Spent hours at K Tech yesterday trying to fathom the weaving issue of the 848. Ken gave us lots of time and checked everything thoroughly and the most weird thing is - we found nothing wrong with either the forks or rear shock! Now that really is a bu€$er. Thanks anyway Ken for all your time and effort.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Hard do.
Managed to hang on to the bike and stay with Leon and Darren for the whole race this time. It was hard work. Thought I was third but Darren was penalised for overtaking on a yellow flag promoting me to 2nd and Mark Cheetham to 3rd. Nice glass trophy. But I dropped and broke it. Bugger!
Not what I wanted.
I'd like to report that I had a great race but I can't. A cloud burst as we were waiting on the grid meant we got five minutes to change tyres if we wanted for a wet race. I just did the front. That wasn't the problem though. The bike was fighting, bucking and weaving so badly on the straights that I was having to back off the throttle. Got 4th with the usual suspects on the podium. Darren on the top step, then Leon and Kenny. Going to be radical with suspension settings now because it CAN NOT be any worse.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
So frustrating.
I am disappointed that I just can't seem to get the bike to work. I even ran with a camera on board for the last session so I could try and think of a solution. It's weaving in weird places and I am still struggling with stability. Ho hum. Straight in to the races tomorrow no morning warm up. Just have to get on with it...
Sunshine and showers.
They're not kidding! But why did it wait to start raining exactly as our first timed practice was called. Did nothing for 10 mins waiting for it to blow over then put wets in to have a couple of laps to see what it was like. Not very nice! Alexey crashed out and has gone to hospital to get checked out. Leon is riding with a damaged finger after a get off yesterday. Two more sessions later today.
Doing stuff gradually.
Not really 100% comfortable with the bike yet. Still trying different things to find an ideal set up for me. Names? Not really got enough feedback as to whether it's even a boy or a girl yet!
Doing stuff gradually.
Not really 100% comfortable with the bike yet. Still trying different things to find an ideal set up for me. Names? Not really got enough feedback as to whether it's even a boy or a girl yet!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Oulton outing.
Having a run round at Oulton today with a client before going home to unpack the van and re pack it to set off very early in the morning for Assen.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Scooter surgery
Shaun Rose of Motobreakes generously offered us a paddock bike for the season if we can get it going. Unfortunately after much twiddling and scratching of heads this one is not going anywhere...
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Getting through it.
Having a day at Snetterton with a client. Weather is good and the circuit is quiet so we are getting plenty of track time and getting through plenty of fuel.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Good day.
Had a great day at Cadwell with one of my repeat clients. It was chilly to start with but it warmed up when the sun came out.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Video Google transfers to Youtube
Video Google is coming to an end - but before they shut it down completely, they have allowed users to transfer footage to YouTube - have a click on my Pre2009 Channel if you're interested to see lots of older videos:
Pre 2009 Channel
With another channel at MikeEdwards09 just click to watch.
With another channel at MikeEdwards09 just click to watch.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Quite happy with that.
A second 2nd - very happy with that, Leon is on an Evo bike and six stone lighter. I can't wait till Assen - I should be on an Evo bike then, however, I won't be six stone lighter so we'll just have to wait and see...
Pre race review.
Just looking at video and listening to the revs from morning warm up, getting ideas on the gearing before the race. Should be live on Eurosport 2 at 2.25pm.
Gordon's coming home.
Just editing the video from warm up will post shortly. While we were down this end of the country we collected Gordon from his Uncle Roy and Martin. Alan is having a sit on a 'proper' race bike!
Morning warm up.
Getting ready for a run round in an hour. Got permission to put the cameras on so should be able to get some footage of the other competitors on track.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
That will do for starters.
Had a great race. Got away with the front bunch. Led for quite a while after Leon Morris missed a gear. Made myself as big as possible and it took him quite a few laps to get past. Very happy with 2nd because I've now got lots of ideas for setting up the bike for tomorrow.
Like a garden party.
The only bit of flat ground we have near the awning is a patch of grass opposite. Frantic cleaning now. We think its the seal on the back of the clutch. Just got to get it all spic and span in time for the race.
Qualifying.
Warm up was extended from 8 mins to 15 and renamed qualifying. I did not want to stay out too long as we have a two tyre rule for the whole event so wanted to preserve them for the race. Got black flagged on the last lap, I knew something was wrong as I was getting monster slides. Looked down and for the second event in a row I was covered in oil. As far as I know I'm 4th -not bad since I've only ridden the bike for 30 laps in total. Will update when I know what the bike trouble is.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
All off.
Qualifying is cancelled. Been waiting 40 minutes for oil clear up after a super sport blow up organisers are running out of time and called it a day. Bu$$er.
First ride out.
Happy with the front end bit puzzled by some instability from the back end. Rode round getting used to the bike. Was 4th fastest I think with a 49.999. Going to make a couple of changes before qualifying in two hours.
Scrutineering queue.
Bumped into Steve Jordan in the queue this morning. I was approached by Andy Kirkwood to suggest a replacement rider for him; and the best person I could think of was Steve. Current Bemsee Thunderbike Champion, Brands specialist and suspension expert. I might have shot myself in the foot...
