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.