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| #1  13-Mar-2005, 22:47 | ||||
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| Our DD bike \'does Popham\' Today I got my first ride on the race bike. 'Pete the Spanner' brought Little Beastie up to Popham for a quick road test, and I got to have a play. I was just 200m up the road when the front wheel locked solid! Thought I'd binned it already, but somehow she stayed the right way up and we could get on with the show. Lesson 1: don't test brake power with cold rubber  Instantly noticable was how much poke Beastie has got. I've spent the last 3 months being told how slow it's going to be compared with what I've been used to, but never a less true word spoken - she f'ing flies!!! Pulls clean and hard from 2k to 10krpm with not even a hint of a dead spot. Pete's been playing with his spanners and a laptop all week, changing belts, checking tolerances, running diagnostics from his fancy new software, and whatever else floats his boat in the wee hours. All the effort he's put in has definately not been wasted, cos there's absolutely nothing wrong with the engine, it's perfect. She even wheelies off the throttle in first (allegedly  )Suspension was a lot better than I'd been led to believe too. To me, the rear shock seemed good, just needs the preload and rebound tweeking but that's the same for any bike destined for the track. The forks were just a little on the soft side but only to the extent that an oil change will be all they should need. I guess I'm not putting a lot of weight on them anyway! Being a mere commuter bike, I was expecting the steering to be a bit clumsy, but she turns quicker than me 996 and hold a corner at unbelievable speeds! I reckon Monty was right when he said these things can easily embarass the bigger bikes round a circuit like Cadwell... can't wait for the test day now so me and tim can show up a few r1's!!! Brakes. Didn't even think to try the back brake cos I just don't use it, road or track. Front brake, on a single disc, had enough power to stop the bike as quick as it could happen, but a little too much lever effort was needed for my liking so the twin conversion will be done. The extra lever effort also seemed like it was preventing me from getting any feedback from what mischief the front tyre was getting up to so the 916 m/c with second disc should, I hope, make me happy. (All I've got to do now is scav that disc of Rattler!!) But best of all was when the throttle was let out to play - them hi level Sil's made it sound like there was a war happening! Niiiiiiice  Reminded me of an Abba song... "the roar of guns and cannons almost me cry!" Bear with me a bit longer, cos I just want to give a few thanks to people who've helped make the bike what it is: Pete, first class spanner job on the bike; Karen/Roy, thanks for your input; And of course thanks to our team sponsors for the freebies and discounts, and for showing blind faith in a novice numpty like me! I'm well chuffed! n   [Edited on 14-3-2005 by NBs996]  |
| #2 13-Mar-2005, 23:08 | |||
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| Ahhh a happy bunny  As for the Sil's - started mine up in the living room the other day - nearly blew the roof off  |
| #3 13-Mar-2005, 23:15 | ||||
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| You're welcome Nick - don't break it b4 Cadwell though.....  She's quite a good little beastie isn't she?  |
| #4 13-Mar-2005, 23:42 | ||||
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| The intake roar on a 2-valver is almost as good as putting termi's on, you've got both on there sonny it sounds georgeous! |
| #10 14-Mar-2005, 20:41 | ||||
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| Quote:
He's got a mechanic who can do anything..... |
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