Howie Mainwaring first outing on new Suzuki's

[feejer222]

We took the afternoon off work, took a chance on the weather and went to Oulton Park. We weren't going to go as the weather was so bad. Glad we went, the weather cleared up completely.

Howie was on good form. Not seen him look that positive for ages. He said the Suzuki's (2 bikes, 1 wet & 1 dry) handle superbly. Crescent (Suzuki GB) have put Ohlins on them front and back and are paying an Ohlins technician to help him all season. They only picked up the bikes in their crates on Saturday so it was all a rush. Howie said he has not ridden anything but dirt bikes for 6 months (Since last season), and was able to get his knee down in the wet by the second lap of the morning, so confident was he in the handling.

We watched him put in about 40 laps. He said his ass was killing him when he came back in and he looked knackered but had a huge grin on his face.

It was a track day for the paying public, with set sessions for the different classes of riders. (Some were painfully slow). The organisers let Howie and a couple of other racers stay out on the condition that they didn't steal an apex from anyone (dive underneath), or use pit boards or any timing equipment. (They didn't tell me though). His best time was 1 min 45.7 and he stayed around the 1.47's for most of the session. I think the superstock record is about 1.42. We are looking forward to great things this year and have changed our plans and decided to go to the first round at Brands Hatch on 6th April, riding down on the Saturday and home again on the monday morning. I predict 4th.

No paint job yet...not had time.

 

[NoCage]

Good inside story, as usual. Keep them coming.

 

[Randy]

glad to hear he's back in the saddle and quickly getting up to speed. keep us posted!

 

[feejer222]

Keeping you posted:

Brands Hatch was the first round 4 weeks ago. Howie qualified 15th and then the meeting was abandoned because of snow.

Thruxton second round 2 weeks ago. Howie qualified 8th. and finished 9th with a rear suspension strut de-adjusting itself right off.

Oulton Park round 3 today 5th May. Howie qualified 9th but complained all the way through qualifying about the front brake. The fluid was changed and the pads twice. Exiting the first corner Howie was 8th.

By lap 5 the 2 leaders had pulled a 7 second gap .........Howie had climbed to 3rd.

Lap 7 the gap was up to 10 seconds and Howie was half way across it. He had broken the lap record along with the 2 at the front.

Lap 8 the front brake overheated and boiled the fluid. Howie dropped to 12th inside 2 laps then pulled in.

All is not lost, the word came from Suzuki GB that they were watching and were impressed.

Howie said that The Suzuki was extremely fast, and was pleased with it. No-one else has been able to compete with Brogan or Kirkham this year. Howie was on the poduim, if not 2nd but for the brake.

Testing next weekend to sort out the brake problem.

Suggestions welcomed Randy.

This years bike. Sponsorship from Carole Nash (bike insurance), Crescent (Suzuki GB).

At Brands Hatch before the snow arrived.

 

[Randy]

Sounds like things are going well. Are they using a Brembo M/C or stock?

 

[feejer222]

Stock.

 

[Randy]

I would like to think they used a high perf brake fluid like Motul RBF600.

The only time I have seen this was with dirty calipers.

When the problem was first experienced, did they completely flush/purge the system? If the fluid boiled in the first go-round, then there could still be pockets of air in the system.

 

[feejer222]

I would like to think they used a high perf brake fluid like Motul RBF600.
The only time I have seen this was with dirty calipers.

When the problem was first experienced, did they completely flush/purge the system? If the fluid boiled in the first go-round, then there could still be pockets of air in the system.

I don't know what was done exactly, we used to bleed the brake through the mastercylinder instead of the bleed nipple, which would make the lever completely solid and clear every last air bubble. I mentioned this and got a sideways look. It's hard to start telling them how to do it, you have to ask diplomatic questions and hope that your 'observations' get taken on board.

I remember having a problem with a master cylinder that had nothing obvious wrong with it. We had brake fade for a couple of meetings and eventually changed the mastercylinder which cured it. At the risk of being told where to go, I suggested that they go through a process of ilimination using parts from the spare bike when they go testing next week. They seem to think its something to do with the pads as every time they changed them it went away. Howie's dad said that he had a similar problem that was cured with new discs, the old discs had become polished and made the pads work much harder and generate more heat to have the same effect. (He raced in the transatlantic races in the '80's). The thing is the bike is virtually brand new. I think a call to Suzuki wouldn't hurt.

If you come up with any ideas I would be grateful to hear them. I'll try and mention the 'purge' advice, I may go to the test if I can.

 

[Randy]

I just find it hard to believe that an operation such as this wouldn't replace the stock m/c with an aftermarket (i.e. Brembo) if the rules permit.

The reason I mention the calipers is due to the fact that if there is excess buildup on the pucks that prevents them from retracting, it will create excess heat which is then transferred back into the fluid. I'm not just talking about removing the pads and spraying them down, I'm talking about a complete teardown and thorough cleaning. It could also cause the pads to glaze over resulting in poor braking performance.

We also bled the system at the M/C after we did the calipers. Once air is introduced into the system, you need to eliminate every pocket of air and we often found air in the M/C.

A scotch brite on the rotors wouldn't hurt either if they were glazed by hanging brakes.

 

[feejer222]

I just find it hard to believe that an operation such as this wouldn't replace the stock m/c with an aftermarket (i.e. Brembo) if the rules permit.The reason I mention the calipers is due to the fact that if there is excess buildup on the pucks that prevents them from retracting, it will create excess heat which is then transferred back into the fluid. I'm not just talking about removing the pads and spraying them down, I'm talking about a complete teardown and thorough cleaning. It could also cause the pads to glaze over resulting in poor braking performance.

We also bled the system at the M/C after we did the calipers. Once air is introduced into the system, you need to eliminate every pocket of air and we often found air in the M/C.

A scotch brite on the rotors wouldn't hurt either if they were glazed by hanging brakes.

Thanks for all that Randy. The only thing they are allowed to change are the brake lines and the pads.

 

[Randy]

For testing, we also used a quick disconnect in the brake lines which made swapping of brake parts very convenient.

 

[feejer222]

For testing, we also used a quick disconnect in the brake lines which made swapping of brake parts very convenient.

Not seen those Randy, it's been a while since I was at the sharp end. Sounds like a good idea though.

 

[Randy]

Testing next weekend to sort out the brake problem.

Isn't the rescheduled Brands Hatch event this weekend?

 

[feejer222]

Testing next weekend to sort out the brake problem.

Isn't the rescheduled Brands Hatch event this weekend?

PM'd you.