycle style where the bike is stripped down and modified to look and feel more aggressive—often removing fairings and changing the handlebars/lights. It’s more about aesthetics and attitude than a specific factory model.
track bearings
"It's a great track bike. I've got all the track bearings on and it's kind of been converted into a street fighter, but you're kind of SOL on the title."
Bearings are the parts that let wheels and steering move smoothly. “Track bearings” usually means bearings chosen for better performance and feel when riding hard.
“Track bearings” typically refers to higher-performance wheel/steering bearings used for track use. They can reduce friction and improve feel, but they still require correct installation and regular maintenance.
track bike
"going to get this registered. It's got every title issue in the book. It's a great track bike. I've got all the track bearings on and it's kind of been converted into a street fighter, but you're kind of SOL on the title."
A track bike is built to be ridden hard on a race track. It usually has setup changes that make it handle better and stop better than a normal street bike.
A “track bike” is set up primarily for riding on a racetrack rather than commuting. That often means suspension/brake upgrades, tires meant for track use, and sometimes removing or changing street-legal components.
Suzuki Katana 750
"So I went from that to I got a Katana 750 that I totaled, what, three times, maybe four times? Then a Buol Blast that I still have actually just sold the Katana this year with a hole in the motor for exactly what I paid for it."
The Suzuki Katana 750 is a well-known motorcycle model from Suzuki. Here it’s being used as an example of a bike that got crashed repeatedly, showing how rough real riding can be.
The Suzuki Katana 750 is a classic sport-touring/sportbike model known for its distinctive styling and inline-four character. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a bike the speaker totaled multiple times, highlighting how track/street use can lead to repeated damage.
BMW R 1200 GS
"Then got a R 1200 GS for I traded a Ram X for it and a like when I was working at Moto Liberty. ... And then our 1200 GS is the big BMW touring bike, right? Oh, yeah, it's got. Oh, got it. Had 100,000 miles on it when I got it."
The BMW R 1200 GS is a long-distance adventure motorcycle. It’s known for being comfortable and capable, and the speaker is basically saying it’s a great “do-everything” bike even with lots of miles.
The BMW R 1200 GS is a popular adventure motorcycle built for long-distance touring and mixed-road riding. The speaker calls it a “big BMW touring bike” and describes it as an adventure-bike archetype, noting high mileage and ongoing use.
beater bikes
"It is honestly one of the best beater bikes I've ever gotten. So why do you, this is a dumb question me asking you this. If you have a really good bike, why do you need to buy every other bike that you can buy on Craigslist?"
A “beater” bike is one you use without worrying too much about keeping it perfect. It’s meant to be ridden and enjoyed, not protected like a collectible.
A “beater” is a vehicle you don’t baby—something you ride hard because it’s affordable or already has issues. The speaker frames the BMW R 1200 GS as one of the best beater bikes they’ve owned, emphasizing practicality over perfection.
buying multiple bikes (Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace)
"It is honestly one of the best beater bikes I've ever gotten. So why do you, this is a dumb question me asking you this. If you have a really good bike, why do you need to buy every other bike that you can buy on Craigslist? Because there's always more bikes to ride and there's always cool stuff."
They talk about why someone would keep buying more bikes instead of just sticking with one. The idea is that there are always new rides to find and try.
This segment discusses the motivation for owning multiple motorcycles—specifically using marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to find more bikes to ride. It’s less about technical specs and more about the culture of collecting/rotating bikes.
premix
"Put gas in it, mix up the premix, started it up. Man, this thing just doesn't want to start. ... he melted the piston because he didn't put any oil in the pre or in the two stroke when he ran it last."
Premix means you mix oil into the gas before you pour it into the tank. Two-strokes need that oil for lubrication, so getting it wrong can destroy the engine.
Premix is the pre-mixed fuel/oil blend used for many two-stroke engines. The story highlights how critical the correct oil content is—running premix incorrectly can cause severe internal damage like a melted piston.
carburetor
"I bought it from David at the shop with the, it ran great last time I ran it and then I just don't know how to tune a carburetor. ... got up there and left all my carburetor jets at home like I usually do."
A carburetor is how an older engine mixes fuel and air. If it’s not tuned right, the bike can be hard to start or run poorly.
A carburetor is the fuel-mixing device used on many older engines. The episode centers on jetting and tuning—getting the right fuel/air mixture so the engine starts easily and runs correctly.
piston
"Well, turns out he melted the piston because he didn't put any oil in the pre or in the two stroke when he ran it last."
The piston is the part inside the engine that moves up and down to make power. If it overheats or isn’t lubricated, it can get damaged—like melting.
The piston is a key internal engine component that transfers combustion force to the crankshaft. In the segment, the host explains the piston was melted due to insufficient lubrication from missing oil in the premix.
two-stroke
"Well, turns out he melted the piston because he didn't put any oil in the pre or in the two stroke when he ran it last."
A two-stroke engine needs oil mixed in with the fuel (or added separately) to lubricate it. If you forget the oil, the engine can overheat and get damaged quickly.
A two-stroke engine completes its power cycle in two strokes of the piston, and it typically relies on oil mixed with the fuel (or oil injection) for lubrication. The host’s mistake—running without adding oil to the premix—led to overheating and piston damage.
top end
"$43 later off Amazon, turns out you can get an entire top in for one of these. Although at the time, I didn't realize that had a race kit in it."
The top end is the upper part of the engine that includes the cylinder and piston. Replacing it can get a damaged two-stroke back running, especially after something like piston failure.
The top end refers to the upper portion of a two-stroke engine—typically components like the cylinder and piston assembly. The host says you can buy an entire top end relatively cheaply, and that it included a race-oriented setup.
race kit
"Although at the time, I didn't realize that had a race kit in it. And I put a factory top end in a super built motor."
A race kit is a performance upgrade for a small engine. It usually changes parts like the cylinder/piston to make more power, but it can also require careful setup to run right.
A race kit is an aftermarket (or performance) cylinder/piston package intended to increase power by changing combustion characteristics and displacement. Here, the host connects the race kit to higher compression and improved charge flow through the two-stroke piston design.
