New Year resolution - finish what you started

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Wonky finger

This what happens when you drop a shock absorber on your finger
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Mike Edwards event video - Cadwell Park 27th - 29th August - Ducati 848 Challenge

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peHfxZRq8lg&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Yamaha TZ 350 onboard video Brands Hatch GP ICGP practice Mike 'Spike' Edwards

Whoa ! It was all going so well then ........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNVqcFvoRq4&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Hagon shock next

All cleaned up at rear so need to pick up bare wheels in morning and fit Hagon shock.
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Cosmetics

Itching to put new gold flat drag bars with custom end weights + new oval mini exhaust + seat hump on. Gonna be pretty.
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Wheels

Wheels are having old tyres junked today then respray in Dayglo Pink + new Metzelers.
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On to the back end at last

I took the plunge and decided to go for it with not only overhauled forks but a new Hagon shock for the back. Only problem. How to jack the bike up ? Answer ratchet jacks from Halfords for £23 ! Brilliant.
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Streetfighter progress

Dozens of little jobs now done. It has been hard to resist just whacking it all back together and go for a ride but it would all only have to come apart again. Here's the forks back in.
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Love your doggy !

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xdj67XknFrM#t=5

Oops !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dtXFThyr764

Only in the Isle of Man

Finding no room at last year's homestay for the Manx GP I had to look for somewhere else. I like Peel plus the early morning coast ride to Kirkmichael makes you want to get up and go. Amazingly I've turned up a Peel farm cottage location which is not only vegetarian but non smoking too. Perfect !
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Manx GP 2013

Woohoo ! Took the plunge and booked the ferry tonight. Just for a change going on Heysham night ferry over + late return. Which bike I take depends on Sreetfighter status at the time but Ethel has to be favourite.
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Hitler lost his motorcycle. Then got a BMW GS.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaB40TLQE8M&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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Another wonderful video from Claude

1970 French Grand Prix. I know who the lady sidecar passenger is and also recognise Jack Findlay talking in French. But who is the other English rider talking in French ?

http://www.ina.fr/video/CAF93053132/vacances-et-loisirs-le-grand-prix-de-france.fr.html

Manx GP 2011 Senior Race Lap 1

Nasty wet patches all over the place and a bit of a moment at Ballacraine and coming out of Rhencullen but v quick - v brave in those conditions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWdhpAAv9E0&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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2 times USA champioship winning electric bike at NEC today

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Czech GP Brno 1972

This is really of its time. Narrated by Mike Hailwood it shows that GPs were a world away from where racing is today. People wandering about all over the place, just a few straw bales but take a look at the chicks in bikinis, woohoo !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=iYpUz-8SH9U&feature=endscreen

A nasty gash

Discovered a hole in the radiator tonight. This may be a clue why the radiator will only take half the volume it should. This hole is spongy to the touch. Methinks someone has poured in Radweld in quantity until it stopped leaking. A new radiator is no longer available but at last price of £483 I don't want one ! Tatty one on e bay for £50 but would rather get it fully repaired than risk that one.
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That Bros I had was a nice little bike

Isle of Man video

This is a good quality video which gives a good insight into what it is like on the isle of Man. Not keen on the stills and blank bits - or the morbid side to it come to that - but a lot of it is just like being there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9-oUL8aHbk&NR=1&feature=endscreen

So that's what it is for then

Great place to keep my new hearing aids overnight !
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Streetfighter front brakes

Another mystery here. Took calipers off and removed pads, rods, covers and circlips for ultrasonic bath. Pads rear had fresh looking thick coat of Copperseal grease. I expected none or solidified old grease. Peculiar.
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Streetfighter digital dash

Woohoo it lights up but will need reprogramming. No idea if mudguard mounted sensor will pick up rotations from magnetic bolt in brake rotor. Will have to ride it to find out.
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Streetfighter progress

Good few hours this evening. Finally plucked up courage to take the angle grinder to the brand new front mudguard to position the sensor for the digital dash.
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Manx GP 2013

Took a look a ferries. If you go out on Thursday and come back on Tuesday after the Classic races its £224 but if go out Wednesday and back on Wednesday its £112 !
Also Marshals discount is only if you do TT and Manx.

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Isle of Man TT Marshals Association Incident Management Course Training ( IMC )

As with the Institute of Advanced Motoring training the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association uses acronyms to get the message across. Nonetheless I still manage to struggle remembering all the relevant words. So, for my sake as much as anyone else's, here they are : -

Upon being presented with an incident : -

AMEGA

Count to 10 before doing anything - don't become part of the incident

Assess situation - are flags out, are bikes slowing down

Make safe - remove debris, deal with hazards

Give Emergency Aid - if trained to do so / help medics

Get help - straight away call race control 

Deal with Aftermath - replace kit / write report if necessary

Upon dealing with the incident victim

DRSABC

Danger - check for danger to yourself and others, don't become part of the incident

Response - check victim for response, what's your name mate ?

Shout - for help call race control

Airways - check they are clear, do not stick fingers in mouth

Breathing - is the victim breathing

Circulation - does the victim have blood circulation

It is a whole lot to remember but attending an Incident Management Course Training course pieces it all together in a professional but friendly manner and fills in all the details.

