No Budget Cup - That's Numberwang! Racing

[Tim in Belgium]

After Andy Carlile's inspiring Carlsberg thread (on the Northloop forum, he's a rather quick motorcyclist), and chatting to Martin in the Burgstube bar at the Ring during a damp Easter I was enthused about doing some racing. I started scouting about the internet for suitable bikes and finally the hand of karma sending me a nice 'leccy bill rebate I've decided it's time for to go racing in the No Budget Cup.

So the new endurance race team to fear is:

That's Numberwang! Racing

(Inspired by the highly logical gameshow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJDu5D_IXbc&feature=related )

We shall be competing in (most of) the remaining races in the No Budget Cup, a motorcycle racing series with a number of 3hr endurance races in Belgium and France:

http://www.nobudgetcup.be/default.aspx

As we are not a group of girls we have decided to compete in the 600+ class (well the bike I turned up on the.org happened to fit in this class). None of the pansy 600 cc stuff that Andy C fairies about in ;).

The steed for this series was be collected this weekend from Halifax whilst Yorkie Chris suns himself in Spain, and has been returned to Holland for a little pre-race fettling before our first race. A 1996ish Suzuki GSX-R 750 SRAD with race bodywork, race front subframe, suposed Bob Farnham tuned engine, reworked front forks, spare engine, carbs, swing arm and a few other bits and bobs fitted (Some previous pictures of it from various owners in the last few months) :

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/34807/2275694680084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2275694680084392296aUDTGE)
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/47564/2618124550084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2618124550084392296fEmYVd)

Complete with Ohlins rear shock (this is gold with a blue sticker so must be an original and will automatically make us a lot faster as we draw on our huge reserves of riding skill):

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/15090/2090761640084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2090761640084392296DfbJAi)

Arrow 4-2-1 Exhaust system (needs a quieter can, but the fact it is noisey must mean it adds another 50bhp):

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/18506/2797822230084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2797822230084392296AMHWtl)
http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/44110/2928909660084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2928909660084392296ONrIGI)

Steering Damper (to stop us steering the wrong way at the wrong time, but hopefully it'll let us steer the right way at the right time):

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/45442/2653874260084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2653874260084392296sWJppg)

Suzuki Alloy Racing Radiator (The fact it has this is cool and must mean the bike is uber cool):

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/32610/2065286990084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2065286990084392296NpYiJB)

Spare wheels with intermediate tyres (these will be swapped for wets so we can go slow safely in the rain instead of going slowly dangerously in the rain):

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/44492/2762104740084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2762104740084392296UZhcBN)

The bike has a few scuffs after an off at Mallory, but nothing significant and recently completed a TD at Cadwell, so hopefully only minimum fettling will be required (pads, bar end, a little lockwiring, new end can and whatever else we find....) .

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/45843/2900204110084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2900204110084392296rONgkx)
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/47428/2756033380084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2756033380084392296eqVIaq)
http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/21077/2489536930084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2489536930084392296QhMUkC)


The bike at Dover sans bellypan:

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/16014/2331055530084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2331055530084392296IbCNej)

A boot full of bits:

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/45856/2226363500084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2226363500084392296AwQLSu)

Back in the "stable":

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/47753/2687160370084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2687160370084392296LbFBEd)

Being an endurance series multiple team riders are required, Andy Carlile didn't seem willing to be poached from team free Swiss, apparently paying to ride isn't as attractive. Not having vast finances I've had to find some riders able to contribute to entry fees and running costs. This has been managed and a team of great skill and depth of experience have been put together, i.e all members of the team have never raced before! Having missed the first race of the series we still expect to be series champions by the end of the season. In reality we want to finish the races and hope to overtake something at some stage.

If anyone fancies dropping in to watch us race we shall be at Zolder on the 11th May, August 4th and September 29th. We'll probably also be at Dijon on the 17th/18th July.

There are a number of pit crew vacancies for the above races, including such amazing roles as refuelling person, paddock stand man and general race strategist/refreshment supplier/hanger on, let me know if you'd like to help at any of the above events.

:thumbsup:

Pilot No.1 That's Numberwang! Racing

[lukemillar]

Awesome!

Take lots of pics and post some reports on here! I'd be totally up for joining the Numberwang team if I wasn't so far away :(

Best of luck :thumbsup:

[Tim in Belgium]

I'll update this thread with both bike preparation and event reports, there are a number of small bits and pieces to do before the first race. And a few things to suss out.

[squirrel_hunter]

Best of luck Tim and Team Numberwang! Racing

Looking forward to the updates and race reports. And on the nonexistent chance that I make it to one of the rounds I would be more than happy to volunteer my services as spare rider/ pit crew/ general hanger on/ well wisher.