1982 CR80 piston
"If you stick the 1982 CR80 piston specifically into one of these and then overbore it a little bit, you get a screaming race motor..."
They’re using a piston from a Honda CR80 (from 1982) as part of the scooter’s engine build. That piston choice helps the engine make more power when combined with other cylinder changes.
The host specifically references using a 1982 Honda CR80 piston as part of a big-bore build for the scooter. The CR80 is a Honda motocross model, and using its piston (with overboring) is described as the key step to creating a higher-displacement “race motor.”
overbore
"...and then overbore it a little bit, you get a screaming race motor... plus you get, I don't know, almost 10 cc's of bore. So it ends up being a 90 cc big bore kit."
Overbore means enlarging the inside of the cylinder so the engine can move more air/fuel. That usually increases power, but it also changes how the engine needs to be tuned.
Overbore means machining the cylinder to a larger diameter than stock, which increases displacement. In the segment, overboring is part of the process that turns the build into a “90 cc big bore kit.”
big bore kit
"...it ends up being a 90 cc big bore kit. Ripped all that stuff out with its super fancy custom race pipe and then put the factory exhaust on it..."
A big bore kit is an upgrade that makes the engine’s cylinder bigger. Bigger displacement often means more power, but it can require different tuning.
A big bore kit increases engine displacement by replacing or machining the cylinder to allow a larger bore. The host describes ending up with a “90 cc big bore kit,” which is a common way to boost power on small two-stroke engines.
race pipe
"Ripped all that stuff out with its super fancy custom race pipe and then put the factory exhaust on it..."
A race pipe is a performance exhaust. On a two-stroke, exhaust shape can affect how the engine breathes, so changing it usually means you may need to retune the carb.
A race pipe (performance exhaust) is designed to improve two-stroke scavenging and power delivery by shaping exhaust flow and resonance. The host says they removed the custom race pipe and went back to the factory exhaust, which would change how the engine needs to be jetted.
Toyota A90
"a little bit higher compression, plus you get, I don't know, almost 10 cc's of bore. So it ends up being a 90 cc big bore kit. Ripped all that stuff out with its super fancy custom race pipe and then put the factory exhaust on it and took it up to the Moto Liberty once every two-year"
The Toyota Supra is a sports car made for fast driving. In the podcast, they talk about changing the engine and exhaust to make it perform differently. That’s something many Supra owners do when building a track-focused car.
The Toyota Supra is a performance sports car that’s widely known for its strong engine and tuning potential. The podcast references engine modifications—higher compression and a big-bore setup—along with removing parts like a custom race exhaust, which is the kind of work owners do to change power and performance characteristics. It’s discussed because the Supra is a common base for track and enthusiast builds.
softlocked
"whatever I had on me and whatever jokes I could scrounge from everybody else. I think I softlocked the motor four or five times before I kind of got it running rich enough to not softlock after"
“Softlocked” here means the bike gets stuck in a bad running state where it won’t behave right. The speaker says changing the fuel/air situation (running rich) helped it start behaving again.
“Softlocked” usually means the engine or system gets into a state where it won’t run correctly but isn’t fully “hard” failed—often due to fueling, ignition, or control logic. In this story, it’s tied to getting the motor running rich enough to avoid the lock-up behavior.
running rich
"I think I softlocked the motor four or five times before I kind of got it running rich enough to not softlock after 10 minutes or not 10 minutes, probably about four minutes of sustained wide open throttle."
Running rich means the engine is getting more fuel than ideal relative to air, which can change combustion behavior and sometimes prevent stalling or misfire. On small engines, mixture issues can be caused by carburetor settings, throttle position, or environmental factors, and “rich enough” can be a temporary fix to keep it running.
wide open throttle
"10 minutes or not 10 minutes, probably about four minutes of sustained wide open throttle. We were trying to do one of the mountain roads and hardlocked the motor on the mountain road."
Wide open throttle just means you’re giving the engine the most gas it can take. Doing that for a while can make problems show up faster—like the engine running too rich or too hot.
Wide open throttle (WOT) means the throttle is fully opened, letting the engine ingest as much air/fuel as the system can. On small engines and motorcycles, running WOT for sustained periods can quickly expose fueling or cooling problems and can also increase the chance of overheating or loss of control.
hardlocked the motor
"We were trying to do one of the mountain roads and hardlocked the motor on the mountain road. However, you can kind of hear it coming on a two-stroke and right on a scooter,"
“Hardlocked” here sounds like the bike suddenly got stuck or stopped behaving normally in a serious way. The speaker connects it to what the engine was doing right before the problem got worse.
“Hardlocked” suggests a sudden, severe loss of free motion—often from a mechanical seizure, severe traction loss, or a control failure that effectively locks the engine/drive. In the transcript it’s described as happening on a mountain road, and the speaker then discusses the sound/behavior leading up to the issue.
scooter
"However, you can kind of hear it coming on a two-stroke and right on a scooter, you have to not do what your first reaction on a regular motorcycle is, which is, oh my god, my motor's about to explode."
A scooter is a smaller, step-through style vehicle with its own control setup. The speaker is saying you can’t always use the same instincts you’d use on a regular motorcycle.
A scooter often uses a different drivetrain and control layout than a typical motorcycle, which can change how braking and clutch-related inputs behave. The speaker specifically warns that the “first reaction” from a regular motorcycle doesn’t apply, implying the scooter’s controls can lead to different outcomes during a slide.
rear brake
"Let me go grab the clutch because if you grab the clutch, it's your rear brake. And I proceeded to pull the rear brake all the way to the lever going."
The rear brake is the brake you press with your foot. If the bike is already unstable, using it at the wrong time can make the back end slide more.
On motorcycles, the rear brake is controlled by a foot pedal and slows the bike by applying braking force to the rear wheel. In a slide or fishtail situation, using the wrong inputs (or grabbing the wrong control) can worsen traction loss, especially on lightweight scooters or when the surface is uneven.
fishtailed it
"I'm about to blow this motor and then fishtailed it at about 45 miles an hour. It stepped out at a pretty good amount on both directions."
