I gotta admit a bike shop would be a good environment for this bike. It needs a commitment, it's not a particularly casual race bike. Needs to be surrounded by people that are into bikes in a big way. A shop would also have a place to store the spares.
Too clarify some of the needs of the bike that might scare people. Pistons...yes custom 57mm pistons...but the engine is fresh and included is a brand new set of these pistons ($400). Cylinders are made by putting a machined CB200 liners in the CB175 cylinder block. Bike comes with a spare CB200 cylinder block, heat it up, pop out the liners, machine them shorter, install in the 175 cylinder block. Send out with the set of pistons to Langcourt Cylinder technologies for boring. Race for two more years.
Every two years....typically new guides, uses modern Ampco45 guides, send to Mike Rich to machine new guides and install ( I did the last set myself, can be done by a competent machinist). Seen here:
http://www.jrbranson.com/HondaRacer/honda/cylinderhead.htm
Valve springs every two years (depending on how much it's raced) Uses off the shelf Kibblewhite race springs (PN#'s for the buyer), NEW set of these Kibblewhite springs included in the spares.
Otherwise all parts get the same consideration of a highly tuned race bike. Good idea to check the engine over very closely on a yearly basis for cam/rocker wear, crank end play, tappet clearance changes etc. Nothing too exotic, nothing likely to grenade.
But...it IS a REAL race bike, you ignore it, it will bite you in the ass no doubt. Take care of it like a REAL race bike and it will provide years of trouble free service. Pretty much the same deal as a Henning motor.
This isn't a pitch to sell the bike...it's so whoever buys it knows what they are getting into. If someone wants a bike to race, throw in the trailer and forget until the next race...buy something else.
Leo, (or anyone) feel free to email me directly if you have any detailed questions. Of more concern to me is that the right person buys it...I'd rather get less money, and not have to deal with someone that knows zip about race engines. I doubt most people will ride it as hard as I do, but I dread someone buying it and through neglect, causing a problem. And to be honest, although I'm more than willing to help the new owner down the road...I do not want to end up doing phone support for years. I'll provide the info, notes, part numbers, contacts, all kinds of stuff. Up to the new owner to make a study of this bike, learn how to feed it and take care of it. And you know, the bottom line is if you don't Want/Plan On ...winning, and are not a fairly accomplished (meaning pretty fast guy), it would kind of be a waste of money and bike.
But, despite my faith in this bike, you know the deal. When the money changes hands the warranty ends. Take it for a ride around the pits, watch me do some laps, put a clock on me, check it out when I bring it in the pits. If you want it, buy it, it's yours. If it blows all the hell five minutes later...it's still yours. ( I will provide advice for the reconstruction
And it will come with enough spares to build a new engine.
Not to push anyone....but a guy with Tex's experience, and his weight...(gotta be 60 lbs lighter than me)...could do some amazing things with this bike. I'd say 1:32's maybe 1:31's if he ran it like I do.
My "medicine" kicked in...so I'm chatty
JohnnyB