Friday, April 22, 2011
At last!
I've ridden the bike. Down the paddock to see Steve Jordan about what he suggests on the suspension set up - and back.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
BMW power.
Tim's bike has so much awesome power that I think he'll get real benefit from using a decent size 'bum stop' - then on the straights he'll be able to wedge himself against it and relax his arms. Stops him tugging on the bars and inducing instability.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Great day.
It's Thursday so it's likely to be Cadwell. North Glos club is racing here at the weekend so have been coaching Ben Cole today in preparation of the event.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Chilly at Snetterton.
Here we are showing Alexey the new track. Would be nicer if the sun was out and a bit warmer, but he's used to riding in the cold in Russia.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
848 set up.
Coaching Alexey Ivanov at Brands today, being from Russia Alexey needs some pointers on UK tracks. I'm also helping him get the bike set up, had a ride on it to see what it was like and now I can't wait to get on and race one!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Oh dear.
I think it's a piece of 5th gear and the bit of the top of the crank case that it punched off on it's way out of the gear boy. Check my face book racing page for full details of the event.
just waiting
For the next race to get underway. Have to go off the back of the grid again. Live timing at www.icgpracing.com
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Won from the back of the grid.
Very hot, very hard but a great fun race. I'll try to do it again same time tomorrow.
Reasonable grovelling result.
Well disqualification was on the cards but I must have pleaded quite a good case as the organisers are allowing me to race, albeit starting from the back of the grid. So changing the whole ignition unit to see if we have any better luck.
Stu saves the day.
From the out lap I could tell the ignition had gone again. Pulled in without having completed even one flying lap; so that meant we hadn't even qualified! Luckily Stu Melen had a spare bike ready for Chris Bishop. He was generous enough to let me do two flying laps on it to get a time. I put my transponder inside my leathers and qualified 4th - fantastic. Now we are in trouble for qualifying on a bike where the numbers and transponder don't match. Off to do some grovelling in the office while Graham sees to the bike.
Timing slipped.
As the rotar had moved, it was no suprise it did'nt feel right! Holed a piston in just three laps. Bu$$er. All rebuilt now. Let's see what qualifying will bring.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Not good.
The bike didn't feel crisp from the start. Carburration was not right. Lasted three laps before it seized and I had to watch everyone else enjoying practice from the side of the track.
Cadwell to Catalunya!
To be honest I never thought we could get organised to be coaching yesterday and here in Spain in time for practice today. But we are, and lots of thanks to those who have helped get me here with financial contributions. Arrived just an hour before practice and now they've cancelled it! On track now about 5.30.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Every day is different.
That's one of the things I love about the coaching; meeting different people riding different machines. Today my client is younger than his bike!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Warming up at last.
It was a bit chilly and damp first thing at Oulton, good for my client to learn the track. Now the sun's come out, and he knows where he's going now, so we should have a good afternoon.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
At last!
Adam first got in touch about coaching well over a year ago - then lots of unexpected stuff got in his way and it's taken until now for us to be able to get on track at last!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cadwell test drive.
Moto Direct have generously sponsored me with new RST leathers for coaching in. Just giving them their first airing at Cadwell today.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Glorious day at Snet.
First time here at the revamped circuit. Weather is fantastic and the family atmosphere in the garage with the Bemsee competitors is great.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Snetterton
Arrived in Norfolk to coach a new customer tomorrow. Sharing a garage with some of my previous clients. How can you tell?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Classic Cadwell outing.
The weather was kind to us yesterday. Not so for my client's bike though. It refused to run; luckily there was a bike hire company here that he rented one from to make sure his day wasn't wasted.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Ebay bid for supporters
Im trying to rustle up some interest in racing the TZ 350 in the ICGP - we still have to find some cash to make the first round in Spain.
Loads of people are always searching Ebay for bike and racing related stuff, so to catch their eye and use Ebay as a promotional tool I've put up the chance to be a supporter as an Ebay item. Click here to see it.
However, if you do want to support our ICGP race efforts, you can do it direct via my website and that'll save me the Ebay fees!
Cheers.
Mike.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Brands TZ test video
We need some additional cash to make the first round in Spain, if you can help in anyway, please make a secure donation via the "financial support" button on the top icon menu of my Main Website.
Friday, March 11, 2011
TZ test at Brands.
Had quite a good day at Brands.
Got some idea of how the bike works now and would like to experiment with the suspension.
All we need now is to find some cash so we can go racing...
Got some idea of how the bike works now and would like to experiment with the suspension.
All we need now is to find some cash so we can go racing...
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Long association.
Collecting memorabillia from my Dad's house, I found this great 1990 calendar. Shows how long I've enjoyed my great relationship with Arai.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Cadwell gloom.
Back for a coaching day. Once again it is cold wet and miserable with the circuit even shut for a short time this morning due to fog. I swear the weather forecast said "sunshine" before we left home!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Frank's refresh.
With so much coaching work at the moment it's time to give Frank a bit of TLC. Here near York at Reactive Suspension where Gareth has serviced the forks. Check out the services he offers at www.reactivesuspension.com
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