News 2006

5th February

WHERE to start? The last update was September and life has been very hectic since then. We did indeed make it to SCR for the Jap Racer Day though getting the bike and Dominic to the track was a major logistical nightmare, (those who have been following this for the last 5 years (!) will know that our rider is studying Physics at Birmingham University). Things were looking pretty good apart from the weather - pretty damn cold and this proved to be our downfall. Our normal instant starting bike refused to fire, gradually it dawned on me that it was the cold weather; we eventually got it running in the pits with some petrol and after a thorough warm up I blipped the throttle enthusiastically and promptly deafened some of our guests who had come all the way from Poole!
Back to the start again and again the damn thing refused to fire; in the general confusion and concerned about holding everyone up I kept spinning it over too long and had an hydraulic lock which damaged the starter drive in the clutch cover. Thus ended 2005.

SO the plans for 2006:
Well the repairs to the clutch cover are under way, mods to the the oil feed pipes and fuel system planned and the carb will be raised slightly. Many of the fuel system changes are aimed at preventing fuel lying in low points of the manifolds after shut down, and thus to avoid flooding when the next fire up is attempted. The big bore block will be going away for resleeving soon and the crank for balancing.
THIS should see us running fairly early in the season whilst a new clutch cover and starter system is made for greater reliability.
THE only problem with all this is that; a) Dominic is now coming to the end of the 3rd year of his 4 year MSci so his workload is increasing, b) Work at Turnertech began with a hectic schedule on 3rd January and has gone on without a break 7/7(?) since.
YOU all know not to hold your breath if you have stuck with us so far, hopefully 2006 will see some real success at last.