History question too - NZ Castrol 6 Hour Race

[jellywrestler]

If I remember correctly Merv, those VFs were a terrible thing with a 16inch front wheel and dud camshafts ? More fancied teams failed that year and old Bill kept going round and round and won it ?
We were waiting for it to blow. Good on Bill though, a win is a win. G.

The first VF750 Sabres were the shaft drive ones that suffered fromn chocolate cams that turned to mush , not raced though. The problem with the VF chain driven models when they first run is that when the ignition was turned off, in the pits, so was the cooling fan, and the overheated. Most of them lasted two to three laps before nipping up which was a prick as the barrells were part of the crankcases, not separate items so the whole engines had to be stripped to repair

[Katman]

Not so KitKat man. The 1982 was limited to 750cc

Really?

Was that just for that one year?

I was sure that Suzuki ran the 1135 in 1983.

[jellywrestler]

Really?

Was that just for that one year?

I was sure that Suzuki ran the 1135 in 1983.

in 1982 and 83 the six hour was limited to 750 than in 1984 it went open again.
The 750 limit was bought about to even the feild as all manufacturers had 750's and also probably to try and stem the specials built. In 1984 they opened it up again to bigger bikes

[merv]

that's cause Freeth did it solo when men were men and so were the women

By 1980 though it seemed like two person teams were the go so I don't think he did it solo then. Last solo winner was Croz for example.

[jellywrestler]

By 1980 though it seemed like two person teams were the go so I don't think he did it solo then. Last solo winner was Croz for example.

I talked to dave hiscock on this recently and in the later 70's for safety reasons primarily and to add a team thing to it they ruled a two person team minimium.
Tehn as so many safety things got forgotten Freeth ended up running solo in that race.
He used to ride from auckland to wellington and return for 'training' before hand
Bet he was going like a raped duck too

[gsxr&crf450]

I remember Suzuki turning up with the 1100 wire wheel Katana's that had trick exhausts and other race parts, which were surpose to be standard (not), but they cheated by modifing standard bikes, Coleman Suzuki the importer had a shelf full of standard parts sitting around off these bikes, years latter. Wellington Motorcycles were behind it.

[gammaguy]

1987- 1st - Aaron Slight/ Wayne Clarke ( Aus) Yamaha FZR100T, Moller Yamaha Dealer Team.
2nd - Terry Fitzgerald/ Steve Tuttiett Suzuki GSX1100R, Callender Motorcycles Ltd.
3rd - Bob Toomey/ Rod Cox Suzuki GSX1100R, Trans Tasman Insurance/ Wellington Motorcycles.

1988- 1st - Tony Rees/ Dave Hicks Yamaha FZR1000, Yokohama/ Sheaff Motorcycles
2nd- Glenn Williams/ Paul Pavletich Kawasaki ZX10, Metzeler Kawasaki Dealer Team
Unfortunately not sure on 3rd place as I've got 2 teams marked in my program with 3/4 ? Mike Webb/ Peter Clifford (UK) or Anthony McCarthy/ Sean Aitken.
5th- Grant Ramage/ Micheal McCutcheon Suzuki GSX600F
6th- Russell Josiah/ Simon Crafar Kawasaki GPX600

it was Anthony Mc Carthy and Sean Aitken

I was in the pit crew

[gammaguy]

Really?

Was that just for that one year?

I was sure that Suzuki ran the 1135 in 1983.

Phil Payne/Bill Biber Honda VF 750 FD

twas a 750 limit that year

[gammaguy]

Really?

Was that just for that one year?

I was sure that Suzuki ran the 1135 in 1983.

It Was a GSX 1150 EFE.the suffix E denotes a 1984 model.would have been difficult to run it in 1983 methinks

[Katman]

I remember Suzuki turning up with the 1100 wire wheel Katana's that had trick exhausts and other race parts, which were surpose to be standard (not), but they cheated by modifing standard bikes, Coleman Suzuki the importer had a shelf full of standard parts sitting around off these bikes, years latter. Wellington Motorcycles were behind it.

Ah yes, that old bone of contention.

While almost all the parts that differed on the WW to those on the standard 1100 were being used on other Suzuki models around that same time, I'm not aware of any other model that used the larger outlet exhaust. Where would they have come from other than Suzuki Japan's factory?

[roogazza]

The first VF750 Sabres were the shaft drive ones that suffered fromn chocolate cams that turned to mush , not raced though. The problem with the VF chain driven models when they first run is that when the ignition was turned off, in the pits, so was the cooling fan, and the overheated. Most of them lasted two to three laps before nipping up which was a prick as the barrells were part of the crankcases, not separate items so the whole engines had to be stripped to repair

I vividly remember Crosby in the Aust 6 hour at Amaroo, on the same model of 83 (I think?) He had backing from "Apple" computers. He biffed it on the big right off camber, after the hill. (can't remember the name) Such a great showman. G.

[Oscar]

it was Anthony Mc Carthy and Sean Aitken

I was in the pit crew

That's funny - I was gonna say Pete Clifford/Mike Webb.
I was in that crew...

[Kickaha]

I'm not aware of any other model that used the larger outlet exhaust. Where would they have come from other than Suzuki Japan's factory?

Any decent exhaust shop

[Katman]

Any decent exhaust shop

Hopefully you'll get the chance one day to check out my exhaust up close and personal.

It's a factory finish without a doubt.

[Kickaha]

Hopefully you'll get the chance one day to check out my exhaust up close and personal.

October/November at the Sidecar have a go day, I'll shout you a few laps