tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32238066685254203852024-03-19T09:11:04.727+00:00Black Dub RacingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-3476883293568875392017-11-24T17:04:00.001+00:002017-11-24T17:04:14.781+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Small Update</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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Hi all</div>
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Well with the season over it's time to get busy in the garage.</div>
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It's funny, I read an interview with Guy Martin the other day in which he said that racing was a bit like groundhog day, in that when the season finishes, the next one starts with getting bikes preped. How right he is.</div>
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My first job was to have a look at what needs doing to my 600, which I'm 90% sure I will be using instead of my 400 next year.</div>
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The last time out for her was at Tandragee last year, as at Cookstown the following weekend she had developed a leaking fork seal,so wasn't taken out.</div>
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I fixed the leak so took her to be put on the Dyno to sort the fuelling, something which I'd never had done on her before.</div>
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So I loaded her up and took her to Double Take Motorcycles in Southampton, who do all my Dyno work.</div>
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I got a call from them to say she was only putting out 87hp, standard they are over 100hp, and with a race can and performance air filter mine should've been even higher.</div>
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I brought her home and checked the compression, all was well there. I checked the timing, and again all was good, so the mystery started.</div>
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I read that a clogged fuel filter had similar effects as to what mine was suffering.</div>
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Basically they make great power, but once they get to about 11k revs, it just runs out of steam.</div>
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Kawasaki don't list a fuel filter for mine, as it's part of the pump. But luckily some detective work paid off and I found one.</div>
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Once fitted it was back down to the Dyno.</div>
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Again, only 87hp.</div>
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Luckily the guys had a road ZX6R in for some work, so after much faffing around we got the ECU off and tried my ECU on their bike.</div>
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Sadly because of all the anti theft electrickery that is on bikes these days, it wouldn't even prime the fuel pump, so it all had to come back off again.</div>
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Fair play to the guys for all the help they gave me, and cups of coffee. To let me crack on and do the work myself, which obviously saved me a bundle of cash, was a real bonus.</div>
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Still we did come to the conclusion that the problem lay with the ECU.I had noticed that mine had a red sticker on and their one had a black one, which got us thinking.</div>
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So with her loaded up I set off home and this morning fired up the interweb to see what I could find.</div>
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The best thing I found was the phone number for Cradley Kawasaki, who I've bought loads of stuff off for my 400 in the past.</div>
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The guys there were also a great help, and after telling me that the frame number I gave them was for a 400, thought it couldn't get any worse as it now looked like it had a dodgy number, they then did some digging and found out that it was originally an import form America.</div>
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Guess what? American bikes are limited to 85hp. So that was one question answered.</div>
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Now how do I sort this?</div>
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In short the Americans don't use the same anti theft device we do here, so it's not a case of simply getting a full power ECU. I can't even have the ECU reflashed as they are designed not to have this done to them.</div>
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So the only way to solve it, is to buy a UK ECU and wiring loom, and fit this. I only wanted the fuelling checked!!!</div>
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So I'm now on the hunt for these bits. Still if it means that I'll get another 20hp, happy days. After all 20hp down on the rest of the field is a massive disadvantage.</div>
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I had hoped to do a track day at Brands in a couple of weeks if the weather held, but think I will be better off sorting the bike and doing one next year to see how she rides with the extra horses.</div>
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So with the 600 sulking, I decided to move onto the minitwin, as I want to put new rings in her.</div>
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Luckily she came apart easily and she is now sat waiting for the rings and gaskets to arrive for fitting, which will hopefully be next week.</div>
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In other news, I've seen that next years Manx Grand Prix will have two lightweight races, as opposed to the one they usually have.</div>
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I'm going to put an entry in, and fingers crossed will get an ride.</div>
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All I hope is that this will be a separate race, so more people can race, and it's not just going to be a repeat of the lightweight race held earlier in the week. But nothing would surprise me with The Manx these days.</div>
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Talking of which, I wrote to the deputy clerk of the course to ask if there was a reason why I can't seem to get an entry. She passed it on to The Manx Motorcycle Club, who replied that I'd just been unlucky. Not really the answer I wanted, as I found out that there are about half a dozen guys who I race in the same class with at the Southern, and I do better times than they, and beat, get an entry for The Manx and I don't. It can't be because my face doesn't fit, as it was shaped by one of their Doctors!</div>
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So there you have it, I've not been lazing around watching Jeremy Kyle in the down time, I have been busy, and hopefully some, if not all, my hard work will pay off.</div>
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Until next time, when it will be all good news.</div>
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Take it easy.</div>
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Ta</div>
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Stuart</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-61114606395230563752017-10-11T19:49:00.000+01:002017-10-11T19:49:11.888+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Thruxton 7th October</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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Hi all</div>
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</div>
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So after what seems
like 5 minutes, it was off to my last race of the season.</div>
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</div>
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I set off and after
almost 15 minutes I reached Thruxton on Friday evening with Stuart,
who was there to give me a hand getting scruitneered.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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With the bike and
leathers all checked, I signed on and was still home in time for The
Simpons at 6 o’clock.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Saturday morning I
met up with Steve, who was going to come up by bike, but the weather
was wet, so he came by car instead.</div>
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</div>
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This meant it was a
swap to wet tyres for the first practice session.</div>
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</div>
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I got to the holding
area early so switched the bike off. Come time to go out and she
wouldn’t start.</div>
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</div>
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Luckily I got a bump
start from a chap so set off. Sadly I only got as far as the chicane
and she cut out, and refused to start so had to be recovered at the
end of the session.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Back in paddock we
tried in vain to bump her, so swapped to a spare starter motor which
I had after she played up at Cadwell earlier in the year.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Luckily she fired
first time and I managed to get out for practice.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I’m glad I got out
as she felt loads better compared to last year, bearing in mind the
forks were bent back then.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Back to the paddock
and there was just time to top up with petrol and I was back out
again.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I got a decent start
and stayed with the pack for the majority of the race, having some
good battles with some guys.</div>
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</div>
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I finished 18<sup>th</sup>
out of 25, so was quite pleased with that, especially as I did a lap
7 seconds quicker than last year.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I had quite a few
visitors who came by to say hello, including two armed with cameras.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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So I’d like to
thank Mark and Rob for these pictures of me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstr9s33Hg2K3falFkCXRHyydXZ5h9GkNyR7ChjrDZA7lPvDf-hDu6Xr9WBFDvH2Of5by0q-tWyO1BrENAUW_f_Jm-NYTzFm5Y1E5LuPDdf0m5Pn4oPTK1u6bGYGznosjAUF1A_lnPKck/s1600/IMG_1042_preview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstr9s33Hg2K3falFkCXRHyydXZ5h9GkNyR7ChjrDZA7lPvDf-hDu6Xr9WBFDvH2Of5by0q-tWyO1BrENAUW_f_Jm-NYTzFm5Y1E5LuPDdf0m5Pn4oPTK1u6bGYGznosjAUF1A_lnPKck/s320/IMG_1042_preview.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQIu8xD3hnFQqPB33tB-8uEbF_QgSL_5lDfiMgcH2qOxowrts1vqrvaLhT3ehFK1aqwdD4wWTLjQ7QkVVVuJOyRZKlZeiIhyphenhyphenvvNB2nDHCAY7RzL74Zuu4CzplfUI6eOTuIHQ2EVxrH38/s1600/IMG_1054_preview+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQIu8xD3hnFQqPB33tB-8uEbF_QgSL_5lDfiMgcH2qOxowrts1vqrvaLhT3ehFK1aqwdD4wWTLjQ7QkVVVuJOyRZKlZeiIhyphenhyphenvvNB2nDHCAY7RzL74Zuu4CzplfUI6eOTuIHQ2EVxrH38/s320/IMG_1054_preview+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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I had to wait until
the last but one race for my second outing of the day, thought it was
going to get dark before I got out again.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Luckily the sun
stayed around until my second race. I started further down the grid
due to my finish in the first race but got away ok.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Sadly I still suffer
from losing my way once I lose the tow, so ended up having a lonely
race, still didn’t finish last, but felt I should’ve been further
up the finishing order.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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All in all it was a
good meeting, obviously helped by being just down the road, just a
shame that there are not more meetings there.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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So that was the last
race and it’s now time to start on my Winter jobs list, which is
shaping up nicely.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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I will keep you up
to date as I whittle the list down, as well as what my thoughts are
as to what my plans will be for next year.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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So until then, take
care</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheers</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-91823474617288964032017-09-25T19:33:00.000+01:002017-09-25T19:33:08.053+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Cadwell Park 16th & 17th September</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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Hi all</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well it was back to Cadwell Park for my last visit of the year, so hoped to end on a high.</div>
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Sadly I woke up on Friday to monsoon type conditions.</div>
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I managed a couple of practice sessions, but it was more a case of survival than getting any valuable track time.</div>
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The only outcome was I manged to not come off, which is more than a lot could say at the end of the day.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'd hoped that the clouds had rained themselves out so that Saturday would be better, but no such luck and Saturday was just as wet. I still went out for qualifying, but didn't even complete a lap as it was so wet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I felt my decision was justified as my first race was just as wet, which I'd decided to sit out due to the conditions, and was just no fun.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The trouble was that the circuit would just start to get dry and then it would tip it down again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The second race was due to start just after another down pour, so didn't go out, which was a shame as by the time the race got under way it had started to dry out a bit.</div>
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I checked with the race office that I would still be able to race Sunday as long as I qualified in the morning, which was confirmed.</div>
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Sunday started wet again, so I just wobbled around for the session, but at least I could race.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The day got better as it went on and by my first race, dry tyres were back on so I lined up at the back of the grid, as I expected after my qualifying session.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The race went well, but couldn't make up any places as everyone just got further and further away from me. I wasn't surprised that I'd only manged a best time of 5 seconds slower that I've been round before.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The second race didn't go any different, so was frustrated that I didn't get anywhere near my fastest time around there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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After getting home I think I may have found the problem.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was under the impression that I was running 14/46 gearing, however I actually had a 45 on the rear.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I checked my records and have noted down that I did my fastest time on a 45, but in my mind am convinced that I had a 46 on the rear, which means I may have written down the wrong number, as on both my visits since I went fastest, I've used a 45 and not gone any quicker.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This coupled with my lack of practice due to the weather may have been the answer, or so I hope.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh well I can't do anything about it now until next year now, which is a shame.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Still hopefully I will be able to make up for it at my last meeting of the season at Thruxton on 7th October.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At least this year I will be turning up with straight forks, which is more than I had last year, so that should help.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fingers crossed it doesn't rain for that one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Hopefully see a few of you there.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-73575644686998488542017-08-09T21:11:00.002+01:002017-08-09T21:11:51.060+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Cadwell Park 5th & 6th August</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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Hi all</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well last weekend it
was off to Cadwell for another weekends racing with the Auto 66 club.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The last time I
raced with Auto 66 was Scarborough back in 2013. That weekend didn’t
work out how I planned, so I hoped this weekend would be better.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
John and I arrived
on Friday evening and set up camp in what seemed to be a very empty
paddock.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After making home,
we had a walk around the paddock.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At this point I was
somewhat concerned as I only saw half a dozen bikes, most of the
paddock was taken up by go karts.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
John actually asked
if I had the correct weekend.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Still when we got up
Saturday my concerns were laid to rest as there were more bikes than
we’d seen the previous evening, which was a bit of luck.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
John took the bike
for technical inspection, only to arrive back shortly as the rear
brake wasn’t working.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After an adjustment
on the rear master cylinder all was working, so was given the all
clear to race.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hZU8OjSXqPdMGTUmy8N_b0uPyYYwzQx6YE2c1bxGd1zKag9UzM2xT24HXRzkHROMorQ0hbtmSsDLY2CFOhmtwCkgvv76UM8wdS-hCkTDGY-X5WPU-V09ESl6KrzU95nwjo4HdulvEFM/s1600/WP_20170805_13_53_46_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hZU8OjSXqPdMGTUmy8N_b0uPyYYwzQx6YE2c1bxGd1zKag9UzM2xT24HXRzkHROMorQ0hbtmSsDLY2CFOhmtwCkgvv76UM8wdS-hCkTDGY-X5WPU-V09ESl6KrzU95nwjo4HdulvEFM/s320/WP_20170805_13_53_46_Pro.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Not only did John twirl spanners, he was also the team barrista for the weekend, bringing his posh coffee pot with him</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I headed down to
practice and was amongst a wide variety of machines, which was just
as well as there were only 5 Minitwin/Supertwins listed in the
programme.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Practice went well
and had a good dice with a guy on a supertwin, eventually getting the
better of him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So it was time for
my first race, which I didn’t get a great start in and found myself
amongst a load of CB900’s and GSXR750’s.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The CB’s had
handlebars roughly half the width of the track, so overtaking was
interesting. Still I got passed a couple and had a good race with a
guy on a GSXR750.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Times were a couple
of seconds off what I had done before, which I put down to a
different gear ratio I was trying.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When we got the
times I decided to go back to the previous gear set up to improve my
times.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In The second race I
was quicker, but still not as fast as had been, but I did have a good
race with the guy on the Supertwin who I’d practiced with earlier.
