Oulton park, round #7 Buff Supermono Championship

Round #7 of the Buff Supermono Championship arrived at Oulton Park in Cheshire, this picturesque circuit has to be one of the best in the UK. I have only done 12 laps of this circuit before, that was in 2008 but had engine problems in the race. I was really looking forward to getting out there for the Friday qualifying. I thought I was doing well but I was 30 seconds behind the pole sitter and 10 seconds off the next slowest rider. Saturday free practice see my times improve by a second but I was still off the pace, I spoke to few people and asked where I could make up time. I was told that there were 3 or 4 corners where you dont need to brake. So with all this advice swimmimg around in my head the first race started. I got a reasonable star but after a couple of corners I was dead last! On lap 3 the red flags were out due to Mark Lawes having a big off, also Dave Harnet. The restart would be a 5 lap dash, here was my chance to finish a race on the same lap as the winner, and this only just happened, as I crosssed the line the last lap flag was being waved but momentarily after I passed the cheqeured flag was waved for Ivan Porter. When I got the time sheets I was relieved to see that I was the 5th supermono home but better than that I had knocked 6 seconds off my qualifying time..I couldn't wait to get out there for the second race. My last race on Gordon was upon us and again I got a good start but was dead last after a few corners, I was just racing myself at this point and trying to remember the advice I had been given. On lap 5 A couple of bikes lapped me so I just kept out of the way and aimed to bring Gordon home in one piece. I finished the race 6th in the Supermonos but did not improve on my lap times. All in all it was a very good meeting and a fitting way to end my Supermono racing, I will miss riding the singles but as my new bike, Honda CB 500, runs at the same meetings I will still be able to see the Mono crowd.

All ready for Oulton Park

Gordon had a trip to Eric at Ekquire Motorcycles in Bury St Edmunds yesterday, I wanted to find out what my newly accquired 686cc motor was pushing out. After 5 runs the final figure was 69.5bhp @7499rpm, not bad at all so I will be using the 686 at Oulton Park.
I have just purchased a Honda CB500 race bike which I intend to race in the Thundersport 500 series with Thundersports GB, this means that Gordon will be going back to his dad, Mike Edwards. I have spoken to Mike and explained that I was not the rider to get the best out of Gordon and I was just riding around at the back, there was no one for me to have a scrap with. Looking at the CB500's I should be able to stick with a few people and they also have a Seniors Cup for us "Oldies", so watch this space for photos and reports. Go to www.drbracing500.blogspot.com

All fixed!

I picked up Gordon from Peter Day this afternoon, Peter has done a great job of the radiator, he has also moved it so its a little higher and forward from its original position and is away from the hot exhaust headers. All that needed to be done was fit the pump hose and fill with water, also put oil in the engine and fuel in the tank. Gordon came to life on the very first attempt and with the 686 engine in I could really feel the difference in the vibration from the 720. Will hopefully get it down to Eric at Ekquire Motorcycles in Bry St Edmunds next week and do a couple of power runs on the dyno.

Peter Day

I managed to drop Gordon off at Peter Day's this afternoon, Peter will be fitting the radiator and looking to see if he can modify/adapt it so there will be more water capacity, however on first glance the exhaust headers are protruding out too far for a rad to go in front of them, possibly able to come down each side but thats another project.

Almost there!!

Well everything is back in the frame and its now ready to take to Peter Day who will be fitting the radiator.

2011 thoughts!

Although I have a passion for Supermono's and enjoy the company of fellow Mono riders I am well off the pace of everyone and often get lapped by all. I would still like to stay in the saddle and I think the Thundersports 500 class could be the way, the Honda CB 500 is the machine to have and there is very little you are permitted to do to the bike. Its cheap to run, tyres are controlled and a decent price and they have almost full grids every meeting. I will have a closer look at some of the bikes at Oulton Park, I will also ask a few if the riders there views and what problems, if any, they have with the bikes. Watch this space!!

The rebuild starts here!

I picked up my newly acquired engine from Steve Ruth yesterday after he stripped the top end just to see the condition, Steve estimates around 68-70 horses, which isnt bad from a 686. This engine should be realiable and when Gordon goes back to his dad I will have a decent motor to use or sell depending on what route I want to take.

