Major item was repairing the tank. I had thought it had a rust pinhole and had sealed it on the inside with Petseal, but, at Brands, a half inch split had revealed itself and I'd bodged that with Araldite.
So it was time for a proper repair.
Andy Gebhardt had kindly donated an oxy - propane set (thanks again mate and GWS) so it was time to learn to use it. Tricky part was trying to be sure the braze had flowed over the split rather than just congregating on both sides. Several attempts later it seemed ok and I ground it down to a reasonably smooth surface, deciding in the process that the tank will have to be replaced for next season, and discovering that Petseal is not nice when it burns.
Petrol seemed to stay in, so time for painting. Too lazy to strip it all off, I just rubbed down the burnt area and re-primed. Primer caused the undercoat layer revealed at the edges to wrinkle slightly. More rubbing down and more primer, followed by the undercoat and a couple of top coats over the whole tank. Rub down. Fail to notice that the wire hook from which it's hanging from the garage ceiling is straightening under the strain. Tank acquires a new dent at the back as it bounces off the coiled air line on the floor. Really will have to go now. Need to fix the split air line as well
2 more coats and it's mostly gloss and only a couple of dribbles. Good enough and much better than the first attempt.
With new found braising confidence, if not skill, I also made a prop stand that slips over a footpeg. Much easier than the axle stands I've been using. Full paddock stand will come later, but at least now I only need to use the axle stands when working on the rear wheel for gearing etc.
Since Brands Hatch I've acquired an old caravan from Neal (Nogger)
Harvey. It's been converted to load a bike in from the rear - fold down
door below the rear window. Sleeps 3 at a pinch, sink, cupboards, table, gas
cooker, fridge and light. Bloody luxury!!! "Team Nogger Racing"
stickers will have to go though!
And
here's one showing the new stand a bit better - and the sponsor logo!
Packed mostly on the thurs night, and managed a quick getaway after work on Friday, ferrying the family up to Banbury to see my eldest's end of year art exhibition. I left from there, and my wife took the other girls back in Bex's car as she was out on the piss that evening.
Arrived at Cadwell about 10.30, time enough to unhitch, unload the bike and get the caravan sorted before dashing to the bar for a swift one before bed
Bloody cold night. Ridiculously so for mid June
Up
at 6.30, still cold, cloudy and not looking promising.
Wash, bacon sarnie and tea before queuing to sign on. Scrutineering done by 7.45 and say hi to Phil Pick and Althea as they drive in when I'm pushing back to the plot.
Go through every fastener on the bike in size order and create a pre-meeting checklist to ensure I've left nothing un-done, and I haven't.
Fill with 6l of four star and there are no leaks. Hooray!
Practice is called. They've removed a bunch of trees at Hall bends and added a new chicane before the mountain. The tree removal has sapped character, but is certainly a safety improvement, but the new chicane is awful. Really interrupts things - and I can't get the entry right at all. Perhaps that's what i don't like!
Practice is always a bit strange - 4 laps with more bikes than in the race, mixed classes, and I've not got the racing thing happening in my head. I conclude I'm still rubbish at Park, the Hairpin and Barn, and that I may be over-geared at 15 teeth front and 45 rear, but I'm not sure enough to do anything about it. Motor's going well though and the handling is great.
They are short of marshals and since my first race isn't till after lunch I
volunteer to help out, and join the crew at the hairpin. Good view of the
action! Starts to rain after the first race, and the old oil starts to come to
the surface on the line, and a couple of feet beside it. Walking over it between
races, it's very slippy.
Note taken.
"Oil" flag comes out for the following races, but people are still pushing it too hard and there's about 7 fallers during the morning. No-one's hurt, and nothing much more than footpegs, levers and screens, but my presence is useful in lifting bikes up and putting hay bales out. By about midday the track is almost completely dry and I'm off to get ready in case racing doesn't stop for lunch
4th row of the grid. Fair start and I'm about 12th going into Copse and hold that through to Park straight. Take on the brakes into Park and start to close with a group of three ahead getting one on the exit of Charlies 2 only to be taken going up the hill. Conclude gearing really is too high. Get the place back under braking at Mansfield and start to close on the next one. I'm faster through the Mountain and Hall bends so manage to get close enough to show him a wheel at the Hairpin but he pulls away on the straight and all the way up to Park on the last lap. Start to close again through the Goosneck and at Mansfield and make a half decent job of the new chicane so I'm right with him at the Mountain, and *&%er me, he is slow round the left hander so I nip round the outside and take the line for the right hander, without screwing up the gears up the hill as i have been known to do there. I see no more of him and cross the line a couple of seconds ahead. Yes!!!!!
9th out of 17 finishers Results here
Adam Wilson seeks me out and comments that he was expecting me to try to pass at the hairpin rather than the Mountain. We talk bolleaux and bikes for a while and I discover he bought the bike from a mutual friend who used to race (successfully) with CRMC back in the 80s. I feel somewhat impressed with myself for having beaten the bike, and, having noted that he was about 4 places ahead of me at Brands, the rider as well.
Pro photographer in attendance means some good actions shots - both (C) 2004 www.sport-pics.co.uk
Having just got past Adrian Wilson 
And going up the "mountain" 
Spend an hour working out how to put up the awning, then decide to lower the
gearing by 2 teeth on the back - about 4%. I carry a spare sprocket
carrier so I can change sprockets in about 5 min if I've mounted the right
sprocket on the carrier in advance, which I had. Missed Phil P and Althea
who dropped by while I had wandered off to contemplate
awning physics.
Mid afternoon it starts to rain and does not let up. The awning is both erected and a godsend and keeps the bike dry
The program's running late but we are called and wait in the collecting area, and wait and wait while wreckage is cleared from all over the track. Such a confidence inspiring time. I'm wearing a waterproof 1 piece over the leathers, so stay dry and keep the visor shut to keep my glasses warm to stave of condensation. Eventually they decide to run it as the last race of the day
I hate the wet, and remember what the wet Hairpin felt like when marshalling in the morning, so it's 5 laps of teetering round corners and I finish 8th out of 12 finishers. Still no National signature. Mike Harrison beat me as well, which is a bit much. Results here
No idea if the gearing is right of course, but it seems to be an improvement.
Sunday I slept in, having drunk quite enough the night before sitting round a brazier. Yes, someone had brought a brazier and half a van-full of wood!
Grapefruit, bacon and egg and several cups of tea for breakfast. Great to have a fridge!
And it's dry!
8th on the grid, that's the left end of row 2. Next to Mike Harrison and behind John Hynes.
Cracking start, and John H misses a change, so I'm 4th into Copse!
John quickly fixes this and passes me on Park straight, but overcooks it into Park trying to dive under someone, and has gear selection problems again. Passing John twice in 1 race probably won't happen again!
Chris Maggs goes by, then John again and I settle into trying to keep Chris on his Greeves in sight. Nothing much more happens until the end of the s/f straight at the start of the last lap when Tim Oliver comes flying past and I can't up my pace to stay with him and I finish the race 7 sec behind him and Chris but 8 sec ahead of Adam Wilson
7th out of 15 finishers - a signature at last!!!! Results here
Sadly I have to pack up and skip the last race as i have a flight in the evening
Roll on Lydden in August!