Racing Skoal Blandit

[Simbec1863]

Well it’s finished just in time I think...off to Denmark now until Thursday night,hopefully a race report from Cadwell next weekend as long as the runt blandit behaves which it hasn’t so far this year  It’s now got last season’s  race engine back in so fingers crossed and all that 

[Simbec1863]

Not posted for a while the runt blandit has been playing up mostly, entered the Blandit Challenge at Cadwell and she didn’t even manage to get through test day spent more time in the recovery van again.

The weather was bloody awful with rain and gale force winds but was still determined to get a race in,bought a new set of wets but the runt beat me into submission tried everything to get her ready,she even managed to die on the way to the assembly area for timed qualifying.
Gazebo was destroyed by the wind and after many hours of trying to get the bike sorted decided to give up when I was too cold and wet to care anymore,chucked her in the van and decided to try another day.

Still need 3 signatures to get rid of the noddy jacket so decided to do Darley Moor, entered the newcomers race and cb500,super twins and bandit races.The bike ran like a dream in practice then up comes the first race of the day for some reason I’m missing from the schedule so have to start last on the grid,I get a decent start and manage to finish in the top 15 at a track I’ve never raced at before so happy with getting another signature.

Race 2 comes along and I feel like I can do ok,I start 12th on the grid based on my earlier time, get a decent start then nearly pile into a bike stalled on the line...survive that so start chipping away at my laps,I’m up to 8th then as I cross the line the bike cuts out and I coast over to the side of the circuit,oh well on to the next race.Back in the pits I check everything over, get the meter out and can’t find anything wrong,the bike runs again,plenty of fuel almost like the kill switch was hit.My lads also racing and he decides to crash out of 5th in his race so I’m now doing running repairs while he’s in the med centre,all good though as he’s ok and cable ties plus gaffer tape save the day.

Last race of the day I’m bloody knackered but fancy my chances for another decent finish I’m last on the grid based on my dnf so try to get a decent start and chip away until I’m up to 9th I catch a boat anchor on the last bend and dive up the inside to get 8th as I tip in the engines dies and I’m now freewheeling over the line losing places but manage 13th with no running engine 

I’ve checked and tested bloody everything since I got the runt home,after changing engines,pick ups,coils,fuel lines etc all things point to the CDI as it’s such an intermittent fault.Swapped it for a known good one so off to Castle Combe this weekend and hoping I can get the last 2 signatures without any dramas, even fitted some new dry tyres  race report to follow.

[Simbec1863]

Writing this on the plane to work after the last race of the non season....where do I start arrived Friday afternoon got set up for 2 days of racing at Castle Combe for the end of season 3 rounds have an early night with perfect weather forecast, was a bit fresh sleeping in the van but once the sun was out soon got warm.

Due to local council regs we were told to push our bikes to technical inspection in full race kit which was bloody miles away, arrived ready to pass out .Bike and kit passed the new COVID tech checks.Then thought bollocks to this for a game of soldiers I’ll ride the runt back to the paddock....oh no you won’t not even a click from the starter motor,got idiot lights but nothing else,so part 2 of the long push begins.

Eventually back to the gazebo and throw the bike on the stand,ready to smash the runt up yet again,checked the fuses and yes it’s blown,easy fix then new fuse and pop it goes,bigger fuse and pop it goes,must be a dead short somewhere so stripped the loom off the bike and started untaping and checking everything....the hours pass by not even been noise tested, miss both practice and timed qualification.

Need a finish Saturday and Sunday to lose my bib and it’s not looking too good,I’ve cleaned every connection removed and taped anything else that looks crappy,swapped the battery plus the starter relay and then I get ignition to run and no more fuse blowing,right helmet on and off to noise testing then hook first gear and kills ignition I’ve previously bypassed the side stand circuit but the bike thinks the stand is down even though it’s in the bin and bypassed.

Meter out and start testing,then a mate turns up and says I’ve got a spare loom if you want to swap the whole thing ,racing mates are bloody legends,I’m about to start the job then think I might just swap the diode first....she’s sorted and ready to roll

I’m at the back of the grid 34 that has to be an omen thanks revvin kevin,I try my youtube Simon Crafar start and get the best one ever, I pass a load on the brakes into turn one then get my head down,end up crossing the line in 19th but 9th in class.

Bikes running good and I think the dodgy diode has been my problem all year after chasing electrical issues.Sunday comes and 2 more decent finishes 12th in class and I’ve gone 4 seconds a lap faster than last season, had the casings on the deck and the pegs grounding out. 
Was going to get rid of her in the off season but might just give her a second chance next year,the novice jackets in the bin to

My lad came second in FP3 but we can’t mention that here as it’s a boat anchor,so a great weekend in the end for Wreck it Ralphs Racing.

