CBX Racing

CBXs, new bikes, old bikes, cars, trucks, general chat, off topic, this is the place to post it.
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Mouse
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Re: CBX Racing

Post by Mouse »

Warwick Biggs wrote:What is inside that fairing Phil? May I aver? The front axle looks way too big for 1982 and what are those big fat front forks off? Is this thing another 2018 special or a genuine historic bike?

Sorry to be pedantic but I would prefer to see more genuine historic racers rather than 200hp facsimiles. I see the number 69 on the fairing. Now who made that number famous? Quite a few questions looking for answers guys.
R.
My understanding in regards to what modifications are allowable in Historic racing is that, if you can prove that someone somewhere did that modification in period then its allowed.
It is simply impossible to have truly historic racers. Parts, tires, fuels are all modern and rider abilities have changed. The vintage vehicles being raced today are faster, better handling and more reliable than they were in period because in period any modification was cutting edge (with all the usual bugs and failures) whereas today those mods are tried, tested and mostly dead reliable.

:-)
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Warwick Biggs
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Re: CBX Racing

Post by Warwick Biggs »

Largely true Mouse but I think you've missed the point.

I crashed again today altho' this time it was a rhs high side. Last January it was a lhs high side.The new surface on the track started to break up and I was amongst the first out after lunch on a hot day. An 8 year old was also one of the fallen. Yes, riders are not what they used to be but the idea of kids racing who have barely learned to walk is quite scary, even if they are not on the track when I'm out there. There are plenty of teenagers who are and treat a ride day like the biggest race of their lives, passing under red flags, etc. Not good. Where are their doting parents?

At least today was not entirely my mistake but I'm still sore all the same. Also, at least I was only on the NC30 that is looking more and more battle scarred, as are my leathers. And not the CBX. Oh yeah, in the morning session I managed some very respectable times too compared with the young hot shots. I'm not the rider (or man) that I was either, but I'm improving.
R.

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cbxmel
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Re: CBX Racing

Post by cbxmel »

Glad to hear you walked away from the incident.

Best Mel UK 1876 :auto-sportbike: :flags-wavegreatbritain: :flags-australia: :flags-canada: :flags-usa:
Bikes since 1960,BMW R27,Calthorpe 350 twin port, 50cc Maserati,C110,S90,CB92,CB77 webco 350 racekit,C72,CB450,TS125,GT380,GT750x2,Harley 45,Ariel Sq4,Vincent Rapide,NorVin shadow,GPZ750turbo,GSXR1100H,FJ1100,RC30,Moto-Martin cbx x4,CBX specials x3,79cbx x 20 & GL1500

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Re: CBX Racing

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Thanks Mel. You can't go racing and not expect to fall off occasionally.

The way I see it historic racing is firstly about the bikes. Periods 4 & 5 - the air cooled superbikes was the era in which I first raced so I'm sentimentally attached to the bikes. Some people hate anything Japanese (a hang over from the war?) and are attached to the Classic period (basically, post war to the early 60's) and they like the big singles and Euro multis of that era. Thats OK I like them too. But even there you have people fielding replica Molnar G50 Matchless's and Manx Nortons that cost well over 6 figures and can be purchased brand new from specialist builders.

So, whatever the era there will always be rich bastards that want the shiniest, fastest jigger their money can buy and wherever there are competition rules there will be those who push the limits and even cheat. Given.

I'm not rich and I'm only racing historic bikes for fun. There is a lot more fun if the bikes and riders are evenly matched. One way to achieve this is for a club to buy enuf' single brand bikes for everybody to race. They could be scooters for all I care. Have them professionally maintained equally and then distribute by lottery at each meeting. Can you imagine the slip streaming duels?

But then you don't have the old bikes and you don't have the ethos of the rider building, maintaining and developing a unique racer like my CBX. And winning trophies is just a consolation prize in the end. Here is a pic of my bikes' only consolation prize so far.
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cbxmel
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Re: CBX Racing

Post by cbxmel »

Interesting. I have a friend who has a Lambretta into which a TZ350 engine has bee shoe horned. Does a genuine 120+mph. When I have seen him on it,it seems to spend more time in the air than on the ground!!!
Best Mel :auto-sportbike: :flags-wavegreatbritain: :flags-australia: :flags-canada: :flags-usa:
Have a great Christmas.
Bikes since 1960,BMW R27,Calthorpe 350 twin port, 50cc Maserati,C110,S90,CB92,CB77 webco 350 racekit,C72,CB450,TS125,GT380,GT750x2,Harley 45,Ariel Sq4,Vincent Rapide,NorVin shadow,GPZ750turbo,GSXR1100H,FJ1100,RC30,Moto-Martin cbx x4,CBX specials x3,79cbx x 20 & GL1500

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Syscrush
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Re: CBX Racing

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Warwick Biggs wrote:Here is a pic of my bikes' only consolation prize so far.
What prize is that?

