Through the wire

A quick glance at the ohmmeter mesuring resistance of the ignition cables.

Stock ones :

Nology ones :

There got to be a nice explosion at the spark plug end of these red cables !

Gauge obsession

Am I growing a gauge obsession ? Call that whatever you like, but 2 posts a year to talk about gauges, tachometers, speedometers or dashs got to mean something ... With that kind of addiction, I know that later in life, when I'll be ready to build my own prototype (but too old to actually ride it), the dash department will certainly be the most over designed part of the project.

The first product is an analogic meter made by Pivot Racing. Check out their website as it contains some nice videos that show how their gauges work and how precise they can be compared to stock ones. Especially the stepping one.


The second one is a complete digital dash that is close to what 2D is bringing to the competition (and more and more to the road also now, as they worked on several Ducatis and BMWs like the Desmosedici or the HP2 Sport). What HM Quickshifter has built is a lot cheaper though. Both are European companies as 2D is German and HM is British.

A25 bridges and tunnels road

It's funny how you can miss so much things riding on A roads. Who could have imagined that there are so much bridges and tunnels along the A25. Well you could still get an idea with just bridges you can spot driving from Lille to Dunkerque, but that would give you a mere idea of how much tunnels crawl underneath the road.

As I was stopped in the traffic the other day, I decided I'd try to find a road that would pass through every bridges and tunnels crossing the A25. I started from my home and passed on and through 11 of them riding only 60 km. I must say I discovered unknown places ...

With as much bidges and tunnels, no wonder why this road will never get a third lane.

By popular demand

I remember having posted some time ago a picture of the French 1200 GSF Bandit that got a cool Cafe Racer treatment. While I was wandering around the web this afternoon, I found this one on the Blood Falcons blog. And since I'm getting a lot of requests for Cafe Racer Bandits, I thought this would satisfy some of you.
I've never been a big fan of Bandits, even though I can understand why one would want one, and most of the Cafe Racer converstion attempts end up badly, but this one caught my eye. Maybe it's the color scheme or the way it's pictured.

From the shelf

While the project is kind of stuck at the moment (mainly due to brake issues) and the fiber race fairing is still missing (it's 2 weeks late already), parts coming from the UK and Germany are piling up on the shelf waiting to be fitted. Let's have a look on what's getting dusty.

This is a Becker Technik central stand. This one's not really wating as it's already in use as a "racing" central stand.

That's a short paralever arm that comes from a GS. Since this arm is shorter, the bike's rear is lifted a bit putting more weight on the front. This helps making the bike more manoeuverable in the twisties.

A Touratech part. It's a steering stop protector that fits on the telever lower arm. On undamaged motorcycles it helps preventing the steering stops from breaking when the bike is dropped. On the track bike project, this part will act as actual steering stops since they are already broken.

An extra pair of engine covers. This might come in handy if the bike want sto taste the track sands (of if I'm getting a bit too optimistic with the lean angle).

Relays ! It's a box full with relays for the R1100S. It did come cheap from eBay and saved me a huge expense. Some relays were missing when I got the bike from the breaker. Among those were the starter one (you can't start the bike without this one) and the blinker one (the bigger black relay on the left). The latter costs around 150€ new, but the whole box came for £15.

An extra O2 sensor that will be bolted to the Laser Daytona system, since the one that came with the bike is seized in the tube ...

Some Cera protective additive which will be poured in the engine, gearbox and drive shaft oil compartements.

Nology cables. These extra permissive wires will help the plugs producing a proper spark.

Nice collection of parts waiting isn't it ?

MotoGP to go back to liter capacity

While you're looking at this 2010 Ducati MotoGP racing bike, you should know this 800cc version is probably among the last to be designed, because the 2012 version will more than likely have a near 1000cc capacity engine.
Do I mean like 3 years ago ? Yeah I do. Do I find it stupid ? I still do. Just as if nothing happened in the meantime, the MotoGP is back to its original capacity. It's Dorna's decision to step back arguing technology has evolved enough and is now able to tame powerful bikes with smart traction control systems. Weakest argument ever ...

I can't help but feeling sad for small MotoGP teams like KR who could not afford the 800cc swap. Will they come back ? I really doubt it.

Framed fix

or should I say "fixed frame" ?

One of the common issues with dropped R1100S is frame craking. Not that the frame is particularily thready, but it has its weak points when badly treated. The steel subframe, which is where half of the exhaust system hangs, is bolted straight on the aluminium frame through tiny support holes.

If you're a heavy biker or if the bike falls down when it has its luggage kit on, those little holes are likely to be from weakened to completely cracked. But don't panic, because although it looks it's a total loss, this issue can be fixed. You still got to find a pretty good welder though, so he can TIG back the subframe support ears.

I happen to know a talented welder. Since I met Didier back 8 years from now, he's been involved in pretty much any of my track bike projects which means about 6 motorcycles. He not only knows how to weld, but he also straightens bent frames and subframes. One really worthy contact to keep in my address book. Plus he's a really good chap which makes him a very precious bloke.

Here's what he's done on the current track bike projet. He saved my frame and so the whole project ... again.

Can't wait for Moto2

Maybe it's that endless winter or maybe it's just me and my legendary patience, but I can't wait to see these bikes on the track.

Take a Honda 600cc engine derived from the CBR outputing aroung 140 to 150 bhp and slip it inside a prototype frame and you get what could be the most promising competition to come. That's what Moto2 is all about : young talented riders trashing their screaming engine while at impossible lean angles.
C'mon snow ! Get the hell out !

One more goose

What was that with Jim Goose again ? Oh yeah the frenzy and all that. I've found another one and I wasn't even looking ... It's got to mean something.
Find out about this one on the White House website among other beauties.

Rare pipes

I bought this exhaust system last month for the R11S track bike project. At first I thought I'd go for a Staintune instead of the classic Laser system that you usually see on the Boxer Cup Replicas. But then, as I was wandering for a couple of hours on the Internet to find a good deal on an exhaust, I stopped on this one.

It is a BoxerCup Laser Daytona Race System. It is said to be the last in the world and was bought directly in the US from Foster Performance. While I'm mentioning his name and before letting him telling you this exhaust system's history, let me just say true simple words about the man. I would truly recommend doing business with Robert Foster from Foster Performance. He's really kind, arranging and knowledgeable. This level of service is pretty rare to come across with these days. Simply amazing.

Here's what Robert said about this Laser exhaust at the time of the buy :
"This is an official BMW BoxerCup Series Laser "Daytona" Race System - Last one left! Laser will recreate them but they will be production systems. These systems were made by hand by Don de Vink and his crew at Lasers Racing department. Don de Vink went on to be Akrapovic's top racing designer and now he is with his own company building some increadable systems for cars and motorcycles. So you have a piece of BMW history waiting for you. A Powerful piece!! - You will see! This system was developed when they added Daytona to the Boxwecup Series. The R1100Ss needed more power for the banks and straights of Daytona"

Not only this system looks promising, but it's also a real piece of art once assembled. There are still a couple of thingies to work with on the bike before fitting this beauty. Hopefuly, this will look good.