I know it’s a few years since I had the work done but I’ve got to be honest and say it didn’t work out. Covid fucked everything for a couple of years, other things got in the way the following year and then I changed my job meaning my free time went out of the window but it may be time for a rebirth.
It was pointed out to me yesterday that it’s a few years since I raced anything but I don’t think my aching body can handle either rallies or enduros these days and racing for under a minute can’t be that stressful can it
Anyway, I was at Olivers Mount watching the hill climbing (and drinking beer, lots of beer and that’s important to remember) when it was pointed out to me that I’ve got a 500 sitting idle and with a bit of work it could be turned into a hill climbing bike. How difficult can it be to change my enduro wheels so they have 17” rims and bung a set of wets on it. Play with the suspension (firm it up a lot), rip off all the extra weight and rag the fuck out of it for a minute 4 or 5 times in a day?
Initially I said no because I’d be too slow but it was pointed out to me that most of the field are as old as me and the instigator of all this nonsense is now a 3 times British Champion so he should know. He’s also won that title on my old 250 EXC enduro bike and has offered to let me ride it so I can have double entries and get more practice in.
So where do I start? Well probably by phoning Talon and asking how much they’ll charge me to lace 17” rims onto my enduro hubs if I cut the spokes out and send only the hubs then strip off everything I don’t want to break when the inevitable crash occurs. I’ve already upgraded the front brake and I’ve got it geared to top out at about 90mph which would be about right most of the time.
I might still fit in my race leathers if I breathe in, I’ve got boots and crash helmet so a plan is forming