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.