[Alpinestarhero]

Your missing out on power - fit some rim tape RIGHT NOW!!!

the more flourescent its properties, the more power you exract

The best of luck :D

[Binky]

Uber cool intro to your bike and team. I'm excited to here more already.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

[maviczap]

Your missing out on power - fit a Top Box RIGHT NOW!!!

The best of luck :D

What Matt meant to say. :p

Looks like a load of fun, enjoy :thumbsup:

[Berlin]

Fantastic Tim!
The bike also has a kit ECU and the front pads are new (EBC race) so no need to change those.

And its sacrilidge you're changing the can! You're about to silence the best sounding bike ever in the history of the world. Keep it on and scare the bejesus out of anyone you come up behind. :)

Good luck with the series and hold on tight!

Info on the gearing. On the longest straight, work out how far off the redline and in which gear on the track you are on (1st practice) and gear it accordingly. If you aren't getting anywhere near the redline in top, gear it down. Plan to use all of the rev range.

You might not have 190bhp but you can match the *thrust* of the 190 bhp machines if you gear it right. Not that there are going to be many 190bhp machines in the series mind you! :)

C

[Tim in Belgium]

Carl/Chris, is there a trick to getting the rear pod off? I undid it so it was loose, but then it didn't feel like it would stretch wide enough to slide off over the bits.

Carl - the steering damper is a W.L.R

[ChrisSV]

Best of luck to ya :)

[Berlin]

That means you have yourself a Sprint Pro Race Steering damper there and they are a cool £200 plus fitting kit! Thats bound to make the bike steer safer in the direction you may or may not want to be going in! :)

I didn't remove the rear pod but the tail units you can be pretty brutal with and they take it. Take the cover off underneath and look for hidden fixings.

C

[Tim in Belgium]

Nice damper to control the massive steering lock ;)

Cover off and all fixings were removed, I guess I just need to be more brutal!

[Stu]

You're living my dream :thumbsup:

[Tim in Belgium]

Come out for a race as pit crew then Stu, combine it with a trip to the Ardennes/Eifel/Nurburgring, and you'd have a great trip :thumbsup:

[Tim in Belgium]

This evening I primered the tank scuff, glassed in the small hole in the belly pan and bought some black paint for touching up tank and belly pan. Also got some filler and finally found a socket thin enough for the XR600 spark plug, which I switched over. Tomorrows jobs are a bit of filling of belly pan and tank, and chucking in the XR 600R engine (different bike, but might as well while the paint is drying!).

Also measured up the exhaust for a new can.

Life in the garage is good.

[squirrel_hunter]

Life in the garage is good.

True fact.

[Berlin]

Also measured up the exhaust for a new can.



Tim, It might just need repacking.

[Tim in Belgium]

Carl, the No Budget Cup runs super low noise levels at Zolder, so it would need a good repack, baffle fitting etc, so I'm going for a can that is designed to be quietish from the outset.

[Berlin]

No problem. A decibel killer is about 9 quid on ebay that would bolt into that one though. Save a bit of expense.

[Stig]

The events Tim has entered in for this competition have now been entered in the Race Calendar. If any of you can get to one of the events I am sure Tim will do his best to win it for you. :lol: Good luck Tim. :thumright:

[Tim in Belgium]

New road legal can with baffle, appropriate diameter, spring attachment and length to keep it quiet has been ordered, plus packing for existing can whilst I'm at it. With the limited time if repacking wassn't successful it'd be hard to get a can in time.

That's from A16 Road and race, guy seemed very helpful.

[rob13]

Awesome Tim! Is this Carls old bike then?

I would love to get over to spanner/hold the pit board but alas it looks a slim chance. Certainly not the early round.

[Lozzo]

That's from A16 Road and race, guy seemed very helpful.

Word to the wise - don't buy their fairings cos they rarely fit (so I found out from other CBR owners after I'd splashed out 160 quid). I have a CBR600 FW one sitting in my shed that wouldn't fit my bike in a month of Sundays, however the BB Plastics one I bought for the same money went straight on with no hassles at all.

[Tim in Belgium]

Awesome Tim! Is this Carls old bike then?

I would love to get over to spanner/hold the pit board but alas it looks a slim chance. Certainly not the early round.

Yep it is, via the ownership of Yorkie Chris!

No long notice required for pit help, we're allowed a pit crew of up to 4 on top of drivers, I think we'll be struggling for any!

[Berlin]

Drivers??

:???:

[lukemillar]

Drivers??

:???:

He has much to learn! :wink:

[Tim in Belgium]

Riders! I think the paint and fibreglass fumes had gone to my head last night.

