Ohmygewd
06-01-2004, 09:32 PM
Headed down to Phillip on Monday morning to meet up/ surprise Leigh (Exdukenut) and to have my last go at the track before Winter shuts it down.
The bike was primed as l just did it's major 15k service at Bikebarn with the TB's and TPi horrible out of wack and hopeful that the tuneup would give me that extra punch needed to better the times.
Arriving at the Island greeted us with a strong tail wind (down the straight) but clear and sunny day, abeit cold conditions...hey you get that from a coastal track and being in late autumn. Also, for the first time at a track day, their were at least 3 other Milles, 2 flaco's and 1 Tuono R
I actively looked for this famed falco with NSW plates of Leigh's and found him in a pitshed next to where Aust.Superbike School HQ was situated.
I would have to say that it is the trickiest looking bike Falco that l have seen especially those carbon wheels that where so light, petal rear disc's and full ohlin gear. Leigh was busy changing sprockets and disc's due to a problem with the rear BST rim and found the man himself to be a good bloke first up!
Come the 1st medium session of the day and we headed out to start the session, l rode out of pit lane and did the customary weaving to heat the tyres and l usually drift wide and power in to warm up the side whilst in the corners. During this period, l noticed the Mille reving high almost a slip but took no noticed of it but trying to power out of Siberia, the bike justed revved out to the point that after turn 12 (onto the main straight), l was almost freewheeling.
Headed back to the pits and proceeded to bleed the clutch, even though it had new Motul 600 race in it, then managed to do a quarter lap (session finished) to see if it was engaging again and it was.
After waiting for the Fast and Slow group to finish, and a chat with Leigh who had a new rear slick now, headed out for session. I got half way around the circuit and the problem reoccured but this time the smoke came out of the clutch side when l pulled up next to my car...signs of clutch burn out? Further chat with Leigh and the suggestion that my friction plates were probably glazed and roughing could cure that set me off to pull the clutch apart, thanks for the offer of help Leigh!!! Pulled the clutch plates apart and scuffed all the friction plates and reinstalled before lunch, the very last plate had blued, loss of 3 morning sessions.
After lunch, fired the bike up but this time no lever... the f-bomb was repeated with stinging venom this time. So off l went bleeding the clutch as there was so much air in it. I wasted a full bottle of clutch fluid and still air, quick ring to Gary and BikeBarn and he told me that the master cylinder piston may not be returning sifficent to let the fluid back in, leaving the clutch engaged or my slave cylinder seal had kacked itself (replaced 2 mths ago). At this point I decide enough was enough and packed up and said my goodbyes to Leigh and disappointed not to spend some track time with him!!!
I'm sure, not sure but know, that Leigh had a ball out there and will get him to tell his 'happier' side of the story.
As for my problems, l've pulled the whole clutch, master cylinder, slave cylinder and cable out and gave them a good blow out. Did a search on the forum and Kane mentioned a blocked Crank case hose, l can remember the service guys reconnecting my crankcase hose back into the airbox but l can't remember if l blocked the inside of inlet to the base of the airbox??? Will look tonight.....posted this problem on the main thread.
Leigh, great meeting you and will have to catch up for a drink when l go up to the Creek hopefully, later this year!!!!
The bike was primed as l just did it's major 15k service at Bikebarn with the TB's and TPi horrible out of wack and hopeful that the tuneup would give me that extra punch needed to better the times.
Arriving at the Island greeted us with a strong tail wind (down the straight) but clear and sunny day, abeit cold conditions...hey you get that from a coastal track and being in late autumn. Also, for the first time at a track day, their were at least 3 other Milles, 2 flaco's and 1 Tuono R
I actively looked for this famed falco with NSW plates of Leigh's and found him in a pitshed next to where Aust.Superbike School HQ was situated.
I would have to say that it is the trickiest looking bike Falco that l have seen especially those carbon wheels that where so light, petal rear disc's and full ohlin gear. Leigh was busy changing sprockets and disc's due to a problem with the rear BST rim and found the man himself to be a good bloke first up!
Come the 1st medium session of the day and we headed out to start the session, l rode out of pit lane and did the customary weaving to heat the tyres and l usually drift wide and power in to warm up the side whilst in the corners. During this period, l noticed the Mille reving high almost a slip but took no noticed of it but trying to power out of Siberia, the bike justed revved out to the point that after turn 12 (onto the main straight), l was almost freewheeling.
Headed back to the pits and proceeded to bleed the clutch, even though it had new Motul 600 race in it, then managed to do a quarter lap (session finished) to see if it was engaging again and it was.
After waiting for the Fast and Slow group to finish, and a chat with Leigh who had a new rear slick now, headed out for session. I got half way around the circuit and the problem reoccured but this time the smoke came out of the clutch side when l pulled up next to my car...signs of clutch burn out? Further chat with Leigh and the suggestion that my friction plates were probably glazed and roughing could cure that set me off to pull the clutch apart, thanks for the offer of help Leigh!!! Pulled the clutch plates apart and scuffed all the friction plates and reinstalled before lunch, the very last plate had blued, loss of 3 morning sessions.
After lunch, fired the bike up but this time no lever... the f-bomb was repeated with stinging venom this time. So off l went bleeding the clutch as there was so much air in it. I wasted a full bottle of clutch fluid and still air, quick ring to Gary and BikeBarn and he told me that the master cylinder piston may not be returning sifficent to let the fluid back in, leaving the clutch engaged or my slave cylinder seal had kacked itself (replaced 2 mths ago). At this point I decide enough was enough and packed up and said my goodbyes to Leigh and disappointed not to spend some track time with him!!!
I'm sure, not sure but know, that Leigh had a ball out there and will get him to tell his 'happier' side of the story.
As for my problems, l've pulled the whole clutch, master cylinder, slave cylinder and cable out and gave them a good blow out. Did a search on the forum and Kane mentioned a blocked Crank case hose, l can remember the service guys reconnecting my crankcase hose back into the airbox but l can't remember if l blocked the inside of inlet to the base of the airbox??? Will look tonight.....posted this problem on the main thread.
Leigh, great meeting you and will have to catch up for a drink when l go up to the Creek hopefully, later this year!!!!