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Former Member
deleted
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13 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Apr 2001 : 7:12:19 PM
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Message or Comments: May I be the first on this Web-Site to offer my congratulation to our new MA Historic Commissioner Mr Alan Warner. It's a thankless job Alan, but someone has to do it.
I have reviewed most of Alan comments on this web-site and would agree with most, but not all of his comments.His comments are in the main very positive, and have a refreshing logical train of thought.
12/02/2001.
Running period 5 championships with a NSW Historic meeting has been placed before the
Historic Commission, there was some discussion on this subject but no decision was made.
However I would like to place before him my personal views on his comments of the 25/02/2001.
25/02/2001.
As a commissioner in the year 2000, I have no recall at all of any submission from the HCMC of WA being placed before the Commission by MA. The Commission did not conveniently ignore this submission, we never saw it? and that is why I would suspect there is no mention of it in the minutes.
I wish to also point out to Alan that there is within Period 3 two groups of riders now. The elitist group of 4 or 5 $40,000 to $60,000. overhead cam replica GP Machines, and the balance of the field, who make up the numbers in the 500cc Senior races.
As to front brakes, it's not the brake that stopes you ,it's the quality of the brake linings fitted to them, it's the ability to set up a front brake, to be able to machine the drum ,and the brake shoes and their racing quality linings to fit the drum with the right clearence.
"Grimeca" front brakes and other 9 inch front brakes are not of the period, in the 4 years I have been around period 3 racing, I have yet to see anyone produce good sound evendence of 9 inch D/S T/L front brakes being of the period.
I have see information which was fabrecated, and proven so.
Alan if the Commission wanted to ban non period Amal Carburettors,and make the riders go back to using magnetos,(no CDI ignition)original clutches,and primary chain drives (no belt drives) they could do so. But lets also go back to push starts.
If we did all of these things, the same group of riders would still win, why because they are the best riders.
To me a much fairer system for period 3 racing would be for the events to be run as they were at Bathurst during the period, and for some years after up till 1965.
The racing at Bathurst was for riders on GP Machines (overhead cam)the elitist group and for Clubman riders on street production machines thoes who now make up the majority of riders who have not a hope in hell of placing in the current form of period 3 Racing.
All the best, I hope this gives you some food for thought before your first Commission meeting.
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2001 : 10:29:52 AM
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I don't agree that the only way to win Period 3 is to have a Manx or G50. Have a look at Mick Farrel's Jawa engined featherbed. There are a couple of expensive items - gearbox and front brake, the rest is no more difficult than building any other bike. Purist's might suggest that this bike shouldn't be allowed, but it's a reasonably priced way of getting with the 'big boys'.
Alfonso |
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Former Member
deleted
6 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2001 : 9:39:30 PM
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Alfonso,
Mick Farrell rides a G50 (largely replica, circa 1997). It is pictured in the "Gallery" page of this site, sharing a shed with Barry Sheene at the Island Classic 2001 and, incidentally, still for sale. I really don't think Mick was a good example of a 'struggling racer doing good'.
Regards
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Former Member
deleted
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9 Posts |
Posted - 08 Apr 2001 : 10:58:17 PM
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Hi Ron,
Thanks for your kind words and I will certainly be giving the role of Commissioner my best shot and will do all that is possible to keep our sport thriving. Obviously I can`t make comment on issues as freely as I have in the past but I will still keep in touch through this web site which I am sure will grow and should be a source of information to all. The problem at the moment is that we are the vocal minority and to make decisions at National level it is the majority that needs to be considered.
Like you I believe that in the main we have a reasonable set of rules to govern our sport as long as people follow both the written word and the intent of the rules. It is only when people are looking to create an advantage over other competitors that the problems occur.
You have taken my comments regarding things like Mk2 Amals and belt drives a little the wrong way, I was using them as an example rather than suggesting they be banned. In regard to push starts we have had competitors ask if we could go back to them, I don`t know where their energy is going to come from. Anyway GCRs dictate clutch starts so thats out thankfully.
I will study your comments at a later time and will make comment when I have had time to digest them fully.
Regards
Alan Warner
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2001 : 03:35:12 AM
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When you express 'of the period' as a criterion, I think you are being overly optimistic. Titanium valves were not 'of the period', yet they allow G50's and Manxes to rev to 8000RPM.
I think you should look at what we are trying to achieve, to my mind a Grimeca 9 inch brake is as undesirable as the eligible double sided Suzuki waterbottle brake used on a few G50's already racing, but if you want to get people into racing classics you need to make something available at a reasonable price. A Tingate Fontana brake copy will cost about $3000, a Queensland sourced 7r replica will cost about $4000. How much does a Grimeca cost? It looks to anyone just like what was used 'in the period', it is SAFE and effective. The brakes debate is bull****, the main instigator supplies the 7R replica and has a vested interest in restricting choice. Personally I have used a genuine 7R brake and a conical hub produced by Morry Hunter - I have been crashed by both, the Hunter hub brought me down 4 times in one day at Phillip Island years ago.
The other item a classic racer needs to be competitive is a forged piston, you find them in Jawa speedway engines. The bike I referred to in the earlier posting was a Jawa engined Norton, owned by mike farrell. I was not referring to his G50, and I believe he also runs a Manx, it wasn't that either.
If you build yourself a Jawa engined Norton, It is probably the cheapest way into being competitive in Period 3. The only other way is to build yourself a two stroke (Bultaco or Ossa) but who wants to do that?
Back to the brakes - building the Jawa engined Norton would cost about $7000 to do it right, any decent brake other than a Grimeca would cost an extra $3000, which would probably cost an extra $1000. The brakes dispute is a big disincentive to racing period 3. I suggest we should allow any drum brake whatsoever, as long as Japanese brakes are not allowed on European bikes unless they are copies of European brakes. Incidentally the Japanese TZ brake should be eligible as it is a very good copy of a Fontana. Rod Tingate , I believe used the original (Fontana) on his Triumph in the early sixties. Also Rene Van Dinteren had them fitted to his Rickman Triumph. But waterbottle Suzuki brakes with the original Japanese backing plates looks cack when fitted to a G50.
In conclusion the brakes debate is pointless, and damaging to our sport. What we should look for is a brake which is 'in character' with the machine it is on, and also provides maximum safety. The best 7R brake is a treacherous bastard, and Hunter backing plates should be banned (they have far too much self-servo). (Ask Dave Large about the brake which threw him and Geoff Neil over the handlebars at Winton a few years ago, after I sent the parts in different directions and he collected them and fitted them to his outfit.)
You don't learn to ride on a bike with poor brakes, we'd be better off allowing Grimecas on all Period 3 bikes.
Alfonso |
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acotrel
Advanced Member
Victoria
2147 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2001 : 03:49:46 AM
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About the Amal carby debate - when is someone going to make a replica of a Wal Philips fuel injection system which actually works? These days there are enough parts available to do it right and put an effective engine management system on a classic bike. Should be 'of the period'. I want to buy one
Alfonso |
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