Chat about ideas...

Off to the N.E.C.

Just got off the phone from Peter Day, we have formed a plan for the BMCRC 2008 EDI400 Championship.

Over the next couple of weeks I will be traveling down to Cambridge for a few days, working with Peter to break the back of the work - stripping, cleaning and rebuilding the bike ready for testing.

With luck we should be ready to roll by early February to test either in the south of France or Spain. I will try to combine the test with the Jawa testing, two birds with one stone....

In the meantime I'm off to the NEC on Thursday to drum up some support from the various manufacturers and trade people.

See you there!

New challenge

The BMCRC are running a revamped 400 Championship next year, given a real financial boost by the title sponsor EDI Asia. Click here to visit their website: EDI

The man behind EDI is John Sanders, he has supported many Britsh racers and teams for a few years now and he has chosen to support the 400 class. John says, "I want that class, which I think is really exciting with skill playing as important a part as machine, to hit the tops next year "

The wheels started to turn in my head, "would I like a go in 400s again", thinking back, I had some great races and good times.

I have talked to Peter Day and it looks like he may have sourced a Yamaha FZR400RRSP, it's not 100% yet but it could be a return to the class where I scooped the British Championship title back in 1992.

Only a 16 years gap so I'm looking forward to giving it a go.....again!

What do you think Peter?

Peter's keeping well - lots of ideas.

It was good to see Peter and show him first hand what I was upto with the KTM Mito project.
I very much value his imput and discuss ideas and areas that I'm strugling with.

The Mito is a great frame for this kind of project but the KTM engine is not just going to bolt straight in. The biggest problem will be the carb/inlet and the proximaty of the top suspension mounting.

Now then where is that hack saw.....

Update on thoughts and ideas.

I am off on another 'Grand Tour' tomorrow.

I've narrowed down the frame choice based on price, availability and ease of modification.

So tomorrow I'm taking them down for Peter Day to check out, for him to give me his expert eyes view on which and how to modify them.

From there off to MW leathers in East Ham, to see Mike Willis who has been making leathers for me for so long, I can't really remember, it must be almost 20 years!
After being measured up for a new race suit, we will make our way back up North, on the way home to visiting the 'Smiths Sisters' to let them take a look at the KTM 690 engine.
No guesses what they are thinking of using for next year....

Mito the way to go...

Next option.

I would like to thank Ian, from Racin Scooters UK for letting me check out and measure up the Cagiva Mito chassis that he has.

It really looks like it might be the way to go - hopefully Ian will let me have it for the 'right' sort of price, and then I can crack on and get to work sorting things out.
I am beginining to feel as though I am a month behind where I would like to be on this project already...

More photos and a bit of video later.
Bloke.

Seeing if the KTM 690 fits in a standard RS 125

Thanks to Gary and Dave at Replicast.

Today I took the KTM 690 motor to Replicast, where Gary Dawson said I could have a go at sizing things up. I would especially like Dave who took the time and trouble to strip their motor out of the chassis and help me jiggle the KTM motor about. Cheers. Please visit their website by clicking here: Replicast UK Racing

I knew the engine would be a tight fit from the start, but it is only guess work untill you offer it upto the chassis itself.

As a complete unit it was obvious it would not go in but once Dave and I split the motor down we then could offer the crankcase halfs into the chassis.

There are many issues to consider when approching such a task - and the chain run is one of the most important ones.
It was clear that as much as I wanted to make it happen it wasn't going to.

Measuring up for size.

Now that I have the engine I can offer it up to various frames, have a look and see which might be the best option.

Of course there is quite a way to go yet, but I am going to try several before making the decision.

This is just the first, I've got more plans for later in the week.