I was actually quicker than him on lap times and had a faster race
time, but just couldn’t get passed him. He crossed the line 3
tenths of a second before me, it was that close.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sunday started with
another practice and I was 6<sup>th</sup> quickest overall, and
second fastest SV650, which was good, so I hoped grid positions would
be done on this, but sadly it was taken from finish positions from
the Saturday race, so started in 13<sup>th</sup>, unlucky for some.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I managed to get a
good start and saw the supertwin not get a great start, so was happy
to be in front of him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Things were going
well until I tipped into a fast right hander, called ‘Charlies 2’.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As I tipped in I hit
something so had to stand the bike up, which caused me to run onto
the grass.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve run onto the
grass before and thought I was safe, until the front went down a
rabbit hole and I went over the handle bars. So decided it was
probably best just to lay her down, which I did.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When I got up I saw
the bike that hit me. Yes you’ve guessed it, it was the supertwin
I’d been racing with.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We were both put in
the ambulance and taken for a check up by the track Doctor. Whilst in
the ambulance the rider told me he went for a gap which wasn’t
there so had no choice but to run into me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As you can see from
the picture below how close he was, the black mark up the arm of my
leathers, is off his tyre.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QWcQEA4e2yk3cNTxn34DisPxG9VOcDa8uKj0v2RR2TFMIdrPg4QvVvDPDjCABG_T3S-D4QgRAzb_RjAhEnuiskOunMNAR6dfYXQ_RuiqAOwPeMHJICsqmgjLj6GH5mDmYn0Swm4_AmA/s1600/WP_20170808_19_07_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QWcQEA4e2yk3cNTxn34DisPxG9VOcDa8uKj0v2RR2TFMIdrPg4QvVvDPDjCABG_T3S-D4QgRAzb_RjAhEnuiskOunMNAR6dfYXQ_RuiqAOwPeMHJICsqmgjLj6GH5mDmYn0Swm4_AmA/s320/WP_20170808_19_07_37_Pro.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Luckily we were both
given the all clear by the doctor, so set about repairing the bike.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Luckily it was
mostly levers that took the brunt of the impact, those that couldn’t
be replaced, were hammered back into shape.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the bike fixed
I set off for the second race.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I wasn’t at my
best as I banged my knee when I came off, and as time went on it
started to stiffen up and got harder to push down on.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Got a good start and
it was more a case of making sure that there wasn’t any other
damaged that we hadn’t seen, my biggest fear was the forks could
have been bent, but luckily they hadn’t.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Had
a good battle with a few different guys, but still didn’t improve
my previous visits time, but I wasn’t that surprised by that, all
things considered.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was a strange
meeting and just didn’t really feel like it was a proper meeting
for some reason. It was well run and relaxed, but just seemed to be
missing something for me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So I now have a few
things that need some attention and I’m currently waiting for my
knee of many colours to arrive, which is coming on nicely.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All being well I’m
out at Cadwell next in September, so hopefully I’ll get the bike
all sorted by then.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheers
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-12600469185839771982017-07-21T15:40:00.002+01:002017-07-21T15:40:53.513+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Southern 100 Highlights, Part Two</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hi all</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For those of you who enjoyed the highlights last night, part two is on same time next week, Thursday, ITV4, 8pm.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-90559911679610013432017-07-18T19:28:00.001+01:002017-07-18T19:28:41.173+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Southern 100 Highlights On TV</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hi all</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just found out that ITV4 are showing highlights of this years Southern 100 at 8pm, Thursday 20th July.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Keep your eyes peeled for number 99.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-79464451944281597682017-07-17T16:19:00.001+01:002017-07-17T16:20:05.119+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Southern 100</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hi all.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’m writing this
whilst looking out of the window, with a view of Snaefell. So yes,
I’ve been racing at The Southern 100 on the Isle Of Man.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Neither Steve nor I
could believe it was a year since we were last here, seems like
yesterday. Sunday was the usual scruitineering, and chance to catch
up with some familiar faces.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Was good to catch up
with some of the guys who I raced with over in Ireland over the last
couple of years, and hear the latest news, which included the
concerns around the paddock about if Killalane will run, still
doesn’t sound hopeful.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Anyway to Monday
practice.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Both bikes went
through technical inspection ok and so was due out on 400 first.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She seemed a little
reluctant to start but when running sounded ok. As soon as I left the
dummy grid I knew there was something wrong, but hoped it just needed
a run to clear her as she felt as if she wasn’t running on all
cylinders.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was quite clear
she wasn’t going to clear, so ran her back to the paddock.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Luckily I spotted
the problem straight away, a wire had come out of the connector to
one of the coils, so a nice easy fix.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We ran her back to
be checked over, only to be asked by one of the scruitneers, “what’s all this oil?”</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So it was back to
the van to investigate.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It looked serious
and as I was out soon and the second 400 practice was looming, I
realised that it wasn’t going to get fixed, so that was the end of
the 400 for the week.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It’s really
annoying as the engine had ran fine last year and hasn’t been apart
since then, so what is the matter I really don’t know.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Still, it was now
time to take the 650 out.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She was running fine
and I was catch the 4 guys that had set off in two groups ahead of
me, so was feeling good.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Before I went out
the forecast was for local showers, so when I got spots of water on
the screen I didn’t worry. Shortly after my foot slid off the
footpeg, so I then started to think it wasn’t rain.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Looking down at my
temperature gauge my fears were confirmed, she was over heating, so
pulled in and waited to be collected by the course car.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Word of advice to
the organisers, please don’t get course cars with leather seats in
to collect riders, as race leathers on leather seats have the same
amount of friction as ice.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This resulted in me
spending half the ride back behind the passenger, and the other half
behind the driver, all the time trying to get my seat belt to
connect.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the plus side,
the water from the radiator did wash off the oil from the 400, so all
worked out nicely in the end.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the bikes
loaded we headed off to base to have a think about what we were going
to do.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tuesday morning
arrived and we set about checking the 650 over. I drained the oil and
what I put in came out, so no excess fluid had got into the engine,
which happened the last time I had problems with the cooling system.
Likewise the water level stayed in the same place in the radiator, so
more good news.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Steve had found out
that SV’s are prone to getting airlocks in the radiator if filled
too quickly.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve filled the
rad many times and had no problems, but on this occasion it was
looking like that I had managed to trap some air in there.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As we could find
nothing else we headed back to the paddock for practice to see if we
had cured the problem.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Practice went well,
and despite endlessly watching the temperature gauge, I managed to
knock a second off my previous fastest time around the circuit, which
I was very happy with.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the way back we
worked out what the qualifying time was, and I was well under it, so
happy days.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We went to the race
office on Wednesday to see what grid position I was in and couldn’t see my
number there, so went and asked at the race office.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I was told that I
had qualified, but they were only allowed 32 riders on the grid, and
I qualified 34<sup>th</sup>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
34<sup>th</sup>
doesn’t sound great, but there was 50 entered, so not too
disappointed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Luckily the guy just
in front of me was there and was told that one rider had dropped out,
so I was now 1<sup>st</sup> reserve.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This meant that I
was to take my place on the grid, do the sighting lap, and see how
many had turned up to race.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I did my sighting
lap, and sat anxiously waiting to see if I could race. Luckily I got
the thumbs up, so got my head down.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was a good race
and was just coming onto Great Meadow when the leaders flew passed on
the final lap. Still I was just pleased to have had a race.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the bike loaded
we set off back to base with a smile on our faces.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived at the
paddock on Thursday morning knowing that I may well not be out in the
race today, but luckily Steve said we should get the bike through
scruitineering first and then check with the race office.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This was a wise move
as the scruitineer noticed the tyre valves were loose, so couldn’t
pass me.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We got the wheels
off double quick so new ones could be fitted, whilst Dave Clarke,
went and checked to see if I was racing.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whilst refitting the
wheels Dave came back and told me I was once again reserve for the
Supertwin race, but was on the third row for the Support race, one I
didn’t even know I was in for.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the wheels back
on, bike was checked and passed, so we were good to go.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Again I was lucky
enough to take part in the Supertwin race and had a much better race.
