Simbec1863

Action shot from Donington thanks to whoever took it

Track day at Donny today should have been on the blandit but it won’t behave so took the slabby instead,practice is practice at the end of the day. She ran like a dream and the Maxton forks are ace,had loads of brake fade last session and ended up heading into the gravel trap at Redgate corner managed to keep it upright and rejoined the track to finish the session

Forks set and back in today,drilled out the seized mudguard bolts and replaced with some stainless jobbies out my box of bits. Tightened everything up and refitted the battery.Thought I should fire it up before I load the van for Donington tomorrow, you’ve guessed it the race bike curse has hit....fired up first time then went nuts revving like mad then petrol starts pouring out the vent hoses from the carbs... fucking bikes doing my head in now. Turned off,fuel everywhere lucky I’m outside and not in the shed....cleaned it up and rinsed the fuel away from underneath the bike,and yes now I have no power,no idiot lights,won’t turn over it’s dead. Looks like I’ll be using my road bike our I’ll lose my £120, so much for a track shakedown the thing doesn’t want to leave the garden. Onwards and upwards I’ll do the track day on the slabby and sort the runt out another day only 6 weeks to the first race at Snetterton.

Oh well I didn't check thought they would have one. I seem to remember @arnouthad a link to one when I was looking for one for my ET.

Most manuals can be found here for free https://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp

Elvaston Castle Derby

It’s a strange one all my leaky seals where OEM to. wemoto sell slinky glide they make cables to as well as fork seal kits

I don’t think there’s a service limit the manual states check outer tube for scuffing doesn’t give any tolerances but I’ve had the same problem on a few of my bikes(1100K,RGV and slabby )all had new seals left them to stand and had one of the legs weaping oil even though the seals were new and genuine Suzuki maybe old stock. Only leaking on one fork leg always the rh and in all cases hadn’t ridden them much before leaving to stand,maybe it’s a coincidence. All my forks are 20 plus years old the same as yours and weren’t leaking before I put new seals in only changed them originally for piece of mind. I only changed the weaping ones used slinky glide kits and not had the problem since the slabby has had them in for 3 years until recently.

same day different picture

Other than take for MOT there's been little progress with the ET, now I'm going racing she won't progress this year, however there is a plan for 2020. Need to sell my non Suzook and a few other things to get a budget..plus do more overtime etc Full strip down is the job for this coming winter. Frame will either be braced or a new style frame will be sourced from GIA/Saxon or similar. Suspension will be taken to Maxton to get the thing handling better Wheels currently are shiny slingshot items and will be replaced with something lighter. Will be keeping the gold metal flake purple theme but will add matching period ET decals then get lacquered over if possible. New loom to sort out the dodgy electrics and have been inspired by @Solcambsrecent upgrade on his Kat. Plan for the engine is undecided but want to take her on track so would like the motor to be similar spec to the Thunder Kat(Dec 2018 Practical Sportsbikes Mag feature)- bloody expensive and maybe not achievable. I haven't dismissed the turbo idea either yet just need to see cost and usability for track days. Other than that I want to keep her looking like an ET but want some power and track day handling..maybe I'm dreaming but you need a plan don't you. So the shiny bling will go and will become more subtle in the future...more of a sleeper for those sunny days and days on track

Got some in the shed and some Nissin 4 pots just need time to get them swapped now

Quick spin this afternoon only out for 30 mins then realised I’d left my wallet at home when she went onto reserve and the oil light came on so had no choice than stop for a quick pic and head back home. Running loads better and lifts the front wheel on acceleration even with my bulk on board

@Rossco(Iceman Josros)The blandit one was knackered and passing fuel even when off,it was cheaper to replace than try to rebuild. The R6 one gives me an on/off instead,and won’t flow fuel unless I want it to,also has an inline filter which is a bonus. Didn’t measure it but think its 38mm from memory so it’s the same spacing as MK1 blandit,both R1 and R6 of the same era are supposed to fit.

Too sunny not to fire her up and test ride the new forks....bloody brill no more nose diving now thanks to Maxton. Stuck some fresh juice in and did a few miles,big grin now bloody love this bike ....beer o’clock and if it stays nice tomorrow it could be 2 stroke Sunday too

Forks out and new seals fitted,just need to get some oil tomorrow and set the air gap. Yamahaha fuel tap bought off eblag,rebuilt it and it fits like a dream,no leaks now have an on/off tap without the dreaded vacuum setup. Stuck the battery back on and she fired up first time

Looks bang tidy

New gloves arrived this week also ordered some new fork seals as one leg is weeping so that’s this weekends job sorted. Track day the following Saturday to test the bloody thing and see if it stops,goes and tighten anything that might fall off Getting excited now in between moments of WTF.....even one of the ACU instructors at Mallory said why are you going racing at your age..... I told him I love the smell of napalm in the morning he looked at me funny and walked off. Well countdown has begun for sure,I’m missing the 1st round at Brands as I’m away with work but have already got my entries in for round 2 at Snetterton in April.Should be fun never even been there before so will be a baptism of fire. Met most of the lads in the series at Mallory they seem like a good bunch,most of them are also older and way faster than me to. I’ll keep posting updates as I go and try to give a feel for the ups and downs of an over 50’s racing novice,just need my orange bib and licence to come through now and I’m nearly ready....I think

Not much progress but committed to the dyno day and a track day in July so will be nipping over to see my mate in a week or 2 to get the zeeltronic fitted and setup, to busy getting the race bike ready so having to call in a few favours to get the RGV ready in time.

ACU test passed,bloody great morning at Mallory Park,mass practice start of 35 bikes was ace,still got the grin on my face Overtook a few bikes with the front end vertical,they were CB boat anchors mind.... Now need to get the bike sorted blown a fork seal.....oh well

Thanks for the input,I'm running a rebuilt GSXR750 shock no budget for anything fancy yet.

Thanks for that gives me something to work from then see what feels ok when I’m on track

Look bloody good they do Clive,almost too nice to fit

Cheers for that mate

I have a set-up question for you experienced racers what's the recommended static sag front and rear for a race bike??? @fatblokeonbandit @Markz9 @MeanBean49 Your input is much appreciated