OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => VMX Sidecars => Topic started by: Bumper on September 22, 2012, 01:23:05 pm
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Having been out of circulation for many years, the BLACK RAT is coming back to life.
Starting with the engine, here is some pics, will update as we go. What is important is if anyone has any knowledge of the past history of the RAT, particularly photos i would be very keen to see/here.
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3209_zps62881726.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3206_zps09c09491.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3208_zps94eeca53.jpg)
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Hey ya Bumper, did you contact Tim754 for any he might have. post up lots of pics as you progress mate.
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Lets see, the rat was originally made from four or five wrecks that were blocking up the entrance to the drunk tank at Steve's "place of abode" Some chalk mark outs on a concrete floor provided the quality non CAD design, mixed with copious amounts of crude donor scrap, very crude engineering and very very crude red plonk... Steve started out with his then female partner Karen flogging the tits off both at various VMX meetings around Victoria. At this time and even for a while when my son Daniel was his passenger (*) the wonderbike had a rigid sidecar wheel. Later on as his kidneys/liver/gall blabber and most the rest of the crook/smoked/pickled parts of his body went very down hill we used one wet and pissed Saturday to put the first of many useless crap very sussspension arms to it.
(*) Often passengers were just mugs who we gave two minutes training.. found via a request for at the riders briefing!!! How I used to love seeing the terror and pain in their eyes...
I have only a few photos of the Steve and the Rat as well, we were into the bikes not the cameras sorry,. Cheers Tim754
Also sorry about the homemade inlet manifolds.... my first effort at making hacksaw/brick bolster/boxing glove engineering at 3am in a derelict caravan.. at um somewhere ????.......
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I did enter a photo here sometime ago as my favourite personal one, It was titled "Sidecars in the Mist" taken one foggy morning at Barrabool track. features Steve and my son on the Rat in a field of Pre68, Pre75 and Pre85 sidecars.
Found it
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/Barrabool1996pre687585_zpsfc8f90fe.jpg)
Number 56 Hope ya resting in peace my mate.
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thanks tim,the rat is just fun ;D anything made between the hours of 1 and 4.30 in the morrning has meaning
,will post photos along the way . will try my best to have it at hbbb next year for its first run
going to try to keep it as it was ,but with some shocks !!! it pounds the crap out of you just getting it off the back of the ute
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Imagine doing three laps of Ravenswood with no sidecar suspension .... Steve and Daniel did an Aussie Title like that but never actually accredited with winners trophy as Pre68 only had one entrant/ competitor.... forced to race with the Pre75 teams.
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luv the road sign,s used as body work
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Steve and I firmly believed in " Life and Evolution" of our ugly beasts . Make whatever changes ya like mate as long as the old horrors still can be fired up and see and smell the track! We both hate/ hated sad sick dead museums that stick them in a corner never to hear racing engine anger again. Cheers
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No comment on the how the signs were acquired.... ;) Um well OK the sidecar floor on mine says 'give way' underneath... :D :D :D :D :D
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(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/aaaaaaaaasteveandJeff_zps3403b788.jpg)
Steve Ledger and "Jeff" with the Black Rat at speed in Morgan South Australia not long before he left us.
Steve weighted about 41Kilos when this taken and was in gut wrenching pain, still loved it!!!
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thanks tim photo,s are awsome ,tyres flying in the back ground
can even see the smile,s under there helmets
put fresh race fuel + plugs in it hooked up a battery
2 big kicks and she fired up ,so the resto begin,s
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This photographer maybe able to help you out with more pics 2006 Morgan ASA comp.
http://www.inmotionphotography.ifp3.com/#/gallery/morgan-apr-12-heat-2-and-3/morg-a12-h2-3-0013/
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will do thanks,have got the chair back ,blasted and coated in black onix
the main frame needed a new center tube ,as not to much supension ,snaped clean in half
only the frame number was holding it on ;D
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hey bumper (or Tim) was size is that donk 650cc? i know stuff all about it what year and model is it?
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I'd love to build a Metisse with one of those W650 Kawasaki motors just to upset purists. A mate had one on the street back in the day and I remember it leaking oil like the good old BSA it copied. It was the first big road bike I ever rode and just like my first nookie, I'll never forget it. ;D
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these bikes started out under the MEGURO brand,if i remember wright they started in the 40,s
the made quite a few bikes,then entered into an agreement with KAWASAKI
and both made the W1-SA as a partnership, it was kawasaki,s first big 4stroke
twin cyl 650cc push rod motor,4 speed gear box,over engineered to the max
after the W2-SS meguro closed shop and became part of kawasaki
this all started in 1966
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Bugger is, stuff all parts interchanged with the Beeza's. Not even the spark plugs.... The current Chinese ...engineers..would be so enraged with such poor quality in copying,,,,, ;)
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at first it was hard to find parts,but there is a few places overseas that remake some parts in japan
and quite a few NOS parts on evilbay,and its parts you need ,not just rim tape,s and LH blinker covers
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Will be great to see it back on the track-somewhere.
This leads me to pose the question, what, in your opinions, was the best pick for motors for pre68? I see a lot of Nortons and Triumphs but usually in twin configuration. There where/are plenty of 500/600 singles in the record books too so they need to be considered.
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about time for another update Bump-ster
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getting there ,just a bit behind at this point in time
have 9 bikes to get ready for the 4DAY, glad there is 24 hours in a day
all sherco,s + sherco australia team bikes ,
the rat,s wheels will be here this week + the chrome work will post pic,s
seat,s off at topline ,new tank fitted,mukmuffin will paint it ,pressed up alloy side covers
i think it should be changed to 25 hour day so i can get some sleep :) :) :) :'(
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Bumper, yes the tank comes from an early Suzuki Stinger 125 twin. (Sourced from a council hard garbage collection in front of a home!)
All original paint work by a mister "Pissed"
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(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/aaaaaaaaasteveandJeff_zps3403b788.jpg)
Steve Ledger and "Jeff" with the Black Rat at speed in Morgan South Australia not long before he left us.
Steve weighted about 41Kilos when this taken and was in gut wrenching pain, still loved it!!!
Do you know if that's one of my pics, Tim?
If so, I might even have a few more in the archives. I remember taking some at Morgan a few years ago, but not sure what year it was.
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Looking at an email from 2006.
The photos we have are by Ken Turley,whom also did the vmx mag pics.#27
mailto:[email protected]
08 8261 9033
VMX #23 Morgan photos where takin by Damir Ivka & Rob Mader 2004.