Fishtailing means the back of the bike starts sliding left and right instead of going straight. It usually happens when the tires lose grip, and it can get dangerous quickly.
Fishtailing is when the vehicle’s rear end swings side-to-side due to a loss of traction, often from sudden braking, throttle changes, or uneven grip. At around 45 mph, fishtailing indicates the tires are no longer following the intended line, and the rider’s inputs can either recover traction or make the slide worse.
exhaust pipe snaps in half
"I'm going to say it was two miles, but it was really probably closer to five miles away from our campsite and the exhaust pipe snaps in half. So I mean, I am at this point, I don't have a welder."
When the exhaust pipe breaks, it means the metal couldn’t handle the stress anymore. It can make the bike run worse and it can also be unsafe because exhaust parts get extremely hot.
An exhaust pipe snapping indicates a mechanical failure that can happen from vibration, prior damage, or heat cycling—especially on small engines that see frequent throttle changes. Beyond the noise and loss of exhaust integrity, a broken exhaust can also affect engine performance and may create safety issues (hot surfaces, fumes).
walk back to camp
"Leave it on the side of the road and because this had been acting up the whole day, I had my emergency beer in the glove box for when I'm inevitably going to have to walk back to wherever I'm walking."
This is what happens when the bike breaks and you can’t fix it right there. Instead of trying to force it, you have to get back safely and plan ahead for emergencies.
This is a practical breakdown scenario: when a vehicle can’t be repaired roadside, the rider has to switch to a recovery plan (walking to safety, conserving supplies, and avoiding legal issues). For track or ride events, planning for contingencies—tools, spare parts, and communication—can prevent a small failure from turning into a long, stressful situation.
glove box
"Leave it on the side of the road and because this had been acting up the whole day, I had my emergency beer in the glove box for when I'm inevitably going to have to walk back to wherever I'm walking."
The glove box is a small storage compartment inside the vehicle. Here, it’s being used to keep an emergency item so it’s easy to grab if the ride goes wrong.
A glove box is a storage compartment typically used for small items like documents and tools. In this context, it’s being used as an ad-hoc emergency kit location, which highlights how riders often keep essentials within reach for roadside problems.
sheriff
"And I'm going, you know, it's going to be really funny when the sheriff crests the hill walking towards me. So I probably should finish this beer real quick. So drink a little bit more of the beer sticking to my helmet just so I'm not walking with an open container because I have no idea what the laws are in Oklahoma."
The sheriff is the local law enforcement officer who stops the speaker while they’re walking after the bike breaks. It’s a reminder that breakdowns can turn into legal/safety situations, not just mechanical ones.
The sheriff’s interaction is about roadside legality and safety after a breakdown. While not a vehicle tech term, it’s relevant to real-world ownership: if you’re stranded, you may need to follow local rules (like open-container laws) and be prepared to explain your situation.
squad car
"However, I got put into a single cell occupant squad car with about four go pros facing me and an open beer in my helmet."
A squad car is just a police patrol car. Here, it matters because the speaker is stuck in a cramped setup and has to deal with their gear while riding to the event.
A squad car is a police vehicle used for patrol and local enforcement. In this story, it’s relevant because the speaker is describing how they were transported and how the seating/space affected their experience.
carbs
"And they're trying to fix some super old super broken triumph that's having one of the several issues that every triumph that comes has probably carbs, probably just decided it doesn't want to run on a Saturday."
“Carbs” are carburetors, which are the parts that help the engine get the right fuel-air mixture. On older bikes, they can get clogged or go out of tune, so the bike may refuse to start or run well.
“Carbs” is shorthand for carburetors, which mix air and fuel mechanically (without electronic fuel injection). Older motorcycles often rely on carburetors, and they can be sensitive to things like fuel quality, clogged jets, and tuning—leading to hard starts or poor running.
19,000 RPM
"...250cc four cylinder ... read to about 19,000 RPM. The thing is insane. It sounds like a formula one car. ... found out that at 19,000 RPM, you can hit that restrictor flow perfectly..."
RPM is a measure of how fast the engine is spinning. 19,000 RPM means the engine is revving at a very extreme level, like a purpose-built race motor. At that speed, small changes in airflow and timing matter a lot.
RPM is how fast the engine’s crankshaft spins, and 19,000 RPM is extremely high for a street-based engine. At those speeds, engine breathing, valve timing, and intake restrictions become critical to keep power and reliability under control. The hosts later connect this RPM target to restrictor flow matching.
geared cams
"Your pistons are the size of shot glasses. Absolutely wild. It's got geared cams, right? Oh, yeah."
“Geared cams” means the camshafts are timed using gears instead of a simpler setup. That can make timing more precise, which matters a lot on race engines. When an engine revs extremely high, small timing errors can cause big problems.
Geared cams use a gear train to drive camshafts, allowing precise timing control and often improved stability at high RPM. In this context, the hosts are highlighting how their high-revving Honda engine achieves performance characteristics suitable for racing. Cam timing precision becomes especially important when you’re spinning the engine extremely fast.
windowed a few of them
"Oh, yeah. It is a wild motor and I've definitely windowed a few of them. So what we used to do is we have to run a 20 millimeter restrictor for FC..."
“Windowing” an engine typically means internal failure where a connecting rod breaks through the engine block, creating a visible “window” in the casting. The hosts mention they’ve windowed a few of these high-revving motors, which signals how extreme the operating conditions were. It also ties into why they later discuss careful engineering changes (restrictors, turbo, fuel choice, cooling).
restrictor flow matching
"...we did a whole bunch of restrictor math and found out that at 19,000 RPM, you can hit that restrictor flow perfectly..."
This is about making sure the “air limiter” (the restrictor) lets through the right amount of air at the engine’s target revs. If it’s too tight, the engine can’t breathe; if it’s too loose, it won’t do its job. They calculated it so the engine still makes power at very high RPM.
Restrictor flow matching is the idea that a fixed-size intake restriction should be sized so it flows the right amount of air at the engine’s operating RPM. If the restrictor is too small, it chokes the engine; if it’s too large, it doesn’t effectively control power. The hosts use “restrictor math” to align flow with performance at 19,000 RPM.
