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Current Topic Rating: | Join the Forum to Rate this Topic at: Classic Motorcycling Australia Forums
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2005 : 9:43:34 PM
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Dunno if this is a good idea or not, I'm sure you'll let me know! Thought as I'm starting out my classic career this year, from scratch, it may be usefull for others were I to document the experience as I go, step by step, highs and lows. Cheers yamaman
Step1 get a bike: Decided to go for a race prepared bike, you get all the bits you need, and none of the bits you dont (maybe go for the thrill of building my own further down the track). So i wrangled a 1972 XS650 yamaha, through this forum, with a log book, ready to race, for $2500 from S.A. It then cost $500 to send it west.
$3000 so far
Cant reply to yourself, so just keep on adding to this 1 I guess. Step2 join a club: Joined HCMC WA $60.00 year as a competitor. Do a racecraft course: $170 Apply for competition licence $255.50
Step3 Protective equipment (oops should have been step2) Already got a good arai helmet, will need a new lens $100 (bloody arai's) Leathers; got a collins leather 1 piece race suit, with all the fruit for $770, bargain as its a size 54!! Back protector, havnt got yet but around $100. Need a new pair of boots, looking like between $300 & $500. Gloves; got a set of teknic's $230 loaded.
Entry fee, 1st race $75.00
600km round trip to circuit $100 per trip, by the time of first race will be at least 4 trips, $400.
Brings us up to $5660.50 thus far. Keep you all posted yamaman
Oops,nearly forgot, did YOU remember yours? Ambulance subs $23.00 (single). Should be compulsory for anyone over 18, add on your new additions aswell!
$5683.50
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Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
Edited by - yamaman on 30 Mar 2005 11:18:50 PM |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2005 : 11:14:04 PM
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Step 4 Issue challenge to Ben with his mighty Honda |
John Daley Sidecar #68 ' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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popeye
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
187 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2005 : 06:36:14 AM
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step 5 meet at half way point (about Mundrabilla) for a race off, dont think the two bikes will meet too often. |
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we may as well dance |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2005 : 09:23:23 AM
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Now theres a challenge, the Nullabor Classic Best you set it up with some tall gearing and a sheepskin seat Ben, at least the field should be spread out a bit by turn 1 John, you might wanna fit a cruise control to the outfit!!!! |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
Edited by - yamaman on 31 Mar 2005 09:31:10 AM |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2005 : 11:17:25 PM
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Sounds good. I could fit long range tanks and wear you solo blokes into the ground. |
John Daley Sidecar #68 ' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Ben
Honda CB350 Racers Promotion - Moderator
Victoria
288 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2005 : 11:52:06 AM
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I think I would join John on the sidecar, maybe install a coffee maker first? May as well be comfortable. |
Try Everything |
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popeye
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
187 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2005 : 8:26:11 PM
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If you are gonna get that degree of comfort, I shall have to get out the 76 "Oldwing" with cappachino panniers and surround sound, would even get a good result out there in the land of no corners, the old girl still gets to an indicated 200 at just under redline in top but takes about 4km to get the last 10kph out of it. |
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we may as well dance |
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Former Member
deleted
15 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2005 : 11:44:31 PM
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Welcome along to Historic racing Yamaman, you're going to have some fun. Barbagallo is a great track and the W.A. club members are a great bunch along with a faithful band of race day volunteers ( to whom all racers are eternally grateful !! ) Get up to the State Champs on the 24th and make yourself known.