Hope that helps :)
cheers A
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(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3315_zps7ecbf62d.jpg)
wheels have come up mint ,ts tank i think ,but fits good old tank had more hole,s than a pollys promise ;D
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BMW , Horex , Ural , JAP, DKW, Universal ,BSA, Hedlund, Lito, Moto Saccoche,NSU,MV Agusta, Indian, Kawasaki and of course my favorite ( if I would make one ) the EGLI- Vincent. Ideal base with the Mono frame tube .
Add Norton ES2. if you cn find one- they can be made VERY powerful.
pancho.
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Had 15 minutes spare;
Bring on HBBB!
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3453_zps39ee30f9.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3452_zpsf245ed99.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3454_zpsb80108f4.jpg)
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Bring on HBBB!
What a Cracker...Which track will she be found on ?
us2
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want to get it to broadford next year
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want to get it to broadford next year
are you going to put a slick on for DT/Speedway or a MX and a chair perhaps ?
or
all of the above :P ;D
cheers
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And another instalment of the Black Rat build just before Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all and have a safe and prosperous New Year.
Bumper & The Black Rat
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/Rat_4_zps5a1f3d77.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/Rat_3_zps50cdcab6.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/Rat_1_zpsb9edd3be.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/Rat_2_zpseeb8c291.jpg)
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its lloking good bumper, lots of work has gone into it to get it to that stage.
i reckon you need to get a road tyre for the sidecar wheel though, it will make it much easier to turn.
Merry Xmas Bumper and Bahnzy.
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What a nice resto, especially considering what a shocker it was originally. Nice to see Cholins shocks finding a use........Merry Christmas to you too Bahnsy.
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Glorious work ;) Do honestly mean that Bumper
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With that FLASH new motor it looks a lot like a Rat with a Gold TOOTH ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Seeing the Black Rat rebuild is a bit like watching one of those trashy cable shows where they find some poor girl who wasn't invited to the prom because she was too ugly and giving her a plastic surgery makeover, turning her into a babe.
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/extreme-makeovers_zpsb7ace117.jpg)
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Glorious work ;)
Tim,
Bumper had gone to great lengths to ensure that the, as you refer to as 3am engineering, has been maintained. All of the previous versions of the RAT have been left untouched, simply blasted and powder coated. You can look anywhere on the chair and you'll find old welds, tube that was cut off and not ground away. He is sure that each piece of weld, angle iron, etc :D has a story to tell.
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Good to hear that the some of the 'character' has been maintained, hopefully you have left a few of the original zip ties on there as well! Has the original tank been stripped back or is that a new tank in the photos?
The restoration looks fantastic, can't wait to see it out on the track.
That was the first MX outfit I ever climbed on, I think that's where the damage was done- I wanted an outfit! My dad and I met Steve in the pits one year at mortlake. I can't remember what year it was now ('96?) but I must have only been 8 or 9.
It was a real thrill meeting Steve again at Morgan and telling him that he and his 'beautiful' piece of machinery were the reason I got into the sport, I couldn't shut him up for the rest of the weekend- he had an absolute ball.
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Good memories Matty , that is what side cars are all about and good on them for rebuilding the RAT
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so road tyre -or knobby ? as i have only just banged my head and thought 3 wheels are ace
what should go on the unsuspecting 2nd carrier platform . and whats the difference with the steering
between the two ???
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Worn sixteen inch Road tyre If you put anything with grippy tread on the wheel it will do just that, grip, hook up ,try to steer and well over ya go. >:( Speedway, Dirttrack ,MX slide slide slide on the outfit wheel. ;)
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If only you new how much effort, searching, corruption went into finding that 16" knobby you'd have a fit! ;D ;D I'm guessing you've all just done yourself an injustice cause it would've been a pretty interesting 1st corner spectacle, my body thanks you. ;)
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thanks tim ,the rat,s off to get the exhaust done this week
as i think you said the muffler ended as a fence post on the way home
from it,s last race meeting (i swear it was on there when we left officer)
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And make sure you put plenty of air in the spare.... About 40 PSI usually works fine....
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it,s ok bahnzy it was only a year on backorder or maybe we need the grip
and they can,t get a 16" knobby tyre !!!!! i feel a HOLESHOT + first corner blitz coming up
yeeeeeeeeeeee harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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thanks tim & popeye i thought it needed something better on the side
maybe a 4-5 ply tyre ,as that knobby with 30 psi in it was almost rolling
off the rim just mucking around with it
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The Black Rat is getting that little bit closer. Had the master painter McMuffin drop by tonight with the painted stuff, to say that it looks as smart as a rat with a shiny green tooth is an understatement. The tyre on the chairs wheel has now been swapped out for the closest thing to a slick and the exhaust is now underway. Will post some more pic’s as we get more done.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/rat_1a_zpsa8530712.jpg)
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Looking good! Go the Green Rat.
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yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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Seriously well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tim754 ;)
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By anyones definition, that's a silk purse from a sow's ear - great job!
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Bloody BEEUUtiful, great job
Foss
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Looks great Rod braaaap indeed ;D
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As I said on FB, look out pre68. Hope to see it at the Nats. Very well done.
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Magic, 8)
sure Steve would be chuffed as we are 8)
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What a beautiful job. A credit to all involved.
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Beautiful job on the bike, just a thought how well will the front shocks work mounted upside down.
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top job Bumper. the Muffin Man did a great paint job with the green
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QUOTE: from Jeff Boyle :: wow that looks amaZing I swung for Steve in Morgan and it sure didn't look like that .... I hope there is at least one zip tie on the bike holding something on lol.... a great job and I bet he would be so chuffed looking down on his bike and great bloke still remembered ... I even have a pic of me on the bike on the wall in the shed from Morgan.... great memories
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A fantastic job, well done, I will be happy if our Pre68 turns out half as good with half the memories :) long live the Black Rat
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can someone explain why the pre 68' class for sidecars? what was the big techo change in post 68? was it simply wasp frames came into play ?
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can someone explain why the pre 68' class for sidecars? what was the big techo change in post 68? was it simply wasp frames came into play ?
Pre68 is of a road going frame or the era and me thinks by makeing it pre68 not pre70 they can keep alot more Japanesy stuff out :o hhmmm wonder about the flow on rule ??? all I know it took us a lot of searching to get the right numbers on the right motor ;D
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Pre68 Now There is a class that the rules are so Simple basically the road going conversion, no disk brakes with an engine and suspension of the era. Flow on rules do apply Shelpi, Meaning you could use any W1sa 650 single or dual carby *engine up till they were delisted in 1972.
