Counting the pennies...

Well it's that time of year, counting the pennies to see what it's going to cost to go racing this season.

The easy answer is that I'm going to seriously need some personal financial sponsorship to get out on track at all.

Probably about £10,000 to do what I would really like to do, in the way I'd really like to do it - for my 28th consecutive race season.

So if there are 20 people reading this, it's only £500 each!!

Lots of things to consider.

When were were measuring the bike's headstock angle at K-Tech, it gave me a great opportunity to have a look at the chassis close up.

Having all the bodywork off and all the ancillary components out of the way we could assess just how we could improve things.

The Suzuki chassis looks very strong so shouldn't need any gusseting to help the rigidity, however without any track time so far - we'll just have to suck it and see!!

I can't wait to get out and ride her...

While we had the forks out at K Tech it was worth checking the spring rate and damping etc.

Ken measured the strength of the springs and found they were 9.5Kg, far too strong for the 450 so we installed some 8Kg ones and fitted a damper kit to suit.

Straight away the front end felt much better!

Cheers Ken.

Airbox and exhaust...

Mark's been busy and is well on the way to completing the air box which, unusually, will be mounted on the left hand side of the bike between the fairing and the engine.

The idea here is create a forced air system that is in a cooler area than under the tank or seat, and will be fed cool fresh air from the side of the fairing.

Great plan - let's see how it works.

The exhaust has come back now, and is much longer than the original - so hopefully it will be quieter.

The Thundersport Moto450 rules are asking for a maximum of 100 db - now that is quiet!

This will be a tall order as singles are traditionally extremely difficult to silence.

I think our silencer will look like some kind of 'cannon', but hey if that's what it takes....

Welcome to my 2009 Blog.

Hi, this is my new blog for 2009 - please make sure that you add it to your favourites, or you could make sure you don't miss out on any updates by becoming a follower of this blog, simply click on the 'followers' item on the right.

I have copied some of the Moto 450 entries over from last year's blog so that any new visitors can get a bit of history on the project.
Here's to a good season!
Mike.

Next modifications on the Suzuki Moto 450

Had a great day at K Tech, met up with Mark and took the 450 along to see Ken Summerton at the K Tech workshop. He has a fantastic facility in Coalville.

Ken measured the headstock angle and designed a new bearing arrangement to alter the headstock angle.

Ken really knows his stuff and filled me with confidence, he also re-shimmed the rear shock and re built the forks with softer springs.

More info coming shortly.

Thanks to 'Frost'

I am pleased to confirm my first continued sponsorship arangement for 2009 from Mike Wood at Frost.
Their product range is enormous; from basic maintenance and restoration products through to some trick tools and essential products, I find that there is always something they offer that I'll need to get me through the racing season.

You can find out what fantastic products they sell by clicking here: Frost Auto Restoration

Things to think about....

Mark has found a company to make some offset front sprockets to help the chain run, plus he manufactured a new gear lever off the gear shaft to help the ground clearance issue we initially had.

We are off to K Tech this weekend to discuss suspension with Ken, so by the week after next we will be a whole lot closer to going testing.

Further discussions.

As soon as Mark got home he started work on Sabina, he rang round his 'contacts' and ordered some modified components.

There is a new rear wheel on its way from Italy and a larger silencer on order too!

We are meeting up soon at K Tech to work over some ideas about the rear suspension and frame geometry.

I'm really looking forward to having a run round on her now.

More ideas for perfecting the Suzuki Moto 450 'Sabina'.

Reading through the Moto 450 rules Mark and I were surprised at the noise limit of 100 db, looking at the silencer Mark had fitted to Sabina there is no way we would make that.
However, with the contacts Mark has it should not be a problem.
Sabina is home with Mark now and and he has started work on her.
We will get Christmas and new year out the way and look forward to getting away to test somewhere.

Sabina goes home to 'Daddy'.

Met Mark Hanna today, like some dodgy dealers, in a car park just off the M42 to hand 'Sabina' back to her dad for some tweaks and alterations.

One thing we discussed was wheel and tyre size and the possibility of running the same tyres I use on Gordon.

Mark had built Sabina with a 5" rear wheel but I've suggested dropping down to 4.5" and using a smaller size of tyre to suit - this would help the chain run and make the 'her' change direction much better!

Rider of the year - award from NYRRSC

I was really surprised to be awarded the Paul Warwick Shield for 'Rider of the Year' last night from the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club.

There are many famous names on the sheild starting with Andy McGladdery in 1986, and including people like Steve Webster, Carl Fogarty, and John McGuinness. More recently, Dennis Hobbs and Dan Linfoot - and now twenty two years after first being awarded it says 'Mike Edwards 2008' - fantastic!

The NYRRSC has been raising funds to help and support road racers since 1985. Last night one of the club's founders, and now president Chris Herring was the guest of honour; and Chris presented me with the award.

You can keep up to date with their latest events by clicking here NYRRSC

Trophy anyone?

I had a great evening at the Classic Rcaing Club dinner do and picked up several awards including the largest one of the evening - Vanni had mounted the complete exhaust from Buster after I crashed on him at the last round at Brands, cheeky monkey he is!
Bumped into this bloke a few times on the night and he won just about everything......



Photo by: Russell Lee. www. sport-pics.co.uk

CRMC AWARDS

CRMC AWARDS
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Having a lovely evening in Daventry at the Classic Club dinner dance. Picked up a bit of silverware. Calling at NEC tomorrow night to collect Mark Hanna's moto 450 and bring it up North to exhibit and think of a name for it.

Oh, no, that time again...

Yes, calendar time!!
Thanks very much to Jetmedia who once again have kindly sponsored me with the supply of 1000 calendar cases - they're not just CD cases you know, they have to be special calendar cases for the job.

I am going to do the International ones first, as I want to get them done and on the way before the posting deadline, and then I will get round to doing all the UK ones.

If you've moved in the last year, been missed off the list, or would like to request a calendar for the first time - simply visit the 'news' page on my website and follow the calendar details from there.

Full specification on website.

I've put the full specification of this Suzuki moto 450 beautifully built by Mark Hanna on my website simply click here: Moto 450

If you want to see it in real life it's on the ThundersportGB stand at the NEC show.

Some more snaps.

It's a very pretty machine, isn't it?

Oohhh, this looks interesting...

Here's a photo of something that I think's interesting.

I'll put more photos on here as the week progresses, putting them all together with a description on my main website, by the end of the week.

Curious?

Looking forward to next season.

Not quite sure what I'm going to be doing next season - but this little green man popped round with his latest racing project to see if I wanted to ride it; on quick inspection I think there might be too much air in the front forks...

You know me - I'll ride a shovel if someone will pull it fast enough...



Fantastic balloon art by magician Paul Grundle