Following Vikings posts its easy to see the dedication and passion he has for what he is doing, racing is hard when you have a full time job and responsibilities,the financial drain is what usually kills it in the end......

So i have an idea, why dont all of us on here sponsor Viking as much or as little as we can afford it dont matter but it all adds up if we all get involved, put the money into a kitty which could be set up and administered by a mod

Why not, a couple of bucks around us could help him buy a new rear tyre.

Go vikingggg

Actually I'd already told him I'd give him a litle bit of help, I have been doing a little bit for another Thundersport rider.

I'd be more than happy to instead put a bit into a collective pot.
However, if we do that I'd want to see superduke.net stickers on the bike.

What may be AS helpfull would be to try and make sure he has a helper at every round.
You'll get free entry (I hope) and I can assure you it's always good to have a second pair of hands in the paddock.

I will chuck in.

Dont think it can be sd.net racing as he is sponsered by jim aim or sommat.

Sd.ned stickers though as DP says.

I'd thought about this as well. Already bunged him a few quid when he sold me some stuff too cheap. Whip round at Crashfest would be an idea.

yeah im up for it

I'll happily chuck a few quid in as well. Good to see a SD out there racing again.

Not sure of the best way to set it up?? A Paypal account? I've made this thread a sticky so it remains at the top. Any ideas?

I'll be happy to support as well.

I dont do Paypal so it would need to be a proper bank account for me to do a bank transfer,

That would allow the more generous among us to set up a direct debit to

Is there a round at Brands?

Have to make up some VIKING KTM tee's,,,,to show support as well,,,

Im in!!!

If i no him like i think i do hel get all bashful

I'm in.

Stunned guys. Thought this was a wind up and was cringing a bit opening it expecting to see me getting slated. It may be a bit more, it may be a bit less, but around that.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


So obviously money is the main point.

But a major thing i need, like Pete says, is help at the meetings. Someone to warm the bike, take the tyre warmers off, wait in the pits with tools and pressure guage during qually so i can nip in and make a change and get back out. Help get it ready for the next race if i crash it.

I get 3x free paddock passes as part of my entry. Dunno if i need one for myself, but will def have a free one, maybe two, or i'd pay your ticket so you get in for free. All you'd need to buy is your own food and drink.

If i do in a collar bone etc i'd need someone to load up the van and strap me in the driver seat so i can haul my sobbing ass 300+ miles back home.

Well he is not pissed at me for suggesting this without asking him first

As usual boys, add your name to the list, state wether you are in for a donation and/or time at any rounds you can make!

Bash69 - donation + time at track

Which tracks are you doing again Gordon?

Bash69 - donation + time at track
Superdan - donation + time at track (Cadwell)

Bash69 - donation + time at track
Superdan - donation + time at track (Cadwell)
Klinck - donation- depends on which track and when.

I am in.

Im in, donation and track time, work permiting at Oulton and Anglesey

This isnt happening.

Dates for rest of 2012 season are.....

Friday 27th July – Rockingham International (ThundersportGB testing)
Saturday 28th July – Rockingham International (Round 10)
Sunday 29th July – Rockingham International (Round 11)

Saturday 25th August – Anglesey Coastal (ThundersportGB testing)
Sunday 26th August – Anglesey Coastal (Round 12)
Monday 27th August – Anglesey Coastal (Round 13)

Friday 21st September – Cadwell Park (ThundersportGB testing)
Saturday 22nd September – Cadwell Park (Round 14)
Sunday 23rd September – Cadwell Park (Round 15)


There is a final round at Mallory but i cant get time off work as its onto my winter rosta.

Viking....you started it and were prepared to do it at all costs...........the least we can do is help

Best thread on any motorcycle website ,period!

I cant do anything this year, I was trying to get back to the UK in time for Rockingham, but its turned out I fly back on the 27th July, then I am going back to China 17th September

can,t help with the race,s down south but can help with track day,s at knockhill
most likely be there anyway + donations.
viking pm me if you need my help

No. 47 - donation + use of spare bars, levers, bellypans, etc as/if required - can't help with track time, though, as no local rounds.

I'm in for a donation. Helping out at a track day might be a little difficult but maybe next year ...

Serious note. Does anybody know what the tax implications are for donating to Vikings race funds?They will have to be gifted.

I will be claiming tax relief on the full Five Pounds.