Yes it does wipe out the mighty late sixties Japs CB750 ,XS1. T500. H1 etc But Think about it, brings so many lost bike souls out for dare I say it fun and display. Wanna race ? enter your Pre68 in Pre75 (it is allowed as pre68 entries don't fill many grids ..)still competitive, still a bone breaking rough battle ,still fun. Cheers Tim754
* Both variants where sold together from the start of run, The single carby heads are so rare!
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Beautiful job on the bike, just a thought how well will the front shocks work mounted upside down.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/General/CHOLINS_zps7f10903e.jpg)
Do you honestly think they would work any better with the reservoirs in the normal position or upside down? :D
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Good point
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Beautiful job on the bike, just a thought how well will the front shocks work mounted upside down.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/General/CHOLINS_zps7f10903e.jpg)
Do you honestly think they would work any better with the reservoirs in the normal position or upside down? :D
do they make hydraulic shocks any more :-\ and if so who is useing them ??? and why :'( myass hertz :o 4 inchs is a big enough price to pay with all that extra metal >:( dont worry Black Rat your safe with me ;)
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Do they make hydraulic shocks any more? good question Shelpi. As far as I know the damping effect on all shocks is either fluid (aka Hydraulics) or gas or a mix of both.
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Cheers Tim, Hope we will get to show and have fun but :'( as we speak there is only weeks left and the little pre68 aint finished yet still havn't fired up the new donk aaaaaaah the pressure :-[
better see if there is oil in the boingy sticks :D
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ok the rat,s almost finished so before this thread heads off to the archives
would like to thank BAHNZY my best mate who,s a wiz on a lathe
DARREN who brought the rat to life with color
MARIO the only man who know,s how to remaster a seat (top line upholstery)
TIM754 for info along the way on how the rat all came about
and all others that have helped along the way
BIG THANKS BUMPER ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;
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onya Bumper ;) hope to seeya out there banging bars
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yes well done Bumper, good work and very fast as well considering the effort required to get it to this level.
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Fair go Hoony, you know how many flesh, organ and brain cells we irreparably destroyed in effort, building the earlier versions... :D
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its a wonder you can remember anything Tim ;)
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Anyone throwing a Honda4 around a paddock needs to forget as much as he possibly can :D
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Umm where am I ? ??? whatsmyname754..
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got the pipe work back today,its not fun bending pipes >:( it take,s a lot of beer
but when you chrome them yeeeeeeee harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
has to give the rat 50 no 75 more HP ;D
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3910_zps4c430867.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP3909_zps9b670292.jpg)
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shiney shiney 8)
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Smick!!!!! I assume the "muffler" doesn't.... ;) ;D
Bumper did you find a better set of carbies? Steve and I shared another unwanted thing in common, we both had our best set of racing carbies stolen. >:( >:( >:( I think the roughies on it came from a box of parts marked modified T500 Suzi.
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bummer about the carby,s tim
sent the rats carby,s to the water blasters ,when i got them back
spoke to mikuni about them ,turns out they are an early set of
powerjet carby,s just need to drill the back to make them bark
but at this stage just want to get it going for HBBB to cut a heap o lap,s
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I see the shockers are still around the wrong way. Still looks good but. Use to Love riding my old Venturer(Scouts for 14-18yrs) Leaders BSA500 side car scrambler around Guilford in Vic long after its competitive days and before vmx times (and cops on bikes in the bush) his name was Graeme Hallett someone from the day's will know him it was a BSA500 he use to say it was the first side car in Australia with a suspended side car it was great fun to ride the power slides you could get with two 15year old boy's aboard with no fear were epic wish I new where it was it got snapped up very quick along with the rest of his bikes after he passed on, which I am still dirty on as his sister was the executor and had know idea what they were not her fault.Thats life but.
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excellent, great stuff 8)
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Cant wait to see that shiny chrome go gold, purple, blue, all the colours of the rainbow after its first ride.......Sweet!
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Smick!!!!! I assume the "muffler" doesn't.... ;) ;D
I very much doubt it, its gunna be loud, mean & angry, much like McMuffin @ 1:00am in the morning full of Jim Beam. ;)
Just what HBBB needs! ;D
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looking forward to watching you 2 blokes having fun ratting around broady ;)
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gold, purple, blue, all the colours of the rainbow after its first ride.......Sweet! He is really talking about the bruising on the misguided fools operating the beasty 8)
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whaddya reckon Tim we get 2 banana lounges a esky and some sun shades and make a day of watching those sidecar Virgins. should be a blast ;D
only joking guys ;)
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A day of it? about one and a half small cans of our favourite ale should see em fobar Hoony ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
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right you two ,me and the bahnzy have been practicing so we dont look silly
every monday and thursday we don our lycra full body suits, we made a
wooden replica of the rat bolted to the shed floor ,turn on 2 or 3 fans
(so the wind,s in our hair) put the tape deck on play the sound track to top gun
and feel the need for speed
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We have a say'n at every track we go to;
"What's the track direction and the lap record" 8)
From there on in we show you fools how its done. Fug me its only a side car, how hard can it be? ;D
Best you get a lounge then slip, slop, slap, grab a slab of your favourite and well put on a show ya never gunna forget!
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'tis a bit sad that they don't let the older outfits on the 'scramble paddock' at HBBC. That would show them off better than having to take on the full 'modern' track.
AND be a bit easier on these 'virgins' bahahaha :D
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Red & Green should never be seen,
Black & Yellow is way to mellow,
Black & White should be out of sight
but....
Black & Green is way to mean
How mean is the Black Rat?
Take a bit of;
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Mr-T_zps71c580bd.jpg)
Add a bit of;
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Chuck_Norris_zps901089f1.jpg)
And you end up with;
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/rat_1a_zpsa8530712.jpg)
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Ha, Those two on the Black Rat, I'd pat to see that.
Set that up for HBBC will you please.?
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Black Rat? But it's not black!? :o
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Black Rat? But it's not black!? :o
Its not about "what it is" but rather "what it was"
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/aaaaaaaaasteveandJeff_zps3403b788.jpg)
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Its not about "what it is" but rather "what it was"
I know, I know! Sheesh. Try with a bt of irony and ya get slammed ;)
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Bumper and Bahnsy, You realize you have now pushed my old shitter back to the head of the rough and ugly sidecar list... 8)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/scc.jpg)
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/scc1.jpg)
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Its not about "what it is" but rather "what it was"
I know, I know! Sheesh. Try with a bt of irony and ya get slammed ;)
nah it was a tonque in cheek ;D, no slamming here ;)
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Bumper and Bahnsy, You realize you have now pushed my old shitter back to the head of the rough and ugly sidecar list... 8)
I want some of the drugs that you take if you think that its a "rough and ugly sidecar"
That be one of the purdiest things i've seen (next to the Rat of course :D )
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it,s ok canam370 he,s like that with me to
:D i new it was funny
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So will there be a run-off between theses two??