As well as not being lapped, I also knocked another second off my
fastest time, so still improving.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After having a mild
panic about fuel, or lack of, for the extra race, we had loads, all
was looking good.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whilst sat in the
holding area it started to rain, so we hoped it wasn’t going to
last, and luckily it didn’t.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The race started and
from my ninth place on the grid I set off and was 3<sup>rd</sup> into
the first corner, which was great.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I was overtaken by
one guy on a straight and stayed with him through all the corners
only to loose him on the straight again.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My main racing
partner this week was Kevin ‘Irish Ago’ Murphy, and sure enough
he too also overtook me on the straight.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The three of us had
a great dice, which included us being 3 abreast on the brakes into a
corner, and Ago and myself side by side coming out of Cross Four
Ways, and looking across at each other whilst willing our bikes to
accelerate quicker than the other.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When we crossed the
line the three of us were covered by just over a second, which was
great after such a good race.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I eventually
finished 6<sup>th</sup>, and had improved my time by another 3
seconds, so a cracking race all in all.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When I caught up
with Ago later, he admitted that we were level ability wise, but his
bike just had the extra speed on mine, which was a nice compliment as Ago was one of the guys who was way ahead of me the first time I
raced the course.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So by the end of the
week I’d finished all 3 races I started in, improved my lap time by
5 seconds in total, and got another finishers medal.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLPYsg1VqzHb94xu8UiTDwCuuYV4JturZH1cVQUoXx3_nzMn4iBZXv5k6nvcpVra2zTPtMHlUE9XrtC7BUdUwA6UBI4EavIeLtheNoNmkcmeFNQcML_tgCNXMPEww-1jXTMgmBSjN4VU/s1600/WP_20170714_17_29_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLPYsg1VqzHb94xu8UiTDwCuuYV4JturZH1cVQUoXx3_nzMn4iBZXv5k6nvcpVra2zTPtMHlUE9XrtC7BUdUwA6UBI4EavIeLtheNoNmkcmeFNQcML_tgCNXMPEww-1jXTMgmBSjN4VU/s320/WP_20170714_17_29_37_Pro.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
Another for the collection</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If you had told me
at the end of Monday evening, with a broken bike either side of me,
that by the end of the week I would have been faster by 5 seconds
than I’ve ever been around the course before, and that I would have
finished sixth in a race, I’d have thought you were mad, so just
goes to show don’t give up.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I really do think
the extra track time I’ve had this year has helped and think that
if I’d had the extra laps of the practice session I missed, I
could’ve been a bit quicker.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It’s really odd
because, even though I have been round the corners loads of times I
still have to build myself up to going quick around them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For instance, I know
I can go round Stadium Corner with just knocking it down a gear,
however at the beginning of the week, I brake and come down two
gears, why I just don’t know. When I get around it I ask myself why
did I slow down. Strange how the mind works.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So that’s it for
another year, is always a shame when it ends, but hopefully I will be
back next year, but I’m going to have to have a long hard think
about what I will be racing as I now have doubts about if the 400
will last, which is a shame as love riding her., but we will see.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not long to wait for
my next race, as all being well I will be at Cadwell the first
weekend in August back on the Minitwin.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So until then, take
care</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stuart</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-6674563908265568732017-06-09T15:47:00.000+01:002017-06-09T15:47:35.976+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Cadwell Report</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So it was off to Cadwell Park for the next round of the NG Racing championship last weekend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I arrived at the paddock at about 10pm and set about setting up the 'Rayner Hilton' as I was staying there for the weekend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday I woke up later than I thought and set about sorting out the bike.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a bit late to start sorting a non running bike, but I had an idea what was the matter before I set off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Basically to get the bike into the van I start her up, put her in first gear and run her up the ramp.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The day before I left I went to do this but she wouldn't start, just a click from the relay linked to the starter motor. Luckily my neighbour was on hand to help push her up after I had taken the battery off to charge it up, was hoping it was flat, and v twins need a really good battery to get them going.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So first job was to fit the battery, but sadly this wasn't it. Next on the list was to replace the starter relay, which I had brought a spare with me. Sadly this wasn't the issue.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So to plan B, bump her. I used a guy in the paddock roller starter, and sure enough she fired first time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had missed one session, but couldn't be helped.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First session I went out in I felt comfortable and the new gearing was working well, catching, passing and staying with guys rather than just getting passed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During my first session I'd felt something dragging round a right hander, having suffered from dragging the fairing the last time here, I wasn't worried and carried on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I got back to the paddock I had a check on the fairing and was surprised at what I saw.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bGNeSc6chxSsaw_-p7sOZfgW2x0nN5JG_T2RBhDatO3TaEJl5T8PkU8RNCk_aliIpkMDYqO_dKpUWP_qCZc-TRcv5w9BbXBeloIKLNQCbBknysPNmSWiOKpOteZexN540wF6kWQPHdY/s1600/WP_20170602_11_11_53_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bGNeSc6chxSsaw_-p7sOZfgW2x0nN5JG_T2RBhDatO3TaEJl5T8PkU8RNCk_aliIpkMDYqO_dKpUWP_qCZc-TRcv5w9BbXBeloIKLNQCbBknysPNmSWiOKpOteZexN540wF6kWQPHdY/s320/WP_20170602_11_11_53_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the less eagle eyed amongst you, you will notice that there is a piece of gaffer tape with a very circular hole in it. Well, when I put it on it didn't have said hole, so I had the bike over far enough to drag the whole fairing on the floor, and the first bit to touch down was the fairing bolt. I ended up having to replace this every time I came in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, for an extra 10 points, you will see the end of the exhaust clamp bolt has a nice chamfer on the end of it. Yep, this too was touching down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Friday was roasting and all the sessions went well, but as the day went on people take their brains further and further out. The last but one session was carnage. At one point I was overtaken by a guy and he was all over the place. He was quick, but wasn't safe, and sure enough he crashed around a fast right hander, and that was after the red flags were out which means the session has ended.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After practice I had a look at the starter, but there was nothing obvious, oh well at least she bumps easy enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Awoke Saturday to a wet day. First up was practice but seeing as I'd spent all day Friday practicing, and the forecast was to dry up I didn't bother going out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By my first race the track was bone dry, apart from off the racing line under the trees.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was 8th on the grid so hoped for good things. Sadly the race was red flagged on the first lap so we reassembled on the start line. This meant turning the engine off. Luckily I got a push start before the restart, but as I put her into first gear I stalled her. We tried in vain to get her going and I was pushed into pit lane. Luckily she fired up but as I'd missed the sighting lap I had to start from the back of the grid.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Still I had a good race, caught a few, overtook and stayed with a pack of four.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By the end of the race I'd improved my fastest time by 3 seconds, so was well happy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second race was great fun, again with the same four guys, and again improved by another 3 seconds, so 6 seconds in one day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Rayner Hilton</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOLDEKA_3pLOy99t9FF3Vl5w7LqSCuCVyp1IFcijQ9WLFEuA4Z4st3kDmgdBFB6WDE6N-CEvDhbhwPbeHRupnlJRMeVHCpG8geDRTZcSBvz7ho5qk-YufpkyjI9zwU95O5sJj-l4H_GM/s1600/WP_20170603_19_33_16_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOLDEKA_3pLOy99t9FF3Vl5w7LqSCuCVyp1IFcijQ9WLFEuA4Z4st3kDmgdBFB6WDE6N-CEvDhbhwPbeHRupnlJRMeVHCpG8geDRTZcSBvz7ho5qk-YufpkyjI9zwU95O5sJj-l4H_GM/s320/WP_20170603_19_33_16_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the good things about staying in the paddock is that, for once, it was me cooking bacon sandwiches, as is horrible when someone cooks them and you can't have one.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday was another dry day and both races went well. Odd thing was I was with the same group as yesterday, but we all went slower by half a second. Still racing was good and when I looked the times I did, it would have put me mid field with BMCRC, who I raced with earlier in the year, so looking forward to September when they race there again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I maybe up there earlier as Auto 66 are racing at Cadwell in August, so will see how things go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back home and I'm now starting to get ready for The Southern 100 in July. Not much to do to the Supertwin, but the 400 is running, but doesn't seem quite right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It has the engine I rebuilt fitted, but she seems reluctant to start, which is odd for her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I have a couple of weeks to find out what is wrong, and if I can't I will put my spare engine in as I know that one was running fine when I took it out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hope you are all enjoying the coverage of the TT. Have been watching it and can't wait to get back on the roads, so roll on Southern 100.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stuart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-49341391876186946982017-05-24T20:01:00.001+01:002017-05-24T20:01:18.253+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Silverstone & Snetterton</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi all</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sorry I've been a
bit tardy with these reports, but been hectic here, which included a
trip to Scotland for a wedding. amongst other things.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway with this
update you two for the price of one.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So first of all it
was off to Silverstone, a track I last visited 20 years ago.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Arriving fashionably
late on Friday morning I found an empty parking spot next to a power
supply, happy days.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was only after I
set up that I was told that the bay I was in, was reserved for
technical inspection later in the day. Thought it was too good to be
true.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily I was
pointed in the direction of an empty garage by another guy who had
also tried to sneak into this gift horse.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How’s this for a
pit garage? It’s bigger than my house! Felt like I should wipe my
feet every time I walked in.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AtdnBbcnXhdIofZsQxsOkAEgNHRrbcHrmNMI3uhzhwXOLv33BqZlKKSmDAZv2DiUB1ZUcpVecFtF-vZstboy8r279YW4IlB383WvRG6RUHpC6kt4Q8eY_iyKOJO9qHd6ps7hvwqZHr4/s1600/WP_20170428_16_05_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AtdnBbcnXhdIofZsQxsOkAEgNHRrbcHrmNMI3uhzhwXOLv33BqZlKKSmDAZv2DiUB1ZUcpVecFtF-vZstboy8r279YW4IlB383WvRG6RUHpC6kt4Q8eY_iyKOJO9qHd6ps7hvwqZHr4/s320/WP_20170428_16_05_15_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Practice went well
and the bike felt like it was on rails, so was looking forward to
racing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having left the bike
in the garage overnight I returned Saturday morning to find tyre
warmers fitted and plugged in, thanks Brad.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Racing went well
throughout the day and having made the changes to the gearing I
mentioned before, was staying with people a lot longer, but still
didn't finish any further up the field.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So first job Sunday
was to get the bike put on the club dyno, that way I would at least
know if it was the bike or me that was causing the problem.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Good news and bad
news. Good news, bike is making 69.2 BHP, class maximum is 72, so am
close. Bad news, must be me holding the bike up.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Still first race
Sunday was great and was all over one of my usual race partners, but
sadly just couldn't get passed him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also realised that
I was being super smooth with the controls, whereas you should open
the throttle, rather than ease it open.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I tried this in the
second race, but sadly I was arriving everywhere quicker, so had to
work out my braking points again, so second race was a bit of a
disaster, running off the circuit on one instance.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was a bit
disheartened on the way home as felt I should be running further up
the field than I am.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But during the ride
home I realised that it's going to take a while to get back into it.