Anyhow, I'm very sorry to hear about the off. Rest up and good luck with your recovery. How long do you think this will keep you off the bike?
Phil in Toronto
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Pics of Perry, my '79.

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Re: CBX Racing

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A Lambretta TZ??? What, with the auto clutch? S'truth! I imagine it would be unrideable.

The trophy was for a 3rd at the Mac Park Unlimited Period 5 Seniors in 2017. When I was on 18" wheels the bike was quicker because I had more ground clearance. Grip without clearance is not much use when you lever the front wheel off the ground on the crank end caps when cornering.

This is my number one problem still searching for a solution.

I was ready to get back onto the 400 today until I decided to paint the fairing and a freak gust of wind lifted it off the hooks it was hanging on to dry, shattering the perspex screen on hitting the concrete floor. I'm at war with the gods!
R.

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Re: CBX Racing

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Warwick Biggs wrote:I'm at war with the gods!
Then I feel sorry for those gods - they don't know who they're messing with. :lol:
Phil in Toronto
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Pics of Perry, my '79.

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Re: CBX Racing

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Yes Phil, I've got them on the run - having a bit of trouble catching Mercury tho'. I would really like one of his silver replica's. On Feb 1st I will be spending the day with Dave Johnson who has a cabinet full of them and has a 133mph lap around the IOM to his credit. I'm hoping he can show me how to do it.

Here is a pic of a lonely looking little NC30 propped against the medic's room awaiting its rider. These sessions provide the opportunity for a fairly thorough free medical check up, especially if the medics are a bit bored.

The VFR is ready for another outing after I roughly finangled a spare perspex screen into place. It will do until I can find something that fits a bit better but I can now turn my attention back to the CBX. The valves need inspecting and I'm thinking of a shim under bucket conversion. I'm also going to start experimenting a bit with the rear ride height and I have a new throttle linkage to fit. And its the summer equinox here and for many a time to e merry. Happy Xmas to all the Christians and Carpathians reading this blog.
R
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Re: CBX Racing

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IMG_4968.JPG
We fixed up the accident damage on the little NC30 and took it out on the practice day for the South Australian Historic Championships and it ran OK altho' the rider was described by one observer as "a bit ginger around pine tree" - the corner. where I went down. Is it any wonder with prominent white paint marks spearing off still very visible from where we high sided the week b4?

There was a very nice big brother to the NC30 out there and bearing in mind some earlier posts on these things I thought I would include a few pics. The first is James Doddrell on the RC30 lining me up in pine tree (where I crashed the week b4). I held him off thru' the tight bits but eventually he blasted past me down the straight. The second is the same bike with tuner/father Paul Doddwell looking very serious. So he should be. The bike is not his but is owned by a wealthy SA vigneron (Les Davies) who bought 3 of the things off the AMA circuit in the US. The sister bikes were reputedly ridden by American pro 'Bubba' Schubert and they are worth more than 6 figures. Each.

And I can report hot off the track that today James and the RC30 were victorious in P6 Unlimited. There were also a fleet of old Indian and Harley hand shifters racing, Molnar G50's, Manx Nortons and Domiracers, TSS Bultacos, NCR's JAP V twins, Kriedler and Morbidelli ex works bikes and even an ex works genuine Triumph Daytona that purred around to win its class . So folks, the moral of the story is that these classic bikes are never too valuable to race and I was asked a few times "where is the CBX?" "Resting", I replied. But not for long.
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Re: CBX Racing

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IMG_4998.JPG
You should see how immaculate it is under the fairing. Paul's comment, "It runs at precisely 73 degrees C, the optimum temperature for carburation." and "its lovely to work on - a real privilege".
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Re: CBX Racing

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For those interested in the Island Classic coming up in a few weeks, here is a news item link :-

http://islandclassic.com.au/~phillipi/l ... -challenge

Last year Jason Pridmore was the top scoring Yank ahead of Colin Edwards. South Australian Dave Johnson, who will be coaching me on the CBX with Levi Day in a few weeks was the overall top scorer.