I'd like to see that as well.....
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Bumper and Bahnzy sound pumped for Broady.
how much more to do before you finish it guys? any body work going on the chair frame front?
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Bumper and Bahnzy sound pumped for Broady.
How much more to do before you finish it guys? any body work going on the chair frame front?
Hoony, it's all Bumper. It's green and it's mean so it's typicall Bumper.
All i do is swann into the workshop, pretend that i know what i'm doing, machine up a spacer or two then sit back and admire the amount of work that he has done.
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Not this year EML, still got to wait at least 6 more months for my last "cardiac procedure" to be fully Ok I hope.... :( The 754 Will be there on the Saturday but only as my very subtle pitbike.
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hoony, keeping with the MR. T and Chuck Norris toughness
i was going to leave the chair open so that way when you come
out for a swing you'll know what fear is!
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or i could pop in some chicken wire for you ::)
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ha, do you think i am crazy enough to swing with you Bumper man :o
just thinking about it is scary enough ;)
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or i could pop in some chicken wire for you ::)
I remember Bill McDermott telling me a story of the best decking they used back in the day. ;D
He said his foot had gone through the wooden flooring and his pilot was wondering why the outfit was out of control and totally unbalanced due to Bills foot being dragged along the sand of the Grimwade WA track.
Poor Bill said it took him half a lap to slow done and realise what the problem was :)
RIP Bill
http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=19837.msg197983#msg197983
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that is a mint photo of the 111 sidecar,tough as nail,s
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just got all the alloy work back for the chair
if i paint it is it to much green (not the floor)
but the front and wheel arch
or do i just do it in black onix
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i reckon white would complement the green.
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green would be a good balance,though you dont want to take the veiwers eye away from the bike itself. :P
worse that pickin a ball dress ;D ;)
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I reckon a mudguard green / black stripe and matching leotards . i cant wait to see this on the track awesome job bumper and team . hilly
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Come on Fluro pink :D ;)
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Come on Fluro pink :D ;)
Tim, You may well regret that comment! :D
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I’m sure that the RAT will have more stories to tell along its journey, some not so good, some no doubt will go down in folk law, others will be about a point in time when something out of the ordinary happened. In this one case it was the day that Bumper and I picked up the RAT from Elmore.
We had finished work and left pretty much strait after we closed the shop heading up to Elmore. With near perfect weather for a road trip we get to talking about what was too unfold in the next couple of hours. Discussion turned to Bumper’s joy about finally picking up a W650 Kawasaki that he’d been searching for and almost given up on. Then to the fact that two middle aged, balding, overweight best mates were road tripping to central Victoria to collect a 1960’s motocross sidecar, having no idea what the hell were we going to do with it. We got to the local area ahead of time and had some time to kill as Tim hadn’t finished work, so what better thing to do than join the locals in the pub for a beer.
Eventually we get to Tim’s, load the RAT onto the trailer (it’s one heaver muther) all the time Tim warning us that a big storm was on its way and that we better start moving as the bureau was predicting flash flooding in the area and he wasn’t sure that we would be able to get through. The skies looked o/k so we thought we’d be right and off we meandered. No more than 15 minutes out of Elmore mother nature had one of those F@*k-You moments and the skies opened up with rain like we’ve never seen before and hail that would strip a Honda frame of its cheap factory red paint in 2 seconds flat.
We found a big tree on the side of the road and sat it out for a while and as quick as it came, the storm left, leaving behind the biggest fattest rainbow I’d ever seen. We're back on the road at a much reduced pace as the roads are covered in 2 inches of water. One thing I learnt, 22 rims on a 6.0 Commodore SS ute are great in the dry but aren’t worth shit in large puddles. Eventually we make it to a small town (pictured) and stopped to look back at the storm we'd just passed through and assess the damage. The ute seemed to survive the carnage with no hail damage and I think the RAT had quiet Chuck Norris moment and said "Is that all ya got"
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/thewayhome_zps9ce3c934.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/rainbow_zps09d3d86d.jpg)
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well the rat fired up today first kick (the other 35 kicks where priming kicks ::))
no smoke no rattles no clunks ,pipes sound good
at this stage no oil leaks ,but we will see about that in the morning
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Excellent :) hope that it is a sign for all that is to come, good luck and look forward to seeing the Black Rat on the track
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It lives!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5kSNmdIbuQ&sns=em (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5kSNmdIbuQ&sns=em)
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Bahnzy can ya convert that annoying HTML5 video to flash or something? Most PC's cannot play HTML5 just Android mobile/cell phones. Cheers Tim754
Fixed found viewer add on , yep it lives!!!!! :D
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Then again i am most likely the one person alive that knows how the old cow goes :D
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sounds sweet 8)
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it,s all done bar the numbers,big big thanks to all who helped
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP4145_zps574d2407.jpg) (http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP4146_zps407bd536.jpg)
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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can,t wait to cut some laps(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP4147_zps02026300.jpg) (http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP4149_zps9c0cd683.jpg)
yeeeeeeeeee harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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MAGIC :-*
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top job Bumper, you and Bahnzy are in for FUN at HBBB. she looks great
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Awesome! Well done guys!
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Give us a hint, what ya change from before???? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D Beautiful and a special job! Steve will be proud and totally wrapped!!!!
