Tarmac AF

[570mitch]

Don't run a damper at the moment, used to with the old KX frame (the old fashioned plunger type), but our tracks are pretty smooth these days.

When I get the hang of riding with the new chassis, I may start to find a I need one then. The clamps I am using are 20mm offset as opposed to the standard 24, so it steers quickly, which may upset the stability at high speed, see how next weekend goes. Some of the other boys run dampers.

[570mitch]

Latest update on my AF, sorted the problem with the bottom end power, it was a badly fitting carb to airbox. Runs smooth now up through the rev range, got to keep it from wheeling now, I'm running 14/38 gearing and it's rearing up in 5th. Adding some pics from last weekends event. Only other problem I had, was the head nuts came loose and I lost some coolant.

[Goat]

That bike is sick! I really like the pipe. Excellent work. Would love to see some video.

[demographic]

I know its a bit of a trek up from Cornwall but will you be doing Barbon hillclimb up in Cumbria this year?

[570mitch]

Sorry Barbon is not in the NHCA championship anymore, their decision not ours. Plus it clashes with Shelsley Walsh. Would like to have ridden this year as it's the hills 50th year.

Brilliant hill, took FTD there in 1996 on a YZ490. You will have to be content with John McGuiness I suspect. Miss the night before just as much aswell.

[Dutch-K5 Fan]

How much work was it to make that CPI exhaust fit on your AF?
Looks like it's made for a KX.


Dutchie

[570mitch]

Because the expansion chamber has such a big circumferance is was hard to get the header near the exhaust port. The CR header was not cut off, just a new KX header machined, inserted and welded into place. The exhaust was then hammered / scalloped to clear the frame down tubes on both sides, but the chrome plating never flaked, so it get get closer to the port. (This may upset the exhaust experts, as it will not match the bore and stroke differences between the CR and KX, only a few mm in it though i.e. header lengths, but you got to try with hybrids). The exhaust was also hammerd in to allow for the kick start, and the stinger section was cut and re-angled, but that may not be needed for a smaller two stroke silencer. Going to put a new head gasket in soon, so could take some more pics of the pipe scallops.

The bike has had alot of admirers so far, especially the pipe.

My old KX was called Daphne after her from scooby doo, anyone got any ideas for a new name for the AF.

[demographic]

Sorry Barbon is not in the NHCA championship anymore, their decision not ours. Plus it clashes with Shelsley Walsh. Would like to have ridden this year as it's the hills 50th year.

Brilliant hill, took FTD there in 1996 on a YZ490. You will have to be content with John McGuiness I suspect. Miss the night before just as much aswell.

Not in the NHCA anymore?  The Numpties

John McGuiness was there last year on this CR450F.

Along with his TT bike, seen here with a pair of keks draped over it. That wasn't racing up the hill though as I doubt it would do so well.


I was hoping to see you and you're bike as I pretty much always watch Barbon (well, to be honest I usually just take photos of the bikes in the paddock area) these days.

[570mitch]

I remember Barbon in 97, my first year on the KX, a certain Paul Bird beat me on a CR500 in a CR250 frame, a very early CR AF, but he did use tyre warmers. We banned them years ago. He offered me his old CR a very quick bike, but I stuck with the Kwacker.

Just looked at the Westmorland Club website and the KTM supermoto team are going and possibles are McGuiness, Hutchinson and Knightor. We used to to another event in the midlands the day after, that made the 400 mile trek north worthwhile, cost me two tank fulls of diesel, how much is that now!!!!!

[demographic]

I remember Barbon in 97, my first year on the KX, a certain Paul Bird beat me on a CR500 in a CR250 frame, a very early CR AF, but he did use tyre warmers. We banned them years ago. He offered me his old CR a very quick bike, but I stuck with the Kwacker.

Just looked at the Westmorland Club website and the KTM supermoto team are going and possibles are McGuiness, Hutchinson and Knightor. We used to to another event in the midlands the day after, that made the 400 mile trek north worthwhile, cost me two tank fulls of diesel, how much is that now!!!!!

I think Paul Bird still has the record for two wheelers up there, I didn't know it was with tyre warmers though. That explains a bit.

He was there with his WSB Kawasakis last year but they were just parked up so people could see them, I took masses of pictures of all manner of trick details on them.






Sorry, I know its a thread about your bike, its just that I love Barbon.

[570mitch]

That's OK, gives the sport some coverage, I love Barbon aswell, my father used to have the 500cc record there in the 70's, I had it in 96, Paul Bird did take in in 98 (not 97) on Tyre Warmers, he rode again in 99 and I beat him on cold tyres. Wouldn't mind some of those trick bits from Birdy on my bike though.

Just for the KX boys I have added a pic of my K5 before it was converted to an AF

[demographic]

There's a bloke who used to race up there on an ex factory SR500 which were the factory versions of KX500s.
Think it was an old Dave Thorpe bike.

I take it your 500 was about a 91 model? Looks like it by the forks.
What time did you get up the hill?
I never went till a lot later so never saw yours.

[570mitch]

My best was 26.44, other KX riders there were birdy before the CR and a guy called Neil Hutchinson. I think the last time I was there was 2002. Had a few years off, just doing the odd south western event, but the new bike has renewed my enthusiasm. Trouble is these 4 strokes are quick know, but I like something different. My bike was a 92. There is a very sorry looking chassis in the corner of the garage now without an engine.

[demographic]

My best was 26.44, other KX riders there were birdy before the CR and a guy called Neil Hutchinson. I think the last time I was there was 2002. Had a few years off, just doing the odd south western event, but the new bike has renewed my enthusiasm. Trouble is these 4 strokes are quick know, but I like something different. My bike was a 92. There is a very sorry looking chassis in the corner of the garage now without an engine.

26.44, well done that man.

Pretty sure this is (or was cos he's got a four stroke now)  Neil Hutchinsons bike.
That's the ex works bike I was on about with the posh clutch cover, I spoke to him that when I took the pic and IIRC he said it was a Dave Thorpe SR500 bike but had since been sleeved and re-bored to about 508cc.

I think the spannie looks a bit trick too.

[570mitch]

Yes I remember that bike, it is Neil's , you can see the Hutchcoat sticker on the silencer, he's got a 509cc (I think) CRF now.

Im doing Loton Park near Shrewsbury on the 10th July if that's not too far for you, failing that I'm thinking about doing Harewood neat Leeds on the August Bank Holiday, all my other events will be down south, bit nearer home.

Added a pic of me on my old YZ490 taken at Barbon in 1996, the year I took FTD