[yorkie_chris]

Hope you enjoy, you doing what I worked out I can not afford to... and putting that bike on the road would have a) been a shame and b) led to my imminent and messy death.


To remove the tailpod it's just those 2 screws then it lifts off the back. Hold your breath when you do it as it feels like it's about to crack... but it will move.

[Tim in Belgium]

Thanks for the tip, found the sprockets with the carbs like you said, just given the tank scuff its top coat, not pretty I'd imagine when the masking tape comes off but at least it'll all be black.

This bike was never meant to go back on the road ;)

[Tim in Belgium]

Tank scuff quick repair:

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/18394/2486863570084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2486863570084392296VCFrjB)

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/18851/2590899950084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2590899950084392296opPyIV)

[/URL]
[URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2516216080084392296rRheas]http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/45712/2516216080084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2516216080084392296rRheas)

The blind amongst you may not be able to spot the repair. The visually able may spot the shiney dark black glaring out from the lighter faded mattish black!

[Tim in Belgium]

The fairing bulge repair with fibre glass, a coat of filler and a splash of black paint to finish:

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/45996/2174600520084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2174600520084392296DvqmZQ)

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/47745/2831294600084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2831294600084392296CviNjl)

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/45890/2401109970084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2401109970084392296WKEzQv)

Again not pretty but does the job.

[yorkie_chris]

This bike was never meant to go back on the road ;)

Bah. It would have been a killer up around the dales with all the tupperware whipped off and a set of proper bars on it.

I've even got a spare top yoke and bars kicking about ready but meh. I must leave this line of thought alone before I buy something else!!

[Lozzo]

Bah. It would have been a killer up around the dales with all the tupperware whipped off and a set of proper bars on it.



Oh dear, how sad.

When you're old enough to grow a beard, will you be shaving all your hair off and start wearing cammo trousers and a denim cut off?

[yorkie_chris]

Pft we've had this discussion before. :toss:

You got owt useful to add or are you busy looking wistfully at the "you must be this tall to ride the slide" sign?

[Tim in Belgium]

18 days to race number 1. Rider No.2 visited the bike today, is happy that we're safe and is about to transfer entry fees :)

Let's go racing!

[nik_nunez]

good luck tim, would love to do something like that

[Tim in Belgium]

We're treating the first race as a sorting/orientation period, tight time lines and bits getting deliverd means that there will be minimum time for team members to familiarise themselves with the bike.

A plus point is that all of the riders have ridden our first circuit, Zolder, before.

It also looks like we're going to race at Dijon in July :) None of us have been there :shock:

[Stig]

Good luck Tim.

[Tim in Belgium]

Ar$e biscuits as some would say, A16 Road and Race appear to be numpties, they still haven't sent out my quiet can yet, I'm calling back at 4pm BST to see what progress is, but it sounds unlikley that it'll be here before Tuesday's race. Disappointing as when I ordered it he said there would be no issues with timing, and when I rang last Thursday he thought it would be going out on the Friday. They have limited time to redeem themselves (although I think it's a one man band).

Plan B is to try and locate some packing and repack the horrifically loud arrow can, then plug it with a DB killer (also to be located). Everything else is almost on track, but lots to do.

[Tim in Belgium]

Just checked and apparently it has been dispatched. I should receive a tracking number by the end of the day. I'm holding my breath, but it could look hopeful.
I'm going to try and source the packing and dB killer anyway, as until it's in my hand it doesn't exist!

[yorkie_chris]

the horrifically loud arrow can,

You f*ckin heathen, it sounds ace!

[Berlin]

In all it's glory! Turn those speakers up LOUD!! :)

J8MEw9OzFPE

[Tim in Belgium]

You f*ckin heathen, it sounds ace!

It's not my fault I've got to try and meet a 95dB noise limit.

I'm keeping the Arrow can for "LOUD" days :)

[Tim in Belgium]

Just read up on how to use lock wire pliers, going to give it a go tomorrow. And a bit of precision drilling, I may buy a work bench or at least a vice......

On the plus side I've received an email that says my can is in transit :)

[lukemillar]

Just read up on how to use lock wire pliers, going to give it a go tomorrow. And a bit of precision drilling, I may buy a work bench or at least a vice......

On the plus side I've received an email that says my can is in transit :)

I love lockwiring stuff (well, if you have the pliers :wink:)

[yorkie_chris]

How to stab yourself repeatedly in the soft bit under your fingernail?

Or am I thinking of making brake lines...

[yorkie_chris]

It's not my fault I've got to try and meet a 95dB noise limit.

