Shelsely Walsh - mission 50% accomplished

The UKRMer who very dicreteley took up the offer of the Paddock pass for
Shelsey today either didn't get it in time, didn't make themselve's
known to me in the paddoc,k or more likely couldn't be arsed to go to
see a form of motor sport which is a lot less stimulating to watch than
take part in.

Anyway, mission 1 (<37 seconds) accomplished on first timed run - 36.77.
In fact my first practice run was a personal best for the hill.
Mission 2 (100 mph speed trap) eluded me again by 2 mph. The new boots
are just so stiff and a little bulky compared to my ancient Prexports
that I fluffed an upward change on the final finish straight on the
first two runs. Not a missed gear - just baulked and had to shut right
off and have another bite.

When I get time I will adjust the gear linkage in hopes of eliminating
this but in the mean time I simply reverted to the old boots.

Fucked up the start on the last timed run. Big wheelie (well by my
standards), which as you start right over on one side of the track had
me drifting towards a rather solid bank and hedge with no means to
correct the steering (no racing god mono-wheel course correction
skills). So had to shut off which was reflected in a 64ft time of 2.35
instead of the 2.21 on the best run. Managed to get up to 98 over the
line on this one, but had hoped for more given the lower gearing than
last year. Wheelie anxiety possibly.

For Gyp's benefit - I stayed in front of the 1200 Harley! Even more
pleased to beat a TL1000, which is regularly raced and went through the
finish at 101 on his last attempt. Just pipped on the last run by my
arch rival on the Triumph 955 (race tyre on the front and stripped down
below road legal).

But to put things in perspective FTD on a bike was 32.?? on a 750 class
KTM supermoto and a road legal KTM950 SM turned in a 33.01 in the top
six run-off.

Roll on Loton Park next Saturday.
--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I did get it this morning , thanks , and did indeed go.

Only trouble was I've been suffering some kind of plague for the last couple
of days and that coupled with the heat meant that I got there at 2 then
spent much of the time sat down in the shade on the hillside feeling really
quite unsteady and in danger of fainting.

I was going to come for a look round the paddock and say hi and well done on
the first run , but ended up heading home while I was still capable of
moving under my own power.


Sorry for being an antisocial git.

 

No worries. I though I was going to expire from the heat myself. Even a
few minutes sitting waiting for a run in leathers and back protector was
unpleasant when not feeling ill.

Anyway, you saw my best run and you can't reveal to everyone how timid
the wheelie that put me off my stroke really was.

If you were interested in taking part in a hill climb some time I can
recommend doing a NHCA 'have a go' at Wiscombe (Devon) in September.
Minimal bike preparation required. All in deal for day membership,
licence and entry fee.

--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Any chance you could give us a reminder & more details nearer the time?
Sounds like it could be a bit of a laugh.

--
Krusty.

http://www.muddystuff.co.uk
http://www.muddystuff.us
Off-road classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger (FOYRNB) '96 Tiger '79 Fantic 250

 

What colour's your bike again , I'll see if I got a photo or two.

Hmmmm , how much?
It's tempting but I'd be rather nervous of a Hornet - barrier interface.

 

OK. It's 11 September. The UKRM Speed Hill Climb Challenge cup has a
certain ring to it.
BTW Mark Bridger took his MV up Wiscombe in 50.76 in 2003. (50.88 for me
on the 604 Nordwest).


--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

30 squid. See:
http://www.nhca.co.uk/giveitago/giveitago.htm

The throttle works both ways!
--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Cool - we can pretend we're racing up the Twin Towers.

I was thinking the Tiger might be a good bet, given how well the
Katooms seem to do. I presume it's a narrow, twisty hill?

--
Krusty.

http://www.muddystuff.co.uk
http://www.muddystuff.us
Off-road classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger (FOYRNB) '96 Tiger '79 Fantic 250

 

Now come to think of it I can't remember ever seeing a Tiger compete at
a hill climb.

You presume right. Judge for yourself here:
http://www.wiscombepark.co.uk/
Click on in car action. No on bike video available but you will get a
feel for the course,
--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Oh good. I won't have to blank you next time I see you

 

Even when I confess that it is belt drive?
http://www.nhca.co.uk/Event_pictures/2006/TT Wiscombe 13th May 2006/800/TT_tn_883DSC_1092.jpg


--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

There was a whole gaggle of Harleys going eastbound on the A13
yesterday afternoon.

