Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Headlong Progress
I tried once to put the cylinder on without a piston ring compressor tool, to no avail. I ordered a simple one from Transcanada, and after it arrived, a quick stop at Princess Auto for a torque wrench saw me return home hoping for success. Short of a spare set of hands, it took awhile, but I was able to seat the cylinder on the case, with the rings oriented in their right locations around the piston. Job done!
For now, the cams, cam caps and guides are just put in loosely. RLR racing sent me the Kent Cams specs for the new cams, which are adjustable. With no experience on how to degree cams, I am going to leave it for someone else to do, incorporating the proper tools. I'd love to "watch" it being done, if possible. I've built a lot of engines which just had cam sprocket marks to orient the cams at TDC -- a KTM, a Suzuki engine, the Ducati 900ss engine (which had belts, of course!) At this point, and error on my part, due to having no experience, would undo all the work and expense I have put into the engine so far. When in doubt, chicken out. I've got a line on a potential guru in Winnipeg that might be able to help me out.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Fairings finished
Poor photos again (iPhone), but it gives you the idea...
Kinda reminds me of the Ducati Corse paint option on late model 848s... mine of course is done with Tremclad. It has 2 coats of clear overtop.
It is on straight! Bike is a bit cockeyed in the front stand, and I am taking the pic at an angle. Unfortunately the end result of the clear is some pretty serious orange peel. Oh well, its a racebike, right?
Sponsor decals along the lower bellypan. Thanks for the support!
The racier fairing necessitated moving the reservoirs inboard -- not a bad idea regardless, as they are protected in the event of a crash. I am using proper clear Tyvex tubing for brakes from Curvygirl.
Kinda reminds me of the Ducati Corse paint option on late model 848s... mine of course is done with Tremclad. It has 2 coats of clear overtop.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Photos from Round 4
AJ Enns does his usual magic!
Full fairing will be a welcome addition for next round!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Pistons In (sorta)
Back in 2006 when I rebuilt my Ducati 900ss engine, it was recommended I get the cylindered refreshed by Millennium Technologies. At the time they were sponsoring AMA bikes (Aprilia v-twins), and surprisingly, the Canadian reps were only a few hours away. The end result was an engine that made 85 hp at the rear wheel -- pretty good for a carbed supersport. I realized that these cylinders should receive the same treatment, and so I contact Fast Enterprises just outside of Winnipeg. A quick turn around saw them back in my hands earlier this week. Even better, Kelly at Fast gave me a racer discount, which of course is nice on the pocketbook.
Surprisingly, when I checked the ring end gap against the manual, none of the rings needed any adjustment. I actually did each one 2-3 times to be sure, but all were within spec. With that taken care of, I installed the pistons on the rods, with the rings. I am now just waiting for a piston ring compressor tool to come in, and I will install the cylinders.
Would have loved to show the bore detail, but I am still using a crap camera for now...
Awaiting the proper tool. I did try to install the cylinders without a ring compressor, but gave up... for about $25, it makes sense to have the proper tool on hand. The manual calls for diagonally placed studs to guide the cylinder onto the case. Makes sense!
Canadian customers call Fast Enterprises at: 204-895-1727. The website is at the right...
Surprisingly, when I checked the ring end gap against the manual, none of the rings needed any adjustment. I actually did each one 2-3 times to be sure, but all were within spec. With that taken care of, I installed the pistons on the rods, with the rings. I am now just waiting for a piston ring compressor tool to come in, and I will install the cylinders.
Canadian customers call Fast Enterprises at: 204-895-1727. The website is at the right...
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Race Report
The plan was to bring the camera and do some more documentation of what a club race weekend looks like for me -- the loading, the driving, where I sleep, the pits, etc. Because I managed to leave it behind at the track at weekend's conclusion (thankfully Bob picked it up for me), the pics will have to wait. Apparently there may be some video from my second race on Sunday around as well -- I'll post/provide a link if it surfaces.
