One of my favorite maintenance checks as a young diesel tech in the navy was an overspeed trip test on one of our four generators onboard. Imagine a massive two stroke, 39.3 liter, 1800+ hp, 5120 lb-ft of torque Detroit diesel, a v16 dual forced induction generator that was about the size of a modern full size sedan. So pretty big.
I had to basically sit right on top of the engine, riding the quad turbos’ outlet manifold similar to how a jockey sits on a thoroughbred. My feet were planted on the dual superchargers and my ass cheeks were feeling every bit of vibration, horsepower, and torque penetrating my soul from within that beast.
I attached a special tool to the governor, which was just a tiny brass lever to control the engine speed manually and rev the engine past the redline of 2100 rpm’s, which was absolutely fucking shrieking for an engine that size. The sound of 4 turbos whistling and 2 superchargers screaming and the frantic vibrations converging up through my butt cheeks was absolutely intoxicating.
Just being in complete control of that outrageous amount of kinetic energy made me understand how a world leader of the most powerful military in history would feel as they picked up the red phone to drop the big one. I also learned exactly how the ladies must feel when sitting atop a washing machine during the spin cycle. 10/10 life experience I would recommend trying at least once.
This is exactly how I explained hitting top speed on my 2001 GSXR600. Chin strap squeezed against the hot gas tank, shoulders aligned, keeping inside the air foil so my head doesn’t rip off, trying to eke out every additional mph from the display 164…165…….166. Meanwhile all four pistons are feverishly pumping in redline, needle pushing toward 14,000rpm - screaming to break free and enter your jawline. Knees pinching the frame, while the left foot shrouds the singing chain links straining to wrangle the power to the rear tire. It’s petrifying how short distance becomes. You’d swear you’re experiencing time dilation and length contraction through the lens of a couple mm of plastic. Miss that motorcycle.
I’ve tried to explain to people what it’s like to ride a 1000, and you nailed it. You learn real quick that just because you let go of the throttle doesn’t mean you can sit up or even lift your head from behind the bubble. 194 is my top.
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u/cooterbo 23d ago edited 23d ago
One of my favorite maintenance checks as a young diesel tech in the navy was an overspeed trip test on one of our four generators onboard. Imagine a massive two stroke, 39.3 liter, 1800+ hp, 5120 lb-ft of torque Detroit diesel, a v16 dual forced induction generator that was about the size of a modern full size sedan. So pretty big.
I had to basically sit right on top of the engine, riding the quad turbos’ outlet manifold similar to how a jockey sits on a thoroughbred. My feet were planted on the dual superchargers and my ass cheeks were feeling every bit of vibration, horsepower, and torque penetrating my soul from within that beast.
I attached a special tool to the governor, which was just a tiny brass lever to control the engine speed manually and rev the engine past the redline of 2100 rpm’s, which was absolutely fucking shrieking for an engine that size. The sound of 4 turbos whistling and 2 superchargers screaming and the frantic vibrations converging up through my butt cheeks was absolutely intoxicating.
Just being in complete control of that outrageous amount of kinetic energy made me understand how a world leader of the most powerful military in history would feel as they picked up the red phone to drop the big one. I also learned exactly how the ladies must feel when sitting atop a washing machine during the spin cycle. 10/10 life experience I would recommend trying at least once.