Ok… Testing out a post from the iPhone app!

I went out to Sportsland Yamanashi and got a new personal best! I did put on an Ohlins rear shock which I suppose helped. Was a second faster than my previous best, landing at 40.904 seconds. Did several 40s in a row which was quite good, also a long stream of 41s leading up to it. Felt pretty good out there. Thanks to Pete for the setup, Karl for showing me around, and John for the gas….

Decided to try getting into this road biking thing. Recently bought a Kuota Kharma for the task. Nice looking bike, I got a 2010 model on sale with Shimano Ultegra components. Pretty cool. Will look to ride it properly tomorrow.

Put some new shoes on the SBK race bike, something to practice on. These are meant to be Japan-spec, so a softer compound than the normal Rosso II tires. Should be good at SLY, also, comes in a 140 rear, which is what the bike is made for.

Spent some time with Antkiller changing the tires and I even had a go at changing the oil and filter. Went with some 10-40 Wakos synthetic, should work fine for the next race at least.

Added some sticker bling as well. Speedstar is great!

I’ve acquired a handful of helmets over the last couple of years, for different reasons. One of them was an OGK FF5V, which I was planning to kit out with bluetooth, etc. and use as a touring helmet. I’m now thinking to maybe use it as a commuter replacement. I have been using my old Shoei RF1000 as a commuter (except in the summer where I go open face Arai). This old Shoei was my first helmet that I bought when I got my bike license. 7 years old now…. so getting a bit long in the tooth. But above that, it reeks of me. After the last HMS day, I think its time has come!

The OGK FF-5 was quite popular and got some good reviews. The “V” model is the updated Snell compliant version.

OGK FF5V

Got the F4 in the shop for sha-ken and decided to add a few things.

On the handlebars, I changed from the 750 handlebars to the 1000 handlebars. Why? Well, they are apparently different…. and I wanted to get some fancy reservoirs added which only seem to fit 1000 ones. I had earlier added a Brembo Master Cylinder and have added a Brembo clutch, and now completing it with the reservoirs from Moto Corse.

I also added an Ohlins TTX36 Rear shock. Should be better!

Well, there you go…. some nice bits. Should be all set for my upcoming trip to Kyushu!

giddyup!

Finally got a new can on the CBR250 after the fancy carbon one was punished in a low-side last race at SLY.

CBR250RR Exhaust

Earlier in the month I had the opportunity to swing through Singapore, and stopped by to see my friends at G-Max Race.

They have a new shop, still in the Little India area, but much bigger, lots of good stuff there.

G-Max Race

Good friend of mine, Abi, got a Vespa. Neat little thing, I didn’t ride it but maybe next time (when I don’t have beer at lunch!)

Vespa

Great place to visit, highly recommended!

Earlier I slapped up a pair of Vortices. I liked the Vertigo’s, mine are perf’ed. Figured I’d get these solid.

I tried them on at home for the first time. I’ve had a few Sidi’s so I wasn’t too worried about sizing. They fit pretty well, I think they’ll be comfortable enough. Protection looks top notch.

But man, what a pain it is to get them on!! It takes forever. A bit less to take them off, but really this is a bit of a turn-off. For track sessions, I’ll usually take off boots and put something else on in between sessions…. this will take up some valuable relax time now. oh well. I’ll try them out, suspect it will take a bit of time to adjust and get where I want them and soon enough on and off will be easy….

I hope.

Sidi Vortice

Sidi Vortice

Spent the morning out with JamesK, Tony (midnight run) and John (cbr929rrerion). I went for an oil change, Tony some parts swapping, and John an attempt to do some electrics work.

Oil change was pretty easy, someday I’ll actually do it myself

FJR Oil Change