Edited September 28, 2020 by Simbec1863

[370steve]

 Nice end to the season

[Simbec1863]

Just now, 370steve said:

 Nice end to the season

Thanks mate 

[fatblokeonbandit]

good man was going to come over but was told there was no  chance of getting so didnt

 

[Simbec1863]

4 minutes ago, fatblokeonbandit said:

good man was going to come over but was told there was no  chance of getting so didnt

 

It was almost spectator free only a few folk got tickets we weren’t even given spares like normal with the paddock fenced off from the viewing areas bloody COVID-19 roll on next year 

[Simbec1863]

A few action shots from Castle Combe last weekend 

[Ted M]

Glad you got it sorted and you are carrying on next year. it's one of the first posts i look for, this one 

[Simbec1863]

The seasons approaching so thought I best make the most of a dry day.Stripped the brakes and glad I did, seals were toast and 3 of 4 pistons are scrap, better to find now then the first corner of a race meeting.

Cleaned the calipers up and just ordered a rebuild kit, forks need stripping and rebuilding but that’s a job for another day, it’s beer o’clock now 

Edited February 26, 2021 by Simbec1863

[Rossco(Iceman Josros)]

19 minutes ago, Simbec1863 said:

The seasons approaching so thought I best make the most of a dry day.Stripped the brakes and glad I did, seals were toast and 3 of 4 pistons are scrap, better to find now then the first corner of a race meeting.

Cleaned the callipers up and just ordered a rebuild kit, forks need stripping and rebuilding but that’s a job for another day, it’s beer o’clock now 

You can’t just that there like that  and that oily foot print on the slab will definitely have you in trouble  

[Simbec1863]

39 minutes ago, Rossco(Iceman Josros) said:

You can’t just that there like that  and that oily foot print on the slab will definitely have you in trouble  

It’s ok mate it’s only a water footprint so the boss won’t tell me off 

Edited February 26, 2021 by Simbec1863

[Simbec1863]

Another day another job ticked off.Forks out stripped and rebuilt with Ktech linear springs to suit my weight.20w oil and air gap set, already feels loads better.

Just need the brake spares to turn up now and the front end is sorted.

[Simbec1863]

Brake parts arrived today so stuck the new seals and pistons in ready for the weekend 

[Simbec1863]

A cold day in the garden workshop today but still managed to knock a few jobs off.

Brakes back on and bled up,swapped the old master cylinder for a non suzook one.

Checked the sag front and rear,did the calculations and need to make a couple of 10 mm spacers to get the front end right.

Added some preload to the rear that’s now spot on,will sort the front end next weekend as I’ve got jobs to do on the smoker tomorrow.

Then only need to set the valves and change the oil before a test day at Mallory at the end of the month.

[Simbec1863]

Tank off today,changed the air filter and cleaned the fuel filter plus stuck on a new lever protector to replace the broken one.Serviced the genny too 

[Simbec1863]

Adjusted the valves, tightened the down pipes as they were blowing a wee bit after the last race of the season,then a quick carb balance.

Just need to drop the oil and swap sprockets ready for a test at a track day at Mallory Park a week on Monday.

[Simbec1863]

Stuck some fresh oil in,did a bit of lockwiring and changed the rear sprocket for Mallory.The dog helped by nicking anything I left on the floor 

[Simbec1863]

First test of the runt blandit preseason today at Mallory.

It was dry for once and the runt ran the best it has since 2019.

Quick check at the end of the day and a slight weep of oil from the head gasket and the sight window has started to leak,hopefully a retorque of the head bolts cures it and a probably need to replace the sight window before the leak becomes a flood 

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by Simbec1863

[vizman]

This is not kool

[MeanBean49]

11 hours ago, Simbec1863 said:

First test of the runt blandit preseason today at Mallory.

It was dry for once and the runt ran the best it has since 2019.

Quick check at the end of the day and a slight weep of oil from the head gasket and the sight window has started to leak,hopefully a retorque of the head bolts cures it and a probably need to replace the sight window before the leak becomes a flood 

 

Worst case scenario, pop to mine and borrow my motor. Not getting time to put my race bike together at the mo. 

[Simbec1863]

1 hour ago, MeanBean49 said:

Worst case scenario, pop to mine and borrow my motor. Not getting time to put my race bike together at the mo. 

Cheers @MeanBean49hopefully a retorque will sort it,otherwise I’ll be in touch,appreciate the offer 

[MeanBean49]

14 minutes ago, Simbec1863 said:

Cheers @MeanBean49hopefully a retorque will sort it,otherwise I’ll be in touch,appreciate the offer 

No probs mate.

[clivegto]

Press the sight glass out and reseal it with silocon. 

[Simbec1863]

46 minutes ago, clivegto said:

Press the sight glass out and reseal it with silocon. 

Good call Clive