Silverstone Black Friday event this coming Friday should help to keep cost down a little too for next year. Agree with what Mary said about the pads
Just to add to this, when they get this worn, the metal plate section of the pad gets so hot it boils the fluid. You know this when the brake lever comes all the way back to the bar. And no brakes. Then you launch it over the kerb. Then crash I know this through experience It can also lead to a (second) panic grab on the brakes. This time they bite, but you’re well tipped in now and your front washes out. And into the kitty litter we go…. Weeee….
You need to quit work so it doesn’t get in the way! Be good to catch up with you on a trackday next year and see if I can keep up! Agreed on the pads, got a bit carried away and forgot to change them at the start of the day and definitely noticed the lever going very soft at the end…oops! Only made that mistake once luckily, keep a few sets in the toolbox now!
Black Friday event?! I take it there’s a bit of money off? Although the only problem with that is guessing the weather 7 months in advance! Loved it there this year though so will definitely be back a few times next year.
Last year the discount took it down to around Donny prices iirc. @Cream_Revenge and I went in early April. It was 2 degrees on arrival and reached a dizzy 8 degrees as a high. Good day nonetheless. I will set up a thread when it goes live.
I’m pretty sure you’ll keep up alright. And some. Can’t beat seat time I’d love to do some euro stuff again but it looks like the plandemic is gaining momentum again… ffs
Well give me a shout and we can have a play! Yeah I was thinking of joining some lads I know in jan but seems a bit less likely looking at the graphs ♂️ Shitty Focused still have 400 of my finest fun tokens that have been rolled over for nearly 2 years.
Now the weather is looking up it’s time to get a few jobs done and the bike ready to go again. So this week I’ve been fitted a new chain and sprockets, +2 on the rear for a little bit more go so I can avoid first gear on slower corners. Next up the bike will be built back up to road spec. I’m going to risk it on track so I can use it for a few summer rides and enjoy it a little more. I’ve bought some sets of the Metzeller TD Slicks to try, I’m hoping for more longevity for the lower cost.
Can you not just put the number plate on and run without lights? That’s what I’m intending to do this summer
I can and have done for the last 2 years but it needs an MOT in the summer, looks better in shiny red, and I just feel a bit safer with lights and mirrors etc. I want to use it more on the road in general as I can’t afford 2 bikes at the minute.
Can’t argue on the feeling safer sentiment. I did a few short trips out in track trim the back end of last summer, weirdly not having mirrors was the thing I found the most unsettling, followed closely by not having the indicators.
A few hours and back to looking pretty again. I’ll tax it from 1st March and looking forward to going out on it again! Got 7 trackdays booked so far this year, can’t wait to give the new gearing a run out and see how it feels.
So I’m 7 trackdays into this year, got another 4 booked before Portimao in September so a much quieter year than the last few. To be honest it’s been a bit nicer not being so rushed in between them so will probably try and stick to a similar number in the future, which also helps with costs going up! Can’t say I’ve noticed much difference with the slightly shorter gearing The bike remains flawless, just been in with Cornerspeed for the 3 year service, brake and clutch fluid and fork service with some slightly heavier front springs, then gave it a quick scrub today ready for Silverstone on Monday. It’s now done 7500 miles, bloody love it! I’m sure at some point I’ll go for a newer model but for the huge gulf in value now I just can’t see it being worth the extra. Will more than likely stay until at least another couple of years, longest I’ve ever owned any vehicle!
Also very impressed with the Metzeler TD slicks, just swapped the rear after using it for 5.5 - 6 days, double a V02 or KR’s so I’m really happy with the savings!
So I dropped the oil last Friday and the sump threads decided to come out too, smashing. Bike went back into Cornerspeed for what turned out to be a new sump and new exhaust as the welds had blown along with the valve on the bottom. Gave it a good clean up today, new pads, new front slick and general check over to make sure it’s all ready for Portimao in a few weeks. I’ll sort the old sump out and keep as a spare, I guess it needs to be treated as a consumable when there’s so many oil changes being done so I’ll probably swap them out every 2 years now. Currently on just under 8k miles as it sits, be nice to crack 9k this year.
That looks like a Helicoil insert that has come out? Had to Helicoil the dry sump on a KTM 990 I once had, right faff on! Either way I would Helicoil your old sump, the steel Helicoil shouldn’t strip out again and it’ll be stronger than the original alloy.
I thought helicoil first but it’s not, the complete thread has sheared off. Yep will helicoil the old one, or timesert. Such a shit design from Ducati, but in fairness I’ve done more oil changes than a road bike would have in about 15 years.
I think they’re the filter bolts, right? The torque setting on those is ~9nm IIRC. Which is fuck all. Just by tapping the the sump wall with a fingernail gives me a sense of tinfoil thickness. It’s all rather fragile down there… Be careful kids…
So another year and a bit more money spent on the bike. After using it on the road once all last year I decided it will go back to the CRC fairings and be truly relegated to track only. Bought a Pipewerx half system with the longest can possible for quietness which will be more than good enough for Uk tracks, then I’ll treat myself to a stubbier one for when I can get away with a bit more noise. Gave it a good run today to bed in and I’m happy with it. 4.7kg saving from the standard lump of pig iron and according to their dynos should be +11bhp from around 8k onwards which will be nice. Im well aware it looks a bit silly in the photos but not quite as bad in person, but either way form over function works for me. Dropping it to see Nelly next weekend for a coolant and brake fluid change, and a quick look at a small oil leak from the sump then it’s all set to trundle out to Almeria for 4 days in March. Can’t wait. Still love it.