Just look at Guy Martin, who raced at Tandragee the previous weekend.
He hadn't been to the circuit for 12 years and despite being on a
factory Honda, qualified 17<sup>th</sup>. This was backed up by his
performance at Scarborough.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He's the fastest
person around the circuit, but was 7 seconds behind Dean Harrison.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know our abilities
are worlds apart, but just goes to show, it doesn't take long to
become rusty, so there's hope for me yet.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was also
interesting to see Michael Dunlop at Oulton BSB.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite being the
fastest man around the TT circuit, and fast at every road circuit, he
was 25<sup>th</sup> at Oulton.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This confirmed what
I said before, I'm riding it like a road circuit, not a short
circuit.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So as I'd never been
to Snetterton, my next race, I booked an instructor to give me some
pointers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before Snetterton I
decided that I wanted to put some better brake pads in. This was for
two reasons. Firstly the ones on the bike were showing signs of wear,
and secondly, I haven't got a clue what pads were in there. So
decided to fit the same pads as I run in my Supertwin.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A great evening job,
or so I thought. I removed the pads and thought I could clean the
calipers whilst there. I started to pump the pistons out, and a seal
started coming out as it was stuck to the pistons.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was going to
take more than an evening. Thanks to eBay for being open so I could
order the bits I needed, and thanks to Stuart for building a tool for
blowing the pistons out and also helping me bleed the system when it
was all put back together.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So with the bike all
back in one piece it was off to Snetterton.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I got there I
had a text from Bemsee with the name and contact number for my
instructor, who also gave me a bell to say hello and see what I
wanted to achieve. If any of you race with Bemsee, I can't recommend
this service enough. It doesn't cost anything and is really worth
doing if you want to improve.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I met Dave, my
instructor, on Friday morning at Snetterton. Sadly it wasn't raining
as much as it was a monsoon.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dave set off and
lead me round showing me where the circuit went.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Upon our return he
told me that I needed to relax as I was looking nervous. Too right I
was. I was on a track I didn't know, in the rain trying to follow
someone who knows where he's going, and is fast with it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the next session
Dave followed me and pointed out what he saw as areas I could improve
on.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest area was
that I was entering the corner too late and not using all the circuit
on the exit.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This stems from road
racing as you treat most corners as having a late apex, and you don't
want to run out right to the edge of the road as that's where rubbish
and gravel collect, and also the camber drops away.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So with this in
mind, I set off with Dave behind me. Having taken his points on board
the next session was a lot quicker.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily the guy I
usually race with was also there so Dave said to set off with him and
see how I got on.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It worked, and I
didn't see him after we set off.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So Saturday dawned
and it was time to put what Dave had taught me into practice.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I saw Dave ahead of
me in qualifying, but didn’t manage to stay with him for long, but
being an instructor I didn’t expect to.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I improved my times
in the two practice sessions I had by 7 seconds, so that was a good
start to the day.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The races continued
in the same vein. The guy who I usually race with was in front of me
in the first race, but as we came into the last corner I thought I
could have him. Sure enough I managed to out drag him to the line and
finished about a bikes length ahead of him, result.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The two following
races I was with him I managed to over take him on the first lap of
each race, despite finding neutral instead of second in one race off
the start line, oops. Not only did I overtake him I finished 32
seconds ahead of him in one race.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I played around with
gearing and think I’ve found the best set up for future races,
which sadly there aren’t any this year. Still will be handy next
year.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By the end of the
weekend I did a lap time 12 seconds faster than my fastest lap in the
first practice, which is a good confidence boost.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As well as my times
coming down, at my least favourite corner on the circuit, a left
handed hairpin, by the end of the weekend I was going round with my
knee on the floor, so confidence in my ability is growing too. I also
don’t mind mixing it up with other riders too, and am happy to be
amongst 30 other riders.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know that sounds a
bit odd, but generally I’m used to setting off in groups of about
10 in Ireland. The reason for the difference in numbers is that on a
road circuit you set off in smaller groups because you can’t afford
to put people off line by much more than a foot in some places. On
short circuits you can be 6 foot off line and still be safe.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So all in all a good
confidence boosting weekend and I learnt a lot. Plus I didn’t
finish last in any race all weekend. Small steps, but steps in the
right direction.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to see Dave
and let him know how grateful I was after his tuition, but I couldn’t
find him.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Turns out he’d
fallen off in the first qualifying session and busted his collar
bone.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I phoned him up upon
my return and his first words were, “do as I say, not as I do”.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m back off to
Cadwell next week so hope I can continue my new run of form.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speak soon</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stuart</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-28209200217477651192017-04-12T09:33:00.000+01:002017-04-12T09:33:24.003+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Road Racing On TV</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hi all</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just to let you know that there is a programme on BBC1 Northern Ireland, Wednesday 19th at 10:40pm.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<i>"It’s a way of life. It’s a drug. It’s compared to a big family. There’s a sense of community and togetherness. But when there’s a fatality, the impact can last for months or years.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<i>Every year, more than 300 motorcyclists race on Irish country roads. Most of them are amateurs. A new three-part BBC One Northern Ireland series takes viewers into the racing paddock, to the other side of the race barriers and hedges, to capture the essence and character of the sport of road racing.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<i>Road Riders, starting on Wednesday, April 19 at 10.40pm, reveals the passion, commitment and the enthusiasm of the people behind the sport. It also shows the reality of a sport that is often dangerous, and sometimes, even fatal. The racers, and their families, talk candidly about why they take part in the sport, how they got involved and what drives them to pursue their high-octane pastime.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<i>The series – made by DoubleBand Films, the independent production company behind the feature length film, Road - follows 10 individuals, men and women, across a range of ages, during the course of the 2016 season. Many of those filmed compare road racing to a community or a family. And it’s a sport that can involve a rider’s entire family, brought along to events to help set up, act as mechanic and to cheer on. And to worry.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<i>Viewers hear how the riders can have such a passion for a sport, aware that it carries a risk of tragedy or serious injury. And even when they experience it first-hand themselves they still go back for more.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
<i>While the racers are blasting their bikes around country roads at speeds of up to 200mph, loved ones and families are counting the laps. The series hears how they cope with the wait and the worry for their son, daughter, husband or father to reappear again and make the chequered flag. Why do they go through the agony and allow their loved ones to take part?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I heard about this programme last year and am glad it was made and look forward to seeing it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-6305173525514896642017-04-06T21:44:00.000+01:002017-04-06T21:44:15.564+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Cadwell Park Report</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hi all</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yes I know, another
race report, I’m used to them being months apart, not weeks.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So last weekend it
was off to Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire for 3 days including a test
day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve only been to
Cadwell once and that was in 1994, when myself and some mates, who
had also recently passed their bike tests, decided a race school
would be fun.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All I remember was
we did the short circuit, so not really classed as previous track
experience.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My first impression
was how narrow some of the circuit was,I thought I was looking at a
service road rather than the track.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once out on the
track, it was a great circuit, so was looking forward to the meeting.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We had a small oil
leak from a worn gasket, which meant I missed one session, but by the
end of the day I had started to find a good line around the track and
did a best time of 2:02.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Saturday was dry and
so was looking forward to racing.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
First race, and I
got a reasonable start, but was reeled in before the end of the
straight, so settled down to keep with them, which I managed to do.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It didn’t help
that on one lap I came over the mountain section of the circuit,
where the front wheel lifted as it had on previous laps, only this
time it didn’t go down again quite as quick. Bit of a shock but did
come down in the end.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve since learnt
that there are two lines over the mountain. The fast line and the
good picture line. I’ll stick to the fast line in future.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite this I got
my time down to a 2:00, which was good news.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Second race was
better and I managed to catch and overtake the guy who had been in
front of me in the first race, which was good. But what was better I
managed to finish 14 seconds in front of him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After the race I was
ushered into the ‘dyno que’.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Minitwins are
limited to 72bhp and this is checked on BMCRC’s own dyno to keep
things legal.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bike passed fine,
but I was disappointed to find out that they won’t tell you what
power you are putting out. So all I know is that I’m below 72bhp,
but how much by I don’t know.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve learnt that
no two dynos give the same reading, so is very hard to gauge what
power a bike is truly making. So the only way would seem to be, by
tune the bike a bit, wait until you fail the dyno test, and then
detune it, which seems a silly, and expensive way of doing things.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sundays first race
was a good one and kept up with the two people in front of me. Once
again I couldn’t stay with them on the straights, despite being
level with them on the exit of the last corner. But by the first
corner I was back up with them, and by the time we got to the last
section I felt I was being held up by them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
John who was helping
me this weekend said the same as Steve and James before him, come the
straights and the others clear off. So a bit of research has been
done since I got home and I’ve found I have been way off with my
gearing. The bike seemed to be revving fine, but the gearing I’ve
found would certainly give me more acceleration, which is what I seem
