Getting back into bucket racing.

[chrisw]

So I've made the decision that by the next season I want to get back into bucket racing. Well, maybe not next season but by January 2010 at the latest.
Anyone here been part of the motolites or superlite class before? I've raced just track days against myself, but never full competition (despite holding my CAMS license).

a background for anyone thats not in key with bucket racing. There are 2 classes, the motolites and the superlites, basically small little 2 or 4 bangers usually a max of 200cc for 4 strokes. the full class listing is here though
http://www.ozbucketracing.com/rules.html

It gives the opportunity for a VERY low start up cost compared to other racing classes, although there is still the opportunity to spend big bucks (ie a moriwaki 80cc GP style racebike)

Basically I'm at the planning and hunting stage at the moment. and I'm creating a list of what I would need. any input on fellow racers of anykind would be appreciated as I've never raced competetively so im not sure on what kind of kit is handy.

1. Either a cheap ute or a spare car with a towbar. ($2500 - $3000)
2. Bike trailer ($350 registered)
3. Honda CB125 or 150 (or similar style cheap old naked bike) ($500-$1000)
4. Rebuilt engine (thumpers, simple and easy to rebuild at home) ($400)
5. Spare wheels incase of damage, also makes it easy to change tyres between races without breaking the bike down ($200)
6. General spares including spare motor, chassis components etc. ($300)
7. Obviously full race leathers and safety gear (I tend to be very safe, ie, exoskeleton spine protector as well as the generic gear) ($1000)
8. Update all my licenses and make sure I actually register for the events :P

pictures to give an idea.
The moriwaki
http://www.ciaysr.com/4sale/kgk.jpg
http://www.bmrc.co.nz/images/DSC_0203.JPG
http://www.bucketracing.co.nz/images/full/1224828710.jpg
http://caferacers.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/honda_cb175_1972_cr_01.jpg

[Ky_88]

I might be able to help with the cheap ute part.

Paul had just informed me yesterday he needs to sell his Holden Rodeo Ute as he has just been promoted and gets a company car and I think having three cars is just too many.

PM if you're interested :) I'm only in Newcastle so not too far away.

[scott b]

very kool. my dads company owns a race bike. not sure what sort of class its in but id love to get involved in stuff like this. if you ever need an extra pair of hands, id be willing to come along. tagged along with dad rebuilding vmx bikes and engines. and ive been wanting badly to do one myself with dads help. so again, let me know if you want/need a spare hand, even if its just someone to cheer you on :p

[chrisw]

Sounds great scott :D lol. and Ky, im interested however I dont think ill be buying asap :( This will be interesting though, a 6'2 weirdo on a 100kg bike.

Kinda makes me think of a gorilla on a pitbike

Edit: hehe... considering I dont drive that much, I should convert the 323 into a lightweight hauler. if my old 1.6 laser handled a 290kg bike for 3 years this should handle a 120kg racebike.

and scott... get into it too! your dad could help you keep your bike running :)

[Ky_88]

Fair enough :) Just let me know and I'll keep you posted whether we still have it etc. I think it sounds like lots of fun, just be careful lol.

Oh and the image of the a gorilla on a pitbike... priceless!!!

[scott b]

i would love to :rolleyes: but $$$ is the biggest issue, still owe rents a bit and on an apprenticeship wage makes things hard, plus the $338 fine i got yesterday doesnt help :o

[Ky_88]

...plus the $338 fine i got yesterday doesnt help :o

LOL. :p

[scott b]

yeh its not a good idea to do 85 in a 60 zone :(

[Ky_88]

Agreed!

I'm such a goody goody that if I realise I'm doing 5km over I'll go back down to the limit LOL :o

I am on red P's though so that makes it understandable... instant loss of licence for 6 months doesn't exactly appeal to me!

[scott b]

yeh well being on my greens i lost 5 points for it leaving me with 1 till january 2011, so no more speeding for me :S sorry off topic, back to bike racing

[chrisw]

Oh snap! fine-age isn't fun especially with lower wages. just be glad you still got the license I guess? :P

good video hehe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loodt4PLZAE

[chrisw]

its a pity that out of the 4 bikes in my garage, and the 7 in the missus, none of them are class legal :( but hey thats just another reason for me to buy ... ANOTHER BIKE! :O .... no im not obsessed *blush*

*calls motorcyclists anonymous*

[scott b]

hahahaha wow thats quite a collection, most we ever had was 4 at one time.

[bourbon]

kaz used to race buckets until she met me...

[Mad Mat]

kaz used to race buckets until she met me...

tru thats wicked :)

[project.r.racing]

yeah that's cool. cheap and simple form of racing.

[chrisw]

kaz used to race buckets until she met me...

That could be the perfect opportunity for me to give a really naughty comeback... however im slightly inebriated and can't be bothered.

But on a serious note thats awesome!

