Simbec1863

I dream of that sometimes but it hasn’t happened yet probably my only chance of glory

Well I’m back travelling to Denmark with work after 5 months at home writing this in hotel quarantine as other than going to work can’t leave my hotel. Just about recovered from the weekend which was a tough one due to minute by minute weather changes and a shitty one across most of the paddock due to crashes and bike failures,at one point the race schedule was paused for an hour as they had run out of ambulances. I was 4th fastest in class during free practice then came TQ,left the wets in due to a damp track and knew I could do max 2 or 3 laps if the track started to dry,it did but didn’t matter as on my 2nd lap the bike died on the straight so that was that.Ended up 24th on the grid which wasn’t in my plan.Back to the pits to try to fix the problem,while working on it my lad goes out on his new skool suzuki for TQ I hear other bikes come back but there’s no sign of him.Off to race control to find out if he’s ok,he is but has had a big off at 100+mph, the bikes in a bad way so after sending him off to the med centre I start working on both bikes,mines running again after borrowing a CDI off a mate. Now focussing on his bike I lose track of time and hear my race called, I look at the bike to realise I’ve forgot to put my drys in.....and the track is now dry...to race or not...I just go out and form up on my wets looking around at everyone else on nice dry tyres Lights out and a great start I’m up to 17th in a 7 lapper after 4 laps my wets are running me wide firing me out the seat but I manage to finish losing places every lap as I go slower and slower....oh well . Plan for Sunday is dry tyres in unless it’s standing water, lads bike is bodged and passes technical. My 20th place finish Saturday gets me a better grid position and another flying start in a 8 lapper and I’m in the points with 2 laps to go,I miss a gear coming out of the old hairpin and the freight train comes steaming past,end up 20th again but have done my best ever lap a low 1.28 of Donny 10 seconds faster than 2019 when we last raced here so still happy.Every year we get more ex racers returning to do cheap blandit racing and these boys are proper fast so I have to be happy with going faster each time and maybe getting a point or 2 now and then. Last race of the day and I’m knackered but still want some points,good start all going well and I’m up to 15th with 2 laps to go then the runt blandit drops onto 3 then 2 cylinders,my mate nearly crashes into the back of me when it cuts out then refires again,I get it over the line running on 3 having lost places and finish 20th yet again, in both races I was only .12 of a mph away from getting a signature for my national licence so you have to take the positives. Only a couple of weeks to Castle Combe and I’m not home in the week so hope to sort the bike ready to race in time.This was definitely one of those I’m packing up racing weekends those that have done it will know what I mean, my son was battered and bruised and a good mate of mine did his collarbone and broke some ribs.

Race day tomorrow and all ok so far the runt survived the test day at Donny it’s beer o’clock now

They could have done way back in the past it’s hard to tell now as it’s been painted and powder coated for so long that you can’t tell if its factory welded or fabricated by a previous owner

That’s what I thought but my 75X frame has the brace although I’ve seen them without to

My ET is a 750 frame with an 1100 engine in changed back in the 80s and the only real difference is the bottom engine mount,can’t confirm the swingarm as I have killer K front and rear ends in it.If you need a solid frame I would buy whatever you can find and imagine 750 frames are less of a premium and maybe easier to find?

Blandit Mk 1 wheels have curved spokes and Mk2 wheels are straight spoked which may give you an easy option.See pic of 600 Mk2 wheel, readily available on the well known auction site for about 30 quid

I resemble that remark

If all goes to plan a 750 slabbie

Suns out and the runts done,no leaks was only running on 2 at first,changed the plugs and CDI and seems to have fixed it.Ran it nice and hot balanced the carbs and stuck everything back on,just need to check her over Thursday before I head up to Donny.This racing lark always seems to be last minute the runt needs to stay oil tight and upright next weekend only doing 4 rounds this season then the runt will be sold as I have plans to change class next season on a non Blandit race bike

Less than a week to go until Donington so had to brave the shitty weather today.Oil tight,carbs on,cables connected,stuck some oil in and turned her over just to circulate a wee bit before I fire her up.Need to seal and fit the zorst tomorrow then check for leaks and rebalance the carbs.Hopefully a bit drier tomorrow.

A few more hours today,refitted the cams,set the timing and rechecked the valves.Cam cover back on, hopefully get it finished Saturday as I’m working tomorrow

Bit more progress today the head gave in after some swearing,surfaces cleaned, new o rings and gasket fitted and head torqued down.Helicoiled the exhaust thread on number 2 cylinder as well,hopefully it does the job.Will do a bit more tomorrow.Pistons looked pretty good for a 30000 mile ex road bike.

I feel your pain Mark hope you get it sorted otherwise we can use the test day to finish building them

Donington is only 2 weeks away so operation head gasket commenced today,everything stripped down and had a quick go at lifting the head,bugger won’t budge then the rain arrived so abandoned the outside workshop and it’s beer o’clock.Will have another go at it tomorrow.

+1 with @fatblokeonbanditSBS dual carbon pads decent brake lines and some racing quality fluid. You can outbrake new litre bikes with ease, only reason to change from standard is if you needed some improved feel at the lever when racing.

Early knock from work today so took advantage of an unexpected opportunity, brake pads in,calipers on and lines secured. Fitted a new brake light switch ready to cut the old slabbie item and stick a couple of spades on to get the brake light to function again,had to buy some non Suzook parts to get the new setup to work including a black lever to keep it looking similar Just need to bleed the brakes next then can get an mot on the old girl again.

Calipers painted in random non suzuki gold, new seals and old pistons refitted. Halves rejoined ready for another day,need to sort the head gasket on the race bike next weekend before I run out of time so this job will have to wait a few more weeks.

Everyone to they’re own....what’s the plans for this project.... polish it bikes are made to be ridden

Same one hidden by quality crash protection

It’s FIM European championship and CRMC if I remember correctly,no track day stuff

Could make a bike available but depends on my racing schedule

First race of the season getting nearer,rolled the runt out of the shed to find a weeping front brake seal,pulled the piston gave it a clean and stuck a new better quality seal in.Brakes bled hopefully now sorted. Dropped the oil and changed the filter,then removed the clutch cover took out the sight glass, cleaned and resealed let’s see if that stops the leak.Just need to retorque the head when the engines cold,then stick some oil in and she’s race ready for Donington in May.

While I try to find some calliper paint thought I’d have an hour swapping the well knackered 1987 discs out for some new ones,think they look ok and can’t work any worse than the old ones. Even managed to get the bus to fire just before I flattened the shit motobatt battery....

With getting the race bike ready the old girl has been left leaking brake fluid due to blown seals.Sun out today so felt like the right time to start the job.Pulled the once freshly painted callipers to bits to find most of the paint is knackered so decided to clean them up,then looked for some paint but had no joy in the shed so will buy some after the weekend.Decided to do the same upgrade as the race blandit so fitted a spare non suzuki master cylinder,had to adjust the reservoir a wee bit to clear the fairing stay but all seems ok.I’ve just got to get some paint now,then fit the nice new discs and bolts I’ve had for over a year but due to racing and working away haven’t found the time.It’s a job for another weekend once I source some paint for the callipers.Beer time now