Andy J
Hero member
- Location
- Isle of Man
Despite the less than optimum weather, dull and with occasional drizzle, I managed to achieve all the goals I set myself for today’s test. I didn’t fall off (always a big relief), the SF now appears to be oil tight and the recently acquired Zane 750 ran fine and didn’t blow up. 
So after a rather disappointing start to the ownership of the 840, with two failed attempts to race it in the pre-TT classic races due to the oil leak issues, it now looks like I can look forward to next year’s race with a bit more optimism. However, I still need a bit more track time to try and get a bit more dialed in to riding a ‘wrong-un’ in haste. Although I still managed to fluff a few gear shifts, at least I didn’t inadvertently change down a gear when trying to apply the back brake.
I also need to increase the padding on the seat as the vibrations had me riding on the pegs a few times to try and provide a bit of relief from the tingling in my backside. I could also do with some foam grips for the same reason, especially as I can do without adding to my already nerve damaged hands and feet. After 4 sessions on the 840, and a similar amount on the Zane, my hands were starting to blister a bit as well, so I need to buy some new palm protectors.
As for the Zane bike, having only just got it running again after 15 years of inactivity, I was just wanting to make sure everything was okay, no leaks, rattles etc and everything was working as it should, which appears to be the case. I was also taking it pretty steady in the drizzle and pulled out of the last session in the morning when the drizzle started to turn more into light rain. I wasn’t really prepared to risk crashing on what was my first outing on the bike. This decision wasn’t too difficult to make given that the tyres on the bike were ‘new’ or ‘as new’ but over 15 years old. Generally they still worked okay, but a couple of little slides were enough to make me a lot more timid than normal with the throttle and lean angles.
All in all I was fairly happy with the performance of the bikes, given the conditions, and the self imposed 7000rpm rev limit. There’s definitely more to come, as and when I feel more comfortable riding them.
ARA are running another mini ‘Jurby Day’ race/track event in August, so that will probably be the next opportunity to get them out on the track. I should have also sorted out some newer tyres for the 750 by then.
So after a rather disappointing start to the ownership of the 840, with two failed attempts to race it in the pre-TT classic races due to the oil leak issues, it now looks like I can look forward to next year’s race with a bit more optimism. However, I still need a bit more track time to try and get a bit more dialed in to riding a ‘wrong-un’ in haste. Although I still managed to fluff a few gear shifts, at least I didn’t inadvertently change down a gear when trying to apply the back brake.
I also need to increase the padding on the seat as the vibrations had me riding on the pegs a few times to try and provide a bit of relief from the tingling in my backside. I could also do with some foam grips for the same reason, especially as I can do without adding to my already nerve damaged hands and feet. After 4 sessions on the 840, and a similar amount on the Zane, my hands were starting to blister a bit as well, so I need to buy some new palm protectors.
As for the Zane bike, having only just got it running again after 15 years of inactivity, I was just wanting to make sure everything was okay, no leaks, rattles etc and everything was working as it should, which appears to be the case. I was also taking it pretty steady in the drizzle and pulled out of the last session in the morning when the drizzle started to turn more into light rain. I wasn’t really prepared to risk crashing on what was my first outing on the bike. This decision wasn’t too difficult to make given that the tyres on the bike were ‘new’ or ‘as new’ but over 15 years old. Generally they still worked okay, but a couple of little slides were enough to make me a lot more timid than normal with the throttle and lean angles.
All in all I was fairly happy with the performance of the bikes, given the conditions, and the self imposed 7000rpm rev limit. There’s definitely more to come, as and when I feel more comfortable riding them.
ARA are running another mini ‘Jurby Day’ race/track event in August, so that will probably be the next opportunity to get them out on the track. I should have also sorted out some newer tyres for the 750 by then.