to be lacking, so will be trying this for when I’m out next.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Even though I had
the wrong gearing I still managed to get my time down to a 1:58 in
the first race and a 1:57 in the second, so at least I’m improving.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As well as getting
faster, I’m also leaning over more as this picture shows.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVhz0PNbUi491_y4fDYvCrxcHjaaSLLiVBTnIIHqPhSSUYgkuf0sRDUkaEBW20Etaq3VDPeIXvNx_JNYIHu1s0a0DMtBHWikVN91nz1KZVzY7E-laK0Dqhj6WoXR0S_4-UJkI2TJMXo4/s1600/Fairing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVhz0PNbUi491_y4fDYvCrxcHjaaSLLiVBTnIIHqPhSSUYgkuf0sRDUkaEBW20Etaq3VDPeIXvNx_JNYIHu1s0a0DMtBHWikVN91nz1KZVzY7E-laK0Dqhj6WoXR0S_4-UJkI2TJMXo4/s320/Fairing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yes I’ve ground a
hole in the fairing, which is good as it allows the stones I collect
to drop out, but sadly would also allow oil out should there be any
in there. I will of course be fixing this before I go out next.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All in all Cadwell
was a good weekend with some positives, and a great track, which I
can’t wait to race at again.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I was so excited to
see the differences in what gearing I have been running to what
others are, it has given me hope that with that simple fix I would
like think I will be a bit further up the field, and it is the bike
not working correctly and not just me being slow, but only time will
tell.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Luckily it’s not
long until I’m out again, this time at Silverstone at the end of
the month, and yes I have seen a gearing I will be using this time.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So until then</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheers</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-4667365446840320472017-03-21T19:58:00.000+00:002017-03-21T19:58:05.474+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Brands Hatch Report (Another One)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hi, me again</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So here we are for another Brands report, as I was racing there again this weekend, this time with NG Racing, North Gloucester Racing for those of you of a certain age, and like when I raced with them before I was number 42.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
During the week between racing I had a good look over the bike to see if I could shed any light on my handling problem which I suffered at Thruxton and again at Brands last week, despite having my forks modified after Thruxton.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The forks felt massively better after the work I had done on them, but still had a problem, as I mentioned in my last update.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I changed the wheel bearings which helped, but I also had a thought that the head races were maybe causing the problem.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I lifted the front up, and sure enough the steering was stiff. I slackened off the head races and the steering felt light, as it should, so a nice easy fix.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Whilst checking the front end, I noticed that at some point in their life, the axle had been cross threaded into the fork leg bottom, as you maybe able to see in this picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N9nxEiRNfTntsqz-AugauOQe_wE_fE9dcZTI6LdC2gbheipOy1IKU6BCMGlrPBEslEw4LEXby4u4lk6bx2wrx0NiB6-eTRnQheOLeG4NkxGIvMpZWC4nVLogbL_9PRPLlc5jX6OHjYk/s1600/fork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N9nxEiRNfTntsqz-AugauOQe_wE_fE9dcZTI6LdC2gbheipOy1IKU6BCMGlrPBEslEw4LEXby4u4lk6bx2wrx0NiB6-eTRnQheOLeG4NkxGIvMpZWC4nVLogbL_9PRPLlc5jX6OHjYk/s320/fork.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When a thread is cross threaded, it means that the axle was cutting its own thread in the leg, and not using the thread that was cut in there. In short this means that the axle was not held in as securely as it should have been.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Luckily I had a spare fork bottom, but didn't have the seals and oil needed to swap it before I set off for Brands.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Being the stars they are, JHS Racing, agreed to take the bits I needed to Brands, so that I could do the job there, should I need to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All I could do was hope that I didn't have to change the wheels at Brands.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Upon arrival at Brands on Saturday it was wet, so first job was to swap the wheels, just what I didn't want to do. But luckily the thread held and the axle tightened up with no problems.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Practice was cut short after someone dropped oil on the circuit, but as the weather was due to improve, wet practice wasn't that important.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When it came to the first race the track was still damp, and after last week I er'ed on the side of caution and stayed on wets, but just as I was on the way out the guy next to me came in from his practice and told me it was now dry all around he circuit, but sadly it was too late to change.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I got a decent start and stayed with the pack for a good while, until my tyres gave up and they started to move around under me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
James, who was my pit bitch for the weekend, said he could see the bike moving around as I accelerated, and it got worse as the race went on.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Still I had a good race and felt a lot more comfortable on the bike.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Between races we changed back to dry tyres, and luckily the thread held in the axle again.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second race was dry and again had a good start, and held onto the pack through the race, and I managed to get back to a lap of 1:00.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As soon as I was back to the pits, James and I set about replacing the dodgy fork leg, which went with no hitches, so was pleased that we got it all sorted.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sunday was still dry, but over night I decided to change the gearing as I was running out of gears at the end of the start straight, a sign that I was getting quicker as it meant I was going faster on the exit of the previous corner, so carrying more speed onto the straight.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First race Sunday and the gearing was a good idea. Not only did it help along the straight, but it also meant that between some corners I could hold the same gear rather that changing up, then down again, and all the time the clutch is pulled in, you're losing drive.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was a good race and was less than 2 tenths of a second of a 59 lap, so fingers crossed for the last race.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second race was good but that lap of 59 seconds, still eluded me, but at least my 1:00 laps are consistant now.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So a good weekend all round, and am now looking forward to Cadwell Park in two weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've only ridden Cadwell once before, and that wasn't a race meeting, so I've been watching lots of on board videos to give me an idea of whats in store. So hopefully they, along with a track day on the Friday, will help me for the weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've also been studying photo's of me at Brands to see where I can improve.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My problem would appear that I'm not using my body position correctly, so something to work on.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've also changed the seat unit to the one from my Supertwin. This may seem a waste of time, but the Supertwin seat makes me sit in the bike and not on top of it, as I feel like I am on the Minitwin .I've always preferred sitting in a bike, so hope this will help me with the way I move around the bike, but only time will tell.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you'd like to check out some pictures of me, check out EDP Photography, who is the club photographer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hopefully that is all the jobs done between now and Cadwell, so until the next update take it easy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-76572558978634425432017-03-14T19:49:00.000+00:002017-03-14T19:49:46.132+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Brands Hatch Report</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So it was off to Brands last Friday for the first race of my season, couldn't believe it came round so quick, I'm used to starting my season at the end of April, not early March.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Still, the weather was kind to us and Friday was a test day. This was much needed as I last raced at Brands 18 years ago when I seemed to race there every weekend , so was very rusty.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was a great day though and I got six 15 minute sessions, was great to get so much practice time in.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even after such a long time since I was last there the circuit still went the same way, which was as about as much as I could remember, so had to re learn braking markers, turn in points and apex's, still it all started coming back to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The only problem I had with the bike was the wheel bearings decided to pick Friday to fail on me, which caused some handling problems.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One corner they'd be fine, the next they'd cause a vague feeling in the front end, still I battled on.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
By the end of the day I felt more confident and was ready for Saturday.</div>
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The weather was again good for Saturday and it was off to qualifying.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Qualifying was a 15 minute session, after which I did a best time of 1:04, not great but I wasn't the slowest.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was out for the first race and I had a good race long battle with another guy, who managed to stay in front throughout the race, but fun all the same.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My time improved to 1:01, so was pleased with that.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My second race I got a better start, only to lose it all as a guy on the grid in front of me stalled and was stationary on my line, so had to back off to avoid him, which cost me my tow on the back of the pack, so had a lonely race, which resulted in a lap of 1:02.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Sunday started out as another grand day weather wise, but we'd been promised heavy rain later in the day.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Luckily my first race, was second out, so weather was still good.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I managed to get another good start and had good race, and my time improved to 1:00, which is only 3 seconds off my previous best lap ever around Brands, 18 years ago, so not all bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sundays second race was hit by the weather which we'd promised, but luckily it wasn't as bad as we'd expected, so the track was damp rather than wet.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
As such I stuck with my intermediate tyres, but this was a mistake.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The sighting lap was ok, but as I entered the first corner after the start, the back end of the bike came around on me, so thought it was prudent to call it a day whilst still upright.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was really surprised how slippery the circuit was and honestly thought it wasn't wet enough for full wets. I certainly wouldn't have fitted wets if I'd been racing on the roads, another lesson I've learnt about short circuits.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was a good weekend and have realised how different racing on the roads is to circuits, but am sure I will get back into it with a bit of practice.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Talking of which, I'm off to Brands Hatch again this weekend for another two days of racing, which I'm excited about, fingers crossed all will go well.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the subject of things being crossed, Steve found a use for my hot exhaust</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWovM3ikHAgUVmgeSJ0iRj3prxPa6A11DClj8v9B3-n2Ekplnwdk-pLV0ZtGDezySHlSQd6zSNWNSicwZzryQ4R0yZBpQgMbdwfDBQGnmaDEhfoalj4eddUsB5M-3Zb1fw7-28k3by00/s1600/IMG_20170311_163546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWovM3ikHAgUVmgeSJ0iRj3prxPa6A11DClj8v9B3-n2Ekplnwdk-pLV0ZtGDezySHlSQd6zSNWNSicwZzryQ4R0yZBpQgMbdwfDBQGnmaDEhfoalj4eddUsB5M-3Zb1fw7-28k3by00/s320/IMG_20170311_163546.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Apparently they tasted lovely, and only a little metallic.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you'd like to see some pictures of me in action then check out www.kentbadboyzphotography.co.uk who is the club photographer. I was number 24 in the Minitwins, wearing a white crash helmet, I mention that as Steve kept looking out for me wearing a black one.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not many jobs to do between now and next weekend, luckily, being only a few days to go.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hopefully I will have good stuff to write about next week, and will as soon as I can.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-65683211293774349332017-02-10T17:22:00.000+00:002017-02-10T17:22:24.835+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>2017 Update</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hi all</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Well despite the