Of course, Levi was also the last rider of Roland's Beast at the 2016 Island Classic altho' disappointingly he didn't finish qualifying due to mechanical gremlins. I really wish Roly would get his bikes back on the track and I'm sure many CBX fans would welcome seeing the Beast back in action. Sadly, no CBX's at Phillip Island this year. Maybe 2020, depending on how well we can develop the bike this year. That is my New Year's resolution.
R.

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Re: CBX Racing

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I don't know about you but I always find it difficult to get going again after a crash and tend to favour the side on which I last came down. In the pic above with the 2 Hondas you can clearly see the white scratch marks in the upper right of the frame. It is even more obvious when you are riding around and an immediate repeated reminder of pain every time you go thru the corner.

It is trite to say that you always have to look ahead to where you want to go in order to go quickly. Look at my head position in the pic. I'm not looking ahead. I'm transfixed by those scratch marks.

I remember Mick Doohan commenting that he always felt calm b4 a race but did his worrying the night b4. I concur. I lie in bed imagining my way around the track and also imagining all the things that can go wrong. I've seen or experienced many over the years so I have plenty of images to draw upon. Wheels falling off (nuts not torqued after quick tyre change), suspension collapsing (due to brake failure, brakes failing (snapped cable wrapping round axle, pistons pushed back after a tank slapper/leaking oil or hydraulic fluid - take your pick), lack of adhesion (tyre failure/deflation/gravel/oil/slime), throttle jamming open (stone in bellmouth/cable jamming/ return spring slipping off). These are all in addition to ever present rider error (especially on a CBX).

This last time my crash was caused by gravel as a result of a hot day on a newly laid surface after a caning by the boys on the 1000's. The new bitumen was laid in 2 x 5 metre wide runs and the seam where the bitumen was rolled to overlap in the middle started to de-laminate. Now I have a new image to worry about when I'm trying to get to sleep. As if I didn't already have enuf'.

But once you are on the grid the desire for the perfect clean lap takes over and the charge into the first corner releases a shot of adrenalin. Holding off 'till the last split second and then hard braking for the high speed corner that is always at the end of the main straight and peeling off at over 200kph with knee slider skimming the deck is where the 'red mist' usually descends and you start pushing to find the limits, jockeying for position for that clean scything line that will bring you out of the corner with an advantage. And you don't think of the pain or any of the things that can go wrong. It is like a dance where you have to be light on your feet to avoid stepping on your partners toes, to hold the balance and rhythm.

If it all goes well you return to the pits buzzing with endorphins and a grin that can't be suppressed. This is my best explanation for why an old fella' risks life and limb thrashing around a race track, a question I'm often asked but hard to answer. Once racing is experienced, it is hard to understand why so many people enjoy watching when they could be doing. And don't mention $ because it can be done relatively cheaply, if you put your mind to it.
R.

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Re: CBX Racing

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Trying to get the CBX and NC30 race ready. A puddle of oil under the front of the VFR while sitting on its suspension led to a diagnosis of a blown fork seal, possibly a consequence of the crash. So, I have arranged to pick up a set from Roly when I go over to spectate at the Island Classic next week. Also had to increase armour plating of cases and change my numbers from round to rectangular to satisfy log book requirements and the Oz race rules after my application was rejected based upon the pics that accompanied it. Fiddly and time consuming jobs.

On the CBX we had the cam cover off for a routine check of the valve clearances and to fix an oil leak resulting from the Philip Island crash. One of the allen screws securing the tacho worm drive cover had a soft head and of course, I stripped it. As those of you who have tackled this task will know, it takes a bit of fiddling to get the cam cover back on without dropping the motor. The coils and tank rubbers have to be removed and the rubber gasket has to be siliconed in place to stop it dropping out when inverted. Fiddly. Then you can still have minor oil leaks due to hardening of the rubber, something that cannot be tolerated on the track. Lots more fiddling and the worm drive had to be left out so that the cover could be finangled back into place without dis-lodging the gasket.

I now need an electronic tacho. Scitsu seem to have a monopoly here and as well as being expensive have to be configured for a 6 cylinder wasted spark firing order. More fiddling. Has anybody on the forum had any experience with the much cheaper inductive tachos?

To afford to race on a limited budget, you have to do a lot of the preparation yourself and for every track session you generally have to allow twice or 3 times the time to get it all ready.I've always found this distasteful albeit satisfying when it all goes well. Which is rare.
R.

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Re: CBX Racing

Post by Warwick Biggs »

Read all about it! The island Classic latest....
https://woocomcampaigner.woocom.com.au/ ... svBgwmyhmg

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