Just a small observation friends, find a plastic or rubber cover for the battery ;) Been there and have had an ugly acid accident, >:( Cheers
Any possible chance Bumper you could place a little number "56" sticker somewhere on the Rat? Absolutely no drama if you can't at all ;)
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Just a small observation friends, find a plastic or rubber cover for the battery ;) Been there and have had an ugly acid accident,
Vintage Green Tupperware ----perfect 8) ;)
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Swweeeeetttt i cant wait to see the 2 of you bouncing around HBBBB . I think you should both stay off the sauce friday night .Naaaagh get on it and i think your jester hat should be worn when twisting throttle . Luv the flag . hilly
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Just a small observation friends, find a plastic or rubber cover for the battery
Tim, I think you'll find that the battery is one of those Li-Ion batteries, no acid in them. Bumper will confirm, nice pick up though. I think Bumper would appreciate that if any of the established side car guys can see something on the RAT that should be addressed from a safety point that they give him some feedback before HBBB. We need to learn from your mistakes and experiences. (so to speak) ;D
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fantastic, what a great looking machine! it will be a pitty to get it dirty :D ;)
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This is the biggest ressurection since Jesus back in the day. The bike is an absolute gem and virtually unrecognisable from its original 'Black Rat' personna. Being from NSW where motocross sidecars are just a dusty memory for even older punters than I, I've never had anything more than a passing interest in Wasps, EML's or whatever counts for the hot three wheeled motocross ticket but I can identify with this bike and the Suzuki twin also being reborn elsewhere on these pages. Taking a lumpy road bike and turning it into something competitive must take some thought and engineering. AAAplus from me ;D
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Just a small observation friends, find a plastic or rubber cover for the battery
Tim, I think you'll find that the battery is one of those Li-Ion batteries, no acid in them. Bumper will confirm, nice pick up though. I think Bumper would appreciate that if any of the established side car guys can see something on the RAT that should be addressed from a safety point that they give him some feedback before HBBB. We need to learn from your mistakes and experiences. (so to speak) ;D can ya run your eyes over me suzy then ;) cheers
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Just a small observation friends, find a plastic or rubber cover for the battery
Tim, I think you'll find that the battery is one of those Li-Ion batteries, no acid in them. Bumper will confirm, nice pick up though. I think Bumper would appreciate that if any of the established side car guys can see something on the RAT that should be addressed from a safety point that they give him some feedback before HBBB. We need to learn from your mistakes and experiences. (so to speak) ;D can ya run your eyes over me suzy then ;) cheers
nah, it's a Motobatt. Glass mat acid filled sealed. Keep an eye on the terminal fittings as they back off easily.
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restore it once ,restore it twice ,get them out there whats the point of sitting in the shed
tim i wouldnt think of taken the rat out without the 56 on it
what got changed ,not much had to give back the wheel cover and floor cover
to the council ,but why mess with a classic ,this is what makes ledgands of bikes
and it,s just a motobatt as no acid ,thanks to firko ,it was a team job the
i dont think any one person just restores a bike so many people help
tim i kept the original front 56 plate for you its in my gear bag
will take it to hbbb if you can,t grab it let someone know who will be there
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This is the biggest ressurection since Jesus back in the day. The bike is an absolute gem and virtually unrecognisable from its original 'Black Rat' personna. Being from NSW where motocross sidecars are just a dusty memory for even older punters than I, I've never had anything more than a passing interest in Wasps, EML's or whatever counts for the hot three wheeled motocross ticket but I can identify with this bike and the Suzuki twin also being reborn elsewhere on these pages. Taking a lumpy road bike and turning it into something competitive must take some thought and engineering. AAAplus from me ;D
Onya Firko, cheers mate ;)
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I AGREE!!, 'tis better to see it coming out of a closet than be sitting in a shed wishing it was, and this has been a fantastic resurrection. Wel done all round.
Shelpis little Suzuki two pot outfit is much the same too.
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shelpi,s 2 banger is too cool ,would luv to here the pipe,s
on full song they look so tuff mint job mate ;D ;D
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cheers guys, stop it now your getting me all sentimental :'(, but I gotta admitt it screams like a banshee, it at least sounds the part, will have to repack the mufflers can only ride it with earplugs :o it may be over the DB quota ;)
GOOD news spoke to the vise president of the ASA and he is keen to have the 2014 Sidecar Spectacular in N.S.W but has to go to the commity for the vote, ;) hey itsa start, personaly I would luv to catchup, meet and bang bars with ya all ;D
all the best and may the motorcycle fairy turn all ya worn out, flogged bike parts into Works factory team parts ;)
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HBBBakers Delight ;D
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/Bakersdelight_zps9a95ff8e.jpg)
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Thank you Mrs Baker 8)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/firstrun_zpsf7e537ed.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/562604_493149917401156_1346672185_n_zps7a546a09.jpg)
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That's bloody amazing. Bloody good effort team.
I might have gone with the "rising sun" flag tho.
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That's bloody amazing. Bloody good effort team.
I might have gone with the "rising sun" flag tho.
Yeah it is pretty amazing, esppecially considering what a dung heap it started out as. I'm for the Rising Sun as well ;)
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That's bloody amazing. Bloody good effort team.
I might have gone with the "rising sun" flag tho.
Yeah it is pretty amazing, esppecially considering what a dung heap it started out as. I'm for the Rising Sun as well ;)
What more can I say ;) bloody well done! cheers mates
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That's bloody amazing. Bloody good effort team.
I might have gone with the "rising sun" flag tho.
Yeah it is pretty amazing, esppecially considering what a dung heap it started out as. I'm for the Rising Sun as well ;)
Could it then become "The Kamakazi Kawasaki"
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And here's one that shows the emotions after completing for the first time, three ...yes three and in a row!!! whole laps of Broadford MX track.
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/104_0101_zpsfc856aaf.jpg)
Bumper is beeming with delight!!! Bahnsy is just physically f**ked....
(http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad360/tdee754/104_0100_zps8ac6b490.jpg)
Me old 754 appears to be jealous and snootily ignoring the silk purse that used to be sows ear....
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Here ya go, a lap and a 1/2 of Broadford on the Rat. There were some technical issues (Bumper will fill you in on those) and some specification issues, ie the passenger's bar work that need to be sorted along the way, but for the 1st time out since a full re-build she did well.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GRe2OVbYv60 (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GRe2OVbYv60)
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ok now that i can move ,what an ace weekend so good to catch up with friends
the rat was all shiny and ready to go ,i was so pumped to get out there
checking everything was 100% that we missed the first session ,bugger :-[
so next time we were there 25 mins early ,oldmate with the flag came over
you blokes are keen ,gezzz that looks nice. you two done this before
first time we boldly say,after he picks himself of the floor from laughing so hard
he blessed us and said the track go,s thataway GOOD LUCK
had a few issues first lap out right hand shift is a bit to get used to
fuel cap blocked so ran out half way up the steepest hill on the track
a couple of oil leaks .the new clutch took awhile to kick in
but by sunday it was all good bahnzy and i cut 3 full lap,s per session with no problems
that,s as far as our body,s could take . ;D ;D ;D
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Welcome aboard guys, you've done well. I had no idea that you had'nt done it before-either of you. THat does make it hard and it's obviously much better if one or other has had a crack before, that way the one with some knollwledge can steer the other around-so to speak.
