New to this Bucket thing, and NZ!

**Pumba** · 17th February 2014, 16:19

**Henk** · 17th February 2014, 16:24

This

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-695457225.htm

Is what you should be avoiding at all costs, the auction on trade me implies it is bucket legal but as they are built and marketed as a competion bike they aren't. We also had some issues at a two hour a few years back where the different riding style required caused more accidents than we were happy with so in Auckland they are welcome at practice days but not at race days.
Best thing to do is turn up at the next meeting, have a nosy around and ask as many questions as you can think of.
If you can make it on the Saturday this is the best time to come along as the majority of the organising team race as well (some in more than one class) and can get a bit pushed for time on race days.
If you drag your gear along on Saturday there is a chance you might be able to blah a ride on someone's bike as well.

The gates are supposed to open at 9am but if you get there and it's still locked up wait around. I try to get there on time but I'm not fanatical about it as often nobody else gets there before ten. We also never cancel on account of weather, torrential rain may slow people up getting on track but there is usaly someone stupid enough to go out regardless of conditions.

**Yow Ling** · 17th February 2014, 16:28

seems like what they are saying is get a fxr

**Buddy** · 17th February 2014, 17:43

Looks that way!!

I wouldn't expect to be competitive at all to begin with. For starters riding a bike with wheels bigger than 10" will take enough getting used to! Christ, im used to 33HP and 10" wheeled Italian ladies shopping trolley!

Still, all the information you guys have provided is pretty helpful to say the least, especially the 'list'! In way of chassis, many people tend to build / modify there own. Or does that just completely take away from the idea of bucket racing.

What are the most common sources for spares and for what engines, chassis etc. As you say older setups must be more difficult to come by right?

Look forward to seeing it all happen in a couple of weeks. I fear the bug may be caught!!!

**Henk** · 17th February 2014, 17:58

The majority of buckets at the moment are FXR's there are a few who have moved the engines into other frames but as a starter bike a stock FXR is fine.
The main reason these are so prevalent at the moment is that they are reasonably late model, reasonably competitive and still readily available.
To run at the front you'd need either more power, a better frame, inhuman talent or all three.
The fastest FXR based buckets out there at the moment all have different frames (some hand built by the hillbillies) and a reasonable amount of engine work.
There are other options for seriously fast bikes but most of those at the moment seem to involve two strokes with a lot of development and the amjority of those are using RS125 GP frames.
There are exceptions, Farmaken has a fast strokes in a road bike frame and Brians two stroke goes well in an NSR frame (I think).
Easiest way to get involved is the FXR, with a weekend in the shed (or less) you can go from buy to race, main issue is nylon track protection, it won't be super competitive but will get you out there and should manage anything from the back of C grade to mid pack A depending on rider ability.

**cotswold** · 17th February 2014, 20:31

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-692303844.htm

this is not a bad buy

**Henk** · 17th February 2014, 20:36

Originally Posted by cotswold

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-692303844.htm

this is not a bad buy

I was all set to abuse you as an idiot but is this instance you are right. Well sorted bike that goes well and is only really missing a second set of wheels. Good price too.

**Dutchee** · 17th February 2014, 20:36

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-692303844.htm
they may well be able to bring to Mt Wellington next meet, or Tokoroa GP the following weekend.
and just got abused by Henk for posting the same link Cotswold had posted above lol

**jasonu** · 18th February 2014, 01:07

Originally Posted by TZ350

From last years rule book.

There is a lot of 2T tuning info on the ESE thread, click through to Buckets post and you will find links to an easy to build 27hp Suzuki GP125 and a 30hp version if you like living on the edge.

and regularly not finishing races...

**FastFred** · 18th February 2014, 06:31

Originally Posted by Dutchee

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-692303844.htm they may well be able to bring to Mt Wellington next meet, or Tokoroa GP the following weekend.

If your into two strokes buying Chris's bike would have to be a very good way to start out in Buckets.

**Buddy** · 18th February 2014, 19:40

Yeah I saw that on TM the other day. I think it would be ideal to start. I need to look at money's as this skilled migrants visa is $$$$!!

Shall have to look into it. How often do bikes, unfinished builds, chassis and engines come up for sale? I'm pretty happy with starting on a 2T I guess OCD and a dad that tuned them keeps me on my toes!! Still it will be down to what ever comes along and gets me on Tarmac most efficiently!

What are these trellis framed bikes and aprillia swing arms I have seen in a few pics on Facebook and Google? They NZ built or some sort of Ducati monster derived chassis.

**Henk** · 18th February 2014, 19:49

If you are talking about the trellis framed things with RS125 running gear, Scott Griffiths from palmy builds them. They are all running FXR engines in them now. Bert had a two stroke in one but since he decided he'd quite like to finish a race now and then, when he isn't busy running over his mates, he went to the dark side and got an engine with poppet valves.

**mr bucketracer** · 18th February 2014, 19:57

Originally Posted by Henk

If you are talking about the trellis framed things with RS125 running gear, Scott Griffiths from palmy builds them. They are all running FXR engines in them now. Bert had a two stroke in one but since he decided he'd quite like to finish a race now and then, when he isn't busy running over his mates, he went to the dark side and got an engine with poppet valves.

Ha Ha classic