Ken. ( W.A P4 Honda )
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2005 : 12:08:03 AM
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Cheers Ken, I'll be there with bells on!!! Went to my racecraft course with the MCRC WA yesterday, phaaaark what a blast. Awesome day, with great instructors filling us in with what we each needed too know, one on one. To anyone who hasnt done a racecraft course (who doesnt race!) I say do it now!!!! So much that you can learn in one day, amazing. I was fairly nervous leading up to Sunday, and the first few (aprox 8 laps) sesions showed this, with some horrible riding! But after a couple more laps, and relaxing a bit more, things started to fall into place and lap times (none recorded) dropped significantly. By the end of the day, i was fairly confident of what I was doing, doing it reasonably well (for a novice) and fairly in tune for how I need to improve. For the day, as my XS650 is yet to arrive, I rode my road bike (TRX 850 just back on the road after a 4 year rebuild!) stripped down to the max, what a hoot!!!! Many thanks for all the people involved with the MCRC WA for turning on such a great day, WHOO HOO!!! I'll be back for the advanced course for sure. Cant tell you all how much i enjoyed the day, just do it, tell me how you loved it! Till next time yamaman
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Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2005 : 9:45:00 PM
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Well.... Went to Wanneroo yesterday for test and tune and race licence testing! XS650 hasnt turned up yet, was expecting it last week, however is now due to arrive in Perth next week!!!!!!!!!! So had to take my TRX 850 road bike for some track time and licence test. So out for the first sesion, get a feel for the track ect, 2nd sesion, 2nd lap, 1st turn down she goes, bugger! Nothing major, no damage to myself or machine however it wouldnt start again and had to be pushed back to the pits gave it the onceover, cleaned ot all the sand and she fired again,whoo hoo. Went out for sesion 4, missfiring had a look, ended up missing the next 3 sessions before we got it running again (pinched fuel line seemed to be the problem). So off we went for an observed ride, apparently all ok, correct lines, no particular dramas, next 2 sessions all ok, not going flat out, just trying to keep it all reasonably tidy. Spoke to licence issuer afterwards, no dice, too slow! Was doing around 1min 19, 1min 17 cut off, would have been ok if I was informed that I would be timed and what the cut off was before the end of the day, but wasnt to be! Historic bikes are not timed in this manner (so things could have been diferent on the XS), but as I was on a modern bike I had to comply with modern standards, fair enough, but like I said, would have been nice to know the rules before hand. All in all a good day, even with the dramas, being able to put my racecraft course skills in to practice, and get my first spill out of the way! So next up is the club championship on May 22 with a 1 day licence, at least that will give me a chance to have a look at the XS before getting up there, however it will be run on the short course, which I am yet to experience. No one said it would be easy!!! Yamaman will ride again |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2005 : 11:20:28 PM
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I am bemused by your comments that lap times were recorded yesterday 16/4/05 as this was a historic Club tuning day and this would have to be a first if they were timing. If you had made it known to the Testing Officer at the start of the day that you were trying for your licence and would be competing on a Historic machine he would have observed you from the start of the day and made an assessment of your ability rather than your lap times. The MCRC quite rightly do insist on a minimum lap time before allowing you into competition due to the hugely varying speeds that would be possible even with C&D Grade riders. There wouldnt be such a difference in speeds with Historics so there can be a little more lattitude shown. None of my comments are meant as a criticism of yourself or the Officials of the day and it will be better for you to wait until you have had at least another day at the track before you let yourself loose on the opposition. Come to the Club meeting on Wednesday night and make yourself known if you havent done so already.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2005 : 12:51:11 AM
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Hello Alan, would love to come to Wednsdays meeting, i live near Collie however and its a bit of a stretch, with work ect. Times were recorded on a stopwatch only, by HCMC (1min 20 actualy). Yes, there was a communication breakdown somewhere. After I presented for scrutineering, it was known (perhaps not all the right people immediatly) that i was there for licencing. I believe that the main reason a licence was not granted was the fact that next week is the state champs, aswell as not being able to have any time to ride my P4 bike before the 24th. Understandable as I did have my own concerns in making my debut in this event with such little preperation. No dramas, I'm sure its all for the best, I just believe perhaps there should be some sort of induction process for newbies, as to be honest, i felt a little lost at the outset. All the people I met there were great, and tried to help as much as they could (especialy the bloke who helped get my bike back after I binned it), so many thanks to all concerned. Once again, i dont have a problem with what happened on the day, just can see bit of room for improvment on the newbies side. Just recording my progress here to maybe assist other newbies coming along. Cheers yamaman
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Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2005 : 12:06:06 AM
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Whooo hoooo, its here! The XS has finaly arrived at the house of Yamaman, picked it up from Perth yesterday. Pulled it out of the crate at my mech mates house in perth, assembled the front wheel, bled the brakes, bled the brakes, bled the brakes, pushed it about 20 yards and she roared straight into life (woke the neighbors, every light in the street came on ) Did a bit of tidying up, loaded it on the trailer and here at chez Yamaman she now sits! Got some good mail this week also, my leathers turned up from Collins leathers, as promised and seem to be a good thing (all be it a little tight around the sack!) They've got all the fruit, back protector, shoulder, elbow and knee armour aswell as knee sliders. Great look and quite comfortable (sitting on the bike at least). Also low and behold, after being not granted my race licence last week, my race licence arrived in the post. So, it seems, everything is finaly in place for a great season ahead. Going to try to get into the advanced racecraft course on the 15th, before my debut on the 22nd. Will be my only chance to ride the XS beforehand, so hopefully there is still a vacancy! Your now about up to date with my adventures, so I guess i should go back into the shed and start getting it together for the 15th. Till next time, yamaman |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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popeye
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
187 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2005 : 09:30:15 AM
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Looks even better in the flesh and no-one is gunna not hear you coming, there are a couple of guys over here who are complaining because you got it before they knew it was for sale, they've been trying to beat it for a couple of years.