BLoody good effort just the same.
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:) good stuff guys and well done, good to see all the hard work has paid off ;) took the Suzy out for its first time at morgan ;D
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Some pics from the weekend.
The first break-down, later found out to be a blocked fuel cap. Would go about 300mts then stop, restart and good for another 300mt's. The small things that bring you un-stuck.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Sidecar_3_zps43e331a7.jpg)
I think this is the first downhill with the first jump about to come at us. I dont think that either of us had taken a breath since we came onto the track!
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Sidecar_4_zpsd55bfc5b.jpg)
And the 1st landing. I guess there is room for improvement :D
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Sidecar_2_zps475cc000.jpg)
Pretty sure this is a father and son duo. Dad was on the chair, sorry i dont have their names.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Sidecar_1_zpsb3a18024.jpg)
Agian not sure who this is.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/Sidecar_5_zpsa72fb8dc.jpg)
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;D good stuff, keep it comeing :) :D ;D 8)
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Good stuff, how many chairs where there?
I will have to make the journey again one year...
Last time I was there they had pre75 all disaplines at the same time then Pre85 all disaplines at the same time was it still the same? So if you took a Pre85 road bike and say an EVO MX bike you had to chose one to ride and miss the other.......
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Good stuff, how many chairs where there?
Last time I was there they had pre75 all disaplines at the same time then Pre85 all disaplines at the same time was it still the same? So if you took a Pre85 road bike and say an EVO MX bike you had to chose one to ride and miss the other.......
There was five chairs there, one being a modern machine. All good, learnt from all of them by watching on the sidelines whilst we put our hearts back in their cavities.
The discipline issue is still there, just got work out what it is that you want to do on the day.
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How many sessions did you guys get each day???
Might have to make the effort next year...
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How many sessions did you guys get each day???
Might have to make the effort next year...
Same as the bike classes (3)
The guy who was running the track said that as soon as the last sidecar came of the track he would close the session, regardless of the time of the session, and bring the bikes on. He was upfront and told everyone so it worked well. All we did was complete 3 laps, come off, take a breather behind the entry shute then go back out again. We would only get another lap and we were toast anyway so 4 laps per session was enough for us virgins.
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Well done mate I no how much effort is involved riding or swinging for 3-4 laps good effort .
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O/k, so the Bonanza is over and done and we have now physically recovered and we’re onto the next stage of the RAT project which is to get the ergonomics sorted. The passenger bar work was (at the time of the original engineering) set up for someone a lot younger, fitter & smaller and doesn’t work for us big blokes. We have some ideas on what should be in place but thought best to see what the typical or perhaps normal set up should be for something like this. We have taken some photos of the current bar work and was wondering if other sidecar owners could put up some photos of their machines so we can see if were heading in the right direction, “before” we build something that is going to be no better than what’s currently fitted.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/BarWork_1_zps9eb9e4a7.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/BarWork_6_zps7f7bc93d.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/BarWork_4_zpsb25ff7c9.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/BarWork_2_zpsc44ced2e.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/BarWork_3_zps46f2a6e0.jpg)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/Rat_1_zpsb9edd3be.jpg)
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We ran the sidecar sessions at the Mitchell ride day on Sunday, there was only one chair there but it was a hit, it was an EML with a Kawasaki EX500 twin engine fitted.
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RE:Swingers Bar ;D not the best pic,but the best for now :)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/waspinvastion_zps9c1480f8.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/waspinvastion_zps9c1480f8.jpg.html)
and this one taken from a tv/dvd..thanks little Al 8)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/2013-03-23130432_zps2c89c427.jpg) (http://s146.photobucket.com/user/vmx247/media/2013-03-23130432_zps2c89c427.jpg.html)
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(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/BarWork_2_zpsc44ced2e.jpg)
Can't help you with your bar work but just have to say what a great looking outfit this has turned out to be. A real credit to you, well done :)
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We ran the sidecar sessions at the Mitchell ride day on Sunday, there was only one chair there but it was a hit, it was an EML with a Kawasaki EX500 twin engine fitted.
John, Bumper was keen as mustard to be there but we both knew that the current set up was going to hurt one of us. All going to plan we will be there next month with the new bar work as we are both wanting to get the hang of the RAT. Thanks for sticking your neck out and scheduling the session, I think it will be a case of build it (i.e. schedule it) and they will come.
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Can't help you with your bar work but just have to say what a great looking outfit this has turned out to be. A real credit to you, well done :)
Simo, the re-build of the RAT and its accompanying credit is all BUMPER. I chined in with some un-constructive commentary given my wealth of experience with MX sidecars, but it was all BUMPER assisted by McMuffin, Mario, Bryan, Cholin’s and a host of others that paid back some favours.
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That is a lovley looking build 8) a credit to all involved . Was the original swinger very tall ? as the grab rails seem very high ???
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Can't help you with your bar work but just have to say what a great looking outfit this has turned out to be. A real credit to you, well done :)
Simo, the re-build of the RAT and its accompanying credit is all BUMPER. I chined in with some un-constructive commentary given my wealth of experience with MX sidecars, but it was all BUMPER assisted by McMuffin, Mario, Bryan, Cholin’s and a host of others that paid back some favours.
Okay so well done to all those people ... I reckon it's one of the best looking vmx sidecars I've ever seen (with all due respect to others).
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OK Small comment. You have to remember that it is a pre68 class and that things were different then-a lot of home builts were turning out as there were very few Wasps and "F" all else unless you were in England.
I would like to ride with you first off to see if the bars worked before cutting and shutting the old girl again. From the looks of it, it might be OK.
I think the problem might be that neither of you really know how to get it around a mx course. Try to get some one that has ridden them a bit to help out...swap rider and passenger....to show each other what is required, though be carefull 'cause when the passenger works out how hard it is and then gets to have a drive...they don't want to go back :D :D :D
Anyway, just some constructive advice....I hope :D
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Fine constructive words of wisdom EML. ;) Fact is the Rat was actually in my shed at the time of Steves death, awaiting a full redesign of the passenger grabs. Proved to be OK for people of short statue, but mid size and tall people have much difficulty negotiating the upper and lower pipe work. Cheers. Tim754
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From the looks of it, it might be OK.
EML,
We also thought that it looked o/k until we got on the track. I'm 6'2" & 105 kg's, terribly unfit and found that I couldn't transition from the front left side to the right rear side without having to have two goes at the bar. I wanted to slide my hands down the bar to get to the far rear loop but found that as I moved over I had to have two grabs at the bar and by that time we were into the corner and it was all going to shit real quick. The other issue I found was that I had to walk "around" the bar rather than move from one side to the other in one motion. Ant also had major battles with the bar that ran near his left arm with him smashing his left elbow into it on left corners.
