Classic TT 2015.

[J.A.W.]

Well done Bruce Anstey..

Racing a YZR 500 in F1 against the big 4-strokes, he battled a black flagging for a loose exhaust to get a fine 2nd..
& a new sub 18min lap record, ( 17:55.769/126.261mph) trying real hard to make up time on eventual winner Dunlop..

[Dreama]

Well done Bruce Anstey..

Racing a YZR 500 in F1 against the big 4-strokes, he battled a black flagging for a loose exhaust to get a fine 2nd..
& a new sub 18min lap record, ( 17:55.769/126.261mph) trying real hard to make up time on eventual winner Dunlop..

Don't overlook the effort of Chris Swallow on Dave Kenah's Norton. 5th overall in the main race (F1 ?) and 1st in their class. That bike is entirely built and designed by Dave, an ex toolmaker, in his garage in rural town NZ and the whole effort is private. I stop by to see him often (same town) and I'm in awe of his talent as a bike and engine builder. That result is a credit to thousands of hours of meticulous work and plenty of expense, not the least being multiple trips to the IOM to finally get an incredible result.
I imagine all the classic guys know of Chris, a teacher from Wellington I think and a top class rider. There were plenty of 'big' names on well heeled bikes behind them.

[J.A.W.]

Don't overlook the effort of Chris Swallow on Dave Kenah's Norton. 5th overall in the main race (F1 ?) and 1st in their class. That bike is entirely built and designed by Dave, an ex toolmaker, in his garage in rural town NZ and the whole effort is private. I stop by to see him often (same town) and I'm in awe of his talent as a bike and engine builder. That result is a credit to thousands of hours of meticulous work and plenty of expense, not the least being multiple trips to the IOM to finally get an incredible result.
I imagine all the classic guys know of Chris, a teacher from Wellington I think and a top class rider. There were plenty of 'big' names on well heeled bikes behind them.


Good stuff, got any more details on the Norton?
It is a wankel-type?

[Dreama]

Good stuff, got any more details on the Norton?
It is a wankel-type?

It's a 500cc Manx and they raced in the Senior TT.
What Dave does may be no different to the 1000's of other highly motivated and clever engine/bike builders over time, but from my perspective as a moderately skilled engineer and more modern race bike/engine builder, he's extremely good at it with an intricate understanding of the technology that makes engines perform at 100%.
Or to put it another way, guys like me follow the manuals while we rebuild whilst guys like him make them up as they go.

[Shaun Harris]

It's a 500cc Manx and they raced in the Senior TT.
What Dave does may be no different to the 1000's of other highly motivated and clever engine/bike builders over time, but from my perspective as a moderately skilled engineer and more modern race bike/engine builder, he's extremely good at it with an intricate understanding of the technology that makes engines perform at 100%.
Or to put it another way, guys like me follow the manuals while we rebuild whilst guys like him make them up as they go.


Fair play and respect for your last compliment to him

[J.A.W.]

It's a 500cc Manx and they raced in the Senior TT.
What Dave does may be no different to the 1000's of other highly motivated and clever engine/bike builders over time, but from my perspective as a moderately skilled engineer and more modern race bike/engine builder, he's extremely good at it with an intricate understanding of the technology that makes engines perform at 100%.
Or to put it another way, guys like me follow the manuals while we rebuild whilst guys like him make them up as they go.


Dreama, do ask Dave if he really does "make them up as they go" - he'll likely give you - a wake up - on that..

[Dreama]

Dreama, do ask Dave if he really does "make them up as they go" - he'll likely give you - a wake up - on that..

Yeah, well, I hear you.
It's simply a way of saying he's a clever bastard.
And like a lot of the old school skilled tradesmen, pedantic, fastidious and probably difficult !

[J.A.W.]

Yeah, you are right on there D, it is a pleasure to watch & admire such skill..
To be so able - making what would be - brain hurting stuff - flow - as by 'magic' is both cool & humbling..

Thats talent..