I'm keeping the Arrow can for "LOUD" days :)

It better be really loud day, it measured exactly 104 point-skinoffyerfookinteeth dB at cadwell.

[Berlin]

He was a very nice man to give it 105dB :D

Tim, be prepared to work on the bike a whole lot more than you expect to. I can't belive how much time I'm spending on mine. Its not just playfull enjoyable tinkering, its manic spannering! Three days ago I set about readying it for the upcoming races and thought it would take a couple of hours. Two days later I finished and I still have to change tyres and oil and filter, put the fairing back on, change the front sprocket, adjust the chain and give it a final once over!... and I've already spent a week on it fixing the minor damage from the tumble last time out.

For those who think a race bike isn't as well cared for as a road bike I'd say its the other way around by a factor of at least 10! :)

C

[Tim in Belgium]

Since collecting it all most of my free time at home has either been in the garage tinkering, sourcing stuff through the internet or driving about collecting/delivering stuff. Hopefully it will all come together for Tuesday.

Last night wheels were removed for fitment of series specific rubber, different rear sprocket fitted. I dropped wheels and tyres off this morning for fitting.

How often do you change oil and filter? And what oil do you use on track?

[Tim in Belgium]

Rider 3 can't make it now due to short notice work issues.

Fire extinguisher has been located and is being delivered to my house any minute.

Wheels were dropped off for tyre fitting this morning, will be picked up after 7pm.

DB killer located at race shop, they don't supply exhaust packing, will be purchasing said DB killer and getting a set of wets fitted to the spare wheels tomorrow am. Will scout about and try and find some packing supplier tonight/tomorrow.

No more updates on exhaust can whereabouts... I have a feeling this is all going to be close.

[Berlin]

How often do you change oil and filter? And what oil do you use on track?

I use a K&N oil filter that has a lock wire fitting on the end. I change it every second meeting. You can use a standard filter with a hoze clamp around it like the one on your bike now. Oil should be race oil and changed every meeting. (I use Castrol Power1 T4 race which is £33 for 4 litres from Halfords as I can't warrant another 15 quid more for another brand, such as Silkolene, for two days use.) Race Oil quickly loses its viscosity which is why its changed so quickly. For longer use drop down to the highest spec road oil for the likes of endurance racing.

Just adding race oil and irridium plugs saw a 6 bhp increase in power on my bike, so its worth it if racing.


C

[Tim in Belgium]

Fire Extinguisher (Brandblusser in dutch) has turned up. Eff me, the required 9kg is a tad on the large size:

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/43995/2719892000084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2719892000084392296Ynrvzp)

On the subject of safety equipment my new one piece leathers, not my ideal colour or make but they were pretty good value and purchased on my UK visit last weekend:

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/24700/2639194270084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2639194270084392296zIBuoN)

Wheels with tyres were picked up. Wheels refitted.

New straight levers fitted to controls.

Took off the road bike wheels as well as off to get my wets so might as well get some track tyres fitted to the K6 at the same time. The credit cards are getting battered. ](*,)

Beer, wine and pizza time before more last minute prep tomorrow.

[Berlin]

They must have bigger fires in Belgium! Its only a 1kg extinguisher requirement in the UK.

[lukemillar]

Fire Extinguisher (Brandblusser in dutch) has turned up. Eff me, the required 9kg is a tad on the large size:

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/43995/2719892000084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2719892000084392296Ynrvzp)


Ahhhh - thanks for reminding me! We got the smackdown at the last meeting for not having one. :smt018

[lukemillar]

I have to admit, I don't change my oil anywhere near as much as Berlin or use race oil. I just use the oil recommended by Triumph and change it every 2-3 meetings.

Be interested to see Berlin's dyno charts before and after though as it may be worth looking into :thumbsup:

[Lozzo]

On the subject of safety equipment my new one piece leathers, not my ideal colour or make but they were pretty good value and purchased on my UK visit last weekend:




There's absolutely nothing wrong with Arlen Ness leathers, in fact they are one of the best off-the-peg makes out there - certainly much better than the expensive Italian brands that attract alot of attention for their admittedly great styling. If I could fit off-the-peg leathers I'd be wearing them or Scott.

[Berlin]

I have to admit, I don't change my oil anywhere near as much as Berlin or use race oil. I just use the oil recommended by Triumph and change it every 2-3 meetings.

Be interested to see Berlin's dyno charts before and after though as it may be worth looking into :thumbsup:

Hi Luke, I've got the charts here on paper. I'll try and scan them in tonight.

C

[lukemillar]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Arlen Ness leathers, in fact they are one of the best off-the-peg makes out there - certainly much better than the expensive Italian brands that attract alot of attention for their admittedly great styling. If I could fit off-the-peg leathers I'd be wearing them or Scott.