I dont know how to work this so i'll leave it to your guys to haggle out.


Only thing i can add is.....

I've got paypal.........but then we're pumping a fair chunk of the funding in fees to them. The gift thing doesnt work as all it does it charges me at my end. That would maybe do for smaller donations though. It'd only be a few £.

I've got a sole bank account with First Direct that i use only for the bike. (keeps things.............erm............seperate from the wife......she doesnt know how expensive all this is ) That would maybe work out well but it's not gonna be smart just throwing bank details out on an open forum. Plus, not that i dont trust you guys, but whats to stop a lurker to hop in and rape the thing.



Another option is i could have a chat with Jim Allan and see about opening up my account there so the donations get paid into my shop account and i use that for parts. Again, the down side of that is not all part come form his shop and a big whack of the funding is paying for entries, fuel, etc etc.

I'll chip in..

Posting your account details on a public forum is bad idea.

PM those with the Bank Account details, unfortunalely in this age you can gain a lot of people private details such as DOB through FB and create a dummy account or anything.

I think the best way is to PAYPAL one person all the details who can transfer it to the big man.

Anyone old enough to remember cheques and that old business called the postal service

I don't see it as a problem tax wise. I'm not being payed for a service. It's more like you guys are gifting entries, tyres, parts etc. (which I still can't believe is happening). What if my father was still alive and he decided to pay for a few rounds. That'd be a gift from one man to another. Same thing I think.

My mate who races gets money from a local motorcycle club. They pay tyres etc at certain meetings. That's been going for over 10 years with no probs.

There are big grids in every class in Thundersport. All of these guys will be getting some kind of help from somewhere and 90% of them have a full time job.

It'd be different if the bike cost 500quid to run and I was taking 1000 as a wage. It's all going straight into the bike/racing.


I'm easy. Whatever you guys are comfortable with. I can't put into words how grateful I am. Even if I got 100quid. That would make a difference. I'm not expecting anything so anything I do get is massive.

Seems to be fees on everything. About 3%. Cerec1 send me payment for parts as a gift last week and it charged me to receive them.



What about using PayPal for all the donations done under the SD.net banner. The odd tenners etc any of you guys throw in. The fees on that will be small.

Anyone who wanted to contribute a large sum or arrange their own company branding/decals can contact me directly and do that through the bank account. Or we can do something they just write a cheque to Thundersport and I just send it with my entry. Or call Jim Allans and pay for tyres down the phone.

Seems the simplest option.

Ill try and do the Anglesey one but its my 50th that weekend so cant promise anything at the mo,will deffo try though

I wouldnt ask you to do that matey. It's a long day. You and Bash are great at those pep talks though. Especially when i'm beating myself up for not stayimg with that race prepped 180bhp blade last time


Just read it all again from the start. Unreal.

So the list we have so far is...........can you believe that..........look how many guys have offered help!! What a team!!!! Even if it doesnt come to anything its still mighty impressive.

TLSRuss - donation + time at track
Bash69 - donation + time at track
Superdan - donation + time at track (Cadwell)
Klinck - donation- depends on which track and when
Stupid Luke - donation + time at track (if any down south)
KTM666 -
Mr_Trecolareco -
Ducati Pete -
Skip -
Fuel -
Tango 2 -
Scots duke -
No 47 -
Jmann -
Motoronin -

I think I've got some GB Pounds in a wallet somewhere. I'm happy to just send Viking a birthday card with it in... If he
had a Post Office box even better.

Seems funny to me that all those stupid questions to Bert and now nobody has bothered to ask him - Swiss Bank Account

I had previously spoke to Viking about a donation and obviously that will carry on.

I'd also promised to try and attend the Rockingham round, Sat and Sun to help out. (Which also meant seeing Bongo race in the "powerbikes" class.)

I can still do those days but TBH it's not the greatest weekend for me to be at a track all weekend. I'd be very pleased if someone else could get there that weekend, maybe we could arrange to do a day each?

No body should have to change any of their own plans guys.

Pete, I know how into the judo you are and it's the Olympics. No way would I expect you to miss it to hang round a track.

Before all this started I was fully prepared to do this on my own and still am. After all, it's my choice to go down this route and take the step up from trackdays.

It's more a case of......if anyone has an interest in racing and are free with nothing else doing so would fancy helping out in the pits your help would be appreciated. It's is a long day and I'll only be on track 3 times per day so there's a lot of hanging about.