As yoiu can see the engine is now in place, albeit all loosely at the moment, and hopefully should be fully in the next day or so. I will then take Gordon to Peter Day so he can adapt the ally radiator that was donated by Hugh Freeman, he will also see if he can extend the rad downwards increasing the volume of water to aid cooling, but this depends on the clearence of the exhaust headers.

The waiting game

Its been a little quiet on the rebuild side as I am waiting for the barrel to be returned from Slipstream and also the crankcase spacer that I need for my newly acquired motor. Steve has checked out my new motor and says its all ok, good Carillo rod and JE piston, the head has has some light work done and the cam is almost standard as are the valve spring kits. If I have the cash to do it I will get the cam profiled and better valve springs, might have the head breathed on a little too. I will be missing the next Supermono meeting at Cadwell as funds have run dry and Gordon will not be ready, I will definately be at Oulton Park June 24th, and will have a spare engine in case of any mishaps.

Slipstreams engine

Got a call from Steve Ruth who had taken the head off the Slipstream engine and found the liner has moved, he also told me that this was very common with the 105mm liners. I called Martin Sweet and he as asked for me to return just the barrel, he will skim the barrel to the top of the liner and that should solve the problem.

Frame is all repaired

Picked up the rewelded frame from Peter Day today and he has done a stunning job, Peter had to completely rebuild the engine mount as there was hardly anything left of the original. Peter also made another cable bracket for the carbs and simplified the main engine bolt, he is in the process of modifying a alluminium radiator that Hugh Freeman gave me, I need to take the bike down to Peter for him to see if we can make it any bigger without impedeing the exhaust downpipes. I can hopefully start the rebuild tomorrow evening after work, then all I have to do is wait for the engine(s) frome Steve Ruth.

Billet crank

When I was ay Snetterton the other weekend I was speaking to Hugh Freeman, he said he had a billet crank that was made to fit the Yamaha XTZ/SZR motors, he also said he would be delighted to donate the crank to Gordon. Well it arrived today and I must say it certainly looks trick, however I think its a lot heavier than original cranks so maybe it was made to do away with the balance shaft all together, but I will take it to Steve Ruth to see what he recommends. Thanks again Hugh.

Another engine acquired

I drove up to Cadwell Park circuit this morning to pick up another engine from Peter Gibson, an ex Supermono rider who has now moved over to the Hottrax endurance racing scene. The engine is a 686cc, (102mm bore x 84mm stroke), it has a Carillo rod, JE piston and a trick camshaft, it has had some head work but nothing drastic. I will be taking it to Steve Ruth to check it over and fit a new head gasket, then when I get the frame back from Peter Day, (and the powder coaters if there is time), I will use this engine for Oulton Park. I may even be lucky enough to have Slipstreams motor if it just needs a head gasket, and...and Hugh Freeman is sending me a billet crank and trick rod which means there may also be a chance to get Gordon's original engine back together, I will be spoilt for choice!!

Peter Day

Managed to drop off the frame and radiator at Peter Day's today, found Peter to be a very nice guy and had a nice chat about what he was going to do to Gordon!

Gordon has gone to peices!!

Finished dismantling Gordon tonight, the frame will be going to Peter Day who will reweld a broken rear engine mount, along with modifying aradiator that was kindly donated by Hugh Freeman. The engine will be going to Steve Ruth to have a new head gasket fitted, unless there is more afoot then it will go back to Slipstream.

Gordon in the "Buff"

After speaking to Peter Day about rewelding gordon's rear engine mount he advised me that to do the job properly he would just need the frame, nothing else. I set about completely stripping Gordon down to the last nut and bolt. Peter also informed me that he is very busy but if he can do the repair in time I might get Gordon's frame powder coated so he will look as good as new for Oulton Park in June.

Only at Snetterton!!

The second Buff Supermono/Moto 450 race at Snetterton, Monday May 3rd was stopped after 4 laps as the leading 5 riders, Mark Lawes, will Hodgson, Phil Canessa, Ivan Porter and Perry Golstein fell due to a blanket of hail and ice on the track at the Bombhole.

Buff Supermono podium, Snetterton May 3rd 2010

This was the result from the first race on the Monday, Mark Lawes had won at the previous round at Pembrey and had said during the interview that he was classed as a speciallist at Snetterton!!