I really wanted to buy a set of Arlen Ness, but getting out in Aus/NZ way is pretty much impossible and the postage from the UK was a joke :( Always found that bizarre as they sponsored Troy Bayliss, but couldn't find a stockist in Australia for love nor money.

[Berlin]

The irony! I used to hve a jacket mde by a Oz/New Zealand company that was very high quality and wanted to buy a suit from them but they were Southern hemisphere only.

Can't remember the name now.

And de-railing the thread yet again, I really like the fact that the BKS leathers Toesland Et al wear are the ones you can actually buy. If you look at the RST and other branks riders suits in detail you'll see they are subtley different from the ones you can buy off the shelf.

I'd consider buying BKS above others just because they are exactly the same.

And I have to say I'm racing in Alpinestars and having been down the road in them twice they are halding it very well indeed

C

[Tim in Belgium]

The Arlen Ness were just under 400 squid, so not bad value, sounds like they're a good buy. I think the company that makes them also makes Berik leathers too. Just a bit plain so harder to spot phots of me at the 'Ring, yes I'm that vain ;)

Back to the bike, front wet fitted, no rear's in stock, if it rains on race day I'll just get one fitted at the track. Bar ends collected and just got a 10l jerrry can for refuelling duties (with a none spill spout job). Sourced a windscreen trim from the race shop, and he also fitted nice 90 degree valves to my K6 750 whilst I was getting it sticky tyres for the Ring, sweet. New bar ends were also collected, you don't want to know how much they were.... Just grabbing some food then down to the garage.

[lukemillar]

The irony! I used to hve a jacket mde by a Oz/New Zealand company that was very high quality and wanted to buy a suit from them but they were Southern hemisphere only.

Not Celtic Leathers by any chance?

[Tim in Belgium]

Today's pics.

In the office, all mounted on fresh rubber:

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/44072/2020339750084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2020339750084392296hbhAjb)

Screen trim added, note tupperware fix on lhs by a previous owner ;) :

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/768/2719460700084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2719460700084392296iGtQCp)

Shiney New Suzuki sticker, from Portugal via Hampshire:

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/46184/2786872720084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2786872720084392296SFDFvZ)

New expensive bar end, not a perfect fit but it'll do for now:

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/8694/2164926930084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2164926930084392296ZeLOAr)

Lockwired quick release clamps:

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/11339/2881708930084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2881708930084392296rmodmx)

Trailer and clamp act as a work bench whilst drilling the caliper mounting bolts (and breaking drill bits):

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/45790/2426181800084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2426181800084392296czDTti)

My favourite bit of lock wiring to date on the front caliper (not sure if it's any good though):

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/33961/2442133120084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2442133120084392296gnLlxC)

Beer and wine now. A few more jobs tomorrow.

[Lozzo]

I'd consider buying BKS above others just because they are exactly the same.




If I were you I'd be asking BKS in Cornwall if they made the suit you're about to buy, if you decide to. BKS were bought out by Frank Thomas, and we all know how sh1te their leathers are. The BKS leathers you now see for sale in shops is NOT the same as the BKS previously made in Cornwall to very high standards. BKS off the peg leathers are now mass produced in China and Pakistan to the same standards as the cheapest crap you can buy from Frank Thomas. Don't be fooled, Toseland wears leathers that look identical to some sold off the peg in shops, but you would have to check with the old BKS made to measure people to make sure you're not buying some stitched together by unskilled labour in a third world sweatshop.

[Berlin]

BKS claim in their adverts (their big, main, USP claim) that their suits are the same as those work by Mr Toesland. They'd be in a world of hurt if that claim wasn't true.

C

[Lozzo]

BKS claim in their adverts (their big, main, USP claim) that their suits are the same as those work by Mr Toesland. They'd be in a world of hurt if that claim wasn't true.

C

I wouldn't trust a word Frank Thomas say about anything. FT own the Motrax brand, and recent events have proved their untrustworthyness

[yorkie_chris]

BKS claim in their adverts (their big, main, USP claim) that their suits are the same as those work by Mr Toesland. They'd be in a world of hurt if that claim wasn't true.

C

Sure, worn by Mr Toseland to take 1 pic for catalogue :smt082

[lukemillar]

Looking good Tim :thumbsup:

When is the first race? I seem to recall it being next week in which case, good luck!

[Tim in Belgium]

Tuesday at Zolder, 3pm-6pm. Practice/Qualifying/bike shake down is 10:20-11:20am.

We're treating this first run as a shake down and something to build on. Our first aim is to finish, my second aim is to do one overtake!

