Ready to Race Finally

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acotrel said:
Perhaps you might need more tight corners ?
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In the pre 72 class I was getting past 500cc Japanese bikes on the outside or corners, for a BMW owner it don't get any better than than that.
I think I need some of the spring things they have on cars when you get near the curb to warn me of imminent head to tarmac contact :shock:
I'm unable to get lower times, time for some engine work.
Here are the results http://files.marktime.co.nz/nz-classic- ... 6/BEST.TXT
I still got a faster best lap ( only just) than Mike :p
...whooop...no I didn't he's a second faster bugger....
 
I think you have a real problem when you try to get a boxer engined BMW to go quick. I believe it was John Hartle who rode the solo Rennsport 500cc GP bikes in t he 60s with a bit of success, however Geoff Duke walked away and stopped racing. If you are getting anywhere near a hot commando with a decent rider, you should be happy. There is a guy here in Victoria (Ecco Engineering) who runs BMWs in three historic classes. The guy who rides for him is one of the best ever, yet they are only moderately successful, and it costs a bomb. I don't know how you would ever get the gearing right on one of those, and it is a critical factor on any race bike.
 
bwolfie said:
72Combat said:
I think I need some of the spring things they have on cars when you get near the curb to warn me of imminent head to tarmac contact :shock:
Click to expand...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curb_feeler

I wonder if they would help in THE gravel? :twisted:
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lol....thats them, move give than cylinder head scraping....

I downloaded an app that using GPS mapped the track, and graphed my speed around the circuit, for a few bucks I could get start /finish markers and do lap times, pretty neat stuff....eats the battery though.
 
Thanks John to all your friends and yourself who gave support and assistance over the whole weekend.
These are a few that were on our side of the pit garage for the weekend.
John and Adrian on their BMW's. Nick and Wendy with their big Honda side chair and equally big coffee machine, Neil on his AJS, not forgetting the big Norton turnout on the other side of our pit garage, Marcus on his 750, Andrew and Colin with a 500 and 750 each (4 bikes, 2 each ) and Bill in the corner with an AJS and a Yamaha.
Pics to follow.
My 850 did well considering only its second outing, lap times came down steadily over the weekend, with only a loose carb to manifold bolt the only issue on the Sunday morning.
As John pointed out, the New Zealanders kept the Trans Tasman Trophy and Barry Sheene was honoured all weekend.
Regards Mike
 
acotrel said:
I think you have a real problem when you try to get a boxer engined BMW to go quick. I believe it was John Hartle who rode the solo Rennsport 500cc GP bikes in t he 60s with a bit of success, however Geoff Duke walked away and stopped racing. If you are getting anywhere near a hot commando with a decent rider, you should be happy. There is a guy here in Victoria (Ecco Engineering) who runs BMWs in three historic classes. The guy who rides for him is one of the best ever, yet they are only moderately successful, and it costs a bomb. I don't know how you would ever get the gearing right on one of those, and it is a critical factor on any race bike.
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I retired my Commando 'cos it's so much slower than my BMW. Gearing's easy, you go to a wreckers and buy four different rear drive boxes. The tallest one I have is good for 235km/h the lowest one gets me a smack in the face with the tacho every time I crack open the throttle :)

The quickest bikes in P4 are the big Hondas and there's no Brit bikes that come close to them.
 
Yes we kept the Trans Tasman Trophy, I felt sorry for the guy who I was paired up against as he had 2 DNF's and then it stopped altogether. 8 points to us :lol:
Eastern Creek sounds like a good weekend away, maybe 2015.......
 
Brooking 850 said:
Hey Brent, that didn't stir a response from the hinterland yet????
Regards Mike
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I'm surprised, I thought there was some sort of alert set for any mention.
 
The quick Hondas in P4 were well beaten by Chris Cutler's Laverda twin. They can be beaten. The last time I raced against them with the Seeley I got one good start by cooking the clutch, and turned under them at turn 2. My bike popped a fuel line and stopped, however the track was open in front of me. I now have a decent gearbox, and I will have another go at them probably next April.
 