The up side on offer is your getting 1st hand experience of the highs and lows and will be there through the journey of when we discover new stuff on the bike. My fiancee isn't really interested in it and would just worry and stress me out. It's too far and too much to get mates to come down from Scotland, plus there's no way I'm sleeping in the back of the van with any of the manky buggers . So if I got a podium or good result I'm there on my own celebrating. You'd be part of that.

I think we are missing a trick here:

http://www.girlpromotions.co.uk/

Definately need a "pit girl" for the Cadwell Round obviously. http://www.girlpromotions.co.uk/the-models/

I'm down for a donation. Unlikely to be able to get to races unfortunately.

If you want to help then contact Flash and he'll furnish you with his paypal details.

I have sent him £5.99 to go towards his new sunglasses he's quite keen to purchase. Apparently he's been suffering from headaches caused by glare.

Lets see if we can get the totaliser up to the 24.99 target.

They come with a hard case and bespoke cleaning cloth.

Massive thanks to all the guys who stood by their word and helped out. I've pm'd everyone direct.

Jmann
DP
Skip
Tango

Awesome guys. Many thanks.

And cheers to Russ for helping out at the races and listening to me waffle on. Angelseys gonna be a good one. Found more time in the bike through setup with lessons learnt from Rockingham. Should close that gap to the GSXRs with those changes.


I've spent the £8.47 SD.net funding on sunnies as Pete suggested so I can hang with the cool kidz in the paddock.

How do we make the promised donation?

Have OE bars, levers, etc ready when/if.

Anyone who's up for helping pm me and I can give address or PayPal etc.

I need a couple of standard clutch levers if anyone has any. They must be compete though with the spring and bush included coz these go missing in a crash. It's only clutch I need coz I'm using a Brembo RCS master cylinder.

I have a load of fake pazzos here I can swap if anyone wants. The bottom pair are used and have the odd tiny mark on the end.

The top pairs are brand new and never been used.

I've had some clutch problems launching the bike and doing all I can to sort it. New clutch plates in it and some tuning of the springs. But went back to the standard lever and moved the cyl further up the bar so I have more control of it as I feed it out. Positive I can get on the poduim if I can just get away with the front row. There shit starts are killing me.

pm your address and I'll send my donation and one brake and two clutch OE levers - not sure what you mean by spring and bush though - the two clutch levers are, I think, part no. 61002031100 c/w adjusting screw 61002043000

PM ME YOUR ADDRESS

I remember GoGo having troubles getting of the line with his RC8 and part of the solution was to rev the bike a few times right before the start to get enough oil on the clutch. I don't know if this applies to the SD as well but it's easy to try.

I dont use standard brake levers because i use an RCS brake master cylinder so have to use the specific lever for that.............




With the standard clutch lever it has a small spring between the lever and the mounting part that the bush goes through. That keeps pressure to keep the lever towards the bar when you run it on the closest setting, which i have to due to my girly little hands. If you run without the spring the lever falls away under braking and its a big reach to get it pulled.

This is the brake diagram but it shows the wee spring. Clutch has the same spring but for some reason it doesnt show it.

Anyway, thats what i need if anyone has it.

I'll send PM's now.

Jermo, i'll try that. Get on grid, neutral, clutch in and rev the motor to get oil inbetween the plates. See if it works. If not i'm going to look and see if there's an oil spray jet for the clutch that i can modify or something. Or i could just try Fagans tip of 9,000rpm and just let the lever go. He assures me thats how he launched his battle bike and that it completely overwhelms the clutch and it just slips and launches. I recon he just wants a right good laugh at me standing there with the bike looping over my head Feeeeeck that!!!

Both of my spare OE clutch levers are spring loaded.

I don't know dude. I'm just guessing that if we keep it wet it might be smoother?


It has an Oberon slave and Sigma slipper.

With that clutch you get a click at the lever sometimes. When I start to feed out the clutch it slips then grabs. It seems to grab at the point it clicks. Moving the lever closer to the bar helped so when it did grab I had more control and could feather it again. It just goes from lots of slip to fully locked in an instant though.

For talking sake say there is 10mm from bite to engaged. I can hold it just touching the bite. Lights go out and I start to feed it out and from 0-7mm it slips bit not progressively. Then at 7mm it just grabs and locks. If we were to scope it on a graph it would look like 0-7mm is 0-40% engaged, then from 7-10mm it would jump to 100%.