20 millimeter restrictor
"So what we used to do is we have to run a 20 millimeter restrictor for FC and we did a whole bunch of restrictor math and found out that at 19,000 RPM, you can hit that restrictor flow perfectly..."
A restrictor is a rules-driven airflow limitation used in some racing classes to cap power by limiting how much air the engine can ingest. The hosts mention doing “restrictor math” to ensure the restrictor flow matches what the engine needs at their target RPM. This is a key example of engineering around racing regulations.
turbo
"...we decided that the answer for more air is a turbo. So we shoved the turbo on it, switch from regular pump gas to methanol..."
A turbo is a device that uses exhaust to spin a compressor and push extra air into the engine. More air generally means more power potential. They added it because the restrictor limited airflow, so boosting helped them get back the air they needed.
A turbocharger uses exhaust energy to force more air into the engine, increasing potential power. In this segment, the hosts explain they added a turbo because they wanted “more air” after working within restrictor limits. They also pair it with fuel and cooling changes to manage the stresses of boosted operation.
methanol
"So we shoved the turbo on it, switch from regular pump gas to methanol and then put a fuel injector in the restrictor..."
Methanol is a racing fuel. It can help the engine run cooler and tolerate more aggressive setups than regular gasoline. In this story, it’s part of how they safely made more power with a turbo.
Methanol is a fuel used in many motorsports because it can help with cooling and allows higher boost or more aggressive tuning than typical gasoline. The hosts say they switched from pump gas to methanol as part of the turbo + restrictor strategy. They also describe using it alongside cooling/pre-cooling to manage intake temperatures and density.
fuel injector in the restrictor
"...and then put a fuel injector in the restrictor so you could pre cool the restrictor and kind of ice it up and get denser air through it..."
Injecting fuel directly into or near the restrictor is used to cool the intake charge and increase air density, effectively improving the mass of air entering the engine. The hosts describe pre-cooling the restrictor and “icing it up” to get denser air through the restriction. This is a nuanced technique for extracting performance within a fixed airflow limit.
lightest possible chassis
"Yeah, that's why the rods like to go through the block to and then throw those into the lightest possible chassis we could. I think the one of the heavier cars would have been riding about like 415 pounds..."
They’re saying they tried to build the car as light as possible. A lighter car usually accelerates and handles better because there’s less weight to move around. It also helps the whole package feel more responsive on track.
The hosts emphasize building the car around a very light chassis to improve performance, especially for acceleration and handling. In racing, reducing mass helps the car respond faster to throttle and steering inputs and can reduce stress on the drivetrain. They mention a target weight (around the mid-400-pound range) to illustrate how extreme the weight goals were.
power band
"You just got to hold them in the power band. So the only way you're making power is between 15 and 19,000 just trying to keep it down in an autocross course."
Your engine makes its best pull only in certain RPMs. In autocross, you try to keep the engine spinning in that sweet spot so the car accelerates strongly out of turns.
The “power band” is the engine speed range where it produces the most usable power and torque. Keeping the car in that RPM window is especially important in autocross, where you’re constantly accelerating out of corners and don’t have long straight runs to “wait” for power.
autocross course
"So the only way you're making power is between 15 and 19,000 just trying to keep it down in an autocross course. The launches and those."
Autocross is a race on a cone course where you’re judged by time. It’s less about going fast in a straight line and more about quick turns and getting back on the throttle smoothly.
Autocross is a timed motorsport run on a closed course laid out with cones, emphasizing acceleration, braking, and quick directional changes rather than top speed. Because the course is tight and stop-start, setup choices like gearing, aero, and traction matter a lot for how consistently you can stay in the power band.
1998 Legacy car
"Oh yeah. Let's see. Which ones did I drive? I drove some of our super single cars. I did drive that car because that was the 98 Legacy car that I actually did the whole restoration on before they took it up to Silverstone..."
They’re talking about a 1998 Subaru Legacy they restored. It wasn’t just a normal car—it was prepared and raced, so it likely had major upgrades beyond what you’d see on the road.
This refers to a Subaru Legacy from 1998 that the speaker restored and later campaigned. In motorsport contexts, a “Legacy car” like this is often a platform for serious development work (engine, cooling, aero, and suspension) rather than a stock street setup.
Silverstone
"...before they took it up to Silverstone to do because in 1998 the UTA went to the UK FCE competition which was hosted at Silverstone..."
Silverstone is a well-known race track in the UK. Mentioning it usually means the cars were being tested or raced on a real circuit, not just a local cone course.
Silverstone is a famous UK racing circuit, commonly associated with high-level motorsport events. When the speaker mentions taking the car there for a specific competition, it signals the team’s program wasn’t limited to local autocross—it reached an international track venue.
3.3 g's
"...most we got on one was 3.3 g's or something like that. Oh yeah it's insane. It's 60 miles an hour they'll hold themselves on the roof."
“G’s” tells you how hard the car is pulling in a turn compared to gravity. Higher numbers mean the car is cornering extremely hard.
“G’s” is a measure of lateral acceleration—how many times the force of gravity the car is generating while cornering. Mentioning ~3.3 g’s highlights extreme grip levels, typically associated with high downforce aero cars and/or specialized tires.
AMOD cars
"Aren't Formula SE cars the fastest autocross cars now? Aren't they faster than AMOD cars sometimes? We actually built an AMOD."
They mention “AMOD cars” as another category of race cars. They’re basically asking whether that class is sometimes faster than the Formula SE cars.
“AMOD cars” appears to be another autocross/racing category the speaker is comparing against Formula SE. Class rules strongly influence design choices (aero, engine, and weight), so comparing classes is really about how regulations shape performance.
SCCA
"...When COVID happened they stopped doing competitions and of course they didn't want to stop doing the internal program at UTA so... SCCA hasn't shut down so we'll just"
SCCA is a big organization that runs and organizes car racing events in the U.S. They’re saying that even when some competitions stopped, SCCA kept going.
SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) is a major U.S. motorsports organization that sanctions many road racing and autocross events. The speaker’s point is that when one competition paused, SCCA events continued, allowing the program to keep running.
booster motor
"they built an AMOD with a booster motor because I think the AMODs have a thousand pound minimum weight"
A booster motor is an extra motor used to help the car accelerate or make more usable power. In racing, teams sometimes add extra power sources to meet performance goals while still staying within class rules. It’s basically “extra push” for the car.
A booster motor is an additional motor used to add power or assist the main powertrain in a competition setup. In this segment, it’s mentioned as part of how the team built an AMOD that could still perform despite weight constraints. The key idea is that rule-driven packaging can lead to unusual powertrain strategies.
minimum weight rule / adding ballast
"they built a 500 pound car and then shoved about or 500 pounds of lead in the under tray to get it to hit the minimum weight"
Racing rules often require cars to weigh at least a certain amount. If your car is too light, you add weight (ballast) to make it legal. Where you put that weight matters because it changes how the car handles.
The hosts discuss a minimum weight requirement for AMOD cars and how teams may add ballast (like lead in the under tray) to meet the rule. This is a common motorsport strategy: you can’t always build the lightest possible car, so you add weight in a controlled way to keep handling predictable. It also affects how the car’s power-to-weight ratio feels on track.
run as equipped to the rulebook
"if you run them in SCCA you have to run them as equipped to the rulebook that year so like if you've got a 2016 car it's got to meet the FSE 2016 rulebook so you can't mix and match rules"
In some racing classes, you have to build and run the car exactly according to the rules for that year. You can’t swap in parts from other years or use loopholes to get extra performance. The goal is to keep the competition fair.
The hosts explain that in SCCA, certain classes require cars to be run “as equipped” to the rulebook for that year. That means you can’t mix and match parts or rules across model years to create an unfair advantage. This is a regulatory concept meant to keep competition close and prevent rule loopholes.
power-to-weight and handling differences
"when you're doing the cars that are that lightweight it's just a little bit different how you can take a lot of the corners like you can point and shoot a whole lot more in a car that weighs 375 pounds and you can in a car that weighs 2,800 pounds it's making the same horsepower"
Even if two cars have the same horsepower, a lighter car usually feels easier to drive fast. It can turn in and change direction more quickly. That’s why a 375-pound car can be driven very differently than a 2,800-pound car.
The segment contrasts driving a very light car versus a heavy one even when horsepower is similar. With low mass, the car can change direction and “point and shoot” much more easily, and it responds differently to throttle and traction. This is essentially a power-to-weight and vehicle dynamics concept: weight changes braking, cornering, and how quickly the car can be rotated.
super singles
"though the super singles when you do three G's in a corner you get bruises on the inside of your leg from the steering column just pressing up against your leg in a skid pad drill or something"
“Super singles” are big, grippy race tires. They help the car go around corners faster, but that also means the driver feels stronger sideways forces.
“Super singles” are wide, high-performance single tires (often used on race cars) that provide a lot of grip and generate large lateral loads. Because they can let you corner harder, they also increase the physical forces on the driver.
three G's in a corner
"though the super singles when you do three G's in a corner you get bruises on the inside of your leg from the steering column just pressing up against your leg in a skid pad drill or something"
“G’s” tell you how hard the car is accelerating compared to gravity. In a hard corner, the sideways forces can be so strong that your body gets pushed into the steering wheel and seat area.
“G’s” are a measure of acceleration relative to gravity. In a corner, hitting around three G’s means the car is generating very high lateral forces, which can physically press your body against the steering wheel, seat, and harness areas.
skid pad
"from the steering column just pressing up against your leg in a skid pad drill or something [3119.6s] like that."
A skid pad is a flat test area where you can practice hard cornering. It helps you see how much grip the tires have before the car starts to slide.
A skid pad is a test surface used to evaluate a car’s lateral grip and handling balance. Drivers use it to find how much cornering force the tires can generate before the car slides.
rib protectors
"I believe it I mean that's that's why carters wear the the rib protectors and everything [3128.1s] it's gravity hurts when it's sideways."
Rib protectors are padding you wear to protect your ribs in racing. They’re especially useful when the car’s sideways forces push you hard against the seat and belts.
Rib protectors are protective pads worn under a racing harness to reduce injury risk during hard cornering and impacts. In karting or racing, they also help manage how your body moves when high lateral forces press you into the seat.
gravity hurts when it's sideways
"[3128.1s] it's gravity hurts when it's sideways. I would have loved some of those rib protectors because [3134.5s] our headers are running so close to that seat back any rivet or bolt in the seat back you would just"
In a hard turn, the car pushes you sideways. Your body has to fight that force, so you can end up bruised where the seat, belts, or steering wheel press into you.
When a car is cornering, the driver experiences strong lateral acceleration, so “gravity” effectively acts through a different direction relative to your body. That’s why sideways cornering can cause bruising or discomfort—your body is loaded against the steering wheel, seat, and harness.
headers
"I would have loved some of those rib protectors because [3134.5s] our headers are running so close to that seat back any rivet or bolt in the seat back you would just feel after about 10 minutes."
Headers are part of the exhaust system near the engine. If they’re close to the seat, they can create heat and make the cockpit feel uncomfortable during a race.
Headers are exhaust components that route exhaust gases from the engine into the exhaust system. In racing, they can run very close to the seat area, so heat and nearby hardware can make the cockpit uncomfortable or even unsafe if not properly shielded.
finish first, you must first finish
"It's a finish first you must first finish. This is true so what do you have in either in your racing life or your personal life of insanity what what do you have coming up"
It’s basically saying: don’t focus only on going fast—focus on making it to the end. In racing, if something breaks, you can’t win even if you were quick earlier.
This is a racing proverb meaning reliability and completing the event matter more than chasing speed. In endurance-style racing, a small mechanical issue can end your run even if you’re fast for a while.
Quincy TT
"Uh let's see I think I'm going to try and do the Quincy TT this year... So the Quincy TT is the only TT style road race that I know of for mini bikes in the U.S. they shut down a public park in Quincy..."
Quincy TT is a mini-bike race event. It’s like a road-race format where they close off a park and run a course through it for bikes and sometimes go-karts.