[Berlin]

Yep! Good luck! and remember to put enough fuel in! :) It isn't the same as riding on the road!

My 600 uses 3 litres for 10 laps of East Fortune plus a warm up lap. That's 16.3 miles at full tilt and one warm up lap. (Track length 1.63 miles.) You also need extra in case of restarts etc. (and under ACU rules you should have 2 litres left in your ank in case of fuel testing)

I make sure there's 5 litres in for each race and top up after each race. (either by pumping the tank out or a dipstick).

Zolder is 2.6 miles and your 750 is going to drink more than my 600. So if your race is 10 laps you'd be looking at 5 litres minimum for a race at Zolder plus two or three litres spare for restarts and warm up laps.

Zolder looks like a great track BTW!


C

[yorkie_chris]

It's an endurance race isn't it?

[Tim in Belgium]

Zolder is 2.6 miles and your 750 is going to drink more than my 600. So if your race is 10 laps you'd be looking at 5 litres minimum for a race at Zolder plus two or three litres spare for restarts and warm up laps.

Zolder looks like a great track BTW!


C

For the 3hr race I think a few refuelling stops will be required!!

[Tim in Belgium]

Today:

Oil & filter change. Lockwired sump plug, filler plug and filter :D

Quick wash. Cleaned and lubed chain, adjusted cold tyre pressures.

Patched upper fairing scuff and fraying edge with resin and gave a blow over of white paint to hide.

Fitted some sound deadening to try and prevent resonance in the fairing as suggested by organisers. No idea how effective it'll be.

All garage stuff for race sorted.

Alll riding gear sorted, just soaking my tinted visor. Almost there, just that sodding can to arrive.

[Tim in Belgium]

With a little detective work I've figured the can has reached the Rotterdam depot, so is less than 20 miles away. If it hasn't arrived by lunch time I'm going to ring them up and go and collect it myself!

Oh and I peeled off the black slanty "eyes" so that the race numbers can be stuck on Tuesday morning. It's lost a little character :(

[yorkie_chris]

Oi you can't say that, I got some infraction points for goin on about slant-eyes :-P :smt082

[Tim in Belgium]

Can has arrived, but without baffle and attaching spring as ordered http://209.85.48.8/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif So A16 Road and Race aren't not my favoured suppliers at the moment.

So off to get a DB killer & spring this evening.

[Tim in Belgium]

Went to get a dB Killer, unfortunately the outlet of the can is larger than normal so the dB killer was way too loose, this was at 5:30pm :rolleyes:

So I rushed to the nearest auto outlet, it was shut :angry: So I rushed back to the auto outlet in my town (minorly shunting a dutchman on the way, no damage), getting there minutes before closing to buy one of those exhaust repair kits.

I then proceeded with pliers, hammer, metal and softish stuff that came with it to make a folded up ring to pad out the dB killer, the trailer stepped in as a work bench again:
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/47650/2893881060084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2893881060084392296TSvfel)

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/44036/2907652310084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2907652310084392296gYVbZE)

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/46788/2882878810084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2882878810084392296oOvAqN)

I drilled an extra hole for a rivet to accompany the grub screw below, bashed it all in, grub screwed and riveted:

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/44677/2054010390084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2054010390084392296pwIsiN)

And fitted the can, I can fart louder, which is good I suppose:

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/12816/2237645370084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2237645370084392296vPyErs)

The French Supercar has taken on race van duties, swallowing all an endurance team needs, and leaving ebough space for me to sit in:

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/33924/2575053770084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2575053770084392296EFReJG)

Loaded and hitched up, ready to roll, after filling the car and bike up with BP Ultimate:

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/15987/2553781100084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2553781100084392296OcnTqQ)

Finally it's all ready to go, race starts in 14 hrs time in another country!

[Berlin]

Tim, I can't believe how excited I am that You're going racing! :)

I've got more butterflies about your race that mine coming up this weekend! great read!

Oh, and whip that new DB killer out and file the tiny spot welds off that end piece thats across the flow and remove it. Having tried that DB Killer in my hornet, it's negligible increase in noise for much better flow and takes minutes to do.

...if you have time :D

C

[lukemillar]

It Tuesday here so Good luck for today/tomorrow :thumbsup:

Write a report when you get back

[Tim in Belgium]

I'll see how the bike goes through noise testing and through dynamic testing when out on track, we've 3hr 40 mins after practice/quali to fettle/sleep/eat etc. I don't want to upset the "custom" spacer that took some bashing into place.

Must go sleep, early start in the morning and two hr drive to track.

[barwel1992]

the end of the can looks sharp, wont they scrutinise that ?

[punyXpress]

All the best to team #wang.
You'll be about in the thick of it about right now!

