The Black Rat

[EML]

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 
Anyway, just some constructive advice....I hope

[Tim754]

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   

[BAHNZY]

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.

[shelpi]

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

[EML]

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 . 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.



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.

[Tim754]

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.

[Bumper]

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

[Tim754]

Pissing yourselves laughing should be mandatory in all forms of classic racing!!! Cheers   .   Yes the bars and grabs do need a full makeover

[Bumper]

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 

[shelpi]

good luck fella's 

[Bumper]

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

[Tim754]

Much improved!!!! Primary drive been lightened too??

[Bumper]

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

[shelpi]

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

Good stuff Guys your nearly there nothing a few more beers wont fix (Coopers Pale ale of course )  

[Tim754]

Bumper = Bahnsy  Perhaps you going to the Nats??