Tuesday 20 October 2015

Silver Replica winner FOR SALE - GPZ 600r




Our 1985 Kawasaki GPZ 600r F2 Classic race bike featured in November's issue of Practical Sports Bikes magazine is for sale. This was 9th overall and won a silver replica in this years Isle of Man Classic TT, and was the fastest 4 stroke F2 bike down the Sulby straight at 133.4MPH.

Price:
£2150

For details please contact Roger on:
Roger.middleton2@tesco.net
07809007881

or Nick on:
nick-19@hotmail.co.uk

Classic TT/Manx Grand Prix 2015
























Photo: Martyn Parnell

Initially back in April, we placed an entry to race a GPZ 600r in the F2 Classic TT, but was turned down which was very surprising and disappointing, given that we were a Manx podium finisher the previous year.  Anyway, Roger had compiled some 'trick' parts to make a quick bike for the Classic TT, but having been declined these were then sold.

With three weeks to go, we thought we were organised in progressing the 2 ZXR 400s for the lightweight race. Nick then got a gratefully received email to say there was an outside chance of a ride in the F2 classic (thanks to Adrian Earnshaw) which was then confirmed by the organisers. We hastily found a non-running road bike off eBay and from then on it was a mad rush to get all three bikes ready for the event; still completing them upon arrival.

By the end of practice week, we qualified 2nd fastest on the 400 (although fastest through the Sulby speed trap at 139.5MPH), and 3rd in class on the GPZ 600 (around 12th overall), but was the fastest four stroke F2 bike down sulby at 133.4MPH.

In the Classic TT race, Nick came 9th overall and 2nd 4 stroke, winning a famous silver replica with a lap speed of just shy of 102MPH. Not bad going for a stock-motor'd bike that was a knackered none runner just a couple of weeks prior! The bike had no problems at all, and never leaked any oil or even missed a beat!

In the 400 lightweight race, Nick led at the end of the first lap with 106.2MPH average speed, with eventual winner Mark Purslow just behind. Purslow then took the lead, and after a slightly quicker fuel stop he led by around 15 seconds. Nick clawed it back to only 2 seconds starting the last lap, with the quickest lap of anybody stopping for fuel. Unfortunately the bike suffered a con-rod failure on the last lap whilst at Snugborough. Pictures of that random component failure to follow!

For a full lightweight race report, visit http://www.manxgrandprix.org/News/2015/September/04/SuperTwin-Lightweight-report and then scroll down.

Special thanks:
Mike Saunders
Colin Anderson
Steve Smith - Avon Tyres
Adrian Earnshaw
Mike Hailwood Foundation
Dave Whitaker
Chris Palmer
Johnathan Milner
Bob Farrington











Kawasaki ZXR 400 build and new seat unit design- July 2015







As a mid-season project, Nick and Roger at RMKD decided to turn a ZXR 400 non-runner out of Roger's workshop into a decent spec'd affordable race bike. After around 3 weeks work, in which the bike was completely stripped down to every nut and bolt to be serviced, the spec was upgraded to:

Stage 2 RMKD tuned RACE ENGINE:
RMKD spec race cams
Skimmed and gas flowed head
Profiled and polished inlet valves
Machined pistons

Race loom - freshly done
Beet exhaust system
Race rearsets
Braided hoses
Resprung R6 shock (with compression and rebound damping) works really well
Front forks stripped, cleaned, new seals and oil
New RMKD ram airbox
New race bellmouthes
New bodywork including latest style race seat/undertray
Freshly painted tank and wheels
Carbon fibre clock mount with digital temperature gauge
RMKD screen brace
New battery

Considering there are a lot of 'knocked about' race bikes going around at the moment, we didn't think this was a bad buy at just over 2k.

Take note of the seat unit... these are the latest design and available to buy now!

Kawasaki ZXR 750 - Barry Sheene Classic June 2015



Two weeks prior, this 1992 Kawasaki ZXR 750 J1 was a non-running shed. Roger at RMKD transformed  it into a Formula 1 Classic TT worthy bike thanks to a big clean up misson.

We got the bike to the Sheene Classic meeting at Oliver's Mount, but unfortunately had brake issues.

However, the meeting was rescued with a decent 3rd place outright in Sunday's supertwin race on the team's carburated ER6.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Rain Again - Oliver's Mount Spring cup - April 2015




The first proper outing since the Manx Grand Prix was the Spring Cup at Oliver's Mount, and Nick's first time on a bike in 2015.

We brought the 400 ZXR and two Kawasaki ER6 supertwins. It wasn't ideal that the rain fell heavily on the Saturday morning, resulting in a heavy crash for one of the Irish riders. This caused a long delay and meant that practice on both bikes was cancelled.

Qualifying on the 400 went well considering having no tracktime at all, putting it third on the grid and front row. The main problem was Nick having to get to grips with slipping the clutch out of the three tight hairpins, as the bike runs an SP close-ratio gearbox. The 650 supertwin qualifying took place as the track was drying out, and a choice of wets when it should have been dry tyres meant we qualified in 8th place.

By Saturday afternoon the track had dried out ready for both races. In the 400cc race, Nick came home in 5th place, which we knew could be improved on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, Nick dislocated his left shoulder on his first qualifying lap on the supertwin, and no lap time was set. Fortunately the problem was sorted quickly in the medical centre and he was able to make the start of the 400 race. We won outright by 10 seconds from Paul Owen on a Honda RS 250, and 44 seconds clear of TT legend Ian Lougher in very wet conditions.


The weekend culminated with the first outing of Roger's new home made tyre changer. This attracted much unwanted attention across the paddock; keeping Roger busy throughout Sunday afternoon. He even won a bottle of stale Russian bubbly for his efforts!