In Suspension
Waiting for the oversized pistons to arrive,so that we can overbore the cylinder block, is the one thing holding us back from finishing the engine build.
The first piston order was lost in transit from the USA; luckily Ritchie got his money back after the no-show.
Now we’re just waiting for another kit to arrive through a UK distributor, which also seems to be taking it’s time.
With the crankcase halves back together, Ritchie has a bit of a clean up while we're waiting.
The valves are all lapped in and the cylinder head just needs to be reassembled with the new valve cap seals, ordered from Cradley Kawasaki, who have been brilliant in getting parts to us on time - just wish others would do the same!
Keeping a clear head.
They supplied us with all new main bearing shells – new con-rod shells too – along with various other much needed genuine Kwacka parts, seals and new bolts.
Now we’ve got the crankcase halves back together there isn’t that much to do until we get the cylinder block and new pistons; a bit frustrating.
Sometimes you do get a bit of luck though. Ritchie picked up a low mileage, standard engine from a breaker for only £125 delivered – yes please!!
We installed this motor into the frame and, after fitting a set of standard spare ZX7R carbs, we fired it up and it ran great!
Just as well, because we might be running this engine at the beginning of the season. It won’t give Ritchie the power he wants, but at least it will get him out to test the suspension and – if we don’t get the cylinder overbore done in time – it’ll do him for the first meeting at Brands Hatch in March.
On the Kais
On the plus-side though, the bike gets new Ohlins TTX shock and Ohlins cartridge kits installed up front… supplied by Kais Suspension.
We’ve known the lads at Kais for years; they’ve always helped Ritchie out with set-up and parts. It’s a long way for us to go to Atherton, near Manchester, to have the work done, but Andy and Johnno do a great job and always make us welcome. They were able to book the work in to fit the cartridge kits into the front forks at a moment’s notice.
Andy had everything done with the correct weight springs, new seals and oil installed. It was done and dusted, by the time breakfast was ordered and finished at the local eatery!
Back home we couldn’t wait to start fitting things back together again.
With a bit of luck – with our spare engine installed for the time being – Ritchie will be able to test the bike and the suspension at Mallory Park in a few weeks’ time.
We’ll let you know how we get on!