DrSwade ditched the Sigma because of this and went to Suter. Eric uses Yoyodine which is the same as Sigma and although he never criticises the clutch as he's sponsored by them, he does admit to having trouble and trying various tricks to get it to work.

For next race I've changed a few things totry and make it better.
I've changed the steels as they looked worn and possibly warped. Frictions are like new. Sanded them lightly and soaked in oil. Fresh oil and filter in. Back to standard lever which feels loads more progressive and controllable. Moved master cyl further up bar towards yokes so I have more leverage on lever. Changed 1x clutch spring from the hard GSXR back to standard. That should make it smother to slip bit also allow the slipper to operate earlier on corner entry which I wanted anyway.

A lot of changes there so hopefully that should make a difference.

Gordon - turns out that I have one clutch and two brake levers, not the other way around - the clutch lever is missing the shaft insert and plunger needed for my replacement Power Parts levers - happy to order up the missing parts (but can only be bought with the lever rocker arm - 61002056000 @ £21.50.........) as part of my contribution, unless others have these available and/or you don't need them - let me know either way.

Na it's cool. Just leave it. It was only if you had one lying doing nothing.

Cheers anyway.



Just took the bike up and down the street for a few practice starts and it feels real good. Nice and smooth with no grab. Let's see how it does on the line.

Ok guys. Just wanted to throw a few things about here.

Firstly a huge thanks to everyone who has helped out and contributed to the race funds. The amount of people who have stepped up to the table has blown me away. Even guys with low post numbers who I never thought would read this stuff. You all helped me get out there and get the bike working how I want. So I mean it what I say I'm extremely grateful.


The bare bones of it all is..........
I have 1 more race meeting this season. I have to be honest, I don't know what the future holds regarding backing from Echo and Bic for 2013. We are discussing it but it is a big ball of unknown.

The reason I'm posting this is to get the info out there and get people talking and thinking. Maybe there is someone you know with a company who has a keen interest in racing and would like to help.

For 2013 I will carry on my sponsorship deals with Jim Allan Motorcycles in Falkirk who will supply me discounted Metzeler tyres, oils, consumables that kind of thing. And Boogies Bike Paints will continue to do my paint and body work prep.

My problem is I desperately need backing. It costs £700 to do a full race weekend. A full season with no crashes or breakdowns will cost £6300. That will get the to the meetings, on the grid, and cover a set of tyres. That is the basics I need to compete.
The season will cost more than that when you add in all the sundries. Echo put in a substantial amount, but I've also had to use all my savings to get to where we are today. As it stands, to get the bike to the point we're at now I've pumped 10grand into in it all in inc Echo funding. Smalle things add up, brakes, clutches, replacement parts, spare parts, the bike is a constantly evolving fragile little creature. There's always something needing done after each race meeting. A fair whack of that funding has went to getting good foundations laid like a proper heavy duty gazeebox getting my van kitted out so I can live in it for 4 days, upgrading the bike spec to get it working right.

I'm a qualified master tech for Alfa Romeo and diagnostic tech for Volkswagen. I now work for the AA as a patrol. Seeing as this is my chance to put it all out there, my base salary is low and made up with shift allowances and bonuses. As a result it makes my overtime rate low as that is based on the bare salary. To be in with a chance of getting the bike out there in 2013 I will have to go back to working 70-80hours overtime a month which means only having 2 day off. On the race months I'll have 4 days off and those will be the days I will be racing. It just not healthy man, and to try and maintain a normal life and relationship with my fiancee it will be a massive amount of stress and a pretty unhealthy environment.


As for me and what I can offer...
It may seem like a pour my inside out on here but to be straight I don't post half of it. I've dieted and trained my ass off to drop from 88kg(194lbs) to 75kg (165lbs). I train 5 days a week. I spend the 3 weeks inbetween races with the bike in bits shaving, filing, drilling, adjusting, doing everything I can to get every ounce of performance out it. I work 11 hour shifts, get home and go to the gym, see my dog and girl for an hour or so, then when she goes to bed I go out to the shed and work on the bike till the early hours.
There are a lot of high level racers in the Thundersport paddock, and I may be delusional, but I feel I'm up there if not better than the best of them in bike and mental/physical prep.
The reason I get these results on an old underpowered bike is down to giving it absolutely everything. To come onboard you can be sure that there's no need to push and worry if your getting the most bang for buck.