The Quincy TT is described as a TT-style road race for mini bikes held in a public park in Quincy. The hosts emphasize it’s a hybrid go-kart/mini motorcycle event with a one-and-done course layout around the park.
TT style road race
"So the Quincy TT is the only TT style road race that I know of for mini bikes in the U.S. they shut down a public park in Quincy I'm going to go with Indiana..."
“TT” usually means a race where you’re timed on a course. Instead of just battling side-by-side, the goal is to be fast and consistent over the track.
“TT” commonly refers to time-trial style racing where riders run a course and are judged by time rather than wheel-to-wheel racing. The transcript frames Quincy TT as a TT-style road race adapted for mini bikes, using a closed public park and a fixed course.
public park road racing
"...they shut down a public park in Quincy... they do a kind of one and done course throughout the entire park and they've been doing it for I think 25 years almost consecutively..."
Instead of a dedicated race track, the event uses a public park. That means they have to set up the course and manage safety around real-world obstacles.
Road racing in a public park implies temporary course setup and event control rather than a purpose-built track. That typically changes safety planning (barriers, marshal coverage, runoff) and can increase the chance of damage if conditions worsen.
hybrid go-kart and mini motorcycle race
"they shut down a public park in Quincy... and they do a hybrid go-kart and then mini motorcycle race in the public park kind of mini isle of man style..."
They run races with both go-karts and mini motorcycles. Different vehicles handle differently, so the track setup and driving style have to work for both.
The event mixes vehicle types—go-karts and mini motorcycles—on the same closed-course concept. That matters because different machines have different braking, acceleration, and line choices, which can affect how the course is run and how safely it’s managed.
mini Isle of Man style
"...mini motorcycle race in the public park kind of mini isle of man style you got curbs trees park benches and everything else to compete with..."
They’re comparing it to the Isle of Man vibe—racing on roads or road-like areas where there isn’t much space for mistakes. In this case, the park setting has obstacles close to the track.
“Isle of Man” is famous for road racing on public roads with minimal runoff and tight, unforgiving surroundings. Calling Quincy TT “mini Isle of Man style” signals a similar vibe: a street/park setting with curbs, trees, and benches close to the racing line.
property damage
"...I think because about $30,000 in property damage due to the fact that it rained the day before they let us do the Barbie Jeep races down the most"
They’re talking about how much stuff got damaged during an earlier event. When damage is high, organizers often tighten rules or approvals before letting the event continue.
The transcript cites “about $30,000 in property damage” as a reason they were allowed back after an earlier incident. In motorsports, property damage can drive rule changes, insurance requirements, and stricter event approvals for future runs.
Barber Motorsports Museum
"...thing at the barber motorsports museum I usually went for the the track stuff they did so they turned the proving grounds course into a mini endurance..."
Barber Motorsports Museum is a racing facility that hosts lots of motorcycle events. The hosts are saying they used to run a special small-bike event there, and the course gets turned into a mini endurance setup.
The Barber Motorsports Museum is a well-known motorsports venue in Alabama that hosts a variety of motorcycle-focused events. In this segment, it’s described as turning its proving grounds into a mini endurance format with multiple off-road and track-style activities.
mini endurance
"...they turned the proving grounds course into a mini endurance it's a two hour endurance race..."
“Mini endurance” means a race that’s still about lasting and staying consistent, but it’s shorter than a full endurance race. In this case, they’re talking about a two-hour event where you can’t just sprint the whole time.
A “mini endurance” is a shorter endurance-style race format—here described as a two-hour event—where riders still manage pace, tires, and consistency like a longer endurance race. It’s a way to bring endurance strategy to smaller classes or venues.
hill climb
"...they do a hill climb a rhythm challenge kind of a motocross style course bike shows drag races..."
A hill climb is racing up a steep hill. It’s mostly about keeping traction and momentum so you don’t bog down or lose control.
A hill climb is a motorsport discipline where riders race up an incline, emphasizing traction, momentum, and throttle control. The segment groups it with other off-road and rhythm-style challenges, suggesting a course designed for varied skill demands.
hay bales
"...hay bales on the trees oh my god I mean if you've never hit a hay bill before are you really living and there's like fencing directly on the inside..."
Hay bales are what you sometimes see along a track to help cushion crashes. They’re not magic, but they’re meant to reduce the impact when someone goes off the course.
Hay bales are used as low-cost trackside impact barriers, intended to absorb energy during a crash. The speaker’s point—“if you’ve never hit a hay bill before are you really living”—highlights how riders experience them as part of real-world risk and course design.
hay bill
"...oh my god I mean if you've never hit a hay bill before are you really living and there's like fencing directly on the inside..."
This is almost certainly “hay bale,” which is the crash-cushion barrier made of stacked hay. The speaker is joking that you haven’t really experienced the track until you’ve hit one.
“Hay bill” appears to be a transcription error for “hay bale,” referring to the trackside crash barrier. The context is clearly about hitting the barrier and then continuing the description of fencing and corner protection.
Barber Smallbore
"[3594.9s] a 190 as well and I was like come on guys you'll have the dry session yeah it always the races at [3602.8s] Barber Smallbore always seemed odd"
They’re talking about a small-bike racing event at Barber. The key point is that the track setup and conditions can make the racing feel very different.
“Barber Smallbore” refers to a small-displacement racing event/series held at Barber Motorsports Park. The discussion focuses on how the event’s track configuration and conditions (like rain vs dry sessions) can change the racing experience.
reconfigurable racetrack
"[3610.9s] come back because it's a reconfigurable racetrack okay they'll switch directions and they'll switch [3620.0s] how the course kind of weaves through it"
Some tracks can be rearranged into different layouts. That changes where the turns are and how you have to drive, so it’s not always about top speed.
A reconfigurable racetrack means the course layout can be changed by using different connections, cones, and direction changes. That affects braking points, corner sequencing, and how much the car or bike can rely on straight-line speed versus cornering.
figure eights
"[3620.0s] how the course kind of weaves through it it's essentially I think it's what two or three [3625.0s] figure eights and then a big bank corner section"
A “figure eight” layout makes you turn back and forth a lot. That usually means you need good handling and smooth driving, not just a fast engine.
