The Syko News
The development continuesWith the issues of testing in 2005 behind us, including sourcing and fitting a Bentec gear box as the original gear box was not changing out of 1st gear. 2006 was to bring its own problems due to the new found power. The next issue was breaking chains off the line, so a new Zodiac 630 racing chain was fitted. But handling was the major difficulty, and keeping the bike going in a straight line was an impossibility, weights were applied the each side in turn to try and alleviate the problem but to no avail. Thoughts then were concentrated on the rear tyre, it had been in service for several years and even after a hard burnout was smoking a good 1/8 of a mile up the track, it had probably passed its best, so a new Mickey Thompson tyre was fitted, but still it would not go straight. Many post mortems were held and it was agreed that so much power was now being produced it was unlikely that it would ever go straight as it was.
'The Syko' 2 wheels to 3
After a lot of head scratching it was decided the solution was to turn it into a 3 wheeler, but should it have a sidecar, become a trike or should the 2 wheels be at the front? Finally after doing all the calculations Graham decided that 2 wheels on the front would be the best move. And that is why you are looking at 'the 3 wheeler Syko today.. It took a massive effort from Graham and his engineers at Sykes Engineering, who in just a few weeks transformed 'The Syko' from a 2 wheeled Drag Bike to the 3 wheeled Drag Trike seen here. In fact the engineering of this transformation was completed just 30 minutes before setting off for the Carlisle Show, on 23rd July 2006 where it made it's first appearance and did a few engine runs. It completed the 2006 season, but not without a few more trials and tribulations. The picture below was taken at Santa Pod September 2006. This season had been a testing time for The Syko crew, but as each issue raised it's head and was dealt with, it was bringing it closer to that illusive single figure time, just 2 10ths of a second away, as it's previous best time had been a 10.2 standing quarter.
During the winter in preparation for 2007 season, yet another new clutch was designed and built, and the front axle narrowed to assist handling. The new front end works well, but the new clutch, designed to give a better launch was obviously putting more power through the gear box, which was the next casualty, the shaft broke at York Raceway on 6th May, leaving a lot of disappointed spectators, not to mention the crew. True to form the Sykes engineers repaired the clutch in time for East Kirkby on 20th May. In September Graham Sykes broke his arm and as he was the only rider it looked like that was it for the 2007 season. However in discussing the situation with a friend Mike Palfreman, it was decided Mike would take over the riding duties. He is an accomplished rider and a pilot so Graham felt confident in his ability to ride The Syko. His first time out was at York Raceway where he did an 11.2, very respectable for his first run. However on his second attempt the sprocket failed which curtailed racing for the day. A new stronger sprocket was duly made and we went the Avon Park for the end of year bash. Mike did several runs over the two-day meeting and on the very last run of the second day the elusive single figure was achieved, 9.9 at 137 mph.
Over the winter The Syko is to have a complete new exhaust system incorporating silencers ready for 2008 season. to be continued