lukemillar - NC30 Post Classic race bike

[lukemillar]

I enjoyed reading this thread mate, keep us updated ASAP!!

I still have round 5 to post when I get a chance!

[ChowderV4]

keep them coming, this is very cool.

[CMSMJ1]

superb - I'll watch them vids tonight on my proper telly.

What are the regs for Pre89 - anything goes?

What bikes are competitive?

[lukemillar]

Regs are pretty free. Bikes must be manufactured before 31st Dec 1989 and following major components must be period:

Frame (including Swingarm), Engine and Gearbox castings, carburetors, Brakes (excluding front and rear master cylinders which are open) and forks.

However, there is a rule about replica parts being cool providing they are true and faithful copies of the originals. Other than that (like engine tuning) is completely open!

The class is split into two groups: Junior (under 600cc) and Senior (over 600cc). Front runners are usually the 600cc engine in a 400 frame (FZR's and CBR's). Next up is the big bore 400s and 250GP bikes. Then the 400s. I find that I am usually racing against a couple of other NC30's and a load of ZXR400's.

However, we are on the verge of a rule change though where the class moves to a F1, F2 and F3 setup which better reflects the classes of the era. When that happens, all the 600s, big-bores and 250GP bikes will end up in F2 with 400s and production 250cc 2 strokes in F3. Should work out pretty well for me, but was worth waiting for as a 450cc NC30 wouldn't be the way to go!

[Cammo]

We run F3 down in Vic, it's a great class.

Nice bike!

[28hodge]

Loving this, best not watch the vids at work but im sure i'll end up watching them anyway!

Also you have given me the design for my track fairings that ive just bought, bike looks really good mate, great work!

Was i the only one that kinda liked the fluro yellow wheels tho??

[lukemillar]

Here is the round 5 report (which almost brings me up to the present. One of the things that I din't mention/take any pics of was the tank. Every time I removed my carbs there was a red tinge to the petrol and in the float bowls which came from the rusty tank I don't think was helping anything! I ran a POR15 kit through the tank and now it is as good as new! Pretty impressive stuff.

OK- round 5 ... (can't find any pics from this one)

I was really looking forward to this round. I had tweaked my carbs from last round and the bike was running sweet. Arrived early on Friday for a shakedown/practice with the new setup and straight away the bike felt great. Laptimer put more doing 23/24s which is slow but it was a test day so I wasn't going balls out. Pretty uneventful except for running off the track after the hairpin, having a big slapper and then no brakes into Higgins! Not quite sure what happened, just got too close to the LHS, glanced at my clocks and then when I looked up, I was just rolling off the track!

Qualifying

Unfortunately the awesome weather from the day before hadn't held and it was looking cloudy. I only got 3 timed laps and on the second quick lap some guy lowsides right in front of me at the hairpin! I have to roll off and sit it up to avoid him and that leaves one last flying lap to qualify! Ended up around 13th on the mixed grid with a 1:25 which wasn't the best

Race 1

On the slighting lap it is starting to shower and I'm on slicks. I see Ernie pull in, so I do to. We then get a 20 min break to change tyres, only it dries up, so I stick with slicks. Standard crap start and slotted in somewhere around where I qualified. Riding like a granny until Natasha comes past which gives me the hurry up! Pass a couple of people and end up 6th with a best lap of 1m23.2. Pretty disappointed in that seeing as last time I was in the 1m21s with my timer giving me an opt 1:20.5 lap.

Race 2

Now it is wet tyre wet... but drying! Another average start and after a lap or 2 I find myself alone! I just take it easy as I'm not catching anyone and it is now pretty dry and I don't want to trash my wets! Finished 5th with a really pathetic best lap of 1m30!

Race 3

Back to dry again and after 2 pretty average races, I'm not really looking forward to this one. Again, an average start, pass a couple of people, and then watch the laps click down until the flag. Finish 4th with another 1m23.

Pretty disappointed in my riding this round. I just couldn't figure out why I was 2 secs a lap slower than last round!? I looked at the data from my timer and there wasn't one corner really, just marginally slower everywhere. Just riding like a bit of a pussy I guess.

Points wise it wasn't actually that bad, but after being taken out at round 2 and then missing round 3, the top 5 championship finish goal I had at the start of the season is looking slim.

Still, looking forward to Taupo as last time I went pretty well there and will be interested to see how quickly I can hussle the 400 round! Hoping for some good weather.

