Yes, today is the 900th post that I have made since I started this site in August 2008, so I’d better make it a good one, eh?
First of all, thank you to my good friend, Edwin Haazer, for pointing out that I still had Nicky Hayden riding for Honda in my post yesterday. It’s a good thing somebody is proof-reading my stuff, eh? I have since corrected it. Thanks also t my good friend, Gary Rooke, who has found the correct fuel tap that I need for the Kawasaki. The more I do this thing, the more I’m finding out that, if you want something, you just have to ask, someone will have it. Sooo, with that in mind, I need a set of 73mm pistons for the bike. 10.5:1 compression ratio or round abouts will do. I’ve been checking the online catalogues and they sell here for about a thousand dollars, a bit over my budget. I can rebuild with the existing pistons that are still in good shape, but new ones would make it crisper. Answers on a postcard as per usual.
Also, on the subject of oversights, I completely failed to note that last Monday, the 19th of September, was International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrrr, I’ll be swabbing the deck for a week now.
Most importantly, however, I had my regular check-up with the doctor yesterday and he has given me clearance to go back to work after the 2nd of October, so I’ll be back on the boards, doing my causal thing, at the beginning of Term 4. Someone said that the time has sped by. Believe me, for me it hasn’t. This last 11 months has just crawled by.
Ducati Excuse # whatever it is. Valentino Rossi now says that the problem with the Ducati is that he is too tall and can’t get comfortable on the. He does have a point if you look at the size comparison between him and Casey Stoner, for example, but I find the explanation a little disingenuous at this stage of the season, given that he’s been riding the thing for nearly a year.
Underlying Honda’s commitment to the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi in a fortnight is the announcement that it will field 8 riders for the event. The existing 6 riders will be joined by two wildcards, their two test riders, Shinichi Ito and Kouske Akiyoshi. Ito will ride a s a proper HRC wildcard and Akiyoshi will ride a second LCR bike.
On the subject of wildcards, seven young Aussies have been granted entries to the 2011 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. 4 have been selected by MA and the other three by the FIM. Five riders, Arthur Sissis, Nicky Diles, Josh Hook New Zealand’s Avalon Biddle and Alex Phillis (son of superbike legend, Robbie) will compete in the 125cc category while 2 riders, Blake Leigh-Smith and Kris McLaren will get rides in the Moto2 category.
Finally, a question was asked on one of the forums I inhabit about earplugs and listening to music while riding. I know I have shared this tip before, but it’s worth repeating.
Remove the plastic shield from a set of in-ear earphones. Hollow out the back of a set of foam earplugs and mate the two together. Cheap and effective. If the earplug stick out a bit too far, shorten them, then reattach. I used this solution for over two years and had nothing but praise for how it works. And, when the earplugs get a bit manky, you just throw them away and use a new set.
That’s about it for today. I’m heading off to the general meeting of the Post Classic Racing Association of NSW this evening. Some time ago they decided to take meetings “on the road” so to speak and they’re meeting in Wollongong tonight. Should be fun.