I'm sure that if we had more riding time on a natural terrain track that was a little more open and flowing it might have been a different story but I guess that most of our riding is going to be on modern motocross track so best we get it as good as we can and go from there. We'd love to have a crack at a national event but there hasn't been a qualifying grid of Pre68 machines for as long as anyone can remember and riding up a class seems crazy given the variation in suspension specification and available power plants.
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There are 5 pre68's on the creep back here, so maybe half doz + on the startline next year (hopefully) oh yer the Suzy is having its 1st proper outing at Crystal Brook's Sidecar Spectacular this weekend I'm nervous but excited
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Banhzy, the fact that you are 6'2" and 105kg is a bit of a problem though hansi Bactolds passenger, Fritz Fuss was something similar-quite a big guy and he did very well-4 world titles!!
Good height is an advantage as you can step out in one movement, where as I need to take two steps and often, when going very quick I have to hop across on one leg--can wear out that one thigh muscle very quickly :D. Many top passngers are quite tall---but also very lean--long muscles equals good stamina.
So-to cut it short, take a look at some old pics and copy them. I will try to add some. If I can't I will email them direct to you.
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r785/EML993/sidecar31_zpsb51265da.jpg)
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r785/EML993/11fotocopyrightcamberoque_zps8cf15db5.gif)
(http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r785/EML993/Hack2HEADS_zps5c2c1f78.jpg)
Top shot is of my Wasp and shows how simple I like my bars, with no tape at all as it wears you out and your gloves.
Next pic is of some crazy French teams having a go...look close and you will see their bar work from the day.
Last pic is of a real oldy and shows that it's best to have two heads if you are a passenger...oh and some bar work from the era.
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EML's is the go, simple uncluttered and free from any annoying tape work, Try make a mock up out of water pipe, it is easy to work with a cheap pipe bender and if not happy with your shaping, has not cost you heaps, You may find good off cut lengths at your local plumbers or waste station shop. We found that careful thought out planning and bending of a single length,reducing welding to the minimum, was superior in strength. Lots of short welded pieces hmmm... Cheers Tim754
PS there are minimum curvature restrictions for sidecar rails listed in the MoMs.
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thanks EML for the pic,s it will head us in the right direction
and tim i have some copper pipe to play with
we have to move the bars as i can,t turn to the left
without my arm getting jammed and i can,t get my body across
and bahnzy find,s it hard to step around the bar,s
we need to feel right on the rat ,its hard to concentrate with all the bar,s
+right hand shift and pissing ourselves laughing all the way round the track :D
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Pissing yourselves laughing should be mandatory in all forms of classic racing!!! :D Cheers . Yes the bars and grabs do need a full makeover ;)
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the bars have been cut,the ear,s taken off ,gear box out
another clutch standing by ,PUT BREATHER TUBE,S ON YOUR CARBYS
how unlucky to get a frag of quartz stuck in an overflow almost
put a hole thru a piston puk me ,put a 44 hulmamcuby on
got a rock a stick and an ant good to go
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good luck fella's ;)
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ok changed the bars which opened up the chair for heaps more room
good thing is has moved bahnzy forward ,less jumping around like a very slow monkey ,with so much room we may fit an esky as its thirsty work on the rat
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP4620_zpsa64c3478.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj509/bumper-21/IMGP4621_zpsfebeb12e.jpg)
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Much improved!!!! ;) Primary drive been lightened too????? :D
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nuh pucked up on ajustment burnt out the seal
its got a cracked shift paw so it keeps missing gears
but the bars feel heaps better with more room
thinking beers always help imput :P :P :P
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nuh pucked up on ajustment burnt out the seal
its got a cracked shift paw so it keeps missing gears
but the bars feel heaps better with more room
thinking beers always help imput :P :P :P
Good stuff Guys your nearly there nothing a few more beers wont fix (Coopers Pale ale of course ) ;) :) :D ;D
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Bumper = Bahnsy Perhaps you going to the Nats??
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YES LEGENDS... knew they'd pull it off..Go the GREEN TEAM
quote:::;Rod Bahn
Ok, last race in the bag, average start had us in 3rd after the 1st lap. We pushed the Rat (& ourselves) and pegged back a position. By our reckoning we finished 2nd outright in the title.. Off to presentation to what happened in the points. — at Gilman Motocross Track.
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:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) just bloody marvelous ! Cheers Boys Tim754
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Yep it was Bloody awesome to see them do it, what an achievement, well deserved, couldnt happen to 2 nicer blokes, congratulations and hope to see ya's next year ;) :) :D ;D 8)
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wow that was one of the biggest weekends we have ever had
2nd place at an australian championship we have never worked so hard
how bahnsy is still walking i have no clue ,the rat never let us down
it was nice that everyone remembered the black rat and had a
great story to tell about steve and the rat it brought a lot off smiles
big thanks to bahnsy ,we are 100% back next year.bumper
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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well done and congratulations ;) top effort(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q721/shelpi1/1379440_10151941727514785_698123878_n_zpsd89aad79.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/shelpi1/media/1379440_10151941727514785_698123878_n_zpsd89aad79.jpg.html)
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thanx for ya help in trying to unsieze Zook ;)(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q721/shelpi1/1394226_10151941727614785_620000166_n_zpsc4f1ac37.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/shelpi1/media/1394226_10151941727614785_620000166_n_zpsc4f1ac37.jpg.html)
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bugger about zook shelpi ,we had so much fun both are still smiling
thanks to yourself and all the others that helped point us in the right direction
from the first phone call to the last beer on the way out of the track after presentation
YOU COULD NOT MEET A NICER BUNCH OF BLOKES AT ANY RACE MEETING :) ;D :) ;D :) ;D
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_s4QBipKk&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD_s4QBipKk&feature=youtu.be)
Q: What happens when you have a few cans one night?
A: You decide that it would be a good idea to enter the Australian Sidecar Pre-68 MX titles on a 1967 Kawasaki W1-650 sidecar 2 & ½ weeks before the event.
For a few weeks Shelpi had been badgering Ant to consider travelling to SA for the event but work commitments, a bike that hadn’t been tested in racing conditions and most importantly a rider and a passenger that had only (ever) done 6 laps of the Broadford track at the Bonanza was a fair stretch for anyone, let alone a couple of blokes with a combined age close to 100 that had no skills on a motocross sidecar.