Hi

Pommie John is right. We have a fantastic boxer out with us. Engine raised in the frame, longer drive shaft, bloody quick. Maybe 30 bhp more hehe.
I will find a photo.

[imgReady to Race Finally[/img]

[imgReady to Race Finally][/img]


Chris
 
Hi pommie john, here is a couple of race results with a NZ based Norton up against Rob Phillis (ex Aus champ) note the lap times, so not absolutely necessary to go the BMW way!!!
These results don't include the Nortons outing in the OPC class, every race he also won there.
Regards Mike
Ready to Race Finally
Ready to Race Finally
Ready to Race Finally
 
Hey Mike, you cropped me out of race 39....I was just below that lot at #20.... :lol:

The 18 year old Scout Fletcher, she sure can ride that Honda 125

I'd like to know what makes that Norton tick, sure is fast.
 
Brooking 850 said:
Hi pommie john, here is a couple of race results with a NZ based Norton up against Rob Phillis (ex Aus champ) note the lap times, so not absolutely necessary to go the BMW way!!!
These results don't include the Nortons outing in the OPC class, every race he also won there.
Regards Mike
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I didn't say it was the only way to go, but acotrel said effectively that you couldn't get BMWs to go well. I beg to differ:
This one's from several years ago in Chimay, a fantastically fast real road circuit which needs Phillip Island gearing.
Ready to Race Finally



This is from Aus, ten years ago, but I haven't done much racing in the past few years.

Ready to Race Finally
 
I'm not saying it is impossible to get a boxer BMW to go fast, it is just more difficult than for most other bikes of the same capacity and two valve technology. The other thing is that the rider must be a bit better to cope with the different handling . I believe the early Guzzi V twins had similar attributes. I was offered one very cheap (racer) a few years back. It was an import from the US, and a rider had been killed on it. I suspected the torque reaction was to blame and did not buy it.
 
Horrible Things :

Ready to Race Finally


BMW Imola 750cc of Helmet Dähne

OBVVIOUSLY you need AVON Speedmaster MkIIs , if you want them to go properly ! :shock: :p :oops: :roll:

Ready to Race Finally
 
acotrel said:
I'm not saying it is impossible to get a boxer BMW to go fast, it is just more difficult than for most other bikes of the same capacity and two valve technology. The other thing is that the rider must be a bit better to cope with the different handling . I believe the early Guzzi V twins had similar attributes. I was offered one very cheap (racer) a few years back. It was an import from the US, and a rider had been killed on it. I suspected the torque reaction was to blame and did not buy it.
Click to expand...

I'm running a BMW as they are easy to work on, I have had them for years, parts are reasonable and you can get one on the track for under NZ 5K.
I can't say I notice any handling issues due to the layout, but then the only other bike I have ridden around the track is one of them slow fat Triumph Thruxtons at Superbike School.
My noob mate has gone from 1:30 to 1:24 lap times and he's been bitten by the go faster bug,splashed out on wider rims, short skirt 1050 pistons......

The only race I have won outright was at Puke on the long straights, shorter circuits seem to suit the Brit bikes.My fastest speed at Hampton Downs was 166 kph using a lap timing app on my phone.

Great fun though and getting to meet lots of interesting people. I was asked by Paul Pav had I seen 'Croz' around..... :lol: ( should have brought the book to get signed)

I do however have most of the parts for Engine #2... :wink:
 
I think boxer BMWs are lovely bikes, and are probably the best road bikes if you don't need the adrenalin rush. However I think getting one to race speed would never be easy. There was video around of about 14 late 4 valve models, all buzzing around a race circuit together in a special class for them. I suggest there are minimal degrees of freedom with that design. With the commando, the separate gearbox and the motor type give a lot more opportunity for modification.
 
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