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.