Customers can become best friends

Customers can become best friends...a story from 2016 which is still ongoing about my buddy Paul Schaeffer.

It all started like this:

serial number plate ending with customer's (Paul's) initials

testing the frame assembly for fit, before shipping

ensuring the tank fits onto the frame without any movement

Paul has been an avid racing motorcycle builder for many years. CMR got to know him through Team Classic Racing USA's captain Dave Crussell. Paul saw the team's new Australian Phillip Island International Challenge bikes being made ready by CMR for the big PIIC Races in January 2016,  and decided to build one. He ordered a CMR Suzuki XR69-GS1100 frame, swing arm, aluminum fuel tank and rear suspension package so he could have the bike ready for testing,then finding a rider for it, for the 2018/19 races in Australia.

fitting the Hindle exhaust to ensure maximum ground clearance

installing the fully floating rear brake torque arm to clear exhaust

Paul's finished colour scheme less fairing left side

Paul's finished colour scheme less fairing right side

Jorge Guerrero testing ground clearance at speed, knee to track

Jorge ready to go!

Jorge Guerrero, Ottis Lance, Paul Schaeffer

Dino Swims and wife Margaret with Jorge

Dino Swims and Ottis Lance

 Here is what the quiet Texan said about the 2019 effort:

• Jorge Guerrero was riding this bike for his very first visit to PI
• David Hirsch assembled the bike for Paul to take to PI in 2019
• Ottis Lance helped assemble the bikes
• Mike Petipas lent his help throughout

All the above are Texas boys. There was also huge support from our Aussie friends.

• Scott Owen, the master engine builder, spent all night before qualifying 2019 to rebuild the engine
• Anthony Bann loaned his entire race kit, tools, tire warmers, etc.
• Paul also mentioned Roger Gunn, Peter 'Bundy' Minahan, Mick Reese and James Ridgeway for putting the team up in their homes
• Paul can't forget Dino Swims who helped tremendously on and off the track. "He is a legend."

For the 2020 campaign in January 2020:

• Jorge Guerrero will be riding again
• David Hirsch has been working nonstop on the bike
• Mike Petipas has been helping with bike preparation again
• Steve Upchurch at Capital Racing Service repaired the 'B' engine in time to ship our crates to Australia
• Keith Hertell at VonHertell in San Antonio tuned the bike with the new carbs

Paul will have the support of his Aussie friends in 2020

In a recent text was Paul's final note of thanks, much appreciated by the team at CMR: "If it wasn't for you, Denis Curtis and CMR, none of this would be possible."