Good luck and keep us posted, we'd be really chuffed if it picks up a trophy or two over in sandland. |
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we may as well dance |
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Former Member
deleted
10 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2005 : 2:06:26 PM
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Regarding your first posting I'll pass on some advice given to me by another FE unlimited rider when I was building my bike and starting to race "Stop counting the money right now" Best of luck. Chrism 41. |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2005 : 6:23:56 PM
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Cheers Chris, point taken! Was all geared up for my debut last weekend, everything in place. Then hamfisted me got drunk and decided to weld up broken seat/tank mount. Would have been ok if I disconnected the CDI, but you guesed it, 1 fried black box. A couple of frantic days trying to repair/replace it to no avail resulted in a late scratching Sunday morning, bugger! Oh well you live and learn. Found out unit was made by Betta Bikes in SA Monday morning and sent it over for repair, should have it back in a week or so. Steve there seemed like a good bloke to deal with, check his website if you are on the hunt for spark You must be logged in to see this link. Racing on Sunday was great, even if I wasnt involved. Beautiful weather, after a very stormy night. Congratulations to all racers, officials and organisors on a succesful event. The realities of racing were exposed on the day, with a fatal accident in the suprmotards at the near by go cart track, condolances to the family and all those concerned. |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2005 : 9:31:49 PM
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Thats a lesson for all of us, if you are doing any electric welding either by stick, mig, or tig always make sure you disconnect your battery as all it takes is a bad earth to fry electronics and you miss a race meeting plus it can cost heaps. Pity you missed out on your first race meeting but it will happen in good time. You did miss a good day though with almost perfect weather and a big field of sidecars not that I am biased at all.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 27 May 2005 : 01:10:08 AM
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Just to point it out, my bike runs no battery, CDI's or equivelent must also be disconnected (battery or not), would have been simple for me, reach down and pull a plug!! |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2005 : 03:02:31 AM
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Allright, operation racer has finaly come into a reality Had my first race today, and even after the 3.5hr drive home, I'm still buzzing!!! Was pretty happy with the day, another glorious day of sunshine after a fortnight of torrential rain, good fields and the ambo drivers got an easy one (so far as I know). A perfect days racing.
I went out for the 1st practice session a little nervous, having not spent much time on the XS. And found it handled like a dream! Cheers Biil & Popeye. So the second practice went fine and i was looking for the right lines around, the XS is very forgiving in the turns, allowing me to change my line while I'm still finding my feet.
Race1 whoo hoo off we went for 5 laps of Barbagello, was an absolute blast, I only got to do 4 however, as I was lapped with the finish line in sight, bugger! No dramas, Fairly happy to only be 1 lap down on Adam and his TZ750!
Race2 was almost a carbon copy, finished with a fastest time of 1.21.45, good enough for a first time effort and leaving plenty of room for improvment
Race3 Bugger! Clutch dramas, the bloody thing wouldnt engage, and I wasnt able to start it in time, so I got a early knock off. We'll rip the clutch out this week and check it out, she'll be going again by next round for sure!
Champing at the bit for the next round, many thanks for the encouragment and help offered by the guys in the club there. And thanks to all the officials that give their time so as we can go out and have an ABSOLUTE BLAST!
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Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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popeye
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
187 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2005 : 08:47:06 AM
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absolutely rapt that you are enjoying the experience, hope the clutch thing is minor, may need to give bill a call for clues if it is'nt something blindingly obvious,
well done...... |
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we may as well dance |
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Former Member
deleted
15 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2005 : 2:41:57 PM
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Good for you Yamaman. A more successful day than me. Out of 2 practice and 3 races all I got was about 3 laps in total. My fuel tank decided to let go of all it's rust in one hit and I spent all day trying to clear it. Pi---- Off to say the least, especially as the day was perfect after all the crap weather. We need to share this rain around with the rest of Australia.