[Bluefish]

How did it go tim, first place. :D

[Tim in Belgium]

How did it go tim, first place. :D

Not quite, an eventful day. a report will follow shortly....

[Tim in Belgium]

So a great day with lots of learning and lots of help from Charlie Whyte and team Phoenix.

Turned up, sailed through techniacl inspection, stickered up bike with sponsorship stickers, moved into a pit box with Charlie and Team Phoenix, who were quite surpirised at us having not pit crew, no refuelling man, no fire extinguisher man, no legal refuelling device.

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/32298/2458687920084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2458687920084392296dAPcuA)

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/46559/2081036690084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2081036690084392296NCGYYA)

Charlie kindly lent us his spare ex-kawasaki endurance team dump fueller, and two of his crew to refuel us when required (not that we ever quite reached that stage, 10 mins short ;) ). The refueller is modelled by Mick here:

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/12919/2816085160084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2816085160084392296qqHxuO)

Qualifying was interesting, I was slow in getting back into track riding, a nice big spin up on the first lap out on new tyres, a few more twitches, especially on a new bike that seems to have a powerband come in at 8k rpm with a bit of a rush. After a few laps I got black flagged for excessive noise :( 95.9dB.... So I came in (a 2nd black flag due to noise would have meant being DQ'd for the rest of the event).

Mick then went out and seemed to gel quite well with the bike, securing us a qualifying position that wasn't last!

We lunched, faffed a bit, got a wet rear tyre fitted to our spare wheel, then it started raining gently, most other teams turned to wets. We stayed on dry BT-016s due to the fact we didn't think we'd be able to change wheels and discs over by the start of the race. This is something we difinitley need to practice.

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/20081/2376134620084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2376134620084392296CxcyVh)

I went out in the damp, steady eddy, we were soon red flagged. We reformed, went out again, I got overtaken by the guy behind me, also on BT-016s, I had a few ar$e puckering moments, once the front locking a little under braking for turn 1 :shock:

So as a drying line was developing I upped the pace from very tentative to tentative and start to slowly draw him in. Still getting to grips with the track, various chicane option (i.e shortcuts that were being taken), meant I'd catch a up a bit then drop back a bit. In the end I caught him and passed between turn 1 and 2. I then got ahead of him but then started to be overtaken by the front runners. Again it was drying more, and I slowly sped up (but not quick), got some knee down, and really got in a groove and enjoyed myself.

Soon my 45 mins were up, I came in, swapped with Mick and out he went, just as it started to spit again. The track dampened up a bit more and Mick stayed out putting in a fiar number of laps, but was unlucky to get caught out at the end of his stint on the entry to chicane just before the start/finish straight.

The bike used its crash bungs, spilt a little oil, cuaght a little fire, got put out, a normal day at the office. No damage to Mick luckily.

A great day even with mishaps and many lessons learnt:

- Try riding a bike on track in advance of a race meeting
- An SRAD with a new baffled can will set off the noise meter in third and a fair bit of throttle, even staying away from the mic
- An SRAD with a new baffled can will haul in Blades and RSVs on the straights when there are no noise meters
- More than 2 riders are required for an endurance team
- Team Phoenix are a generous bunch, but at least we repaid the favour by lending them a 36mm socket
- If it's wet use your wets
- If you have wets make sure the wheels have discs fitted so you can use them
- A super spout and jerry can does not pass for a bona fida refuelling device
- A decent breakfast is a good idea before endurance racing, not 2 muesli bars
- Jaine Omorogbe is tall in real life and was giving us track tips, we were that fast ;)
- Oil from smashed casings can catch on fire when it contacts hot exhausts
- Powder fire extinguishers make a mess of your bike[/li]
- Suzuki electrics still work after a fire and with a bent key
- Rebuild and refuse to lose, Dijon here we come
- The dutch speed limit for towing is apparently 80km/h not 100 according to some traffic coppers, but they seem to take pity on foreigners with broken motorbikes


A little damage, I will inspect closer tomorrow night, but it looks fixable, upper fairing, screen, levers, crash bungs and alternator cover, gearchange rearset, brake side foot peg, rear fairing patch up and a new tank scuff to fix!

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/17512/2144135540084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2144135540084392296WWJyOY)

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/44067/2647044570084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2647044570084392296mdLZUE)

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/43973/2777724880084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2777724880084392296oJjhWF)

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/41751/2001624540084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2001624540084392296Sjridn)

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/41936/2222716540084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2222716540084392296JwTCWI)

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/44676/2219655360084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2219655360084392296jEXOFS)

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/19828/2183917470084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2183917470084392296ZkdsdH)

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/44917/2839226730084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2839226730084392296Luyxyg)

So we've experienced a racing baptism of fire ;) but we'll be back, 2 months to Dijon :D

[yorkie_chris]

seems to have a powerband come in at 8k rpm with a bit of a rush.