cold weather I’ve still been busy in the garage, apparently it was
New Year a few weeks back, but I missed that.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The 400 engine was
in need of lots of attention, and thanks to the great people at OCS
Automotive Services in Winchester, the cylinder head is ready for
fitting to the rest of the engine.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Minitiwn has
come along in leaps and bounds too and one of the jobs I thought
would be a pain turned out quite easy.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The fairing I bought
for it came off an undisclosed GSXR and I was in need for a new
screen for it. Naturally it wasn’t the same as the one on the
Supertwin, so my hunt commenced.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I took the screen to
a bike show at Stoneleigh and asked Suzuki if they knew which model
it came off, but they couldn’t identify it, so I contacted Skidmarx
in Weymouth. I spoke with Ian who asked for a photo of the screen and
he identified it straight away, which was a great surprise.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I’ve also picked
up a Power Commander off a bike forum for a good price, so the
Minitwin is well on the way to being finished, fingers crossed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not only have I been
busy in the garage, but also in front of the lap top, trying to
figure out what racing I hope to do this year.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I realised last year
that I wasn’t getting a great deal of track time, just 5 meetings
last season, so decided I would look to do some circuit racing to
give me more time on the bike, which in turn should make me faster on
the roads.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Most race dates came
out in December so it was time to plan my season.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The biggest cost for
racing in Ireland is the ferry, which costs the same as a race
weekend over here, and in that weekend you get a full practice day
followed by two race days, which comprise of two races each day.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As some of you will
recall, last year I entered Killalane, which was then cancelled
causing me to lose £250 in ferry fees, quite a chunk of cash to
lose, which also made me quite wary about booking others.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The calendar for
this years roads is very sparse, with only 7 national meetings,
Tandragee, Cookstown, Skerries, Faugheen, Armoy,Walderstown and
Dundrod. Killalane was originally on the calendar but this has
already been dropped, which is a real blow, as despite my last visit
I really like this meeting. Kells has also been dropped since the
MCUI released the schedule, due to increased insurance costs, which
is basically killing the sport.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It really doesn’t
give me much confidence in planning to do any of the above for fear
of them being cancelled as well, which I hope doesn’t happen.This is a real shame as I love racing over in Ireland and am going to miss loads of great people over there, but hopefully I will get over at some stage.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As such I decided
that this year I would mainly race circuits and if I can I will pop
over for some roads, if funds allow.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This means that I
will be returning to some circuits which I haven’t raced for a good
few years Brands, Silverstone, and also go to some I’ve not been to
before Snetterton, Cadwell and Donington.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Even though I love
road racing it really isn’t practical this year but I’m still
excited at the prospect of a busy schedule, as you can see from my
race dates above.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I will also be at
Southern 100, all being well, and depending on how I get on, maybe a
trip to Ireland as well. There’s no rush so will just take things
as they come.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I will be racing the
Minitwin on the circuits, and using the Supertwin and 400 on the
roads.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It’s quite strange
as I’ve now joined NG Racing and BMCRC clubs, both of which I raced
with when I first started racing. I’ve also been given number 42 as
my race number, so have almost gone full circle as that was my given
number last time I raced with them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My season is quite
busy, with my first meeting with BMCRC at Brands Hatch on 11<sup>th</sup>
March, so not much time to get those last minute jobs done.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Talking of which, I
hear the garage calling.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So until next time</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stuart
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-30922841969535057662016-12-26T11:00:00.002+00:002016-12-26T11:00:43.298+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">A Short Tale</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, one sunny July evening Mr. Piston was enjoying a nice trip along the wonderful roads of The Isle Of Man, just outside Castletown to be precise.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He was feeling rather good, going up and down, and all was good with his world.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He could hear his next door neighbour doing the same, and it was a nice feeling that he was flying along one of his favourite roads, doing what he was designed to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There he was lost in his own little world when he got an unexpected surprise.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was Mr. Valve.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Hi,remember me, Mr. Valve, you said if I was ever passing to drop in.'</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And drop in he most certainly did, at about 14,000 rpm.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I finally got to strip the head and piston out of my 400 engine that went pop at this years Southern 100, and this is what I found.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGC1X36RqFtHRGmm5w15Dcgmj9Hkxz_QKYRhsgBu_dcuSzyjgjDgbPBMeuFBG4Nc6SxzF0FuXe_hLA36qcsGFRswZfXIdJbwf5KWEsmsxJcp31mbwwaIFLTkn03d90aa-B1YD9oYfjOY/s1600/Barrels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGC1X36RqFtHRGmm5w15Dcgmj9Hkxz_QKYRhsgBu_dcuSzyjgjDgbPBMeuFBG4Nc6SxzF0FuXe_hLA36qcsGFRswZfXIdJbwf5KWEsmsxJcp31mbwwaIFLTkn03d90aa-B1YD9oYfjOY/s320/Barrels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWey9i_SAiVQnCQkXw2l-wAcrJu3jb8W_pp7YbWHeWfv8mHE4CdDIGMmoYUeaOXZPZzVMBSfWswIJmm_FXR0E4nuNVaVXRcO8QKOHPssjQ2A3Wtz5LZgRSxcS7P-H8ZPuJ1S2969J_VtA/s1600/piston1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWey9i_SAiVQnCQkXw2l-wAcrJu3jb8W_pp7YbWHeWfv8mHE4CdDIGMmoYUeaOXZPZzVMBSfWswIJmm_FXR0E4nuNVaVXRcO8QKOHPssjQ2A3Wtz5LZgRSxcS7P-H8ZPuJ1S2969J_VtA/s320/piston1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPznySuOEXqkCXLsmLQa7kOH_JNbd2COEyHykom0hG120OuzpmobqgU5_ERed8kpBq_jXQ_LVnz-XGuTJzewPk8Jgx9rIyhNrvkpan1HTDInqTxBXnbWPgOiqlN-u6SGEJrfWM08LpU9c/s1600/piston2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPznySuOEXqkCXLsmLQa7kOH_JNbd2COEyHykom0hG120OuzpmobqgU5_ERed8kpBq_jXQ_LVnz-XGuTJzewPk8Jgx9rIyhNrvkpan1HTDInqTxBXnbWPgOiqlN-u6SGEJrfWM08LpU9c/s320/piston2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A bit of a mess, to say the least.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So now starts the rebuild, and as it's apart I will try and squeeze some more power from her, seems rude not to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Luckily I have quite a few spare engine bits as they are starting to become harder to find, but have enough for a couple more rebuilds.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's a shame as there was talk of running a 400 class at The Classic TT next year, but that isn't going to happen, but am sure there will be a 400 class on the roads.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Luckily I enjoy rebuilding engines so it will be no hardship.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some bits are already being prepared so I will update as we move along.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So with Christmas over, it's back to the garage for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have a great New Year and am already looking forward to the new season, just hope I will be ready for it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stuart</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-45276978999475947542016-10-28T16:23:00.000+01:002016-10-28T16:23:34.972+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Fun With Fibre Glass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well it's all been
busy here at Black Dub HQ, and for a change it's not involved
spanners and oil, but fibre glass.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked up a GSXR
fairing off 'the bay of e', but it was in quite a sorry state, hence
why I got it for £35.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The seat unit was
ok, it just needed a few holes filling and new ones drilling to mount
it onto the Mini Twin. The top fairing was a bit bashed about, so
just needed a few cracks filling and making pretty, but the belly pan
was in a bit of a mess.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I collected it
the guy said he didn't know which model Gixxer it came off as it was
fitted to a Kawasaki when he got it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As such whoever had
fitted it had cut the belly pan down the middle and loped the rear
end off it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now to be suitable
for racing, the belly pan has to hold the contents of the sump, in
the event of it leaking, so a lot of work had to be done to make it
water tight again.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily my Dad is a
trained boat fitter, so what he doesn't know about fibre glassing
isn't worth knowing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a kid my Dad was
repairing a boat he had bought, so I remember many a day helping him
mixing resin and laying fibre glass. This is also where my love of
the smell of fibre glass came from.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with the
knowledge I had I set about fixing the fairing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ideally I would've
had a mould to work from, but no such luck, so had to build it free
hand.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After purchasing an
industrial size amount of matting and resin, a hefty £15, I started
to work out how I was going to tackle this.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly I made 3
pieces of fibre glass sheet by laying the matting on a piece of
glass, so I would have a nice flat side. So the resin doesn't stick
to a mould, you should use a special polish, I found Mr Sheen works
just as well.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sheets turned
out fine, but I realised that attaching them to the fairing would be
a pain, so it was back to the drawing board. After a chat with my Dad
I realised I could cut one big piece of matting, attach it to the
fairing and then use my glass mould technique to make the sides and
the bottom of the belly pan.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbHtEQdv_y3Tu4-nnRACC2wpQ-VVvX4WfdGnqQZZUIJgEJf_Z3I5oV7cUcwksbTgAFOQl4MN1bigfSSMGjsE2oMMMf5eGkeSdHDWDEWfWntbPrZc2jBFuMeOrBT-RR8BIfoFlHDZGMVc/s1600/FB4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbHtEQdv_y3Tu4-nnRACC2wpQ-VVvX4WfdGnqQZZUIJgEJf_Z3I5oV7cUcwksbTgAFOQl4MN1bigfSSMGjsE2oMMMf5eGkeSdHDWDEWfWntbPrZc2jBFuMeOrBT-RR8BIfoFlHDZGMVc/s320/FB4.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So over 3 evenings I
managed to mould the two sides and the bottom in one piece. This just
left the end piece. Luckily I hadn't thrown out the 3 bits I had made
earlier, and one of these, when cut to shape, fitted perfectly. It
was then just a case of attaching this to the belly pan, which was
simple enough.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4yUbcaRRFJFAr6gWt3pWT0Pw_xsTW_tQ_DKWGCyI9TgE2E6WhseBazma8-G-n3vcBB0_YiS81B6IBmqTgYo10sAO8L9Hpid52OpYQTJ4Tn3oJ-pCWaaBWQ19QQ869ACAIOra3gZS1Oo/s1600/FB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4yUbcaRRFJFAr6gWt3pWT0Pw_xsTW_tQ_DKWGCyI9TgE2E6WhseBazma8-G-n3vcBB0_YiS81B6IBmqTgYo10sAO8L9Hpid52OpYQTJ4Tn3oJ-pCWaaBWQ19QQ869ACAIOra3gZS1Oo/s320/FB1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGY_l3DarrxtlaKGw4yGI2Ocm-orkIbfR2sIyEhDtpD7fPd6yBOwLedITc2q4IPcy-cTM8MXEx34xI_DH_hOiWiu58qCste_oCVluzPINWqtlKAV72IGrrhFn4mgL43hr05xsLXFdJPyk/s1600/FB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGY_l3DarrxtlaKGw4yGI2Ocm-orkIbfR2sIyEhDtpD7fPd6yBOwLedITc2q4IPcy-cTM8MXEx34xI_DH_hOiWiu58qCste_oCVluzPINWqtlKAV72IGrrhFn4mgL43hr05xsLXFdJPyk/s320/FB2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA1xBvC8jRzySRq0XtXuqOF2VoJrSlWRCjhPsmnXBn3Yxx1YxtjAYMk4t-MM7x6kp4aVoZg6ltm1VgWgAYgZL-5j5uK0-PrINxR7e5c7xPdsWaxY9Xr9kzicpcxk9VGAFb6S5XkgANG4/s1600/FB3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA1xBvC8jRzySRq0XtXuqOF2VoJrSlWRCjhPsmnXBn3Yxx1YxtjAYMk4t-MM7x6kp4aVoZg6ltm1VgWgAYgZL-5j5uK0-PrINxR7e5c7xPdsWaxY9Xr9kzicpcxk9VGAFb6S5XkgANG4/s320/FB3.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With it all dried,