Snetterton Buff Supermono round #2

I was really looking forward to racing at my local circuit and arrived early evening on the Friday to set up. Woke Saturaday Morning to heavy rain and a cold wind but I wasn't due out in the practice so there was time for the weather to improve. The first qualifying for the Mono's was at 15:05 so I had plenty of time to check over Gordon. He was running a bit hot at Pembrey so I ensured the radiator was full and bled before going out on the circuit. I dont know if I was concious of the engine running hot but my lap times were down by over 13 seconds from 2 years ago, I just didn't feel comfortable and it seemed like hard work, yet I was sure I was on my usual pace, until I see the time sheets that is! I went home to a comfortable bed and a hot meal Saturday night and arrived early Sunday morning with a positive outlook, I drained Gordons water system and refilled with fresh ionised water, I even changed the rad cap, (Thanks Martin Jarvis). I put the wets on the bike and refuelled and double checked everything. About half hour before qualifying I started Gordon to get him nice and warm, it was then I noticed that the radiator overflow pipe was letting out water. I removed the front fairing and noticed that when the revs increased so the water was coming out more, a classic sign that the head gasket was gone and was pressurising the water system, I took the decision not to chance wrecking the motor anymore and opted not to race.

Thundersports GB Pembrey

Had a reall y good time at Pembrey, the first round of the Buff Supermono championship in association with Thundersports GB. It was a very proffessionally run meeting which went like clockwork, everyone was friendly and the Mono's were made to feel welcome. Gordon and I enjoyed the racing too, although I came last in the Superpole race on the Saturday, and both the televised races on the Sunday I was getting faster and more consistant as the laps went on. A big thank you to Mike Edwards for letting me ride Gordon this year. Photos to follow.

On my way!!

Well Gordon is all loaded in the van ready for the 6 hour + trip to Pembrey circuit in Sth Wales. Its round 1 of the Buff Supermono Championship in association with Thundersports GB and my first outing on Gordon and at the circuit. Will try and keep bang up to date with times and results over the weekend, watch this space!!

Visit to the dyno.

I took Gordon to see Eric at Ekquire Motorcycles in Bury St Edmunds today, I needed to run in the Slipstream motor in as it had a new liner and piston when it was rebuilt. On advise from Steve Ruth I ran Gordon through the gears up to 6000 rpm without load, Then let the motor cool down before doing the same again but up to 8000rpm. When I asked Martin Sweet of Slipstream how high I can rev the motor he said 8500rpm, but to be easy on the motor I have decided to top out at 8000rpm, with this in mind I put Gordon through a power run on the dyno. I was very happy with the figures especailly when I realised I had only reved the motor to 7879rpm, it was showing 70.2 bhp @ rear wheel, as you can see on the read out the motor was still pulling and based on this I think the motor could be around 74bhp @ 8000rpm!! ROLL ON PEMBREY

Alive and kicking!

I eventually got Gordon started today, the first time I had since he arrived.

Gordon gets his new decals

Dave Goddard of Cabtec Enterprise had done a fantastic job of the decals for Gordon, couldn't wait to stick them on.

Dave Goddard dropped round some of the decals for Gordon tonight so decided to brave the cold and apply them!

The weigh in!

Took Gordon to Steve ruth where he had his suspension adjusted to a base setting for me to work from, also Steve weighed Gordon, 126 kg, not bad for a road based Mono! In contrast my Harris Yamaha XTZ686 weighed in at 132 kg?
All being well I should be able to start Gordon this weekend then take him to Ekquire m/c's to have a run on the dyno the end of next week.

Put Gordon in the van as he is taking a trip to see Steve Ruth, Steve will set the suspension and weight distribution for me. I have every confidence in Steve as he has been preparing my race engines for almost 5 years now and he certainly knows his onions!

Getting there now!

After another few hours in the man cave I was able to test the water pump and system for leaks, although I will do a full test when I have the motor running. I also managed to mount the dash and control box, I had to move the transponder holder to the right hand fork leg and moved the original dash bracket forward a few centimetres, this allowed the control box to be situated just behind giving me good access to the connections.

Coming together!

