Masses of people. Rob Mac and myself thought we were in the wrong place.
Arrived Saturday evening shortly before the rain, thunder and lightning. Entertainment was laid on in the marquee with a bar and curry .
I walked the track in the morning dew with the Sun rising from the rolling hills above Coombe Martin. Some tight corners; a jump or two; a very steep descent; a longer and steeper off-camber ascent; more twists and turns; more small jumps and the finish line. The KLX was going to struggle up that hill .
Fry up for breakfast in the van.
Practice was damp and very slippery.
Mike (Merlin) arrived on his trusty 650 Silverwing and with Rob offered welcome support .
My first race was very tentative. Finshed 16th out of 22.
The next race was much drier and everyone was much faster. This time 14th out of 21.
The final race felt much faster, but overall I was only 3 seconds faster than my second race. I accidentally found neutral as I careered down the steep hill on the last lap and blew my chances of improving on 14th finishing 15th out of 19.
Everything that beat me was a 2T. I think I was the only 4T in the class . Do I change bike to be more competitve? CR250R, Maico, KX, RM?
My kind of track! Am somewhat pinged off that I was stupid enough to drop a vice on my foot so I couldn't race!
I'd hold off on another bike for a bit, it doesnt sound like you are nailing it, remember you beat a lot of two strokes at the Dorset meeting, including me in one race! Maico's are a bit like KTMs they love to be loved! CR's are expensive (disproportionately in my view!), RM, KX or YZs are better value in my book!
No, Ian didn't. The Hickie clan were there. Colin did quite well.
We used transponders and the results for all the races can be found at www.tracktimes.co.uk.
The KLX had the throttle pinned on that steep climb though it doesn't sound like it. I couldn't get any more revs out of her. Other guys were tanking up in 4th gear....... I was in 2nd .
I have been offered a 1981 XL500 converted to twin shock for a reasonable price. Not sure, I am ready for that just yet .
You lucky so & so I worked instead hurumph track looked tricky again Craige ! We need new tactics me thinks gravity still works ? Kamakazi is still a none starter glad you gave that one up ,winter months are soon to be here kawazaki could go into stealth mode nod nod wink wink Honda sounds interesting but that's playing with the big boys now !!! Craige ,me I think that's the way to go the bigger motor extra ponies suit you sir I'm sure there will be a budding twin shocker on here buy the 250 off you ? Enjoyed the vids thought those two strokes showed a complete lack of respect roosting the old Kawasaki lol just wIshed I could of been there well done bud lost
Just watched the vids Craig. Cracking job sir. As far as another bike goes ..... I'd stick with the old KLX. I doubt if much else will handle as well without a great deal of time and money. There is more power to be got, it just means money I reckon a Megacycle cam and some R&D valve springs will get it to rev better. Another go faster mod in years gone by was to fit the old XL250 or 350 Motorsport engines. The 350 can be taken out to 500 (with alot of money) or left fairly standard. They go very well.
Was Kerry there ?
I consoled myself with a nice run out on the old Husky with Pete.
__________________
Politicians are like nappies. They need changing often, and usually for the same reason.
Tricking up the KLX is going to cost some money . R/D titainium valve springs are $212.10 (is that each ) and I can't find a price for the 476-40 Megacycle cam. I am guessing the needle roller bearing conversion would be wise. It talks about a modified piston - does that mean machining the existing piston to prevent it hitting the valves?
If it is bored out, will it stay in the 250 class if it exceeds 250cc?
That is one pretty little Kawasaki the ugly duckling has turned into a swan wow and all it took know how and deep pockets ! Sell me the Kawasaki craige lol
-- Edited by Lost on Tuesday 14th of August 2012 08:40:45 AM
Put Honda engine in spare klx frame prob solved do you still have that magazine ??? Pics ! Or I know xt540 Yamaha .big carb trick ignition go faster exhaust plus banana boxed alloy swinging arm goes like billy go ! Local Devon 1995.00 bargain I could take you along for alook could be arranged ? Craige no it's not mine lol lost.
The price for R&D springs are for all four of them. It also includes the titanium spring caps and new collets. The Mega Cycle cam is around $400 from memory. If you ring them in the USA, you will probably get Barbera. Don't be put off, she is the boss and knows more about cams than you or I will ever do in a lifetime. There is a dealer here in the UK (I can look up my records later). Defo go for the needle roller conversion. Megacycle no longer keep the modified cam cover caps ..... but I do
If you use the 10.5:1 MTC piston from the 1075cc KZ1000 (1976 ish), that will give you 262cc (up to you if you declare it, but it's still legal for the 250 class). The piston will clear the valves with standard cam. It also clears the Megacycle cam providing you get the vernier timing correct.
Yes, you could buy a 2T, but then you would just be "another" one.
For inspiration, have a look at THIS thread. Page 8 onwards is what you can do.
__________________
Politicians are like nappies. They need changing often, and usually for the same reason.
The price for R&D springs are for all four of them. It also includes the titanium spring caps and new collets. The Mega Cycle cam is around $400 from memory. If you ring them in the USA, you will probably get Barbera. Don't be put off, she is the boss and knows more about cams than you or I will ever do in a lifetime. There is a dealer here in the UK (I can look up my records later). Defo go for the needle roller conversion. Megacycle no longer keep the modified cam cover caps ..... but I do
If you use the 10.5:1 MTC piston from the 1075cc KZ1000 (1976 ish), that will give you 262cc (up to you if you declare it, but it's still legal for the 250 class). The piston will clear the valves with standard cam. It also clears the Megacycle cam providing you get the vernier timing correct.
Yes, you could buy a 2T, but then you would just be "another" one.
For inspiration, have a look at THIS thread. Page 8 onwards is what you can do.
Already read that thread, Ian. Decided to stick with the KLX. I am going to experiment with gearing a little as I never get further than 3rd gear. The cost of the engine upgrades will have to be met from Crimbo presents .
Going to enter the next Dorset and Devon races. Hopefully, Dan's toe will be fully recovered by then.
They both look realy nice god only knows how much they stand there respective owners but me thinks IDE like one in my shed mmmm that is one tall order bring on a old steed to that prep wow. Ok ok ok castle carry or was that Kerry ! Application in the post plan on sleeping over again folks and cooking lol that's all if bikes ready in time
-- Edited by Lost on Wednesday 15th of August 2012 02:46:43 PM