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Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Vintage Royal Enfield => Topic started by: Bullet Whisperer on July 06, 2014, 07:47:47 pm

Title: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: Bullet Whisperer on July 06, 2014, 07:47:47 pm
I didn't attend this weekend's race meeting at Lydden Hill [U.K.], but my Brother, Ian [Henchy] went with my Father and took the 350 Clipper racer and a couple of Ducati 250's which we are developing for their owner.
 Early feedback I received on the first morning of this 2 day event didn't seem too encouraging - a 4th place for the 350 with some new fork springs we fitted turning out to be too soft and loads of missed gears for some reason. The main [fastest] Ducati was spluttering, banging and popping by all accounts, too. so not very promising.
 Later that day, news came in that the fork springs had been jacked up with spacers and longer preload adjusting bolts and a more relaxed approach to gear changing resulted in a 2nd place. This was very good news, as the 350 had scored its' only podium finish in a couple of years [3rd] at Mallory Park a few weeks ago, breaking a run of mid field positions at best for the two years prior to that, due to pre ignition troubles we only recently managed to shake off.
 Then, today that little Enfield did something it hasn't done in quite a few years - it WON each of the two 350 races run today !!
 The 350 Clipper is back with a vengeance  ;D
  Ace - I wonder if the engine heard us talking in the workshop about the 'Killer 350' engine that is in the pipeline and decided to get its' finger out  ;)
 No shots of the action yet, but hopefully add some soon.
 For anyone interested, the Ducati came good as well, coming up from midfield yesterday to take 2nd and 1st places today.
 B.W.
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: High On Octane on July 06, 2014, 08:06:19 pm
Fantastic!  I always love hearing your race reports.  :)

As far as those missed shifts, it seems like on the Blackhawk that if I make slow firm shifts I have a lot less missed shifts.  Every time I try to shift it like a sport bike I miss gears and get false neutrals.

Scottie J
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: ace.cafe on July 06, 2014, 10:33:28 pm
Well, congratulations!
Things are looking up for the 350. Maybe it did overhear the conversation!

Glad to hear about these winning results.
Please give Ian and Dave my congratulations and regards too!
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: Bullet Whisperer on July 06, 2014, 10:48:12 pm
Well, congratulations!
Things are looking up for the 350. Maybe it did overhear the conversation!

Glad to hear about these winning results.
Please give Ian and Dave my congratulations and regards too!
Thanks, Ace! Will do !!
 B.W.
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: DanB on July 07, 2014, 02:14:35 am
Quote
Then, today that little Enfield did something it hasn't done in quite a few years - it WON each of the two 350 races run today !!

Congrats!  This is very good news.  Cant wait to hear what the 500 does once back together. ;D
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: Bullet Whisperer on July 07, 2014, 07:58:18 am
Congrats!  This is very good news.  Cant wait to hear what the 500 does once back together. ;D
Thanks, Dan!
 Regarding the 500 comment - you're not the only one  ;)
 B.W.
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: Bullet Whisperer on July 07, 2014, 08:01:46 am
Fantastic!  I always love hearing your race reports.  :)

As far as those missed shifts, it seems like on the Blackhawk that if I make slow firm shifts I have a lot less missed shifts.  Every time I try to shift it like a sport bike I miss gears and get false neutrals.

Scottie J
Hi Scottie and thanks!
 The 350 uses the controversial [in vintage racing here] 5 speed box, which is usually pretty reliable. Once Henchy changed his gear shifting technique, his troubles went away, so perhaps it was nerves or something?
 B.W.
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: High On Octane on July 07, 2014, 01:28:05 pm
Hi Scottie and thanks!
 The 350 uses the controversial [in vintage racing here] 5 speed box, which is usually pretty reliable. Once Henchy changed his gear shifting technique, his troubles went away, so perhaps it was nerves or something?
 B.W.

Oh ok!  Very well could be nerves.  Seems like every time it happens to me is when playing around racing my friends on their Jap bikes and Harleys.   ;D

Scottie J
Title: Re: A good weekend for the 350 Clipper racer
Post by: AVL Power! on July 18, 2014, 07:52:15 am
Congrats Paul! Now that's a Real Asbo!  8)