“Figure eights” describes a course shape that forces frequent direction changes and overlapping left/right transitions. On track, that kind of layout tends to reward smoothness, grip management, and steering response more than pure horsepower.
MotoGP
"[3703.0s] be honest I get the single best sleep in my life at the racetrack Audrey has made this joke for years [3707.3s] that I will always be asleep at every MotoGP um because when I was working at Moto Liberty we"
MotoGP is top-level motorcycle racing. They’re saying that when they’re at MotoGP events, the sound and routine can be so steady it makes them doze off between sessions.
MotoGP is the premier motorcycle road-racing championship, and the host references working MotoGP events. The discussion uses MotoGP qualifying sessions to explain how the racetrack environment can become “white noise” and make them fall asleep.
mini bikes and racing engineering
"...what does racing mini bikes do for you oh it hits all sides of that..."
They talk about how mini bike racing becomes an engineering project. The idea is that you learn by building and improving parts for racing.
The hosts discuss how racing mini bikes drive hands-on engineering—customizing pistons, cam profiles, and chassis/frame work. It’s a segment about applying broad technical skills to a small racing platform.
cam profile
"...trying to make my own high compression piston and a new cam profile because nobody else makes it..."
A cam profile describes the shape of the camshaft lobes, which controls valve opening timing and lift. Changing the cam profile is a common way to tailor how an engine makes power across the RPM range.
Racebox IMU
"...is I've got the racebox imu and if you email them they'll give you their api..."
An IMU is a sensor that measures motion—like acceleration and turning forces. It helps you see what the car is doing during a lap so you can learn from it.
Racebox IMU refers to an inertial measurement unit used for tracking vehicle dynamics like acceleration and cornering behavior. The IMU data can be paired with other sensors to analyze runs and improve driving and setup decisions.
API
"...if you email them they'll give you their api and then I've got one of the eraser ecu's..."
An API is like a set of instructions that lets one program talk to another. It’s what makes it possible to pull sensor data into an app you build.
An API (application programming interface) is a way for software to communicate with a device or service. Here, it lets the Racebox IMU’s data be accessed and integrated into a custom app workflow.
metallurgy
"...every bit of metallurgy I've done along the way is cam profiles and pistons or the rings or cylinder geometry..."
Metallurgy is about how metal behaves. For racing, it matters because the right materials can handle heat, friction, and wear better over time.
Metallurgy is the study of metals and how their properties affect performance and durability. In racing builds, metallurgy knowledge helps with decisions about materials and wear behavior for components like pistons, rings, and cylinders.
cylinder geometry
"...cam profiles and pistons or the rings or cylinder geometry all the engineering for struts and beams..."
Cylinder geometry is basically the cylinder’s internal shape and measurements. It matters because it affects how well the piston and rings seal and how much friction and heat the engine creates.
Cylinder geometry refers to the internal shape and dimensions of the cylinder bore and related features. It affects sealing (with rings), friction, heat transfer, and how the engine responds to compression and cam timing changes.
frame design
"...just regular force application that I learned in college that's frame design..."
Frame design is how the bike’s structure is built to handle forces. A good frame helps the bike stay stable and predictable when you brake, turn, and accelerate.
Frame design is the engineering of the chassis structure—how it supports loads, controls flex, and maintains alignment under stress. In racing, frame stiffness and geometry influence handling, suspension behavior, and rider feedback.
building a motorcycle from scratch
"...talked about talked for several years about just building up a motorcycle from scratch picking an engine that I like..."
Building from scratch means you start with parts and create the whole bike around them. It can be very custom, but you have to get the fit and structure right so everything works safely.
Building from scratch means selecting an engine, then designing and fabricating the frame and mounting points around it. This approach can create a highly personalized setup, but it requires careful alignment, structural design, and integration of systems.
jig table
"...picking some points on a jig table and building a frame around it..."
A jig table is like a work platform that keeps parts lined up correctly while you build. It helps you avoid crooked alignment when you’re welding or assembling the frame.
A jig table is a fabrication fixture used to hold parts in precise positions during assembly. Using a jig helps maintain alignment and repeatability when building a frame around selected mounting points.
weld it together
"...if I can find the time I'll weld it together but find the time is the problem..."
Welding joins the metal pieces together. On a frame, the quality of the weld matters a lot for safety and long-term strength.
Welding is the process of joining metal parts, and for frames it directly affects strength and durability. Proper welding technique, heat control, and inspection are critical because frame failures are catastrophic.
Shelby Daytona
"all right then make you know make a suit that's like a long tail like cut that cut that oh yeah get a comment back on it or something like that like the um Shelby Daytona poops yeah oh my gosh"
The Shelby Daytona is a well-known race car. Here it’s being used as an example of a long, streamlined shape—basically the kind of body design people use to help the car/bike cut through air better.
The Shelby Daytona is a famous race car associated with Ford’s efforts in endurance racing. In this segment it’s referenced as a visual/style cue for a “long tail” aerodynamic shape, which is meant to improve airflow and stability at speed.
0.05 (mocked 0.05)
"our race is mocked 0.05 which was originally a speed racer joke because mocked 5 speed racers car it's the fast car mocked 0.05 because it's mini bikes and we're tiny and we're slow"
This is basically a funny team nickname for their speed level. It’s not a real car spec—more like a way to talk about how fast they are compared to expectations.
“Mocked 0.05” is a team-specific joke that’s tied to their speed and scale (mini bikes, tiny/slow, and a “speed racer” reference). While not a standard automotive metric, it functions like a shorthand for their performance level and how they track it over time.
braking zone
"we're getting to either 59 to 63 in the braking zone that's I mean I don't think we're gonna get any faster than that"
The braking zone is where you slow down before a turn. Braking later or harder can make you faster overall, but only if the tires and brakes can handle it safely.
