Getting there - my 800ss minitwin racer
 

My race bike is nearing some form of completion although the colour scheme leaves a lot to be desired - that will be sorted later. I'm still awaiting my new brake lines c/w titanium hose fittings and banjo bolts etc (trick or wot?); uprated Showa forks with Ohlins springs and all my titanium fasteners :D

It weighs so little now - feels like a good deal less than my SV650 ever was so, with all that extra torque I'm hoping it's adequately rapid.

I was at Ducati John's today getting the belts and valves etc done - charged me a pittance - top bloke. Next week it's out on the track for a trackday to shake it down and check it all out as well as run it in. First race end of July, Croft in NEMCRC's minitwins & open classes.

Get it on some scales - full tank and without!

Wildo when I take it for more dyno testing next month. I reckon about 350-360lbs atm.

That's a lot of torque :lol:

OK, I'll get my coat ;)

Nice work, twpd. You gonna do the No Limits day at Croft on Aug 7 by chance?

Looking good!
What sort of budget you looking at running a season of MiniTwins racing and what sort of track time do you get compared to the 3 x 15 minute sessions for £120 we get in DD a weekend?

At MRO:

Saturday:
15-20 minutes qualifying
10-14 laps superpole race

Sunday:
10-14 laps championship race
10-14 laps championship race

The length of the races being dictated by weather conditions, crashes, the usual etc. Being Bemsee it's normally very well run and smooth.

Budget...last year on the SV650 I spent about £12k in total. A full season on the 800 will be about the same. New Super Corsas every weekend. Depending upon circuit fees are anywhere between £160 and £250-ish (Brands).

I loved MRO - much more professional and a very high std of competition - riding with the best really. The problem is to be competitive you need to be having fresh tyres on a regular basis and you can't get away with a bike that's a shed or even mediocre.

HTH.

Cheers! I wasn't intending to because that's after my Croft meeting so, another day at Croft serves no purpose for me...I'll be doing time at Pembrey instead but, I do like Croft a lot so I may just change my mind :lol:

it's nothing compared to your talk though! ;)

It's 56ft-lbs in reality.

Wow, that's light!!! :o

...My coat is on already :rolleyes:

It does look good though Nige, will be interested to hear your thoughts after you've ridden it in anger.

Nice one ;)

Dom I reckon the bike will be more than competitive. As a basic starting point it's light years ahead of an SV in terms of brakes, wheels, swinging arm, yokes and suspension. Add to that 20% more torque, a 12-15bhp advantage at 7000rpm and about the same weight....you have a good package.

The only possible fly in the ointment is a lack of revs. The limiter is pretty brutal at 9000rpm. The SV650 runs out of steam at 9000 but, has the ability to overrev to about 10,500 which, can come in handy. With the 800 I think it's gonna be a case of using the mid-range grunt to fire it out of corners quicker - the wider rubber on wider rims should help here.

As ever it will be a case of whether or not I am up to the job of riding it well.

Sounds fantastic - Good luck :D

If you do, you'll hopefully see my minitwins-type project on it's virgin outing. It should live up to both sillables of the word minitwins.;)

When I did Cadwell last year we also got free practice on the sat before qualifying and a warm up session on the sunday morning before the racing started. So you get more track time for your cash with more and longer races as well spread over the two days. It's the best format IMO.

Heaps of track time, very well run and a great standard of riding that helps you improve I reckon.

Good stuff.

I forgot about the free practice. Yes as TP says - it's the best format and by far imo. Go club racing and then go MRO - you wouldn't want to go back despite feeling very medicocre due to the depth of talent at MRO.

Do tell!

Some more photos. Fairing on now, rear race wheel and tyre (Super Corsa Pro SC2 compound) and new wheel bearings fitted:

That's a weird looking tri-colore!

Race the bloody thing already! :D

Can I borrow that next Saturday? ;)

It's a 620 right?!?!?! sssshhh

:)

It's gonna get sprayed gloss black - my usual race colours. The Benetton scheme is temporary I assure you. Out this weekend at Croft. Out again mid-July and then racing end of July with the NEMCRC.

I need to run it in first and get some set up data.

I'm still waiting for my brake lines, the front wheel bearings are to be replaced, floating discs to be put back on plus a few other things before Saturday.

Of course it is Dom except with an extra 20bhp :D

:D :D :D

Just how I like em :ninja:

You might even win a race on it - no more excuse now - mind you them tyres are a bit dodgy being Super Corsa Pros.....don't let anyone too close, eh? ;)

I thought we could use ANY Pirellis? :D

*cough*

...as long as you don't get caught you can ;)

I've just added up the costs so far...Ummmm...frightening. How does £8500 sound including buying the bike. Mind you...I suppose 3 sets of Marchesinis and three sets of forks with different set ups is a bit excessive. There's another £1k of titanium on the way too. :)

I would love to fit some Brembo monoblocs plus radial master cylinder but, minitwin rules forbid it. I haven't even bought any rearsets yet - just using the std pegs for the time being although I'll prolly go for some Woodcraft items late on.