One agreement made.

Here I am by the famous 'Stork' fountain in Copenhagen with Vanni Jensen.

I have come to Denmark to discuss and make arrangements with Vanni to race for him next season.

Vanni has four Molnar Manx Nortons, two 350s and two 500s - for 2008 we are going to race together for some of the IHRO and CMRC events.

I am really looking forward to it.

Busy, busy, busy...

So then, lots to do in 2008.

Mind you, at this time of year, it is just plans and ideas; but it doesn't hurt to try and work everything out a bit in advance.

There are allways date clashes so working out which events take priority can be tricky.

Time managment and all that stuff, I try to keep everyone happy but the season generally ends up a somewhat of a compomise!

Having the events laid out in front of you on a giant Viking Direct year planner really helps you see where, what and when....

All I want for Christmas...

One set of flat slides...and a pressurised airbox for the 400, Peter recons it is worth 5 to 10 bhp.

The motor is out and he is working his way through it making sure its 100 % before dynoing and testing.

Rooske is making a Ohlins rear unit for the bike as the handling will have to be spot on in this close and competertive class.

I'm looking forward to getting out on it as soon as possible.

No time to waste.

Peter gets straight to work on Gordon, he's got lots to do with Gordon being in such a state as well as the 400. I think Janet (his wife) will not see much of him over the festive season.

We are going to replace the now bent forks and yokes with a FZR400 SP front end.

Here Peter is working out a new oil tank/air box system, oh and a new sub frame etc etc...

Gordon goes to Uncle Peter's for Christmas.

'Gordon' is really excited to be going to spend Christmas with someone who cares about him; he is still a bit cheesed off that I have ignored him since smashing him up at Cadwell.

He just doesn't realise that at this time of year, it's crazy trying to sort things out for next season.

Cheers!

In a very noisy pub in Prague drinking tasty Czech beer.
I am here with Jan and Martin from the Mali Jawa team discussing ideas for next seasons UEM Supermono Cup.

Martin is now hiding from the camera the computer drawing of the new top secret engine design that he has just been explaining to me.
It looks like it will be fantastic.

We talked late into the night discussing next season including testing new tyres and suspension configurations.

This one of the reasons I enjoy riding with this team the fact that they are so focused on doing as well as they can yet still having a great time.

Good beer, good friends - good times!

Oil, Sweat & Inspiration.

John Ellwood's book on Hybrid engines should make interesting reading.

Lots of piccies, info on crankcase supercharged singles and twins, info on injection and brake benches, two stroke hybrid tuning tips, plus very entertaining reading.

His Hybrid engine designs are unique - to say the least - showing real 'outside the box' thinking!

Contact John ellwoodhybrid@hotmail.com for details.

Calendar despatch.

I'm working overtime doing 'calendar despatch; it really is time consuming signing or dedicating each and everyone - especially when there are over 700 to get out.

Calendars are free, but if anyone wants to help donate whatever they want, and contribute towards my huge postage bill, it will help towards making sure, I can get them all out.
Cheers.

Calendar time!

This year due to unforseen circumstances I am having to collate all the calendars myself.
Luckily we live next door to a restaurant that is shut on Mondays and has lots of table space.
Over 800 lots of 14 inserts.
Best get cracking then...


Update: it took three of us just over 4 hours to collate them!! Thanks to Alex at Biscaya Bay for his help and use of his tables.

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.

The Eagle has landed!

Well there are no prizes for guessing what I got through the post today
....there is something very sexy about a new motor, know what I mean?
I can really get things going with my ideas now it has landed.
Of course, I still need some finance to complete my cunning plan for World domination - sorry I mean - building my new bike for 2008....

Once again watch this space.

I haven't any fixed plans yet, however I have plenty of ideas and now need to make a decision as to the next step.
As normal the main issue will be finance, but to source backing you must have a plan of what you want to do then prove it can be done. Sounds easy.....it ain't!
Gordon's mates are still hanging around still smarting after Gordon's Cadwell incident, they are not to impressed with some 'new guys' on the block, could be very messy.

Orange is such a nice colour, do you think I should build a machine to suit it?

Watch this space.....

Important call.

Can you work out where I am now?
Last stop on the way back to the airport.
To visit Helmut Frey; he has been kindly sponsoring me with boots for almost twenty years, and I would not wear anything else.
Ever!
Cheers Helmut.

Daytona Boots

Can you guess?

Where I am now?

Just having a quick look round.

The guys here are very helpful; I'll take lots of photos and put them up here later.

First stop - Held Biker Fashion.

The first job to get done is to visit the Held family at Burgberg.

Held Biker Fashion

It was good to actually meet the Held family for the first time, even though they have supported me, and I have worn their excellent products for years.

Timing worked out fine - Father Held measured me for my new gloves before he went off to Namibia for a couple of weeks Enduro riding!

Out and about - Whistle stop tour.

Here we are in the South of Germany taking a couple of days to get out and about and do important jobs.
It is absolutely beautiful.
Quite near Austria so there is one thing we just must do while we are here.
Can you guess what it is?

Irons in the fire...

Just got a few thoughts running round my head...

Just making a few investigations and plans.


Started a new blog - keep calling back for updates.


Just going to sort through the photos for my 2008 desk calendar.


Email me if you would like one mail@mike-edwards.net

Cheers. Mike.