Ken. |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 06:40:51 AM
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Thats a bloody shame Ken, I hope its all sorted for next time, and we get a repeat of the weather! I guess that can be a problem with older bikes. Has anyone tried any tank treatments to avoid this happening? Secret recipies? Also, who is the best supplier for Avon tyres in WA, I'm getting funny looks from people when I ask for them! |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jul 2005 : 10:17:18 PM
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Rod Chapman of the Lloyd Chapman family is the man or at least he was. Cant remember his business name but if you ring Chapman Motorcycles they should be able to help you. Hope you have got plenty of credit on your card, Avons arent cheap but they are good. a lot of guys are using the race compound Dunlop TT100s or Bridgestone Battleaxe. Might be worth checking them out as well.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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Former Member
deleted
15 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2005 : 6:24:17 PM
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I contacted the Aust. distributors in QLD. ( can't remember the name , saw it Just Bikes I think ). For my CB 77 project , a 90/90/18 front and a 110/80/18 rear was quoted very close to $500 for the pair. Not including freight to WA. I ended up getting a pair of Dunlop TT900 race compound tyres (wider 120/80/18 rear )for just on $300. Tyres for Bikes on Albany Hwy. Vic. Park ( Peter )
Ken.
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2005 : 02:43:14 AM
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Hello again, been away for a cpla weeks and things have been pretty full on! Racing was on last weekend, new clutch in place, new jets and needles. A fairly good day for racing, a few showers but mostly clear, though quite a few C&D graders went down in the 2nd last race as the heavens opened! It was good to have the supermotard boys as guests for the day, they put up a pretty good show and some close finishes. Out for practice and it was plain the jetting changes were too radical, as it wouldnt rev over 6000. Second practice and still not quite right, she backfired and threw a carby off!!! So back to the original settings for race 1 and all was good again. Bloody hard to keep up with the 1000cc Hondas ect off the line, so all I can do is watch while they dissapear into turn 1, but its not long till the mighty XS reals a couple of them in. Got a bit stuck behind a rule 20 GPZ1100 for a while, with his blinding acceleration out of the corners, but I finaly got him, tucking inside on the infield entry and keeping that position for the rest of the race. Awesome to be racing, even better to be dicing for a position! Into race 2 and I've got a plan! Gotta get the GPZ in the left hander on the first lap to have a chance of making another place, and it came off like a dream whoo hoo, came down the hill and the GPZ didnt catch me in the straight, allright head down bum up and off we go, got into turn 1 for the second time fairly cranked (and with a fairly second hand set of doughnuts) just about to stand it up on the exit and woosh, the front let go, and backwards louging I went, bugger!!!! Oh well not to much damage, and I learnt a bit more! A bit of damage to repair, and a brake lever to replace, thanks Peter. Got the bike ready for race 3 but it stalled on the line, it restarted but was running like a chaff cutter so it was a early trip back to the pits. Oh well, could have been better, obviously, but I still got a lot out of the day, and really enjoyed it. Next time!!!!!!!!!!
I've gotta say a huge thank you to my good friend and mechanic Marty whose experience and assistance has been invaluable. Without his help I would be much further behind the 8 ball than I currently am. We hope to get his LC ready for next year and he can get on the track for some great times himself, and maybe I can repay a favour or two.
Also well done Ben on getting the Saga on the track, I'm sure your gunna love it! Best of luck with it all
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Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
Edited by - yamaman on 30 Jul 2005 10:15:48 AM |
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Ben
Honda CB350 Racers Promotion - Moderator
Victoria
288 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2005 : 09:47:02 AM
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Thanks Yammaman! You sound like you are well on your way! Nice one Are you racing at club level?
