Mr Fro

No limits were really good on my last day, let me change groups at the last minute when there was a cancellation in the next one up.

U-huh.

No limits = MSV. I've not used focused events but I have a seasoned racer chum who refuses to use them...

Hello! After my latest track shenanigans I had a good look at my telemetry logger. It turns out that although I've hacked a whopping 11 seconds off my lap, my top speed was around 4mph down on last time. I piddled around with the carbs between track days and the arsecheek dynamometer told me that it was running smoother with no stumbles or hesitation. I'd lowered the float level 1mm and hoiked up the needles 1.1mm to account for removing the clean air system. Post track day autopsy tells me that it might be slightly on the lean side as the plugs are a lightish grey rather than mid grey. I'm waiting on a dyno run to get some proper data on this also. I've run a quick compression test (cold) and the cylinders are all bang in the middle of the range (~12 bar if I remember right) with max 0.5bar difference between highest and lowest. I've checked the valves which were slightly on the tight side which I am currently sorting but this should have remained constant between days. The only other thing that's niggling my brain is the coils, they've always been a bit jippy - even after I lopped a bit off of the leads. They're also a bit out of range on the tester. They could well be the originals so I'm entertaining the idea of splashing out for some new ones. My realistic options are pattern replacements at £80ish or dynatek coils and leads which will set me back around £175. I've not had any experience of dynatek stuff - all the reviews I've seen tell me that they're pretty good compared to shagged out coils but I don't know how much better they would actually be than new ones... I'd be interested if anyone has any experience of uprated coils and if you have any recommendations (especially if they are made in the UK!). Cheers, Fro

A good old scrub wouldn't do any harm. While you're at it, you might as well balance them up (or at least check the balance) as the cleaning process can usually disturbs something or other... As for jetting, I'd only look at this if had always been running poorly or if it had occurred since it had been tinkered with (exhaust, air filter etc). The range you describe is probably the needles anyway so they might just need a shim or two. Have fun!

I recommend Pilot Road 4 (or 3 at a pinch). I use them and they are really very good. Don't worry about the valve stem, this will be replaced when the new tyre is fitted.

Biking and chips is a great combo. I'm stuck in Felixstowe this weekend though so it'll have to be some other time for me.

Yeah, I have a Haynes but I'm a sad git and had a few spare mins at work earlier.

I'm going to measure the current ones as I'm aware that they can lose a bit height. I've made a little excel sheet already which I can post up if I can figure out how to do it and if anyone's interested.

But then the lobes and rockers will also wear! Mid way it is then, especially seeing as it spends quite a lot of it's life at or just beyond the redline.

If you'd said you experienced the problem only since you got the new tyre, I would have suggested it might be because the old one was worn and you're getting used to the profile of the new tyre. Could be that the old one had low pressure in it for a while before it got the puncture which would cause a similar thing... I take it your rear suspension is travelling as it should.

Interesting opinions - cheers chaps! Normally I'd go mid way but seeing as it's a track toy I was thinking that tighter clearances would equal higher valve lift... I've only done the old fashioned screw and nut jobs before and never changed shims so I'm going to make a note of what went where when I change them out, just to be on the safe side! I'm curious as to why they were mostly too tight in the first place - could be someone had done some fiddling in the past but I think it's unlikely seeing as the engine seemed standard when I got it. The joy of previous owners!

I've just found my valve clearances are almost all too tight so I'm going to have to buy a party pack of shims to sort them out. The question is: whereabouts in the range do you aim for when you do yours? Say for example the tolerance is 0.18 to 0.25mm - would you go for 0.18, midway at 0.21/0.22 or 0.25?

Double f**kery. The OH and I saw a dilapidated property at the weekend that would be ideal for us to renovate for us to live in - good size, nice village, room for a monster garage, all that stuff. Searched the Land Registry - no trace, no info from the council, phonebook or anything. Managed to track the owner down who lives away. He said it'd been in the family for decades and definitely wouldn't want to sell it unless we made him a huge cash offer. ARGH!

I'd have a look at the manual and make sure all the suspension settings and tyre pressures are as stated in the book. Have you had it from new?

I'm not going to lie, it was absolutely awesome!

Sorry bud but you're wife is right, you're wrong but you should already know that if you're married.

Think you've had that one already GOG.

Raining in Athens - Azure Ray

Nice. Just noticed some spaces opened in the inters..

I've got it mounted on the tail looking forwards as a buttock cam. Previously it had a nice, sharp focus on my cheeks but anything more than about 18" away was a bit fuzzy. I nipped the lens bit in a tiny amount and it's now much sharper beyond my bum.

Mindfields - The Prodigy

Joeman you beauty! Took it apart and gave the thingy a little tweek which has sharpened up the image nicely. Hats off to you my friend.

Top banana! I got as far as unscrewing the lens cover the other day before I realised I'd left my toolbox key in the house and I couldn't be arsed to go back in the garage. I'll have a bash at that one tonight!

Which BP garage? Will you be coming along the A14?