It was obvious from the get-go that the outfit was not up to 200+ kg’s of humans hanging off it so it was off to WIX engineering with a paper napkin drawing of a new swing arm and mounting system. A few days later the chair has a new swing arm and wheel in place of the postie bike set up that was fitted some time back by Tim and Steve. A few additions were made to the chairs grab rail and the passenger’s foot area and we reckon that she’s good to go, all the time having no idea what the scrutineers would pick up.
From that point on it was almost a comedy show with all the cock-ups that occurred in the week leading up to the Friday trip to Adelaide. First off Ant has multiple phone calls with the management team at Parwan MX track to ensure that we could take the old girl out there for a test session. After an hour and a half trip to the complex the track manager promptly tells us that we can’t take it off the trailer, apparently he thought it was a speedway outfit, even though Ant had told him it was a MX outfit.
Fast forward to the morning we are ready to leave. I back the trailer up to load the Rat, we push her on to the trailer and the trailer all but falls over on its side thanks to the 200 off kg’s of Rat on one side of the trailer. At this point we were knackered as the trailer we used the previous weekend wasn’t available, it was this or pull the pin on the trip. 15 minutes of head scratching and we decide to load her onto the trailer sideways and share the weight between both wheels and the trailers draw bar, an hour later were loaded and on the way to SA.
Arriving into SA late Friday night we find our way to this lovely establishment called the Lindy Lodge Motel, amazing the difference between the internet pictures and the real thing made only worse by the night manager that couldn’t understand why we would want a room for two nights. We soon worked out that most of his clientele booked rooms by the hour, not the night.
Arriving at the track the next day the priority was to get signed in and try and get the Rat through scrutineering. The boys were pretty thorough on the check and we had a few things to attend to but nothing super serious. The next thing, riders briefing & practice. I guess we thought there would be this magical apparition that would occur where all of a sudden we would get all the skills we needed to get us through the weekend and it would be happy days; you can guess the reality of that.
From practice to the last race it was a freek’n steep learning curve, with the only constant being a machine that had been through this a few times before. So what was the take away from the weekend?
First & foremost it was the organisers and crew from ASA who welcomed us without question, in most cases giving us plenty of tips to get a couple of MX sidecar virgins through the weekend. Big shout out to Rocky Warren, Rob Schmidt and Kristy Schultz for guidance and assistance. Next to thank is our neighbours in the pits Potsy & Steve piloting the No55 Suzuki-GSX some of the most strait up people we have meet in our years of racing who gave us heaps of pointers and tips. The next strange thing (for us) was the banter on the start line between the competitors. I’ve been racing solos for many years and never does the complete grid stand around waiting for the previous race to finish chatting and geeing up each other wishing everyone a safe and competitive ride. Stranger still was that our class would come of the track post race back to the pits, wait for the last competitor then shake their hands and compliment each other after each and every race. Last but not least, big thanks to Pete (Shelpi) for opening the line of communication to get us over to SA then helping us through the first day jitters.
It takes a lot of motivation and effort to take a bike that had been cobbled together over way to many beers and Saturday nights into the bike that we rode this weekend just gone. I guess that it being green was enough for Ant to take on the project and it’s a credit to him for the way it turned out. Whilst I managed to hang on and use my 110+ kgs as ballast, Ant had to steer the beast and navigate his way through a right shift system, less than 3” of suspension travel and prepare a bike that needed nothing more than checking the tyre pressures and adjusting the chain over the whole weekend.
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/The%20Black%20Rat/SDC10176a_zps307b690a.jpg)
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I've seen that fugly pair somewhere? Did you get that Husaberg running?
I've said it before but I love that old bike. The original owner would be stoked that it's being used again and looking so good. Great work lads.
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bahnzy you just sumed up what vmx is about
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;) :) :D ;D
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(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q721/shelpi1/1377560_10151941714654785_650823858_n_zpsa2fc296b.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/shelpi1/media/1377560_10151941714654785_650823858_n_zpsa2fc296b.jpg.html)
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Potsy and Steve ;) they are top blokes hey BANHZY :)(http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q721/shelpi1/DSC_0292_zpsa257136b.jpg) (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/shelpi1/media/DSC_0292_zpsa257136b.jpg.html)
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Potsy and Steve ;) they are top blokes hey BANHZY :)
Super cool guys and and a big help on both days. We swapped plenty of war stories, great guys to pit beside.
I still dont know how they got that mass of metal around the track, 1000cc and the weight to accompany it!
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Potsy and Steve ;) they are top blokes hey BANHZY :)
Super cool guys and and a big help on both days. We swapped plenty of war stories, great guys to pit beside.
I still dont know how they got that mass of metal around the track, 1000cc and the weight to accompany it!
yep coolascool ;) yes we think there is a law of phsyics they are breaking just not sure wich one ??? :o ::) :P
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Hows it going fellas? ;)
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Hows it going fellas? ;)
Yer what he said ;D The zooks got her new top end come and play
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Shes even better in the flesh.what a ripper 8) 8)
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Shes even better in the flesh.what a ripper 8) 8)
so is the sidecar :o ;D :D
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So Black Rat are you comeing to Horsham and will you be bringing Bahnzy and Bumper with ya :P Zook will be there ;)
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Umm Bahnzy forgot to hang on all the time at the BBB and dismounted at speed. (Passengers can't even get a pleasant free ride right.. ;) Last I saw he was sporting a very nasty and painful swollen knee... >:(
Honestly I hope your not injured and up and about mate! ;)
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So Black Rat are you comeing to Horsham and will you be bringing Bahnzy and Bumper with ya :P Zook will be there ;)
So what's on in Horsham and when...
The Stig
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So Black Rat are you comeing to Horsham and will you be bringing Bahnzy and Bumper with ya :P Zook will be there ;)
So what's on in Horsham and when...
The Stig
The A.S.A Sidecar Spectacular this SAT and SUN
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Umm Bahnzy forgot to hang on all the time at the BBB and dismounted at speed. (Passengers can't even get a pleasant free ride right.. ;) Last I saw he was sporting a very nasty and painful swollen knee... >:(
Honestly I hope your not injured and up and about mate! ;)
thanks Tim, Hope ya allright Bahnzy, would be great just to catch up, all the best.
cheers ;)
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Its hit the Cafe Racer magazine.
what a nice centrefold she makes too 8) :o 8)
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Good Stuff
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Don't like the look the pot gutted shady character in the orange work shirt he is buying it from much...... ::)