This is the very serious end of Marshalling, which although it is to be taken seriously at all times, is a lot of fun in like minded company which makes you part of the event rather than a mere onlooker. Find out more on the website : -

www.iomttma.com

Ethel for Italy ?

Woohoo ! An opportunity is brewing to visit Anzolo d'Ossala near Turin in Northern Italy in May 2013. Its for work but I really fancy making a bike trip of it.
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Streetfighter progress

Front end coming along nicely. Got loadsa bits to swap out so getting to be fun now.
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Silverstone VJMC

Great fun as always. Due to the meeting running 90 minutes late thanks to a sidecar outfit spewing out oil on the line all the way round the National circuit being used this weekend we only got 3 laps at 5 minutes notice. Good news is that this is a simple little track with the only tricky bit being Woodcote tightening up as you enter the start straight. Otherwise glad I watched on bike Manx Norton You Tube video to clock braking points, approach position and apexes. Found out that by trying less it was quicker and more fun. Great to meet Tony, rider 17 on a Yamaha F600, who organises classic bike track days. Aha, this is the way forward. Now have ideas of ball hitch and 1 man bike connector device so I can have home comforts and track days in like minded company next year.
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Guy Martin at CMRC Silverstone

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Guy Martin good to go

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The famous Guy Martin at CRMC Silverstone

He was out on the Suzuki X69 replica here looking eager to tinker but kept at bay by mechanics.
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VJMC Silverstone

With Maria Costello MBE
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Streetfighter romping on

Yesterdays oil leak and smoke was self inflicted. Oops. I missed the bit about wringing out the newly oil soaked air filter before fitting it. Took it out to see puddles of oil in airbox. Big clean up and drying of filter and she started up and after any left over oil on the exhaust burnt off ran nice and clean. Great. Now on to the cycle parts. Ouch. The front mudguard is a mess. Snapped off brackets, splits and random holes all over the place. As I look to have saved the cost of a carb strip going to have a treat and get a new mudguard plus seat hump.
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Good news / Bad news

The Streetfighter started up and runs. Then neat oil started burning off on the exhausts so that stopped the fun. Hoping it is self inflicted from over oiling new air filter. Anyway battery on charge and easy strip down to see if that is what it is. Was concerned about putty like deposits under radiator cap and only being able to half refill. So used 50/50 water / antifreeze and gave it a go. Stayed clear with no overflow but needed half a litre when warmed up. Suspicions of blown head gasket receding but need to nail oil leaksource.Great to be on our way at last - let's hope the motor doesn't need major work and I can get on with the cycle parts.
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Tyre truths

And a Week 30 2005 on the front. They've gotta go.
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Streetfighter giving up its secrets

That'll be a Week 17 2006 tyre on the back then
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5 times TT winning Slippery Sam at Jurby

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Why everyone should tour Russia

After a bath

Now minus road muck
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Ultrasonic bath

Dirty tax holder Sir ? I'll have it cleaned up in 2 minutes.
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Streetfighter Day 7

Woohoo ! Alarm stripped out and sundry shite wiring replaced by Peter Mouncer 07877 552750 www.bikealarmman.com for £100. Great. All electrics working including Trail Tech Vapor electronic dash + best of all motor spins over nicely on the starter.
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And now the good news

Woohoo. Tucked away I came across a fitted Scottoiler. Great.
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Streetfighter aaargh moment

Having put the ignition barrel back on after new keys for ignition and tank plus oil change and filter I picked up the new battery. As soon as the terminals went on it was Blackpool illuminations ! An unexpected 2nd horn went off, the indicators went 4 way and the headlights flashed. No idea what to do so Googled Datatool Veto. It is an early and unloved monster that is too sensitive and goes off all the time when it is not killing the battery. So its gotta go. Alarm specialist will whip it all out this week. Let's Keep It Simple Stupid.
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Having got this far maybe it is time for this

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Streetfighter one step closer

Aha ! Under the tank, under the air filter, under the airbox is the plug for the ignition barrel. Yeehar now we are talking. Next stop locksmiths for some keys.
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And that's it for tonight

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Good 1st nights work

Plenty done tonight. Tank off, battery out and on charge, oil drained, filter out. Best of all ignition barrel unbolted. Just have to extract wiring and its off to the locksmith for keys.
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Streetfighter all bathed, shaved n kissing sweet mmm mmm

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Streetfighter before her bath

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The ZX6Rs dirty little sister

Enter the Streetfighter as delivered. Lots of work has gone into this. Tapered bars, bug eye lights, digital dash, hugger, mini LED indicators, datatag, braided hoses. Doesn't look neglected just very shabby from long standing. Last road tax ran out 2007. Tyres good but will be junked due age but have not been shagged at the edges. Came with Micron rear stand and a few bits but no keys ! Will have to take the tank to local locksmith to pick and make key. Good news is that keys are universal so with luck well have an ignition key too.
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Final for the urinal - Silverstone VJMC 13 / 14 Oct 12

Woohoo ! just got confirmation that the VJMC / CRMC parade is on for Silverstone 13 / 14 Oct 12. Great ! Here's a thing. The ZX6R Streetfighter I have bought unseen is due to arrive this week. Be great fun if I can get it going to turn up on that. Who knows ?

Jawa rally Achterhoek Holland

Some pictures from the recent Jawa rally in Achterhoek Holland