and as one piece I offered it up to the bike, and with minimal
fettling, it fitted great.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a lot of
making good needed, but that's ok body filler is quite cheap.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall I'm really
pleased with the way it has turned out. It's not great but does the
job, and once painted, you'll never notice it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it's just a case
of fabricating some brackets to hold it on, and job's a good 'un.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's back to the garage for me.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-64503170817619792192016-10-08T18:42:00.000+01:002016-10-08T18:42:38.388+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Thruxton 8th October</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well this must be a record for me, an update on the same day I raced. Oh the joy of racing at a circuit 10 minutes from my house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I was for an early start today as the entry form said that scruitineering was from 0700 to 0800 race day. Luckily on the final instructions I found out that I could get all this done, and sign on the day before between 5 and 7pm, happy days, a lay in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I loaded the van and set off for the circuit yesterday evening shortly before 5. I was back home, tucked up, before 6, result.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning we awoke to a dry but chilly day and set off for the circuit. By 8am we were ready to go, so just waited around until first practice just after 9.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is where things started to go down hill.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't raced at Thruxton for 20 years, and although it still goes the same way, I'd forgotten how flat and barren short circuits are. No trees, lamposts, buildings to judge anything by, so it was a real wake up call and took some getting used to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bike went well, but didn't feel too stable and after practice had a good look over her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing had come loose, there was nothing missing and no leaks, so all was good there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I paid particular attention to the front end, but could find nothing untoward apart from the headrace bearings which needed a slight tightening, which I put down to bedding in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the first race the steering got worse, so decided to pull in rather than trying to ride around the problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon inspection I could find nothing wrong so set off to get some expert advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily I found Will from JHS Racing, who specialise in tuning SV's, the guys I got my crank from. He set the suspension up as best he could but said that what I had wasn't really up to the job.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went out in the second race and to start with she felt a lot better, but as the race went on and the suspension worked harder the oil in the forks and shock absorber, got warmer and thinner, so the problems started to reappear.So again I pulled in rather than risk a coming off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So despite not finishing either race the day was somewhat of a success as it was really a shakedown to see if the bike was ok, and by and large, she was. All the work I did on the engine seems to have been ok and she held up well, but sadly the bolt on suspension needs some more work. Still I would rather find out now than at the beginning of next season, as at least I have the Winter to get the suspension looked at, in readiness for next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So rest assured I have already started one of my famous lists, but luckily, it's not too long, for now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see she looks pretty good, not a great colour match for the tank and fairing, but the rest looks pretty neat, and was certainly not the worst looking bike at the meeting.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsfrdXJvnzssQJQ1swV-jY8ESo1IC80w7pnFK58UHOjkfYI-nYdgtbuxIQzrucdPrSpYXz1BKVAzHLPUEImoRjPTd99ih7o1sUbJIr1bYP-FhE3SBhCKEhvV8vy0MhuRvesoUYHs8oBU/s1600/Thuxton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsfrdXJvnzssQJQ1swV-jY8ESo1IC80w7pnFK58UHOjkfYI-nYdgtbuxIQzrucdPrSpYXz1BKVAzHLPUEImoRjPTd99ih7o1sUbJIr1bYP-FhE3SBhCKEhvV8vy0MhuRvesoUYHs8oBU/s320/Thuxton2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYc_XMgjPISJWJqXtauNSNiQRgHnEbdFdrhEuXQAPGLUKMQceX85WOJdHvU90ELZpS8gLH1Xkt-cfXWunZAXDBJm16_MF_FYwsdE49gMkQhGexgQwgibkJFDj3SE4W8jtYdPW-nIJUec/s1600/Thruxton1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYc_XMgjPISJWJqXtauNSNiQRgHnEbdFdrhEuXQAPGLUKMQceX85WOJdHvU90ELZpS8gLH1Xkt-cfXWunZAXDBJm16_MF_FYwsdE49gMkQhGexgQwgibkJFDj3SE4W8jtYdPW-nIJUec/s320/Thruxton1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily I was given number 42, the number I was given by North Gloucester, as it was then, over 20 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly that is my season over now. I can't believe how fast it has gone, but it has been a short one for me this year, especially with Killalane being cancelled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But all being well, I will be back out next year, as still have my passion for racing, so hopefully the long cold Winter months spent in the garage will fly by and I will be up and ready for next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will keep you up to date with whats happening in between now and next season, so please keep checking in for updates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time, stay safe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-87466920980441841952016-09-23T19:43:00.000+01:002016-09-23T19:43:44.336+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Remember Me?</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a while, just been really manic here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what's been happening?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well Skerries and Southern 100 were the main things obviously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Skerries was a wet and wind affair. 400 went well, but the Supertwin races were a case of changing between wet and dry tyres, and usually me ending up with the wrong ones.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John was my help for Skerries, and he later claimed that he'd never changed wheels so many times in his life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second Supertwin race was a washout, and after the sighting lap I decided that as I had The Southern the following week, I'd rather save the bike for then, rather than drop the bike and having a lot of work to do before racing started. The race went ahead but the following Superbike race was cancelled, so felt I made the right decision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shame as the bike felt good after the work I did over the Winter and looked great with her new fairings painted and fitted.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8MehnfV0VMWY2A2LxC6IfEIsOzxPxur9Sp0TGQDssLKxbqeWyPxm9cJFbRXzP3_-DlQVwmLZVP9ePOM0pXQhuJF4_5SZ2R2FVRAe9gd_jo0Us_6OcoT-8jjlCSWOijwF1LP7uMEjUHY/s1600/IMG_20160701_190700408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8MehnfV0VMWY2A2LxC6IfEIsOzxPxur9Sp0TGQDssLKxbqeWyPxm9cJFbRXzP3_-DlQVwmLZVP9ePOM0pXQhuJF4_5SZ2R2FVRAe9gd_jo0Us_6OcoT-8jjlCSWOijwF1LP7uMEjUHY/s320/IMG_20160701_190700408.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see she's looking good, you can also see how windy it was by our neighbours awning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more eagle eyed of you can see a new name sticker gracing the screen. Thanks to Shuffy for designing it for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 400 went well, but I went out on wets on a dry track. I was later told that you could see her moving around a lot coming out of corners, and I just thought it was me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went over to The Isle Of Man and had a week 'off', basically it was a week working on bikes, but out of a different garage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This bits a long story, so get a coffee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier in the year I got a given a SV650 after Gordon's son ran it out of oil, he thought it was the cam chains making a noise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I decided to turn it into a minitwin to use on short circuits to get more track time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I went to Skerries I started it up to see how bad the damage was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On tick over she sounded ok, but open the throttle and it was a different story. To replicate the noise, first get a sturdy bag, fill with spanners, then put it in the washing machine, get the idea?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I decided to take the engine in the van over to The Island and strip her down to see what damage had been done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon our arrival John and I stripped her down, and was greeted with a mess, but could've been worse and damage was limited to the crank and rods, so project minitwin was go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Southern 100 went well, great organisation and good weather made it a great week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly I blew up the 400 engine in the first race, when a valve broke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily I had a spare 400 engine in the van, as you do, so Steve and I set about swapping the engines over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Engine swap went well but on the first lap the clutch cable came adrift, so that was race two out the window too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Supertwin went well and had some good races, despite getting a puncture, luckily just as I came back into the paddock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up was Killlane, which sadly was cancelled, two days after I booked my ferry, which lost me over £200, but can't be helped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that was a very short roads season this year, but onwards and upwards and I'm entered to race at Thruxton on 8th October.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't raced at a short circuit since 2006, and I last raced at Thruxton in 1996, sure it still goes the same way though, so is going to be a big change for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bike though, is looking good, but still loads to do according to by ever present list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully getting her finished won't mean too many more late nights and I will have a good run round.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll try not to leave it so long until my next update, and if you are at Thruxton come along and say hello.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-47449403489420084132016-07-18T11:07:00.004+01:002016-07-18T11:07:58.527+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Southern 100 On TV</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just back from almost 3 weeks away, firstly Skerries followed by Southern 100.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will write up a full report once sorted out, but just to let you know highlights of Southern 100 will be on ITV4 Wednesday 20th July at 8pm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep an eye out for number 99, as that's me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-7727748551259136592016-05-05T16:50:00.001+01:002016-05-05T16:50:42.388+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Tandragee & Cookstown Race Reports</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always apologies for delay in an update only the last few weeks have been flat out rebuilding my supertwin, which has been a nightmare, but am getting there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So before I knew it I was loading the van for my first races of the season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tandragee</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived at Tandragee and had to be towed into the very wet paddock, not a great start. Once we set up the bikes were of to be checked over before getting the all clear to race.