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Try Everything |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 03 Aug 2005 : 03:57:37 AM
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Hey Ben, not sure how you eastern staters do it, but over here it's either in or out I guess. The only racing is with those who race. I'm P4 Unlimited, therefore I race with P4 Senior, P4 Unlimited, P5 Senior & Unlimited as well as rule 20 bikes. We manage around 12 bikes or so between these classes, will be more next year, as I know of 2 or 3 guys that will race P5 next year, plus hopefully some others. Sounds like you guys get a slightly more sedate baptism, with a novice group? I guess we dont have the numbers for that over here. Gotta tell you mate, Im bloody loving it, dont know why I didn't do it years ago! |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2005 : 2:57:32 PM
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G'day there peoples, I hope all's well out there! We raced again this weekend, what a awesome day, the gods were on our side again, a brilliant sunny day! Needed new tyres, couldnt get what I realy wanted, ended up going with TT100 GP's, the rear was fine, but could only get a 4" front! Was a bit on the huge side, and needed a bit of muscling to get it around the turns, but still it handled quite well considering. A nice slow start in practice to scrub the new doughnuts in, second practice a bit quicker and the tyres were ready to go. Into race 1 and the clutch was a bit doughy and it stalled on the line, grrrrr. Got a push start and headed off half a lap behind, then my boots felt a bit strange, so I pulled into the pits to check them (the velcro flap came undone is all) a whole lap behind by then, no worries off I went again and enjoyed the rest of the race. Race 2 & 3 I took it easy on the clutch off the line and had a great time, getting home second last both times, but at least completing all the laps, whoo hoo the first time I didnt get lapped! All the other racing on the day was great also, with some great dicing in most events, everyone was making the best of the great weather! I cant recall his name, but the C & D grader, on apparently only his 2nd ride, who finished 3rd on the Kwaka, did a 1'02"50, and consistant 1'03's, absolutly awesome. Look out Vale! We cant go out and have fun without the officials and flaggies, who did a terrific job once again. So thank you all very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our next round, which was supposed to be held at the newly resurfaced Collie track has been cancelled due to not being completed on time, bugger! So we're off to the Northam Motorcycle Festival on the same weekend (18th Sept). Should be a hoot, a static display as well as some demo laps around a short street circuit. Heaps of other stuff on display old and new, bikes, bikes, bikes, gotta be good! Hopefully Collie will be ready for our 2+4 Meeting with the Vintage Sportscar Club on the 22/23rd Oct. Till next time, Yamaman |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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popeye
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
187 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2005 : 4:48:48 PM
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See you at Northam ............. :) |
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we may as well dance |
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yamaman
Level 2 Member
Western Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2005 : 12:29:59 AM
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Well I'm not even sure why I still read this forum, due to all the crap thats been around it lately, but for some strange reason I keep coming back, and if your reading this I guess you do to! Well **** all that ****, last week I took the mighty XS to the first track day at the newly rebuilt Collie track and had a fat time! Was origianly meant to be a race day, but due to the track not YET meeting MA requirements a ride day was sorted instead, around 40 bikes and 1 sidecar turned up and all concerned had a ripper of a day, if you want to know more about it check the rides section here You must be logged in to see this link. I hope alls well with everyone, Ben the Sagas cranking I hope! Matcho, hows your ride going? Popeye and his better half turned up at Collie last week, so was groovy to catch up with them. Alan was there, helping out the organisation as his ****ed shoulder is still keeping him off the track, next year Alan! Without people like him the sport would vanish! Well thats about it for now the XS is going as good as it ever has, ran it on avgas for the first time last week (usualy run 98 oct ULP) SWEET! |
Beer makes you feel like you should feel when your not drinking beer |
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Ben
Honda CB350 Racers Promotion - Moderator
Victoria
288 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2005 : 5:15:48 PM
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Hiya Yammaman,
Good to hear the Yam is on the track (tyres down of course). The saga is going well, I have pulled it to bits again and am fitting some bigger/high comp pistons and few other things while I have it open. Apart from that, just trying to sort a fairing (Mick? ). Long wait till the next meet as I wont be able to make the PI classic.
Yeah, I have stayed away a bit as well. You are right, its just depressing, even more so given it use to be such a positive place to chat about bikes. I pretty much built my bike with the help of this forum and a few others from the States. I hope things get better and people start discussing political matters where they belong (ie, Public meetings). Maintaining discussions like the ones going on of late are clearly driving people away, including newbies, which leaders of the sport profess to need for the future and all that. All, Please let the issues be released/discussed openly when they are appropriately developed instead of creating false controversy here with half-baked suspicions. I'm retiring to the shed for a while and hope the forum is in better shape when I return (which I will, for I am eternally optimistic...)
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Try Everything |
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