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.