The road rocket racing sidecar project

[Rocket Racer]

The hubs been repaired, no lightweight but it wasnt before either. It gone for relacing. Labour weekend is creeping up and still don't have the layshaft clean up and new bushes done on the SC box, so may have to leave the STD in for another meeting.
http://www.shoraibatteriesinternational.com/
Haven't been out on the bike since the Bert Munro street races in Wyndham Southland Late Nov last year where (technically summer ) we raced in sleet, the definition of summer is a bit different in Invercargill.
Luckily the bikes done three meetings without me so should know its way round the track.

[Rocket Racer]

It was great to finally be back on the bike this weekend, hadnt raced it since the Timaru Southern classic and the Burt Munro meetings last year although it had been out loaned for three meetings.
We did manage to lose a few parts  both carb float ticklers on the TT's, an oil tank bolt and one of the big front screws on the primary side and an exhaust bracket broke, bizarrely the 4 studs on the ariel rear hub that retain the sprocket  worked loose and one was hitting a frame bolt  , and the box is now blowing out of third...
However we were pulling between 7-7500 over the start finish before turn 1 and we had tyre squeel all round right round the big sweeper holding 6k in third in a lovely drift lap after lap. Absolutely brilliant.
In the first race we had a brilliant tussle with a pre 73 835 honda four kneeler with an aussie crew who didnt know the track, so they smoked us on every straight and we passed them on every corner    of course the start finish happens to be on a straight so the result was a foregone conclusion but what a hoot. They got quicker over the weekend and while lap times remained similar we only beat them home once after they stalled on the start and couldnt reel us in.
A mate had a close encounter with a concrete barrier on his xs650 rig and managed a ride in the ambo with a broken shoulder.

[Topdad]

Good to see you're back doing what you like ...racing good luck to you and your chairman . Seems the bikes really doing well after all your hard work. cheers Bob

[Kickaha]

A mate had a close encounter with a concrete barrier on his xs650 rig and managed a ride in the ambo with a broken shoulder.

I wondered what had happened to them when I saw them parked up out of T4

I cant have been looking in the right places I didn't spot you out there all weekend

[Rocket Racer]

A mate had a close encounter with a concrete barrier on his xs650 rig and managed a ride in the ambo with a broken shoulder.

I wondered what had happened to them when I saw them parked up out of T4

I cant have been looking in the right places I didn't spot you out there all weekend

pitted at the bottom of the skid pan with some other rigs.
The Yam got run off the track in a bit of questionable overtaking, although not a deliberate action and the perpetrator had no idea Pete was even there. He'll mend and is still going to the Burt although won't be at Manfield.
I'm moving house so the bikes are being scattered to mates houses and I'm unlikely to be out before the Festival in February and even that is subject to a number of big if's with domestic challenges...
Did wonder if I'd see you 

[Rocket Racer]

http://www.marktime.co.nz/results/nz-classic-motorcycle-racing-register/2015/10/25
race 22 was probably our best result although we had a great play in the last race with the other big wheeled 650 pre 63 #244 which the results don't really show

[Rocket Racer]

A number of these links have since been broken so have purchased and attached my favourite

Some images from the Shorai batteries international:
https://www.facebook.com/DougCornesPhotography/photos/a.688406947962209.1073742104.186523164817259/688407137962190/?type=3&theater

https://photographybyjossie.smugmug.com/keyword/bsa/i-znd8J8k/A
https://photographybyjossie.smugmug.com/Shorai-International-Classic-New/i-74RcF4W/A

the last one above where my passing maneuver on the pink 835 honda shown repassing us didnt quite come off...

https://www.facebook.com/336658219848114/photos/a.469772456536689.1073741962.336658219848114/469776986536236/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/336658219848114/photos/a.469772456536689.1073741962.336658219848114/469777029869565/?type=3&theater

[muskrat]

Lookin' really good Tim. 

[Rocket Racer]

Lookin' really good Tim. 

Thanks, the A10 punches above its weight and its a joy to ride.
 
We're in a rental for the next year so the bikes now gone to a mates to store, so doing maintenance will be difficult...and it does need a wee bit before its run hard again..
 

[taylor1960]

Hi was lookn @ your other post great outfit love a spin on that    but im a bit far away lol 

[Topdad]

RR, never ceases to be enjoyable seeing pictures of your rig ,out where it belongs on the track ,      with your level of determination having the bike a few miles away won't faze you and you'll manage a few outings ,best of luck Bob

[Rocket Racer]

Thanks guys  , I'm trying to get my late mk2 A75 reregistered after a long layup by the previous owner. I think I'm almost there 

I bought an SC box for the outfit which getting rebushed has taken a bit longer than anticipated, but that should help with starts and closes up the gaps in the box which will be interesting: according to my calcs if I'm changing at 6500+, I'll have 5000+ in the next gear right through the box, whereas the STD box rev changes are more variable, so my changes should be more manageable based on the tacho.
My existing std box was just a freshened up STD and has just started blowing out of third after 5 years of abuse.

Over our Labour weekend meeting the Monday was hotter and we had the chronometric showing somewhere between 7200-7500 in top over the start finish straight. Slightly nerve racking having the motor fully nailed between the concrete barriers trackside, chin banging on the steering damper. Don't mind it so much through the gears and round the big sweeper into that run we could hold a good solid 6000 sideways in third with the tyres screaming and it was such a buzz  . The races are typically only sprints (around 4 laps) but that weekend we were doing 5 laps which was enough to allow some odd buts to loosen off.
I'm constantly torn between keeping the bike authentic (a 4 speed 650) and trying to chase the 750 kitted bikes by tricking the motor out, but its actually great how it is 
But then who wouldnt want an alloy barrel with 75mm bores...  $$$$$$  Might have to keep it stock 

[Rocket Racer]

With the HAGD this weekend I finally got the SC box fitted; such fun swapping out a gearbox with the engine in situ , but am getting better at it. With Bender there are also brake cross over linkages bolted to the the top plates to come out and the oil filter is also in there and the oil tank off too...
Have also had an o'ring added to the gear spindle to reduce/remove oil leaks on the anticlockwise circuits which the Taupo track is. Hopefully that removes the oil stains from collecting on the muffler. (oil and fuel swill within sidecars is a special feature)
As its a short track we're using for taking out the public have fitted a 52 tooth back sprocket  The biggest one I've got.

[Klaus]

Good luck and have much fun with the race at the Tapo circuit.
Our first race was canceled by snowy track and weather with  low temperatures about 2 gedrees.
Hoping next race will start at better conditions.

cheers Klaus

[Rocket Racer]

Just about to start packing up the bike, heading off for Taupo after lunch. We've got 50 litres of methanol, which should be enough to take members of the public for a spin round the racetrack. Its on a short anticlockwise track, so they get to do the hanging over the track routine if they are keen and should give plenty of opportunity to lift the wheel 
Should be a good day. Will be a bit of a change not racing at the track