Plum duff

Hello Tightwad enthusiasts,

Last time we met I had just done a practice session at Mallory in preparation for the 35th annual plum pudding race.

Boxing day saw me and the scooter which was wedged tightly into the back of my car, set off for a days racing. This event is quite good value as you get three races and not two for a few pounds less than normal. I had picked up fellow racer Steve Conneely en route so i did not have to push it on my own and arrived at the circuit at 7.30.

The weather was cold with patches of cold and the odd ray of cold. Still undetered we unpacked the bike and started to clean it and repair it from the practice session. The plug was changed and new plug cap fitted and we then set off for scrutineering. This was an unusual process as the scrutineer said "I don't know anything about scooters so you will have to be patient with me". "Not to worry", I said, "I happen to be a scrutineer for the BSSO" and set about educating the poor woman. Needless to say, the scooter passed with flying colours and I was free to go off and sign in.

With the paper work out of the way I thought it would be a good idea to start the bike and check it was all ok. Would she start? would she heck so it was back to the stand and have a look at what the problem was. The plug was dry so after a quick check we pushed it once more and this time it started. The engine of extreme hope sounded keen enough so i put the fault down to a sticking float valve. The engine did not start too well all day but ran ok. Either the weather was bothering it or the new plug was a bit fussy.

There were three other scooter racers there this year. The flying Charlie Edmonds, Bullet and Pellet. Charlie went out in the first session but Bullet, pellet and i went out in the second which is a shame as i could have gauged my performance against Charlies by seeing how long it takes him to lap me. Either way everything was going well until lap two when i developed a rattle in the engine and came into the paddock to see what was up. It was nothing too serious and a loose head cowling always sounds worse than it is.

I missed the rest of the session but managed to fix the cowling and before long we were out to start the race. Three people fell off on the sighting lap which is a big no no (£50 fine) so we had a delayed start and another sighting lap. Only two fell off this time so the delay was not as bad but i was wondering if we would ever make it to the start of the grid. Eventually the race started and we were off. I catapulted into last position and wondered whether my brakes were stuck on. I caught up with Bullet and Pellet at Gerrards and passed them both. They fought back a bit for the rest of the lap but i emerged victorious in the end. Both of them have more power and speed than me so i felt quite good about it. I also overtook an MZ 250 and held this spot till the end of the race. It was quite a result for me as i have raced this event for the last three years and come last with a more powerfull bike before so this was indeed an improvement, also i was not pushing as hard as i could so i was looking forward to race two.

The bike came out of the first race without any issues so it was out for race two after a delay while they cleared up the mess from the car race (check it out on youtube). I got a much better start and held off Bullet and Pellet into Gerrards and was pestering an MZ and an RD250. I overtook both of them but the RD straight lined me on the start finish straight but i got past him again at Gerrards and held him off along the back straight and into Edwinas. Then as i turned into the esses a loud and unmistakable noise of no exhaust filled mine and everyone elses ears. I looked down to see of i had a tail can and indeed i did. That meant that i had split the pipe further up. The JL4 pipe which i have borrowed to get me going had exploded and the stub end was hanging by the tensioning spring under the bike. Game over and i crawled back to the paddock.

These JL4's work well but are indeed a load of shit. I suspect that this latest generation of the pipe are made frome Chinese steel which is cheap and useless as a cost cutting exercise that will only fail and disapoint you. My advice is to stay well clear of them as this is not the only one to do this that i have heard of. It's not as if they are a cheap option either so buy any other type not the JL's.

The other lads did well for themselves and gave the crowd a good show. I enjoyed the event even though it was a bit short for me and i will be there again next year.

Thanks to Steve, Squaddie and Handbags for their help.

Keep your eyes peeled for a tuning update as the Tightwad bike has caught the attention of a well known engine tuner who is willing to help get more power out of the old girl.

If you would like to help support the Tightwad bike Call 07751 267711 or e-mail siredward@btinternet.com

Happy new year to you and remember. If you are looking at the back of the Tightwad bike you are not a rubbish racer, just one of many to come.

Cold and wet

Hello Tightwad fans,

Over the winter it is a time of frustration for us racers as there is nothing else to do than polish your bike and tinker for the hell of it. To stop yourself suffering too much with withdrawal symptoms, Mallory park put on an open race on boxing day called the "plum pudding race". This year it is the 35th anniversary meeting so i thought i would enter it. But before i do this event i thought it would be a good idea to do a practice day as i have reworked the engine and need to check it is running ok.

Friday 19th of December saw me and my little scooter head off to do an afternoon of testing on a track that did not get above 5 degrees. I was there a bit early so i could watch the cars do a few laps as they practice in the mornings and bikes in the afternoons. As the weather was so cold the track was really struggling to dry out but a dry line was starting to emerge. Then disaster, a ford escort driven by a complete wanker blew its gearbox and instead of pulling off and waiting for recovery, this rocket scientist thought he would do nearly a full lap spewing out oil and drive back. I hope you read this blog you piece of shit as you spoil it for other track users.

Anyway the track marshalls did a quick and successful job of clearing it up for a change and before long i was out on track and testing the bike.

Now, as the track was soaking wet from the clean up operation i was not going to get any lap records but i could at least let the engine scream a bit in top and hold onto the clutch in case it seized. The bike seemed slow and lumpy and had an intermittant misfire but i stayed out for ten laps to see if i could get a better idea of what the fault was. I was having fun but the bike seemed slower than the last time i took it out and i was wondering if i had made a mistake with this last session of tuning. I pulled into the paddock and set about checking the engine. Firstly i found that my plug cap has worn out and was floating on the top of the plug so that would explain the misfire but everything else seemed ok. I refuelled the bike set out for the next session.

My local Tesco's is now selling 99 octane super unleaded so i thought i would try it and see if is any good. The verdict is that i have not noticed any difference between v-power and Tesco's other than Tesco's is cheaper. I think i will run it for 2009.

The second session was much better with the misfire repaired and all the old fuel from the summer used and replaced with fresh stuff, i found the grin factor growing and i got totally carried away with riding around a cold wet circuit and started to push for a better lap time. This was not the day to do that sort of thing but i did not crash so i got away with it really. The end of the second session came round all too quickly and it was into the paddock to check the plug colour. On inspection i was hoping that it was running rich and i could down jet and get more power out of it but no such luck, it was on the money. That is all the engine has in it, it is running a bit better than it was and is pulling a few more revs but i was hoping for a greater power increase. I reckon i have only given it another 1-2hp extra so i will have to go with that for boxing day and have another look at it after christmas. ( i have a plan)

A mention should be made about this chap who was parked next to me in the paddock and pestered me all afternoon to let him have a go on it in return for a blast on his Ducati. I turned the offer down as it's a motorbicycle and thus any fool could ride one and where is the challenge in that. (actually i was too scared to get on it)

So there you are, maybe as many as 40 laps of Mallory for only 49 quid. Not bad value and the bike is still in one piece. I have sprung a small oil leak but nothing to worry about and it will all be ready for boxing day. I will update you afterwards.

So don't forget to ask for a Lambretta for christmas and join the BSSO.

I do not have a picture of the practice session so i have put on a pic of a zebra showing you its arse.

Merry christmas and remember to try and find some sponsership for the Tightwad racer.

E-mail siredward@btinternet.com or call 07751267711 with any help you can give.