Engine progress
I’ve had the engine on the stand for a week or so now, and I’m making okay progress considering I work for myself and am a single dad with a 5 year old with me half the time. So far I’ve taken off most of the top end in terms […]
Petrolhead
Gearbox time
So I now have a 1UZ engine, a big V8 lump that revs to 6100rpm and produces peak power at 5000rpm (using the stock ECU), and it’s replacing a revvier 1800 inline 4 that hit the rev limiter at over 7200rpm. In my 2002 MX5 Sport, it is a 6 […]
That’s a lot of engine!
After trawling websites, calling breakers, looking at donor cars and generally becoming aufait with the entire UK supply of 1UZ engines, I found a chap in Banbury who sells 1UZ engines as “kit engines” which have been extracted from the donor cars complete with ECU, wiring, all sensors, pulleys, pumps, […]
The Engine 1
There have been quite a few V8 MX5 projects in the last few years. There’s been the well documented video series from Tom’s Turbo Garage with his Project Thunderbolt, not to mention the well established Flyin’ Miata and Monster Miata who both provide kits and parts to install the LS or […]
The MX5 is dead. Long live the MX5.
A few weeks ago, after making progress behind a rather quick Audi TT, I found the MX5 suddenly starting to lose power at the top end, which rapidly descended into a misfire and culminated with the engine dying just as I pulled onto the drive. An unexpectedly full oil catch-tank […]
Electric bikes are boring?
Who says electric bikes are boring?
What IS rallying?
I’m often asked to explain what motorcycle rallying is all about. AdventureSpec sponsored the ATRC series this year, and have put together this short video which explains it better than I can.
Taking stock : repairs and replacements
Just a quick one today. I’ve been going over the bike and looking at what has been replaced or repaired this year. Some of the bits have been salvaged from the spare bike and, in one case, even off my KTM Adventure, so will need to be replaced so they […]
Safe and Sound?
Motorcycle security is something that’s often overlooked until it’s too late. It’s also something that many underspend on, in my opinion, balking at spending a couple of hundred quid on top security which could stop their pride and joy worth several thousands from being spirited away one night by a […]
Adventure bikes are outpacing sports bikes
…no, there’s not some new big off-roader that’s faster in a straight line than an R1, but they are selling more of them. According to the latest figures for new bike registrations, sales of Adventure bikes increased over 15% from 2012-2013 with 1685 new bike registrations compared to only 1402 […]