Yeah number 4 was just slotted into the driveway as of 9:30pm :D

[chrisw]

hahahaha wow thats quite a collection, most we ever had was 4 at one time.

:rolleyes: its not all that fantastic though, luckily only one of mine is registered! though all the other 7 are on her end :rolleyes: except for the GT750... i think has lapsed. mmm 750cc 2 stroker.

[Ky_88]

Surely one person can have "too many" bikes? Paul has 1 and wants me to get 1 but that would be enough. Only advantage if one breaks you at least have another to go out on the next weekend when it's sunny, rather than moping lol.

[chrisw]

I think im just obsessed, I love machinery of any kind, and bikes just interest me. When your on a bike (and I know how lame this sounds) but you sort of become part of the machine. Every move you make dictates how the bike will react, from your posture to where you lean. I've started collecting bikes that I've owned in the past, and getting them back to a stage where they can be respected, not rusting away in some persons back yard. Each bike gets named, loved and cherished :)

[Ky_88]

Well that's ok. Although I have to admit... the first time on Paul's bike riding around in a big circle, it was kind of exciting. The best was when I was sitting on the bike with him going all up these hills and it was really enjoying myself because I experienced the sort of rush they get out of riding properly through trees. However in saying that I would still ban him from getting another lol. We have no room at home for them! :o

[Kazz]

I loved my bucket! I raced a honda 150 4 stroke.. well it was a honda engine yami frame and ducati seriani forks :P but it was the best fun... just haven't been able to get back into it, the bike still needs a bit of work and i would love to put the fearing on it but as it stands the bike weighs about 50kg and i weigh 50kg so its a good ratio hehe :P Im not very mechanically minded but my dad knows heaps! so if you need any advice let me know, he does some pretty tricky stuff, He races with Queensland early motorcycle sports club on a BSA gold star which he built from scratch by himself he is very talented. But goodluck... its so much fun i hope to get back into it one of these days when i have less fear....

[chrisw]

I loved my bucket! I raced a honda 150 4 stroke.. well it was a honda engine yami frame and ducati seriani forks :P but it was the best fun... just haven't been able to get back into it, the bike still needs a bit of work and i would love to put the fearing on it but as it stands the bike weighs about 50kg and i weigh 50kg so its a good ratio hehe :P Im not very mechanically minded but my dad knows heaps! so if you need any advice let me know, he does some pretty tricky stuff, He races with Queensland early motorcycle sports club on a BSA gold star which he built from scratch by himself he is very talented. But goodluck... its so much fun i hope to get back into it one of these days when i have less fear....

Nice! yeah, I want to get into buckets BUT my weight might hold me back. im 6'2 only 14% body fat but still 106kg in a race suit and helmet :(

mmmm 150cc I think I'd prefer 4 stroke, but 2 strokes are simpler to rebuild. whatever I can find really.. thats the goal. I gotta get these 2 bike projects GONE first though. which doesnt help that I was removing one of the front disc brakes on the yammy.. and 3 of the 6 bolts holding the disc onto the wheel were rusted apart... and subsequently broke off inside the threads :(

[Kazz]

from my point of view... i can sit at a race meet all weekend and majority of bikes with problems are the 2 strokes... plus they are loud and they stink... 4 stroke will run beautifully all weekend they sound great, have better control on the corners coz they done hit power ban half way through and i actually think they are easier to fix... and think they must do better in different conditions... but thats me and i have always loved and ridden 4 strokes my whole life :P

[chrisw]

well I despise 2 strokes for the annoyance of keeping them running well... but they do make good power. and are easy to rebuild. I'd love a CB150 or 175 :x

[chrisw]

oh snap, maybe I should have read the motolite rules a bit better. I can have a 200 single as long as it has a 28mm carb. I would be buying a brand new mikuni carb anyway. mmm reliability.

[bourbon]

I would love a Harley Davidson V-ROD Special 2008 MMMMMMMM! sexy

[Kazz]

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhut up! you are so off topic nath =P this is a bucket thread! gosh! hehehe when i did it im pretty sure i did superlite and the rules were 2 stroke 125 and 4 stroke 150 or something close to that. there were a few more rules for internal work but im pretty sure my bike broke all those rules, speshly when we ran on methanol and ran a compression ratio of 13:1

[chrisw]

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhut up! you are so off topic nath =P this is a bucket thread! gosh! hehehe when i did it im pretty sure i did superlite and the rules were 2 stroke 125 and 4 stroke 150 or something close to that. there were a few more rules for internal work but im pretty sure my bike broke all those rules, speshly when we ran on methanol and ran a compression ratio of 13:1

hehe, Id prefer motolites because of the open'ness but the bikes style I want to run seems to be in the superlite class. :/

[Ky_88]

...the bike still needs a bit of work and i would love to put the fearing on it but as it stands the bike weighs about 50kg and i weigh 50kg so its a good ratio hehe :P... But goodluck... its so much fun i hope to get back into it one of these days when i have less fear....

And more meat on your bones :p