- An SRAD with a new baffled can will haul in Blades and RSVs on the straights when there are no noise meters

Good innit :smt033, sure there's another one lurking higher up somewhere where it really gets shifting.
can't believe you've made a boll*cks of it already, bit careless weren't it :-P

Have you scuffed the same bit of tank you patched up?

[Berlin]

Fantastic write up Tim! Sorry the bike went down the track but thats all part of racing :) Bend it, fix it, bend it again! Really glad the riders are unscathed.

The guy on Ebay sells the footpegs for those rearests individually if you Email him (because the one you bust was brand spanking) but its always good to have a few spares along with spare handlebars, spare clutch and brake levers etc. I now carry half a bike with me to the meetings just in case :)

And, like the last time and like my drop, it went down on the left side. Cheaper to buy an engine casing than a new exhaust! R&G covers for the next meeting?

I'm loving this step by step "blog" approach to racing. Maybe I'll do the same for this weekend if its popular with other folks? Its addictive reading and we feel like we're involved :)

Some engine, isnt it? The power coming in at 8K is from the top end tune. How does it compare to your road bike engine?

You'll get better and better at changing wheels as you get a system. I've got it down to under 5 mins for a front and rear change on the 600 now and I can change and balance a tyre in less than 5 mins too. Just do it a few times and it'll come. I've probably changed 30 tyres on this bike's wheels now and its second nature.

What was your qualifying lap times compared to your racing times? How much did you drop?

C

[Tim in Belgium]

Chris - a bit of the previously scuffed bit and a new bit ;) The Power keeps on coming, it slams into the rev limiter at a rate of knots, no tailing off/soft limiter as I discovered. It was also spinning up over the grid positions on the start/finish staright, nice!

Berlin - Yep a good learning curve for us. Do you have details of the seller of those rearsets? Could you pm me if possible?

Also do you know who made the race fairing? we only need an upper, but that's if it'll fit to the lower.......

Had a heavy duty spare casing waiting in the wings already :) Just needs a few more bits to make trackable...

[lukemillar]

Get some case covers! More important than crash bungs :)

So did you actually use your wets?

[yorkie_chris]

Doesn't look like it considering the green line on them next to the crispy bike!

[Tim in Belgium]

So did you actually use your wets?

No :(, but next time it's wet we will!

[lukemillar]

I'm loving this step by step "blog" approach to racing. Maybe I'll do the same for this weekend if its popular with other folks? Its addictive reading and we feel like we're involved :)

I wish we had a section for race reports! I really like reading them but I post mine as individual threads. Maybe I should just start a single thread and keep adding to it??

Plus, I have a video camera hooked up for this weekend, so I should be able to video the whole thing which might be of interest!

[lukemillar]

No :(, but next time it's wet we will!

:lol: You're learning!

[Berlin]

Well, if we all call ourselves Numberwang racing we can use this one. Like a franchise! :smt118

Tim, Pm sent re Ebay.

C

[yorkie_chris]

I'm still fairly wounded that you've had to silence it down to a paltry 95dB... criminal having race rules like that :(

[Tim in Belgium]

It's the local council :(

And we didn't quite get it down to 95dB, so short shifting passed the sound meter on part throttle was our only way to get through the day.

[Berlin]

What exactly is no budget about this No Budget Cup if you have to have special fuelers and two fuelling staff? Seems to be more expensive than my Supersport class! I use a yellow plastic jug :D

And I love your sexy numbers too! Spookily, 73 was my first choice too but it was already taken in the club so ended up with 33.

C

[Tim in Belgium]

One set of tyres for 3 hrs (if it's not raining), old bikes, pretty free rules to do what you like bike wise as long as it's safe. The fuellers aren't that expensive if you get a plastic jobby, and make sense when refuelling during a race, a hot bike, jerry can and adrenalin is a recipe for trouble!

The numbers are quite cool, and are provided by the organisers. We were randomly assigned 73.

[Mr Speirs]

Nice write up Tim. Has been good to read about from start to now. Good luck for Dijon and well done for this race. Looks like fun.

[Wester]

I'll join the call for a race reports forum!
Great stuff though Tim, sorry to hear about the off but it happens, Looking forward to the next episode of team numberwang!

[mister c]

Good write up Tim, sorry about the off, but at least not too much harm done & lessons have been learned for next time.
Its amazing how different racing is to a trackday isn't it? Gets the adrenaline pumping. Good luck for the next round :)