Thanks to the usual suspects: Motorad for parts and service, Steve B and Moto Academy and all the people who came and said hello over the weekend

See you all in Taupo
Luke

[lukemillar]

Last weekend, I fitted these- Set of Gerd rads from Micpec!:



I have had a Samco kit floating round for a while now which I was saving for when I bought new rads. The slightly different routing meant that the kit didn't directly fit, but by luck or design, the lower hose from the water pump to the lower rad, cut perfectly into 3 pieces to adapt to the rads!



The only thing I am not sure about is the upper rad is swung further foward than stock. The upper mounting points are shorter than stock so the rad can't swing back as far without fouling the frame. As such, the lower mounting point doesn't line up. The whole thing seems solid though and my fairing fits so I'll just leave it!

[uber pikey]

Man this is a sweet write up, I love it.

Well done with your efforts so far, you deserve to do well as you are inspirational and up-beat.

keep it coming .

Curt.

[lukemillar]

Ok, Final round is done and dusted and the championship is over! Been a fantastic first season on the NC30 and I have really enjoyed the racing. Here is the report:

Round 6

Headed up to Taupo after work on Thursday for the MotoTT trackday on Friday. Haven't raced at Taupo since the beginning of the year and never on the NC, so it was a bit of an open book. Judging by my times between SS600 and 400, I figured that if I could break into the sub 1m50's, then I'd be happy. Only difference to the bike was that it was now running total loss:



Finished the tail vinyl + new numbers:




Trackday was fun getting re-acquainted with the track, though due to signing up late, I could only get into the second slowest group (of 4). I know this usually annoys people, but they have a 'no passing on the inside' rule, so it's pretty easy to be fast, but courteous!

Qualifying

As usual, the 3 race programme meant just a 4 lap qualifying session. There is the Post Classic GP the following day (which unfortunately I couldn't enter) so there were a lot of bikes using VMCC's Rnd 6 for practice. I also notice that a few people ahead of me in the championship didn't make it to Taupo, but since you drop your worst round, I was expecting a few people to miss this one. Ended up 15th on the mixed grid; about 6th in class with a 1m52. Not happy with the time, but at least I'm on the outside into T1.



Race 1

One of the best races of the season! Apart from the bigger Junior bikes, there is nothing between us 400s! I get an ok start (I had adjusted my clutch bite point) and take a few places back round the outside of T1. I have no idea where I am, but keep my head down banging out the laps. By the last lap, I am right on the back wheel of a 250 stroker for 4th place, with 3rd just in front. I already know where I am going to pass- Around the outside of T8 which is flat out in 3rd, ~150 km/h (My favourite corner). The move is perfect and I keep the position through the next few corners. Then in the long hairpin that leads onto the back straight, the guy sticks a wheel in and then suddenly swings towards me! To avoid a crash, I get pushed wide on the exit and there is nothing but massive corrugated curbing so I have to roll off. It is now game over and although I make back some time, there is only 3 corners left so I end up 5th. It was a late move and a little harsh, but I should have protected my line better. Still, consistently in in the 48s/49s means I'm still happy

Video: http://vimeo.com/31320575



Race 2

The heavens open just after our first race and now its proper wet. I grid up and notice that 60% of the bikes aren't on the grid for this one! Guess they just don't want to risk a crash and jeopardise the GP tomorrow. Get a pretty good start but find Taupo really slipper in the wet. The last few corners have white lines all over them and the bike is sliding everytime I hit one! I really don't push hard and just clock off the laps for a lonely 5th place. Pace was slow, but I'm glad just to keep it upright!

Race 3

Unfortunately, du to the large number of red flags, this gets cancelled.

When I got home, I checked out the championship on mylaps and when it all shook out (with dropping your worst round), I ended up fifth in the championship! I was really happy with this as finishing top 5 in my first year was a goal I was quietly shooting for. I had 7 no-scores throughout the season and so I wasn't expecting this at all

Final results:



NEXT:- The Summer series kicks of in just 2 weeks, but I'm going to miss round 1. I have the NC booked in for some dyno time so, hopefully I'll be able to get the flatslides running well. I have also bought a second NC engine and will start stripping that tomorrow. One thing which has been apparent all season is my bike isn't as fast in a straight line and while a lot of the mods have helped, it just needs more power! I have to keep it as a 400 for the new class rules, but have a simple and modest plan, but will go into that more as I do the work so watch this space for updates. Hopefully I'll get it all back together by Round 2 which will be early next year!