Projects

Seeley TR500
The most reliable bike always seems to get the worst treatment. As a result this machine was starting to look a little "used". The frame paint was chipped, the fairing broken and cracked, tank dented and so forth. It was decided that the "old dame" needed a little tender loving care in preparation for the spring of 2007. We have the following plans;
• Strip old paint from frame, crack test, and inspect then repaint the frame silver (Completed)
• Modify fuel tank to accept Pingel fuel taps and remove dents from tank (Completed)
• Replace all fasteners
• Manufacture new fiberglass and finish in Crooks Suzuki 1976 livery (Partially completed).
• Modify engine cases to accept Suzuki GT750 mounting anti vibration rubbers.
• For interest we have shown the fully modified crank for this bike. Considerably smaller than a standard crank you will note that the bearings have been encased in sleeves to get away from the standard Suzuki bearings which are now difficult to get.

TR250
The team is fortunate in that most of the hard to get parts for this bike are already in our inventory. The crank mount Kokusan magneto (see photo), Mikuni remote float carburetors (see photo), frame mounted coils (see photo), are but a few of the original parts that will be used for the restoration of this bike.. Although the final inventory of parts has not been completed we believe the final product will be around 95% original.
	Kokusan magneto unrestored
	Frame mounted coils
	Mikuni remote float carburetors
	TR250 Crank in unrestored condition. Note: special magneto drive adapter
The seat will not be correct from the period and the wheel rims are not correct. The carburetors are period correct and are the original 29mm Mikunis that were donated to the project by former owner Gordon Lebredt (thank you Gordon). Les Trotter believes this machine has 10,000 racing miles on it just around the Isle of Man in the time he rode it. Add to that 12 years of short circuit racing while its been in the possession of Tired Iron Racing, plus use by previous owners and it's not difficult to believe that this bike has around 50,000 racing miles on it! I know some 3 year old cars with that mileage that look worse…

HI TAC Suzuki
This also will be a "ground up" restoration. As mentioned elsewhere the bike has been in the possession of the team for approximately 20 years. It was stored at Les Trotters on a temporary basis pending export to Canada back in 1985. At the time of writing it was finally on its way after all these years. Les is glad to see the back of it!
	Hi Tac as purchased
The restoration effort was started in the UK with a new frame being constructed for the bike. The frame that was purchased was incorrect so we had a new one made using an original Hi Tac frame made for Peter Inchley as a pattern. The new Seeley frame as manufactured by Roger Titchmarsh in the UK has been received. This frame has been crafted as a near copy of the frame originally used by Hi Tac's founder Peter Inchley; like the original it is made of Reynolds 531 Chrome Moly tubing and has been gas brazed at the joints. As with most of Roger's work, this frame is of a very high standard of construction with exquisite craftsmanship and execution. Just as good as the original Seeley frames in my opinion. The frame will be powder coated in black and the bike will be ready for assembly in September.
Peter Inchley (far left)
Unfortunately the present owner of this bike has converted the engine back to air cooling so the original frame has been extensively modified to accommodate this process.
The machine will be restored to running condition but given the rarity of the piece we don’t believe we will race it too often. Spares are really not available

Harpowa 750 Suzuki	revised August 2007
After inspection this machine was found to be in poor condition. The period frame was badly corroded and cracked, the condition of the magnesium wheels were suspect, the ignition system was missing as well as a host of other problems. So, this will be a "ground up" effort that will take about 6 months to complete.
The project has been in full stall mode now for the last 7 months as we are still waiting for a frame. Initially promised for February at the time of writing we are still not close. With Daytona 2008 just 6 months away it has been decided that we will gather the parts that have been fabricated and have the frame finished in England. WE are now hoping that we will have a complete frame by the end of September.

With such a short season in Canada all racing is finished by the end of September so it looks as though we will have to head south, possibly Moroso Motorsport Park in Florida, to test the bike prior to Daytona. We really could have done without this but that's the way it has unfolded. Of course we have no information from AHRMA at this point as to whether they will allow the 2 stroke to run at Daytona but I don’t suppose we can take a chance and just continue as if they will allow them to run.
The 38 mm Ceriani forks have been returned on time from Maxton where they underwent the rather superb "Maxton treatment" which basically involves completely re-engineering the whole inside of the forks. Tired Iron Racing has utilized this exact modification on several of its race machines so we are confident the forks will work well in service. We have been fortunate in getting our hands on some period Lockheed calipers that were made especially for the Ceriani forks and so fit with no modification or bracket manufacture required. That was a bonus and simplifies the front wheel fitment and brake rotor selection! Maxton will continue with the manufacture of the custom built rear suspension units and completion is expected by the end of September.
	Ron Williams and Richard at Maxton Engineering have completed the conversion on the 38mm Ceriani front forks and will be starting work on the custom rear suspension within the next week or so. 38mm Ceriani front forks
Spike at Ragged Edge Racing (see links) has been hard at work and has almost completed the glass work which, when painted, in the 1977 Texaco Team Heron colors should look quite good. A set of the original stickers from team Suzuki GB have been located and we expect to have them in our possession soon. A set of Dymag 3 spoke wheels (old design) have been received from the manufacturer after they were crack tested, fitted with new bearings and painted in the "old gold" Dymag color. (See photograph). So, we should have all the bits and pieces we need when the chassis is completed.
The engine re-build is proceeding nicely with most of the main components having been overhauled and are now ready for the build process. We have elected to us Mikuni flat sided carburetors for the bike as they are permitted by the VRRA in Canada and AHRMA rules in the USA. It is likely that we will run against TZ750's at some stage so will need all the help we can get if we are to keep up with them. Adam Bennett is slated to ride the bike but an outing has been promised to a former Suzuki USA and Team Kawasaki USA rider Hurley Wilvert. The location has not been decided yet, but watch the site for further news of this. Also see the photographs from Mosport 2007 where Hurley was in attendance.
• From the photograph you can see the condition of the engine does not seem to be too bad in terms of no visible corrosion oil leaks etc so it's anticipated that this will be a straight forward rebuild with new pistons, overhauled crankshaft etc. A genuine "period" ignition system has been located and purchased in the UK. This Lucas "hall effect" system that seems to be in good working order is invaluable as it permits individual timing of each cylinder which is essential for power and reliability. 750 Harpowa Engine
Crank
	• The Dymag magnesium wheels were returned to Dymag for inspection, refurbishment and new paint. This has been completed. 3 spoke Dymag wheels

Bikes

HI TAC 500 Suzuki

Harpowa Suzuki 750

Several projects are scheduled for the shop in 2006 and 2007, An overhaul of the 500 Seeley Suzuki has already commenced as has the restoration of the Harpowa Suzuki. There are 2 other projects in the planning stage these being restoration of the Hi-Tac Suzuki and restoration of the original TR 250 Suzuki. Let's look at each in turn: