2009 Brechfa Enduro

Since our last event was the British Championship MX at Frome we had to convert the outfit into enduro trim for the Brechfa. Main work was to put a radiator fan and thermostat sensor switch on, make up a strong sump guard from Duralloy, fabricate a folding footrest from a Honda CRF perch and stick on some lights. They don't need to be working as we don't use any public highways in the Brechfa. Oh yes, I took out the 580 motor and put in a 6 speed 540 instead. New chain and sprockets were bought, FIM Michelin Enduro tyres fitted and we put on Stewart Lines' Maximum Group Sticker kit for good measure. (Looks nice - Thanks Stewart). 

Even though the weather was horrendous on the day it was a good event for us where we finished 2nd first time out on our new 2008 VMC in a British Championship forest enduro. 

Bike suspension was set up for mx and was too low for the deep Brechfa ruts causing us to drop 3 minutes on the going. Bash plate was also too wide and the square outside edge often dug into sidewalls of the ruts stopping us dead in our tracks. 

Something else wasn't quite right - Iwan reckoned we were severely down on power compared to the 525 we used last year. For some reason the carburettor or ignition would stop the bike from revving above 3/4 throttle and left us under powered - especially on the forest roads. Not good when bike is carrying a combined weight of 32 stone! 

On the second lap we lost the use of our front brake when the plunger screw popped out and disappeared. Shortly afterwards, a deep rut took out our rear brake lever. Riding the test and the last long check without any stopping power was fun!!! I didn't tell Iwan about losing the brakes (didn't want to mess up his super positive mindset) and had to endure about an hour of verbal abuse in my left ear about pulling my finger out, giving it some more, taking stupid lines, bottling out on downhills, etc. I was glad to see the finish!

Under those circumstances we were happy with 2nd but we both know it should have been better. Lots of changes to be made for Welsh 2 Day therefore to improve the bike. 

These include adapting the bash plate, raising the suspension by 2 inches, adding mudguard extensions, improving carburetion, changing ignition and swapping back to my old exhaust pipe. Bearings, oil filters and clutch plates will also be changed and new tyres fitted. May buy a set of ear plugs as well!!!

Looks like I'll be eating my supper in the garage for a few weeks then.

ROUND 1 BRITISH ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
Brechfa Enduro Results: 
Championship Class
1 43 David Williams/ Graham Mcphee 
2 38 Aled Evans/ Iwan Evans
3 42 Marc Rowlands/Neil Rowlands
4 45 Alun Davies/ Rhys George
5 46 Nigel Smith/ Richard Smith
6 44 Craig Radford/ Gareth Clarke
7 39 Graham Jones/ Simon Rogers
8 40 Stewart Lines/ Neil Bann
9 47 Gareth Andrew/ George Edyvean

Clubman Class
1 122 Richard Chandler/ Aled Jones
2 119 John Giles/ Anne Giles
3 118 Eirian Davies/ Jason
4 116 Simon White/ Andy
5 117 Alistar Neville/ Sharon Neville
6 120 Richard Neville/ Peter Wisenden
8 123 James Cuff/AN Other
7 121 Roger James/ AN Other

Photos on this link:
http://aledje.zenfolio.com/p928021704