Well the engine is in, took around 2 hours as I had a problem with one of the engine bolts. After putting on the exhaust I was relieved to see that the new additional mounting bracket lined up almost perfectly with the original bolt hole. Gordon uses 39mm Kehein carbs and this is the first time I have come across push/pull throttle cables! needles to say I had a nightmare trying to work out how to connect both cables, but I eventually succeeded and the carbs now snap shut! So all being well Gordon will be ready to fire up by next weekend, then off to the dyno during the next week, watch this space!!

The engine has landed!!

After a nightmare working day I managed to get to Slipstream to pick up the engine for Gordon. Martin informed me that the motor has a new liner, new piston, new crank and a total strip down and rebuild. I started getting everything ready for the rebuild and should have the engine in by tomorrow evening. Martin advised me to be careful when running the engine in so will get it down to Ekquire M/C's in Bury St Edmunds, there I will do 20 minute runs just going through the gears then let cool down for aprox 20 to 30 mins before the next run. After the 4th or 5th run I will then see what the motor is delivering at the rear wheel, Martin expects around 76bhp which would be ideal.

Slipstream Tuning

Contacted Martin and Roy of Slipstream tuning today to find out the progress of the engine, it is ready to be collected but does not have a clutch cover gasket. This is not a major problem as I can still get the motor in and just put the new gasket on when it arrives, at least then I can get Gordon back together agian and looking like a bike!

Testing the data logger!!!

With the engine not back till the weekend I was unable to make any progress with the rebuild of Gordon, however I thought I would check to see how the newly acquired data logging dash worked, and how hard/easy it was to program. As my van is diesel the only petrol engine to check the RPM on was the donkey starter, so with a boiling kettle by the side for testing the temp readout, and the RPM lead clipped onto the HT lead the test began. For the short test, which proved everything worked OK, I had the most sophisticated dash ever seen on a donkey starter!!!

Cutting it fine!

Just called Slipstream and the engine they are letting me use to run in Gordon may not be ready till the weekend! This is cutting it fine to get Gordon rebuilt, on the dyno and out on a test day, so may have to use the Friday of the first meetimg at Pembery to dial in the settings. Not ideal as I have never raced at the circuit before and might have to ask Gordon's dad, Mike(Spike) Edwards, for some pointers.

New electronics

A very good friend, John Galbraith, has kindly let me use a top of the range electronic dash for Gordon, it will give RPM, water temp, lap times, data etc. Will post some photo's when it arrives. Thanks again John.

Frame and exhaust

I got a call from T.C. Fabrications in Thetford yesterday to say that I can take Gordon's frame and exhaust there to be repaired today. They done a great job of the bottom engine mount, it originally had a pinch bolt but due to the extent of the breakage we was just concentrating on strengthening the mount. We also came up with a method of supporting the exhaust in the middle without bolting it directly to the frame, a stainless steel loop was welded to the exhaust where a rubber/fireproof strap will pass through then the strap will bolt to the frame! this should give it support but will have a little play to reduce stress on the joints.

Test

Just testing my new touch phone to see if I can download reports and photos from here.

Slipstream

Well the engine that was in "Gordon" is now with Slipstream where Martin Sweet and Roy will strip it down and refit a standard stroke crank and rod, this will drop the displacement from 760cc to 720cc creating a more reliable engine. I now have the remains of the original motor that let go on Mike big time at the begining of 2008, after a quick look over the motor I think the only major parts required are, Barrel, piston, rod and at least 1 valve. So realistically I should have a spare motor if anything untoward should occur.

Eagle eyed Andy!

Andy Duncan came to visit yesterday as he had some FZR400 wheels for my names sake in the USA. As he was looking at Gordon he noticed that the bottom engine mount was broken, something that I had missed when removing the engine! Anyway I visited a couple of local engineering companies today, one company will reweld the exhaust bracket and engine mount, the other is in the process of making the top engine mounting bolt. I intend to get the engine down to Slipstream Tuning some time this week then all being well Gordon should be ready to have a run on the dyno early March. I must again thank Mike Edwards and Jenifer for giving me the opportunity to race Gordon, and with my personal sponsors help I intend to compete the whole season at all circuits....I need the track time after all!!

Almost nothing to do!!

After getting the engine out I looked at Gordon to see what needed to be done, surprisingly I found that there was very little to do. I changed the Ohlins rear shock back to the original as the Ohlins was longer and Mike said it was not working as it should. That took me all of 20 minutes, so I decided to remove Mikes personal sponsors stickers off the fairing and affix my own.