Clean/repair your bellypans, including vintage

[Mr Sunshine]

Posting this for Michael as he doesn't have a forum account...this is a repost from the mail list.

During the last race weekend (March 31st-April1st) there were some oil spots
on the track. It seems that residual bellypan gunk was at least partly to
blame for some of the spots. It wouldn't be a bad idea to give your
bellypan (and bike) the good scrub that it may have missed for the new
season.

For you vintage guys: Please disassemble your belly pan and clean it out
before the next race weekend if you haven't already. Some of you have more
oil outside the engine than inside it. Those bikes are overdue for their
decennial cleaning.

Tech will be giving warnings next race weekend if bikes and bellypans aren't
"reasonably clean."

http://www.wmrra.com/rules.html#Sec-E
E.12. All machines must be reasonably clean and free from leaks.

Also, since we're on the topic of bellypans. Duct-tape does not constitute
a patch. Adhesive patches do not withstand the fluids in your bike, e.g.,
gasoline. They will not be allowed. Fiberglass it. End of story.

http://www.wmrra.com/rules.html#Sec-E
E.34. Fluid-catching bellypans - ALL 4 stroke machines MUST use a fluid
retaining device (i.e. a bellypan or catchpan) capable of retaining at least
4 quarts of fluid. Vintage class eligible motorcycles running in Vintage
classes only are required to use a fluid retaining device capable of
retaining the amount of fluid in the crankcase, except dry-sump engines,
which must be capable of retaining at least 2 quarts.


Tech Gestapo,
mike
Bellevue, WA
WMRRA #91
WMRRA Chief Tech
KE7BEB

[Moto]

a warning? a warning for a bike that may not only not be safe for the rider but for other riders? why not fix it or no track? fibreglass is cheep.

[gazman]

a warning? a warning for a bike that may not only not be safe for the rider but for other riders? why not fix it or no track? fibreglass is cheep.

huh? what are you saying

[Steve]

huh? what are you saying


I think he is saying a warning is not enough...

[Moto]

I think he is saying a warning is not enough...

no, a warning is not enough. a bike that possibly leaks. i don't see how anyone can think a warning is sufficient. not only is it cumbersome to scrub oil patches and oil lines off the track - as well as a waste of resources if it could of been prevented - it's dangerous.

if you won't be let on the track because something isn't wired why would you be let on the track with a warning because something might leak...

how silly would tech look if the bike(s) that recieved a warning was the bike that was at fault for oil on the track. how is that rider going to feel when he hears that he is indirectly at fault for a fall due to his spilt fliud, especially after he was given a warning...

[jtnelson]

Hi guys,

Please allow me to make a statement of contrition. Apparently it was my 1971 Honda that was doing the oil dripping on 4/1/07. The bellypan started out pristine on Saturday but by Sunday had some residual oil because I had to take off the engine covers twice for repairs, and being a stupid newbie it never occurred to me that what got into the bellypan might get out, especially in wet conditions. It was so wet out there that apparently the pan filled up and spilled over quickly. Anyway, cautionary tale, novices beware and clean the bellypan both inside and out after taking the bike apart, or better yet get the bellypan out of the way before opening up the engine. I am very sorry to everyone who was affected, especially Buzz, who got black-flagged because of me, and it won't happen again.

Jeff Nelson #944