Cadwell - MT125 - testing reviewed.

All in all, we had a great day out - the weather was unbelivable - warm and sunny.

I learnt a lot about the bikes, they really are unique.
Jerry thinks nothing about just whipping the head off to check the fuelling.

Riding Marina hard I noticed under full power in the higher gears she seemed to be holding back, as if it was about to seize or run out of fuel.

We jetted down, and tried it again, however there was no particular improvement.

Jerry went away to think about it, a few days later he rang to say he thinks it might have been the new exhausts we were using.

Busy day.

Done quite a few sessions now on Marina. Something is not quite right though.
Don't know if it is fuelling or something as simple as needing a new spark plug.
Jerry is taking her home to hopefully to find a solution.

Up and running.

Marina is finding it a bit intimidating being out in the ACU group.
But we are having a good time and not everyone is having it their own way through Hall Bends...

Marina's a bit too noisy.

MSV rules say only 105db and Marina's putting out 109 so we have set Steve to work already.

Arrived at Cadwell.

Got here lovely day. Marina was too noisy at first.

Off for a run on the 'maggot'

Steve McNic called round on his 'maggot' to give me a lift to our local bikers place - Squires Cafe at Sherburn in Elmet.
I went to leave some posters and leaflets - the place was absolutely packed out.
Shows what a bit of sunshine does for you!
Click here to visit their website:
Squires Cafe

You're magic to me, a beautiful mystery...

Been to see Jerry today, and he's generously offered one of his stable of Honda MT125 machines to race this season.

Well here she is - going to be riding her next Saturday if all goes well.
So just taking her to meet Steve and Harry, and throughout this week we're going to give her the 'once' over before we set off for the track.

Looking at the colour, she really is going to have to be called, Marina, as in 'Aqua Marina' - remembering the gorgeous mermaid - for all you Stingray fans.

Sponsors and Supporters Club

It looks like I'll need about £10,000 to cover the costs of everything that I would like to try and do this season.
I know it's a very difficult time to try and raise cash, but if you can help out, you can click here to see the details of my Sponsors & Supporters Club

Nice new specs...

Just been and had some new spectacles fitted at C&J Nixon Opticians by Chris and Martin; but in fact everyone there is extremely professional and friendly - I can certainly recommend them!

Current press - BikeSportNews

Had a great career review in the BikeSportNews!

The offset front sprockets have arrived and have cured the chain alignment, plus now we will have the right gearing for most circuits now.

The gear linkage also has been revised moving the quick shifter to a most secure location.

Loverrrllly new wheel...

When discussing things with Mark after Christmas, we were unsure of the 5.0" rear wheel for 'Sabina', I sugested the first thing we use was 4.5" rim to help cure the chain run problem.

A bonus is it will help the bike change direction too!

I got this photo, and comment from him the other day:

"...new 4.5 rear wheel, specially made for the old girl by marchassini in italy..."

I don't think Mark knows how to spell Marchenisi - he will once the invoice arrives though!

Further progress on airbox.

The Suzuki moto450 supersingle is progressing!

Mark has indulged me further; and sent me some photos of his the tasty modifications... just one here for you now.

To quote his recent email:

"...that beautifull airbox with air box pressure sensor specially for Bloke..."

Mark is away testing now with the BSB Suzuki team, so will have to wait until his return to plan our next step.

Trophy looks great...

Thanks to Dorta's Father, and Vanni's sense of humour, I was presented with an enormous trophy - the entire exhaust after my little 'off' at Brands in the last event of 2008.

However, it is so big that I had no where to put it - Malcolm Whitaker of The Crown Hotel at Middlesmoor, an ex-racer himself, had the answer. It's now proudly displayed above the dartboard in the pub!
Click here for more details about the Crown Hotel that resides in the very picturesque Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Well the new airbox has been completed and looks great, it also looks a bit like a Super charger, how many times do you think the Scrutineer's will pull it over and ask us to take off the 'Blower'. Lets hope it works like one. More info after the dyno results.

Lots of thanks to Steve and Mark at Fabrication Techniques for their time, effort and ingenuity and credit to Doug who made it!

Triumph Speed Triple

Another 'blast from the past' feature from RPM.

Riding the Bill Head sponsored Triumph, I had a race long battle with Brian Morrison to take the Inaugral race in the Triumph Speed Triple Challenge at the Donington Moto GP.

You can click on the icon for a quality image and to read the article in full.

Harley Davidson racing - not all that new...

'Blast from the past' - found this article in one of our old RPM magazines, click on the picture to see it full size if you wanted to read it.


Not sure what the Harley racing at British Superbikes will be like this year, I'm just a bit worried about the marshalls who will have to pick them up...

Those were the days...

Another great 'blast from the past' shot from Graham, makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, reliving some of the races through these great photos.

More memories...

Thanks again to Graham for another one of his photos.
The SS600 grid at Snetterton in 1994 - check out the body language between me and Simmo.
There had been a few protests fired off between our teams against each other as we battled very closely for the championship...

Bit of a retro blast

I found this great photo hiding on the internet.
It's by Graham Etheridge, and you can check out other examples of his work by visiting his personal webspace: Graham Etheridge

It's made me feel really nostalgic, so I'll be having a root round and put up some other retro stuff over the next few days.