Star Lady Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Not being mechanically minded could some kind soul explain in simple terms the effect, if any, a couple of sponges in the fuel tank of a speedway bike might have. On Sky last night Chris Louis said none and Kelvin Tatum disagreed so I'm confused (even more so than normal ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Skid Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Is that related to a piece of sponge inside the Dellorto carbs, they used to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzafl Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 i watched that.. as well and was going to start the topic but got caught up in the fun filled Tai topic.. i think it would do.. but i am sure a true mechanic will come on and let us know.. although Robert72 will be on to offer us his years of racing knowledge lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Sponges in a fuel tank, will float on top and then soak up the methanol. Fuel in speedway tanks are gravity fed. The sponge will eventually be sucked towards the bottom of the fuel tank and restrict the flow of methanol to the engine. Hard to detect to start with...and would feel like it could be an electric fault as flow could be intermittent. It would affect performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzafl Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 (edited) Sponges in a fuel tank, will float on top and then soak up the methanol. Fuel in speedway tanks are gravity fed. The sponge will eventually be sucked towards the bottom of the fuel tank and restrict the flow of methanol to the engine. Hard to detect to start with...and would feel like it could be an electric fault as flow could be intermittent. It would affect performance. but as chris louis quite rightly said in race cars they have sponge in the tank to stop it unballancing the car.. but i guess they have a fuel pump though.. someone some where will be hoping they are not caught.. that is crazy.. someone could get so close to his bike and put that in.. all speculation i guess as he probably used both bikes and neither did anything.. Edited July 12, 2016 by Dazzafl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 (edited) Thanks Gresham that's almost word for word what hubby said too. What confused me was Chris Louis saying it would have no effect someone some where will be hoping they are not caught.. that is crazy.. someone could get so close to his bike and put that in.. all speculation i guess as he probably used both bikes and neither did anything.. and from the size and shape of the sponge and the filler bit of the fuel tank it would require at least a bit of a push to insert it given the size and different shapes (stands back and awaits innuendo but couldn't think how else to word it ) Edited July 12, 2016 by Star Lady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzafl Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thanks Gresham that's almost word for word what hubby said too. What confused me was Chris Louis saying it would have no effect and from the size and shape of the sponge and the filler bit of the fuel tank it would require at least a bit of a push to insert it given the size and different shapes (stands back and awaits innuendo but couldn't think how else to word it ) i wasnt thinking inuendo.. but you are bang on right.. how can someone get that close to his bikes to do that.. at a GP the fuel is taken out and replaced before every ride by pit staff but how can his pit crew allow anyone to get that close to do that.. something isnt right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thanks Gresham that's almost word for word what hubby said too. What confused me was Chris Louis saying it would have no effect Chris Louis has something to hide The old Ipswich/Kings Lynn rivalry! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert72 Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 (edited) I did answer on another thread that it would of had an effect on the flow of fuel and I didn't agree with Chris Louis. I also said that bike tampering has happened in the sport over the years many times. Also surely they have CCTV in the pit area. Edited July 12, 2016 by robert72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzafl Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 I did answer on another thread that it would of had an effect on the flow of fuel and I didn't agree with Chris Louis. I also said that bike tampering has happened in the sport over the years many times. not part of a GP surely.. the bikes are watched over apart from at night where security are there and they are on lock down.. so when could it of happened if it happened at all.. tough one answers on a postcard.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 and why did it happen to NKI, as to be honest I cannot see that he is a threat to anyone in the GP at present, no disrespect intended. If indeed it was intended as sabotage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzafl Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 and why did it happen to NKI, as to be honest I cannot see that he is a threat to anyone in the GP at present, no disrespect intended. If indeed it was intended as sabotage. thats my thoughts.. any of the top 4 maybe.. but not NKI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 and why did it happen to NKI, as to be honest I cannot see that he is a threat to anyone in the GP at present, no disrespect intended. If indeed it was intended as sabotage.Apart from he won Cardiff last year ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzafl Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Apart from he won Cardiff last year ..... chris harris won it once as well.. lol.. cant see that being an issue to anyone else.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 chris harris won it once as well.. lol.. cant see that being an issue to anyone else.. One less to worry about perhaps. Who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert72 Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 and why did it happen to NKI, as to be honest I cannot see that he is a threat to anyone in the GP at present, no disrespect intended. If indeed it was intended as sabotage. Whatever the reason tampering with a race bike is putting people in serious danger of being badly hurt and I hope they find who done it and take serious action. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 (edited) Hobnob Smith has hit the nail on the head on the other thread. Must have been robert72, he's told us numerous times how easily he can access all areas. Perhaps he was just too dumb and tampered with the wrong bikes Edited July 12, 2016 by BWitcher 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Always thought there were too many spongers in the pits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 but as chris louis quite rightly said in race cars they have sponge in the tank to stop it unballancing the car.. but i guess they have a fuel pump though.. someone some where will be hoping they are not caught.. that is crazy.. someone could get so close to his bike and put that in.. all speculation i guess as he probably used both bikes and neither did anything.. Are those sponges like for like and are they free-floating and in small pieces? There probably isn't a true comparison here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Whatever the reason tampering with a race bike is putting people in serious danger of being badly hurt and I hope they find who done it and take serious action. Exactly, the authorities should launch an investigation into it. Hopefully they will find some innocent explanation but where safety is concerned it has to be taken seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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