Daniel's (Streetstock 50) Report

[pipson]

Track day
We arrived at the track about 8.00. Nigel had taken my bike with him on Friday so I didn’t have to bring it. After arriving I got all my gear out and put it by the bike so I was ready to go. I was feeling nervous, but excited, for my first time going out on the track with other bikes because I had only been out once before by myself.

Session 1-
I went out in the slow class because it was my first time out there and first time on this bike. I took it easy just to try and get used to the track and the bike. After a few laps I picked up the pace and got past the bike in front of me with ease.
Session 2-
I started off well and did some good laps but ended up running off the track at Pepsi corner (turn 7) but stayed upright and kept going. I did the same at Toyota corner (turn 1). I had a bit of a problem with the bike losing power slightly but was fine after a few laps.
Session 3-
Zane Burrell offered to take me out and mentor me and show me some good lines to take which was very helpful and kind of him to do. We went out at the back of the group and got past the bike in front of us easily and caught up to Skippy, but didn’t get a good enough chance to past her without going through on the inside which wasn’t allowed in the slow class.
Session 4-
I went out at the back again with Zane and we tried to get past some of the riders. We got past one easy as, but when passing another guy he was too quick on the straights, but I caught up with my later braking and faster corner speed, but then he got away on the straights again. Also the bike had problems with the power again which didn’t help.
Session 5-
I went out for a few laps and bike was still playing up so pulled into the pits. Gareth Pywell and Peter Firn had a look at the bike and thought it was the battery, so we put it on charge.
Session 6-
I didn’t go out because the battery was on charge.

[pipson]

Race Day
We arrived at the track about 7.45 to check the battery as it had been on charge overnight, Gareth Pywell checked it and it was only registering half the volts it should have. So Dad and I went into town to see if Repco was open to get a new battery but they opened at 9.00. Went back at 9.00 with Mum and Gareth, only to find they didn’t have the right size battery, so went into Palmerston North and none of the shops had one the right size either.
Practice-
I missed out on practice because was looking for a battery in town.
Race 1-
We put the old battery back in the bike because couldn’t find another one to use, so I used that for the racing. Some points were better than no points. I was 4th on the grid because I didn’t get to qualify and there were only 4 bikes in the race. I got off to a reasonable start and did pretty good throughout the race even though the bike was still playing up and got a best lap time of 1:39.551 which was all alright, I think, due to the bike problems. I ended up with a 2nd in my first race which I’m pleased with as it was my first ever race.
Race 2-
I had a better start then race 1 and the bike was going a bit better then race 1 so I managed to keep up with the other bikes for a little bit but they got away again. I improved my lap time to get a 1:37.545 which I’m pleased with as it was over 2 seconds quicker than my best lap last race. I was 6 seconds off Zane’s best lap which wasn’t too bad with the problems and considering it was only my second race. I also got 2nd again.
Race 3-
I stalled on the start which didn’t help but got going straight away. The bike was worse than in race 1 so it was even harder to try and keep up, and it was also slower on the straights. But the thing I was trying to do throughout all the races was get my cornering speed up which I did because I knew it was going to be a struggle with the bike losing power. I got a best lap of 1:39.832 which was the worst out of all my races. I got another 2nd which gave me 66 points on the table and 2nd in the series overall after the first round.

Thanks to the PMCC for sponsoring me and Jason Lincoln for donating the bike and also to everyone who helped me during the weekend.

[Racey Rider]

Well done. Despite the frustrations, you would have learnt a lot.
Question for Jase when he gets back: Is that the Cyclone motor? Having a different power valve system to the older KR150a (which doesn't need a battery), does the Cyclone motor actually need a battery to operate it's power valves?

Cheers
Racey

[rustys]

Well done young Daniel. i was watching your progress through out the weekend, and saw a great improvement when you were out with Zane. Keep up the good work and your lap times will certainly come down.

[pipson]

Well done. Despite the frustrations, you would have learnt a lot.
Question for Jase when he gets back: Is that the Cyclone motor? Having a different power valve system to the older KR150a (which doesn't need a battery), does the Cyclone motor actually need a battery to operate it's power valves?

Cheers
Racey

Thank you, I think Daniel learnt a lot I know he looked tired on the drive home. As you may gather I am putting these reports up on Daniels behalf I am trying to get him to sign up to KB. The bike is at Burrell Signs at the moment, I had hand painted the numbers on & Vince offered to do propper ones etc. I have a new battery & will take the bike to Jason when he is back from the Nationals as I know sweet FA about motors, a motor you put petrol in & turn the key & go.

[quickbuck]

1:36's.... That is a VERY good start. Well done to the young fella.
Look forward to dicing/ mentoring him soon.

[pipson]

1:36's.... That is a VERY good start. Well done to the young fella.
Look forward to dicing/ mentoring him soon.

Thanks Aaron a lot of people have said those times were good for a first time. Any mentoring is appreciated, we will be there on Saturday for the track day as he has never riden around the Taupo track but has been around in the car with me. I will be on the track both days taking photos again.

[quickbuck]

Thanks Aaron a lot of people have said those times were good for a first time. Any mentoring is appreciated, we will be there on Saturday for the track day as he has never riden around the Taupo track but has been around in the car with me. I will be on the track both days taking photos again.

Will be glad to...
I won't be there Saturday, but nothing stopping me providing tips on Sunday.

My bike has some Black on it now, and will look awesome in your Photos ;)

[oyster]

Hi. I've owned all three types of KR, the wire spoke one, the Cyclone (like yours) and the later ZX. The Cyclone one was a rocket, much faster than earlier/later Rg's, and Rg, NSR etc. I used it for coaching so it easily got my fat butt along to catch the 40kg sardines in front.
The problem, which we never solved, was one of missing, flatness at the top end. Sometimes it would get so bad it barely got back the pits. The first time it happened I was convinced the main jet had dropped out, symptoms like that. A good battery with the charger on made a difference, but still never really solved it. We swapped out all sorts of bits, checked outputs resistances etc and came up with nothing. And it was intermittent. It would go a whole meeting, then the next one play up. We asked a lot of experts on this, but someone will know (if it's your problem type also) and I hope you get it fixed. Apart from the awful handling they are a good bike. Certainly fast!
Yes, the engine is different to the wire spoke model. Power valves are all mechanical and trouble free.
I see the little 26 on the fairing. Thanks for the kind thought, it means a lot.