Starting to get the “itch”

Work was a bear today. I’ve had better day’s. It’s day’s like this that make me glad to think about racing and things to do to on my bike. Mikey came and picked up his SV last night so now I have a little more room in the Man Cave.

I spoke with my friend Mark thru e-mail this week, and he’s going to help me get another set of wheels. Get well soon Mark. I need a rain tire set up. I did good back in the day when we raced in the rain but………..That was a long………………long time ago, many galaxies away. LOL That was also on DOT tires, and not on Bridgestone Rains.  I got such a late start last year getting the bike ready I didn’t have much seat time on it. This year will be different. I know from riding my other 400 that the little FZR handles like a dream. I can only wonder what it will be like with slicks mounted.  I’m really looking forward to having a go at it.

I’m going to try and get the front wheel off this weekend and at least get the tire off so I can paint the wheel. I’m going to go with the bright yellow that is on the rear wheel. I think the yellow wheels will look good. After I get the new tires mounted I’ll take them over to Fox’s and have them balanced. I need to make a balancing stand. 

Until such time…………………………

  

March is FAST approaching!

 

I was able to score a 60 gallon air tank for the “Man Cave”. Now I will NEVER run out of air. It was a nice little add on to the shop.  I’m starting to get ahead of myself, so I need to put things in order.

I have to get off my duff and finish up the liter bike. I just need to get the bushings made on the lathe and put the EXUP valve and the header pipe back together.

The Bridgestone’s came in this week from Stickboy, and they look  slick! LOL. I heard from my friend Mark in Florida who also steered me away from doing the 17” year wheel conversion like Derek did. Racing friends are nice to have :)

Thanks Guy’s I really appreciate you’re advise. I’m going to leave well enough alone. If it’s good enough for Mark, it’s good enough for me.

Pugsley and I are going to the casino down in French Lick  to celebrate her birthday this Sunday, so working out in the “man cave” will be a Saturday affair. I’m looking forward to finishing up the 1000 and then starting on the 400. May will be here soon enough!   Until such time……………..More time……….. 

 

 

2010 Race Schedule

I just got my MCRA  race schedule. May 23rd and 24th, June 12th and 13th, Aug 14th and 15th, Oct 11th and 12th. I’m still waiting to see what CCS races I can attend. I’m doing  a limited schedule this year due to funds (lack of) and other issues. I’m lining up sponsorship now for the new season.  I also plan on doing several track days.

I’m still thinking of doing the 17 inch rear wheel conversion. My name sake in England found me a wheel, but it may be cost prohibitive to have it shipped to the USA. I found a nice YZF 600 rear wheel that I’m thinking of buying. The slicks I ordered are the 18/17 combo used on the FZR. They will work fine for the first part of the season. I may just leave it well alone. I haven’t made my mind up yet.

I have some things I need to get done before the road racing school in May. I have to finish up the 1000, make some modifications  to my bike trailer (now that I have my tig welder working) Get the front wheel painted yellow, get a bottom belly catch pan fabricated before the CCS series and a few other small things.

I need to start working out harder and start riding the Mt. Bike. The weather has not been cooperating in that department. I should have some new pictures soon.

Until such time……………………………

The Gum Balls are coming

I finally got a hold of Derek at Stickboy racing and got my slicks ordered. He will ship then out to me this week. Now I have to get the front wheel off and get it painted yellow to match the rear wheel. My first race date is May 23 at Gateway International in St. Louis MO. I’m looking forward to getting back on the track.

Weekend 2 of the 1000 project

I headed out to the “man cave” to again work on the 1000. It’s very dirty and needs some TLC. I found out what the rattling noise in my exhaust pipe was. A worn out bushing. I’m going to make a new one today on my lathe. I got the tig welder finally wired into the power panel,  now I can weld all sorts of trick brackets and parts. I’m going over to the auto parts store today and pick up some anti-seize and  engine de-greaser. The motor is really dirty from all the road grime. I may fire up the race bike and run it for a bit. Until such time………………More time……..

 

Starting the 1000

I started working on the “big” bike today. It’s funny with all the body work off how small it looks. The 1000 has a massive frame compared to the 400 frame. Tomorrow I’ll start with removing the pipe and other outside parts. I hope to have it completely torn down by next weekend.

 

 

The 2nd winter project

I traded my YSR for the 400 race bike last year and I had this rolling chassis left over. I was going to throw it in the scrap heap, but I decided to do something with it. I’m going to make the old DT8O into my pit bike this season.

I picked up a Briggs & Stratton 5hp motor from a guy I work with. It came off an old power washer. It has great compression and should be a good strong runner. It does run, I started it. I do have some challenges to deal with.

The bike is in rough condition. Lots of rust and it doesn't  look very good right now. I will change that at the end of the project. One of my goals is to complete this as cheaply as possible.

I have to cut the frame tubes, fabricate a motor mount, get a clutch, chain, new paint, misc parts etc. Dedra will be able to ride this too when I’m done. I have too, by club rules put my racing numbers on the bike as well. That way if the officials see you speeding in the pits they can yell at you, LOL. I’ll start on the little beast today 1-3-10

Here is the little beast… It looks very ruff…………..