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Weekend motorcycling
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So, it was away from work early (eased by "working from home") on
Friday, and up the M5 and M6 to Liverpool docks. The traffic was
*appalling* - I know the M6 is not a great place to be on a Friday
afternoon, but I've never seen it so bad. It was stop go all the way
from the M5 junction until I got onto the M62. Got to the ferry just
in time, only to find that the ferry was late because they'd had a
gearbox failure, so it was running on 3 engines (instead of 4), and
therefore crossings were taking 30 mins longer. Crossing was made
slightly more pleasant by upgrading to 1st class, which they forgot to
charge me for. Eventually arrived in Douglas at 10pm, to a very odd
sort of rain - fine yet heavy drizzle which was utterly soaking, and
also just coated my visor making visibility appalling. I don't think
I've ever ridden slower round the course. Met Keith in the pub in
Ramsey, which improved things a little.
Up to a hearty breakfast on Saturday, and then it was overalls on and
into the workshop. "My" GSX-R 600 was sat on the bench, awaiting our
attentions. In my luggage was a brand spanking new Ohlins shock
(£703.25 inc VAT to you, sir), and the main job was to pull out the
swing arm and linkages and clean, grease, re-fit etc. Other jobs
included:
- fettle brakes
- fit rearsets
- fit intermediate tyres to spare wheels
- steering damper
- fit bodywork
- kick tyres
First problem was that you need a special tool to remove the swing
arm. So, we rattled up to Slick Bass' workshop, having to take a
scenic route because half the roads were closed for the Manx
International Rally. Slick lent us the tool, and gave me an invoice
:-(
We cracked on, and got most of the work done. Late afternoon, Slick
called in and helped me fit the swingarm. How many others of you have
had a former WSB mechanic helping on their bike? We worked on until
7pm, finished, showed, ate, and went to the pub.
Sunday dawned dull, and then the forecast rain arrived. And stayed.
No matter, we were there to bed the bike in. Although I'd not even
slung a leg over it before, or seen this variation of the Jurby
airfield circuit, the bike just felt great. The short circuit gearing
made it feel pretty perky, but then it is making a genuine 188bhp at
the back wheel. I had no full wets (don't need them on the TT
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Oops. That should read "118bhp"
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Do you have any photos of it?
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Not at the mo. It was wearing second had clothes this weekend, as the
'proper' bodywork is away being painted, so it looked a bit scruffy
with mis-matched tank, fairing and seat.
We won't be fitting the freshly painted bodywork until the morning of
the first practise day I'm afraid. But, I'm sure there'll be plenty
of room for sponsors stickers!
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Have you actually purchased it, or are you leasing it?
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Sort of leasing it. I'm borrowing it from Keith, in return for
throwing a bunch of money at it.
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course), so just used the Pirelli inters, which were fantastic. Got a
couple of good starts, didn't disgrace myself, didn't crash, so packed
up and headed home before I did, iyswim.
After a quick bite and a cuppa, I was on the 7:45pm ferry home. Again
wasn't charged for upgrading to 1st class. Rolled off the boat in
Heysham at 11:45pm. Arrived in Cheltenhan at 01:50am, 181 miles
later, with one stop for fuel and to don waterproofs (one of the few
times in my life when I've put waterproofs on *before* I needed them).
So, my Manx GP bike goes, stops, steers, and seems to handle OK.
There's a few little things to sort out, but it looks like we're ready
to roll - 1st practice Sat 19th Aug. Less than two weeks!
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