Having successfully fired up the engine it was time to take it for a run on a dyno.As I've used them before I gave Jerome at Readspeed a call and booked the "Flying Carrot" (as it had now been christened-cheers Hampy!) in for a session.I'd booked it in mid week,to ensure I got it sorted in a couple of hours.If you've ever visited Radspeed on a Saturday you'll know what I mean-busy is an understatement!!!
I took the day off work,loaded up the hire van and set off.I may have been at little too eager as I had to wait an hour for the shop to open.The early bird goes to MacDonalds for breakfast!
I got the scooter out and gave it the once over-it was at this point I noticed the fuel filter was clogged solid with rust.Fortunately I'd taken my tools and box of spares for that "just in case" moment.Two minutes later the filter was changed and we were ready to go.(It took about a dozen or so tank flushes to eventually cure this problem.Old steel tubing that has spent it's life outdoors is great for rust-not so good for fuel tanks).I had already given Jerome the engine and carb specs over the phone so he had a very good idea as to what jets and needles would be needed.I would advise anybody to have a proper chat when booking an engine in as it may save you half an hour on the dyno..and time is money!
Once on the dyno he warmed up the motor for a few minutes,then gave it a short run just to see how far out the carb settings were.Not as bad as I'd thought,but no where near right either.He got out his magic tools and waved them over the carb.Low and behold twenty minutes later it was running like a champ.Just under 25 bhp and 20 ft/lbs of torque.It wasn't going to set the world alight,but considering this was a ROAD tuned motor I was more than happy.So was Dave at SES when I rang him-"get used to the bike and tracks,then we can play with your engine and get it flying next year."(can't wait!) Jerome also suggested running AVGAS fuel at 2%,as it would give me a bit more scope for ignition advancement due to its cool burning/high RON.It also has to be strictly regulated (has to keep planes in the air!!!!) so should be the same where ever I buy it from.He has seen quite a few motors that have suffered damage as a result of using poor fuel.You don't know what the big fuel companies have added to eek out the fuel supply at the refineries!A chat with John Woods pointed me in the direction of a flying school in Liverpool where AVGAS is readily available to the public to buy.(Remember-you must use a commercially available pump fuel for racing)
So there we have it.It runs properly and it should pass scrutineering.Right then,lets sort out the race license,my BSSO membership and get some safety equipment...
I contacted BSSO secretary Paul Green to find out what was needed from me,and what I needed to do to get out and play.The relevant forms were duly downloaded from the BSSO website,filled in and sent off along with a cheque and an SAE.Some two weeks later my membership card turned up along with my race number-#77(Barry Sheene twice-when I say twice I don't mean talent,just weight!!).
From here I got in touch with the ACU,who regulate and govern scooter racing in the UK.To get a novice race license you must attend a classroom based course,successfully pass a test at the end,then send off a cheque for £47 and the license is yours.I chose a course run by the Wirral 100 club,which was held in a hotel near Runcorn.I wasn't the only one trying to get their license to race a scooter-Mark Hardy and his son Joe,or Bullet and Pellet as they are better known,were there to get Joe sorted.We had a chat and a catch up,then headed upstairs to the conference suite where the course was being held.With the exception of Joe(only 18),everyone else attending was about my age.It was like being at a "Mid Life Crisis Anonymous" meeting!The course lasted a couple of hours,and ran briefly through the aspects of safety,track behaviour and bike preparation.Well worth doing.A short exam at the end consisted of multi choice questions,and was very straight forward if you'd been listening.I'm sure Pellet tried to make his pass easier by giving teacher an apple at the start!Ten minutes later after swapping papers with those behind for marking we found out if we'd passed or failed.Mine was border line,but once I'd thanked the examiner and slipped a crisp £50 in his shirt pocket my marks shot up!Get in there!!!!!
The pass certificate was sent off,and a week later the license dropped onto the door mat.
I now needed to sort myself out with some leathers-about two cows worth was the guestimate.
I decided to get myself a second hand set,as who knows,I might get out on track and think this is not for me.I kept my eyes out for a couple of weeks,then came across a set on Ebay.Only worn a couple of times,and still like new.One slight downside was no knee sliders,but I think the only time that I will get my knee down at the moment is when I'm praying to stay upright!£120 secured them,and a few days later the postie delivered them for me.They're a bit snug,but that's how I like 'em!As for a helmet and gloves-I had only recently bought a new Roof lid for the road,and had picked up a pair of gloves when at Oulton Park watching the BSB's.I have a mate who happens to have size 11 feet,so he kindly donated last years boots to the cause.
I think that all the boxes have been ticked.We seem to be ready.Now if I could just get some sponsorship.
I had been wondering what oil to use for a while.I run Silkolene in my road going TS1 so thought I'd give them a call.Unfortunately they had allocated all funding for the current season,and couldn't help me out.Oh well,it was worth a try.Then purely by chance,whilst at work a truck parked next to me.Written down the side was Morris Lubricants.Now I had used Morris oils years ago after reading an article in Scootering/Scooter Scene(not too sure now-must be fifteen plus years ago),and it was really good.The only reason I stopped using it was it was getting hard to find at the time.Nothing ventured and all that,I picked the phone up and gave them a ring.I had a good chat with their head of marketing who thought the idea of racing a scooter was mad as cheese.He loved the notion of these aerodynamically challenged,underpowered shopping bikes racing and said yes to help!!!Welcome aboard.My shoestrings have just been lengthened....a bit!!
Now we can go racing.......