A braking zone is the section of track where a driver slows down to set up for the next corner. How late and how hard you brake depends on tire grip, brake performance, weight transfer, and driver technique.
terminal speed at the end of the straight
"no that's horrifying because we're going about the same speed as you on the 70 right now our terminal speed at the end of the straight is pretty close to yours"
Terminal speed is the fastest speed you hit right before you have to slow down for the next corner. If two racers have similar terminal speed, it usually means they’re producing similar speed potential on the straight.
“Terminal speed” is the top speed reached at the end of a straight before braking or transitioning to the next section. It’s influenced by power, gearing, aerodynamic drag, and rolling resistance—so comparing terminal speed between vehicles can reveal setup and performance differences.
terminal speed vs weight difference
"our terminal speed at the end of the straight is pretty close to yours well y'all are also about 130 pounds lighter than we are too right right"
They’re saying the lighter team has an advantage. Being lighter usually helps you speed up and slow down more easily, even if top speed on a straight is similar.
The hosts connect performance to mass by noting the other team is “about 130 pounds lighter.” Lower weight generally improves acceleration, braking, and cornering, while top speed on a straight can be more sensitive to power and aerodynamic drag. Comparing terminal speed alongside weight helps interpret why lap times differ.
engineered our way into our particular box
"I mean yeah you know how that works so we we also engine we also engineered our way into our particular box so I mean"
They mean they didn’t just end up with their setup by chance—they worked to build a car/bike that fits their racing category and performs well within the rules.
This phrase suggests the team developed a specific “box” (likely a rules/packaging/performance envelope or setup category) through engineering rather than luck. In racing, teams often tune gearing, chassis geometry, and vehicle balance to fit within constraints and maximize speed.
cart moto
"yeah I took a one of my friends out to cart moto here not too long ago and he's got a 600 a 400 and getting into mini bike racing"
It sounds like a track or event where people go to ride and race small bikes. The host is using it as an example of where his friend started getting into mini bike racing.
“Cart moto” refers to a go-kart/motorcycle track or riding event where people bring small bikes or carts to ride and race. In this context, it’s where the host took a friend to ride and get into mini bike racing.
mini bike racing
"and he's got a 600 a 400 and getting into mini bike racing and rode the Cobra"
Mini bike racing is racing with small motorcycles. They’re great for learning because they’re easier to handle, but you still have to ride carefully and be precise.
Mini bike racing is a form of motorcycle racing using small-displacement bikes (often for learning skills, building experience, and competing in youth or amateur classes). Because the bikes are lighter and can be more reactive, rider technique and control matter a lot—especially in tight corners and pit-lane situations.
thrash it
"I was like man it's running great today you just got to go out there and thrash it it'll be fine"
“Thrash it” just means ride it hard and aggressively. On a track, it’s basically testing whether the bike feels good when you push it.
“Thrash it” is slang for riding aggressively—pushing the bike hard to use its power and performance. In track terms, it often means getting heat into the tires and brakes and confirming the bike feels stable under load.
out lap
"he came back in did the out lap and then pulled into the pits before he'd even completed one lap"
An out lap is the first lap out of the pits. Riders use it to warm up and make sure everything feels right before going faster.
An “out lap” is the first lap a rider completes when leaving the pits to get up to speed and find their rhythm. It’s a common moment for riders to assess traction, braking feel, and whether the bike is behaving as expected before committing to faster laps.
pit lane
"last year I broke my right hand pulling into pit lane in about 10 miles an hour when I clipped the curb while hitting the brakes"
Pit lane is the track area where riders come in and out of the pits. It’s usually slower and more controlled, but you can still crash when you’re braking or changing direction.
Pit lane is the controlled area where riders enter/exit for service and where speed is typically restricted. Crashes in pit lane are still common because riders are transitioning between different speeds, lines, and braking points.
curb
"last year I broke my right hand pulling into pit lane in about 10 miles an hour when I clipped the curb while hitting the brakes"
Hitting a curb on track can upset the bike’s suspension geometry and traction, especially while braking or turning. Even at relatively low speed, curbs can cause a sudden change in grip that leads to loss of control.
high-sided
"yeah because Michael high-sided I swear we all crashed in almost the same corner too because Michael just high-sided it into the left hander right in front of the pits"
A high-side is when the bike suddenly catches traction again after sliding, and the rider gets thrown off the bike. It’s one of the more violent motorcycle crash types.
A “high-side” is a crash where the rear tire loses traction, the bike snaps back upright, and the rider is thrown over the handlebars/side of the bike. It’s often associated with sudden traction recovery—like when the bike regains grip abruptly mid-corner.
brake lever
"it was that was a dramatic weekend actually it was a weekend we broke our first brake lever too I which is crazy yeah we crashed the bike a hundred times and broke one brake lever"
A brake lever is the hand control that actuates the front or rear brake master cylinder on a motorcycle. In a crash, it can bend or break, which is why the team tracking “broke our first brake lever” matters for whether the bike can be ridden safely.
paddock
"I love having you guys in paddock like just you and whoever you bring along on your crazy adventure it's always a good random collection too"
The paddock is the area at a race event where teams park, work on bikes/cars, and prepare between sessions. It’s also a social hub—where riders and crew talk strategy, swap parts, and manage logistics.
moto camping trip from Christmas to New Year's
"we took a week off to do a moto camping trip from Christmas to New Year's and just kind of went all around and decided I mean we changed our plan 15 times"
A “moto camping trip” is a motorcycle-focused road trip where riders camp overnight, often requiring extra planning for cold weather, gear, and route flexibility. The segment emphasizes they changed plans multiple times and stayed flexible, which is a key skill for long rides.
flexible route planning
"just kind of went all around and decided I mean we changed our plan 15 times after we had set the original plan and just stayed flexible"
The guest highlights changing the plan “15 times” after setting an original route, which points to flexible route planning. For riders, this often means adapting to weather, road conditions, group pace, and where camping is available.
cold-weather camping
"it is definitely cold though I think we were camping in like the high of 22 at one point good lord maybe I'll be able to ride out from Colorado"
Camping in very cold temperatures (they mention highs around 22°F) is a practical challenge for motorcycle riders. It affects battery performance, rider comfort, and how well gear (gloves, sleeping system, layers) works overnight.
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