Lets take this next round at Cadwell. I hate the place and have only done 1 full day there. But I've got to race there against the GSXRs ridden by vastly experienced riders with national championships under their belt.

So I've had he bike revalved again to get it bang on to match my weird chassis geometry I like to run. I've hired an ex CSS coach to work on my weaknesses. I've did a 12 hour round trip to do a trackday there to try different gearing and try different lines and reference points on track. I can't do anymore! I'm not just turning up and hoping for the best. I'm giving it all I got.

With the results and lap times I've been running. Every round so far I've been 2-3 sec off the lap record........on a 7 year old underpowered bike. So I've got myself a stack of debt and bough Carbon wheels to close those few seconds. Now there are no excuses. There is no reason the bike can't hit lap record times. It's all down to me.

What I can offer anyone who provides major backing is.....
Advertising space on the bike.
Pit and paddock passes to the races
I'm active of Facebook and Twitter and am in contact with KTM Uk who are interested in the bike and results.
I can provide write ups for websites.
Photos.
Your company name will be on Motors Tv and written in all the race reports and programs.
I can come to trackdays and offer set up advice and some riding pointers.
The list goes on......


I'm sure Bic and Echo won't mind me doing this. I'm am really grateful for all the help they provided this season.
But ultimately this is about one man and his underdog motorbike getting out there and winning the 2013 Thundersport gb Streetfighter championship. I have zero interest in just running round in 4th or 5th. I want one thing and that is to win.

I am enjoying the Echo package and seriously hope it continues as I don't feel we have got the most out it it. But I understand business is business.

There is a long winter off season and I hope some members can spread the word and maybe plant a seed in someones mind.

I would hope those who have dipped into their pockets would get a chance of free tickets when they come to watch / help you.

When I was helping out Sam in national superstock he would offer his scrubs to backers (at a reasonable price of course), I understand your tyres are fooked though!

I went through a similar thing while racing, you will now understand that when both race bikes were stolen I was fooked.

They would get passes no probs.. Those who helped have all been offered them. As of yet, nobody has come to the races though. There are the names on the list at the top of the page there and 2-3 more to add.

Your right though. Those tyres from rockers and Cadwell there are going to Boogies.

Happy to do away tyres real cheap. But I'll use them for a testday after to get the most out them so they are past their best. If anyone wants them for a trackday they can have them. I did 42's round Cadwell on those that had done about 130laps and 5 heat cycles so they'd prob work well enough to blast round a trackday.

I feel you pain mate. If the bike went missing I'd be proper in it. The shed is alarmed, surrounded by gravel, has a camera installed, and the dog sleeps at that corner of the house with an open window. If they want it bad enough they'll still take it though.

I was happy to chip in this year when it was first suggested. Then Echo stepped in and kind of took over, that was all good though as few enough club racers are getting offered sponsorship deals these days and few enough companies are in a position to sponsor anyone.

So for 2013 I am still in and willing to contribute but my company isnt showing profit enough to stump up 10k. However, I am pretty sure I can offset some of my personal taxable earnings and put it down to charitable contribution or whatever. It wont get you a season's racing but it is a start, I am in for 500 quid to a grand max plus a bit of help, more like hinderance, at Rockingham or whatever the most southerly track you race when I am not on holiday. Let me know how to get it to you, I am happy to spend it on tyres, as I will get the VAT back or paypal it or whatever.

Hopefully, a few more on here will chuck in whatever they can afford. It is a good feeling to have our own forum racer and if more forums did it there would be more racers able to compete.

Cheers Luke. I always take a deep breath when I see you or DP have posted on the threads expecting to get a witty reeming.

Thundersport GB, Viking's Cadwell results.

Race 1 4th

Well done Gorden. Fantastic results!

Fantastic! Well done Gordon! Really chuffed for you!

Congrats Gordon! Great results!

I dont really look that dumb in real life honest. By god those are really bad pictures!

Well done

Ok guys, Gordon needs some money if you want to see a Superduke winning

Just spotted this.

It's up to you guys what you do. I'm not entirely comfortable tapping money off guys. Sure, I'm searching for sponsorship but that is from companies.

Doesn't sit right with me this, but but I'll leave it to you guys to sort out and as always I'm grateful for any help. The Superduke.net logo is staying on the bike for next year anyway.

Cheers.