Then there was light...

My poor garage was a little dark, and with winter nights drawing in, it was time for some light.

12v LED strip lights looked favourable, and with some not being used, very easy to liberate to the garage.

A unused car battery for power source,

some wire extending and away...

 And seeing how it looked so good, I thought it would be rude not to have a look at the forks.

Which have been left to drain over night, with the operating table awaiting...

Not your normal Friday night, but these are strange times...

Hopefully, these will go without hitch, and be back together with no problems.

Famous last words eh..?

The strip down has started, and there is plenty to do, but first job, the fork seals, 

The top yoke had a seized bolt, and although I did try to remove it, obtaining another was a quicker and easier option, plus I wanted to remove the ignition lock and smooth it up a little.

 Couldn't resist a bit of polishing, plus a NOS Datatool gear indicator sourced as well. New pads for the front as oil has seeped into them from the forks, seals and bushes, and a host of stainless bolts to replace a few rusty worn ones.

Looking a little sad, but its a on going process, yes that is a stock end can, I have another, and also looking out for 1 more, then all noise issues are covered! 

Radiator will be coming off and getting some tlc, as its a little full of dirt... 

Forks dont look to bad, and hopefully will clean up nicely, and not be hiding any horrors when they come apart.

Fingers Crossed.

Say hello to the MK7!!!

 

Yes, another van...the Connect has gone, a bigger van was needed to carry the dragger, and somewhere to sleep, so.. a MK7 Transit MWB has filled the position nicely..

A few bits to do, and some changes to make, but nothing major, and so far, so good, although I do miss the Connect, as it was so easy to live with, but the bigger brother is growing on me... 

Its been a while...

A lot has happened, 

Firstly the Dragbike has gone, unfortunately the hours spent working on it, and then watching the weather, Covid rules, and then having to juggle everything to get there really didnt fill me with joy and wonder, although still very interested in the drag scene, I still enjoy a ride on a bike, and with no road bike to fall back on, it was very hard.

So, its got a new home, and hope to get to see it run next year...

Now, with the dragger gone, what's next...

Welcome to the trackday/road bike!

It's been around a while, and has a few scars and bumps, but all there and was being used up until recently.

So the plan is to inspect and refresh, then  bring up to Daytime MOT spec, meaning the odd wobble around the track is not where I become used to the bike, and allowing some road riding and learning how both bike and rider get on...

The first look round after getting it home and unloading all the bits and pieces, I found a weeping fork seal, most of the road wiring is still there, meaning its not been cut about to much, so altering the wiring loom to how I want it, wont be a problem.

The parts ordered have arrived, and the modifications have begun, top yoke has had the ignition switch removed and smoothed down.

both handle bars will be cleaned up and switch gear removed,

right hand bar to have a 3 button race switch, Run/Off, Start, and Horn button.

A single main On/Off switch will be on the Yoke, along with a 3 way switch for the Rain light which will double up as a Brake light.. 

and thats it, nice and simple dash switch gear,

the warning lights in the clocks that are not required will be blanked off, and a cover for the speedo for track use made up.

Bodywork is fibreglass, and a new fairing is on its way already! 

so will see how I feel about colours and things later.

The main thing is to get it together, clean it up, check all the suspension linkage, and just enjoy the fact I working on it with no agenda, or pressure, just fun...

Oh and the lockwire will be out, I do intend to make it a race prepared bike, but just for fun..

   

A Happy New Year to everyone, and time to catch up...

So, the first run at Santa pod wasn't a disaster, although it was cold, it was very busy, with a fairly long wait for the bikes to be let out, met up with some old faces and made a few new ones to look out for in 2020.

I only did one pass, which was enough to show the bike was strong, and just needs a little tlc to get it back on song.

Once home, its been semi stripped, the bodywork is off being painted, the carbs have been off and cleaned, the wheels and swingarm is next to come off for a colour change, ready for February....

Its all going well...

Towbar fitted, trailer collected, started to work on the Firestorm, the Zed is ready to go to its new home,
first race weekend is on the calendar, so just need some luck with the weather! lets hope October is kind to us...

Ready to fit out the trailer..

meet the latest edition..

VTR Firestorm DragBike.

2020 will see me competing in the RWYB Challenge,

the bike has been done really well, and is ready to go, just needs the rider to be up with it! 

Hope to get a few runs before the end of the season, so watch this space!