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly the 400 had to have an engine case protector made, luckily I keep all sorts of odds and ends in my 'come in' pile in the van, and a it wasn't long before we had one made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Practice went ok, with a few teething problems, mainly due to the bikes having been laid up since Killalane, some 7 months earlier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did get black flagged in one 400 session as oil was leaking onto the exhaust, a case of a bolt coming loose and nothing more serious, or expensive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday arrived nice and dry, so was looking forward to the racing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was out first in the Junior Support race on my 400. I usually race my 650, but as it's still in bits took the 400 out instead. Which made the fact that I was keeping up with a couple of 650's even better. I also found out later that I'd beaten my personal best lap time by 7 seconds, which is some doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">600 race didn't go so well and I pulled in as the bike was spluttering and wasn't pulling full revs, but I still got some valuable miles under my belt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had another good dice in the 400 race and then it was time to pack up and head to Cookstown for racing the following weekend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a week between races so we had a good look over the bikes, which resulted in both bikes running a lot better the following weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cookstown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weekend didn't start of great as the fork seal on the 600 started leaking, so she was put back in the van where she sat for the weekend as I didn't have any spare seals with me, that and I hate changing fork seals in my garage, so didn't fancy doing it in a field in Northern Ireland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still the 400 sailed through, but we had to wait until late in the day to actually practice. We got out once and then waited until last knockings only to be told our practice would be held on Saturday morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday started off wet at some places around the circuit, which wasn't very confidence inspiring, still we had been told weather would improve, so fingers crossed for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had two really good races and once again improved my fastest time around the circuit on my 400 by 5 seconds, so still improving, and more importantly enjoying it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am back home now and once the SV is sorted I'll be getting ready for Skerries in early July, can't wait as missing it already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So until next time, take care</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-82997043007049417012016-03-12T16:51:00.000+00:002016-03-12T16:51:56.758+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Spot The Difference</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a little teaser for you, can you spot the difference between the two photo's below?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8jOJyiaZMIrYQVQxYZqkRUJj9DuoVyfSNztVkh8EpvqEkf7XBI5ZlN_Itky0LYjxu7NEoSpVVI0bDOfq-ZgAL0CzYy5b20UXHBhXKjQBdsKptFANv-J3d_nxXX-MXQD3q_CLAGp2H-U/s1600/WP_20160312_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8jOJyiaZMIrYQVQxYZqkRUJj9DuoVyfSNztVkh8EpvqEkf7XBI5ZlN_Itky0LYjxu7NEoSpVVI0bDOfq-ZgAL0CzYy5b20UXHBhXKjQBdsKptFANv-J3d_nxXX-MXQD3q_CLAGp2H-U/s320/WP_20160312_001.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk52IVL9GiZsLO0TI360-54_GkeazAIXtHCk_Pl15v6WR8RYEzhmeBugJH-k26M9FiAbHhtcIznH5UK_o6yKwgOqzJ_xurr4u2eHySzpKaAFDM8cITbf_za-fMwIinJD2WmRJN9p_248/s1600/WP_20160312_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk52IVL9GiZsLO0TI360-54_GkeazAIXtHCk_Pl15v6WR8RYEzhmeBugJH-k26M9FiAbHhtcIznH5UK_o6yKwgOqzJ_xurr4u2eHySzpKaAFDM8cITbf_za-fMwIinJD2WmRJN9p_248/s320/WP_20160312_002.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give up? Well I have to say it's not that obvious,but</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the answer is about 2 bhp, that is according to Slick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those not intimately familiar with ZXR400 engines, it's the fixing for the oil filter, which I have been told that with the oil way removed from the end, hence the difference, and the fact I don't use an oil cooler, allows the oil to circulate better and means I am using all the oil in the sump rather than losing what is directed towards the oil cooler.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And according to Slick this means another couple of horse power, which is good, plus I've saved a bit of weight too. So all good news, and even better was free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If only all hp gains were that cheap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SV is coming along nicely with the engine back in the frame and various other odd jobs have been done. Am now working on removing the dents from the exhaust before refitting so I can get on with trying my new fairings on for the first time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully this won't be that far away, and will update you as soon as I can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-24908542676619707642016-02-23T11:55:00.002+00:002016-02-23T11:55:38.333+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Quick Update</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Been a while I know, apologies for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently caught up with my SV at my Northern Irish base and was greeted by this</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC2sqkGBcaAN_4k-DC5qUSubmk7Q2lePmQPoJtdLT_Q7BGJxa4-vh35bRV0qisMTcOd7k6Sy0xCyvGddrOI6y3WwmLY9paqV39PgZOJacW3imBMb08MZvx5gVHzvyy1sL3XUzzyA8Tag/s1600/WP_20160209_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC2sqkGBcaAN_4k-DC5qUSubmk7Q2lePmQPoJtdLT_Q7BGJxa4-vh35bRV0qisMTcOd7k6Sy0xCyvGddrOI6y3WwmLY9paqV39PgZOJacW3imBMb08MZvx5gVHzvyy1sL3XUzzyA8Tag/s320/WP_20160209_001.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes the Moneymore post office had been working hard delivering various parcels, it was like Christmas, only the wrapping paper wasn't too festive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of nice bits to stick on my SV. These included a new front end, a lightened flywheel and some cylinder heads which Slick Bass, he of Foggy fame, had done some work on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see my SV was in need of some love after my Killalane off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmk5YugGNAPsZw5-lNKwnXFi3glKYLl4EJrVS4URjymMWgLgNFxtY986w6BIe0pl-6hT6h5UEqrr3htpLXOlX3bl-zxcpK7AhDgDNcejYdF8C4zqqWaLf5wWxSJwyU7EcY1Y4fHRfUzM/s1600/WP_20160209_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmk5YugGNAPsZw5-lNKwnXFi3glKYLl4EJrVS4URjymMWgLgNFxtY986w6BIe0pl-6hT6h5UEqrr3htpLXOlX3bl-zxcpK7AhDgDNcejYdF8C4zqqWaLf5wWxSJwyU7EcY1Y4fHRfUzM/s320/WP_20160209_002.jpg" width="179" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest parcels were a complete front end which I bought from a guy on the SV Forum. I don't need a whole front end just the forks, but at the price it was worth taking the lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First job was to put the new forks in so I could move the bike around. With this done I set about fitting new piston rings as wasn't sure when this had last been done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All was going well until I found the rear cylinder had some surface rust due to a leaky roof in the shed. I mean what are the chances of putting the barrels under the one place the roof leaked?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've now got to see if this is still ok to use or if I have to source a new one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As time was running out over there, and my van needs an MOT, believe it or not an MOT issued in Northern Ireland is not valid in the rest of the UK, I had to bring the bike and van back home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I now have my bike back and plenty of time to work on her, just as well as Tandragee is rapidly approaching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am really looking forward to getting started on the engine as I find rebuilding an engine strangely therapeutic,I must get out more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully my next update will be with the engine assembled and back in the bike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So until then, take care</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-56920958647845894992015-12-22T20:37:00.000+00:002015-12-22T20:37:19.335+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2016 Race Dates</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As promised, next years race dates have now been confirmed, looks like a busy year, especially April. Shame Southern 100 has moved from its traditional week, straight after Skerries, as it means a few will miss it as it starts the day after Walderstown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also Manx Grand Prix starts the same day as Cork. I won't be racing at The Classic TT this year, but will be putting in an entry for Supertwin race during The Manx, so fingers crossed for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still does mean if I don't get an entry I can go to Cork instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 1st April Mid
Antrim 150
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 2nd April
Mid Antrim 150
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 22nd April
Tandragee 100
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 23rd April
Tandragee 100
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 29th April
Cookstown 100
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 30th April
Cookstown 100
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 18th June
Kells</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 19<sup>th</sup>
June Kells</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 1<sup>st</sup>
July Skerries
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 2th July
Skerries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 9th July
Walderstown
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday 10th July
Walderstown
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday 11<sup>th</sup>
July – Thursday 14<sup>th</sup> July Southern 100</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 23rd July
Faugheen
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday 24th July
Faugheen
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 29th July
Armoy
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 30<sup>th</sup>
July Armoy
</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 20<sup>th</sup>
August Manx Grand Prix</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday 2<sup>nd</sup>
September Manx Grand Prix</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 20th August
Cork
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday 21<sup>st</sup>
August Cork
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 10th
September Killane
</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday 11th
September Killane </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would like to do as many as possible, but we see how we go, and after the organisation of some of the meetings I will be thinking long and hard about which clubs I race with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will probably be my last update this year, so I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-25574668296552700392015-12-15T20:50:00.001+00:002015-12-15T20:50:20.796+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Update</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well spent some of last week tinkering with my SV and the first job was to straighten the steering, which on the face of it appeared that the forks had twisted in the yokes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having loosened everything off I tried lining the front wheel up with the bike. Sadly this didn't work so decided to drop the forks.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY2maG8O5xwPHENA3CqbTmp2BjDueBLQQMe8gJAOuWHhwXWMXYrx966BJ5FJ4OSAKfCbsTCBbpqh_xmyiCY_4RoPHRW-AbXgI56OQ1WWJZOlZEmF-zeJHBy6iaPDSgpqJyZHZW2oddYg/s1600/WP_20151209_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY2maG8O5xwPHENA3CqbTmp2BjDueBLQQMe8gJAOuWHhwXWMXYrx966BJ5FJ4OSAKfCbsTCBbpqh_xmyiCY_4RoPHRW-AbXgI56OQ1WWJZOlZEmF-zeJHBy6iaPDSgpqJyZHZW2oddYg/s320/WP_20151209_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don't need to be a suspension expert to see why the steering wouldn't line up, yep forks are bent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So next job will be to strip and repair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly I didn't get to try and fit the fairing as without the front wheel in would be difficult.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still I did drop the engine and removed the barrels so that I can replace the piston rings. Whilst the barrels were off I cleaned the pistons up ready for the rebuild on my next visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So until next time take care and speak soon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3223806668525420385.post-84428960183155617422015-12-03T16:27:00.000+00:002015-12-03T16:27:47.565+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Photo's</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know it's been a while, but not much has been happening at Black Dub HQ over the last few weeks, have been stripping bike down to see what damage was done as a result of my off. Luckily not much more than cosmetics and a few bent bolts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully next week I will try and fit my new fairing, so will let you know how that goes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today my postman brought me a nice surprise, a CD of photo's from the year by Jimmy Windows. As always many thanks Jimmy, is a nice boost in these cold wet days we are having, to be reminded of the warm sunny days of Summer, well apart from Tandragee that is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provisional dates for next year are out, but these have to be confirmed in the next few weeks by MCUI. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">April is looking busy with 3 races, Mid Antrim kicking the season off on 2nd April.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will of course post up dates as soon as they are confirmed. Until then enjoy the pictures.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy the photo's as much as I did posing for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuart</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05610534124606575062noreply@blogger.com0