Saturday saw a total of 7 novice trackday riders show up. Novice trackday riders are a good sign, as some may eventually come out to race (we all started somewhere, right), or become frequent trackday riders regardless. On Saturday I went out with them for 4 sessions, got some video of all of the riders (I think), and posted it to the MRA forum. Francisco also worked with the riders... there was a pretty large discrepancy in riding speed, so a few were advanced to the quick group right away. Towards the end of the day, I also got out with the trackday advanced group to circulate the track "at speed" in order to get comfortable for Sunday. I turned a few 1"07s, but I had to admit I was a bit frustrated, as I did do a few 1:05s last season. I thought about my shift points and other things. Faster riders said they had nothing on me in the infield, so I needed to find some more speed through 1, 2, and 6... and perhaps (and I'm not really sure) the lack of a fairing may have had some impact on my lap times... hard to say, and I don't want to point the finger at a bunch of fibreglass as the reason I wasn't going that fast. The conditions were ideal... I just needed to press on. Saturday evening was a nice one - went in to town for some real food... I'd save the leftover pizza for Sunday's lunch.
It was even warmer on Sunday, and during first practice I finally got into the 1:06s for a few laps. Practice 2 saw me only do a few laps again, and I saw a 1:06 on the timer. Better, but more is in the bag I am sure. I decided NOT to upshift to 6th in a few spots on the track -- holding 5th, and hopefully still accelerating, saved me 3 downshifts in 3 corners throughout the track. Seemed to make a bit of a positive difference.
Race 1 was an up and down experience... on the upside, I finished in 2nd, albeit after a poor start (Geoff, the top novice rider a few rows behind got by me on the start... it took a number of laps before I could get by, and by then the leader was off in the distance). The downside was that one of my competitors went down in turn 8/9, breaking bones and conking himself out. Kinda a sick feeling coming off the track with red flags waving, and seeing a friend lying motionless. The race was deemed done after 7 laps. The rider made a trip to the hospital, and returned with his arm in a sling. While "that's racing", that corner claimed me last season, and the bike in question has some bad karma in it -- the previous owner of the machine crashed, in the same corner, and lost a tip of a finger... something is heinky about that bike and that turn. The post-race benchracing also revealed that I nearly caused a pileup on the start as well. Gridded in 6th, the riders ahead of me were moving to my right, so I deked left, and then cut back to the right when (I thought) I was past... turns out I cut off the same guy who crashed, and his front wheel touched my rear. Of course I didn't notice it, but as a rider who considers himself "safe", a pretty silly move on my part... no, I didn't see anyone, but a bit less argy bargy on the start would have been the smarter move.
Race 2 was a bit lonely. After a pass going into turn 3 on the opening lap, I held 2nd place again for 7 laps, until Glen powered by me on the front straight. The eventual finish was much tighter between 1st and 3rd, and I was in the 1:06s again, but there was no real battling going on, and I had a considerable gap to 4th. So, another 2 podiums in 2 races.
I drove through a torrential downpour on the way home, and Monday saw me work on the bike to make sure things were clean. I happened to notice a few things... as I continue to ride the bike hard, it becomes apparent the stresses the machine is under. I actually lost the left hand side woodcraft frame slider (and an engine mounting bolt) sometime over the weekend... I was sure it was during the last race, as I recall something hitting my left leg, but I was too focused on the riding to figure it out. The rear hugger has cracked at two mounting points, and the clutch return spring on the RHS case slipped out. The clutch still worked, but it seems vibrations are taking its toll! Internally the engine is still stock, but it is living close to redline.
Next two rounds will be interesting; its been a tough season on the Thunder grid, with 3 riders now out with injury. I anticipate 2 being back for round 5 in August; both are fast riders, so I will need to dig deep to maintain my podium record. The new fairing should help my speed, but I'd be surprised if it means a second a lap? I'm also tweaking my gearing slightly to allow me to hold 5th longer, to see if reducing the amount of shifting I do means some reduction in laptimes. There were some photographers at the track on the weekend, so perhaps some pics will come my way so I can post them.
I'll be picking up my cylinders from Fast Enterprises tomorrow. I'll be sure to have some information as well as another sponsorship announcement soon after. I'll also begin painting the fairing in preparation for August.