As I wafted past on on the shopping bike, he gave it a big handful of
throttle, there was the expected cacophony, and it nudged slightly
ahead of me. So I eased the throttle open a bit, and regained the
lead, whereupon another big handful of HD twistgrip was taken.

This happened once more, before I got bored, mimicked a yawn, and
fucked off to Sainsburys.

Considering that at no point did I exceed 50mph, I was amazed at the
effort required from an HD pilot to get their torque monster up to
what can only be desribed as modest speeds.

Are they all that rubbish?
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..80264../..21661.../..31308.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR'06 Points: 75 Miles: 317

 

When I get the full results it will be interesting to compare the 64
feet and speed trap times. The fact that this particular Harley can keep
in touch with far more powerful machines' times up a speed hill climb
has more to do with its rider. During a chat we calculated that my bike
had an advantage of around 25 BHP and 40 Kgs. He personally had the
advantage of about 30 less years.

--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

SD wrote

Depends dunnit? I heard that there are issues with the definition of
concert pitch between a certain warmongering continental democracy and
the other 19/20 of the world's population and that as a consequence most
of their rev limiters outside merkiania are set wrong.

 

In standard trim, yes. Rice pudding skins are rarely disturbed.

They are certainly very leisurely though. If you're not in a hurry, they
can be very relaxing to ride. Riding a Harley at legal speeds is
enjoyable in the way that riding fast Japanese bikes isn't. Horses for
courses really.

If you are in a hurry, they can be quite horrid.

Mine's not too bad, but it has moved on significantly from the way it
come out of the crate.

 

883R taken out to 1200 with Buell barrels, pistons, heads and cams I
suspect, and the belt is up to the job so no disgrace there.

Of course, the fact that he's doing it on the abysmal stock shocks
should cause you to hang your head in shame!

 

I am aware of this situation: I was on the gert big shopping bike,
after all.

I'm aware of this scenario, too. I was just amazed that they made *so*
much more noise, with so much rider input, for practically no increase
in their "speed", for want of a better word.

The Wing isn't exactly a top-fueller, but it would have absolutely
buried this HD, had matey been up for it. I suggest he had a few kg
advantage over me, too.

Ooh. I feel I need to have a go, at some point.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..80389../..21885.../..31432.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR'06 Points: 85 Miles: 413

 

That's exceedingly kind of you.

Having not actually ridden the French Tart you are making an assumption
about the efficacy of the Buell style low slung horizontal mono-shock.
--

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I've ridden my Sportster in basically the same spec as the hill climber
(he has the better 4-pot brakes by the look of it).

I've also ridden my Z750 at reasonable pace (not fast but reasonable)
with you following without breaking sweat.

Either you are a riding god (which compared to me you probably are), or
the Tart is way more competent than a stock-suspended Harley.

 

HDs sold outside of the US are very quiet on both intake and exhaust.
You need to open up both the intake and exhaust just to get it to run
right and not stall at junctions. Something like about 90-95% OF HDs
have this done at PDI, and the remainder of the rest are generally done
soon after once the owners realise how shit they are when the intake and
exhaust are welded shut.[1]

When de-restricted, you're still left with a big, heavy barge with a
relatively long-stroke low-compression 2-valve per cylinder engine that
no-longer stalls at junctions [2]

Possibly not. HDs are made of high-density heavy lead.

You are most welcome, but note that WUN rode it at MOSM, and came back a
little pale.

It will go quickly and make a lot of noise, but it needs commitment to
do so. Even though it now makes decentish power anywhere above 2k, to
make decent progress you need to ignore the 6k redline and rev it to
over 7k, which is entertaining as the vibration above 5k causes your
vision to blur and things start to fall off [3]

Whilst this is all going on, you have to remember that you are clinging
on to a chassis that Mach 1 owners would see as old and dangerous, and
using brakes that are at best decorative.

I've seen 110 on the HD a few times now [4], and it's scary enough for
me not to want to repeat it that often

[1] The reason being, IMO, is that with virtually bugger-all intake and
exhaust noise, a quiet belt and -at long last - sealed wheel bearings,
you can get a bike with a big air-cooled engine through the drive-by
noise tests.
[2] As much.
[3] The fuel filler cap and the rear brake master cylinder cover being
the most notable items so far.
[4] 110 in the GPS, well over 120 on the speedo