Saturday saw a total of 7 novice trackday riders show up. Novice trackday riders are a good sign, as some may eventually come out to race (we all started somewhere, right), or become frequent trackday riders regardless. On Saturday I went out with them for 4 sessions, got some video of all of the riders (I think), and posted it to the MRA forum. Francisco also worked with the riders... there was a pretty large discrepancy in riding speed, so a few were advanced to the quick group right away. Towards the end of the day, I also got out with the trackday advanced group to circulate the track "at speed" in order to get comfortable for Sunday. I turned a few 1"07s, but I had to admit I was a bit frustrated, as I did do a few 1:05s last season. I thought about my shift points and other things. Faster riders said they had nothing on me in the infield, so I needed to find some more speed through 1, 2, and 6... and perhaps (and I'm not really sure) the lack of a fairing may have had some impact on my lap times... hard to say, and I don't want to point the finger at a bunch of fibreglass as the reason I wasn't going that fast. The conditions were ideal... I just needed to press on. Saturday evening was a nice one - went in to town for some real food... I'd save the leftover pizza for Sunday's lunch.
It was even warmer on Sunday, and during first practice I finally got into the 1:06s for a few laps. Practice 2 saw me only do a few laps again, and I saw a 1:06 on the timer. Better, but more is in the bag I am sure. I decided NOT to upshift to 6th in a few spots on the track -- holding 5th, and hopefully still accelerating, saved me 3 downshifts in 3 corners throughout the track. Seemed to make a bit of a positive difference.
Race 1 was an up and down experience... on the upside, I finished in 2nd, albeit after a poor start (Geoff, the top novice rider a few rows behind got by me on the start... it took a number of laps before I could get by, and by then the leader was off in the distance). The downside was that one of my competitors went down in turn 8/9, breaking bones and conking himself out. Kinda a sick feeling coming off the track with red flags waving, and seeing a friend lying motionless. The race was deemed done after 7 laps. The rider made a trip to the hospital, and returned with his arm in a sling. While "that's racing", that corner claimed me last season, and the bike in question has some bad karma in it -- the previous owner of the machine crashed, in the same corner, and lost a tip of a finger... something is heinky about that bike and that turn. The post-race benchracing also revealed that I nearly caused a pileup on the start as well. Gridded in 6th, the riders ahead of me were moving to my right, so I deked left, and then cut back to the right when (I thought) I was past... turns out I cut off the same guy who crashed, and his front wheel touched my rear. Of course I didn't notice it, but as a rider who considers himself "safe", a pretty silly move on my part... no, I didn't see anyone, but a bit less argy bargy on the start would have been the smarter move.
Race 2 was a bit lonely. After a pass going into turn 3 on the opening lap, I held 2nd place again for 7 laps, until Glen powered by me on the front straight. The eventual finish was much tighter between 1st and 3rd, and I was in the 1:06s again, but there was no real battling going on, and I had a considerable gap to 4th. So, another 2 podiums in 2 races.
I drove through a torrential downpour on the way home, and Monday saw me work on the bike to make sure things were clean. I happened to notice a few things... as I continue to ride the bike hard, it becomes apparent the stresses the machine is under. I actually lost the left hand side woodcraft frame slider (and an engine mounting bolt) sometime over the weekend... I was sure it was during the last race, as I recall something hitting my left leg, but I was too focused on the riding to figure it out. The rear hugger has cracked at two mounting points, and the clutch return spring on the RHS case slipped out. The clutch still worked, but it seems vibrations are taking its toll! Internally the engine is still stock, but it is living close to redline.
Next two rounds will be interesting; its been a tough season on the Thunder grid, with 3 riders now out with injury. I anticipate 2 being back for round 5 in August; both are fast riders, so I will need to dig deep to maintain my podium record. The new fairing should help my speed, but I'd be surprised if it means a second a lap? I'm also tweaking my gearing slightly to allow me to hold 5th longer, to see if reducing the amount of shifting I do means some reduction in laptimes. There were some photographers at the track on the weekend, so perhaps some pics will come my way so I can post them.
I'll be picking up my cylinders from Fast Enterprises tomorrow. I'll be sure to have some information as well as another sponsorship announcement soon after. I'll also begin painting the fairing in preparation for August.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Bodywork
I think I could have used this on the weekend... sorry for the crap pics, used an iPod...
Fairing went on pretty easily -- used the stock stay, and cut it down some. Learned a few tricks when we mounted a race fairing to Wilson's bike. Basically did the same process here. Will get some better pics up when I get my camera. Got this fairing for 99 cents (!), but paid a bit in shipping. Actually have another newer set to pick up as well, which I will do a proper (by my standards) job painting.
I think it looks pretty cool, IMHO!
I think it looks pretty cool, IMHO!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Race Report
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