Manx GP tank

[Davw]

The Manx will need around 17L of fuel for a couple of laps - this means building a secondary tank but befroe I get into that has anyone succesfully fited one of the larger zx6r (or other) tanks - might be a lower cost mod to go with a tank that is already the right size and just change the fixing points. Someone must have solved this already??? Ideas

[cargo]

The standard tank will do 2 laps easy Mine uses about 6.5 litres a lap.
A secondary tank is not permitted it is possible to fit a huge fuel filter but there is no need. The biggest allowable tank is 24 litres I know of no one who has got 4 laps nonstop on 24 litres with a ZXR. I dont believe it can be done.

[Davw]

Cargo - thanks for that. i have heard of set ups (particularly with flatslides) where the fuel tank doesnt do the job. So you are managing 6 miles per litre? I reckon I am getting 5 miles per litre on the short circuits so that makes sense (which would put the 15litre tank at the limit) - I hadnt allowed for the better economy with long flat out sections.

I know that the extra large fuel filter and loads of fuel hose has been done before - didnt Cariline Sells win without a stop in 2009?

[Davw]

while Im on the subject - how do you fit the monza filler cap. I am contemplating fabing a plate with the monza fuel filler on it that will fit over the exsting tank filler hole - the monza cap would then be transferrable between tanks - rather than cutting and fixing it into the tank - any thoughts?

[cargo]

Bloody hell where to start................

OK yes if you can make up a fitting that allows your Monza cap to be swapped to other tanks then yes go for it. There is a small rule change that takes away some of the advantage of having a Monza but it is still better than a key or screwdriver cap.

Carolyn did indeed go 4 laps non stop on a 400 Yamaha I've no idea how she did it and she is the first and only 400 Yamaha that I know of to have done it.
I suspect she had a big filter and a long coil of fuel pipe and perhaps some very expensive race fuel that allowed her to run with smaller main jets ? ? I dont know.


Now back to ZXRs..............

As a general rule you will use more fuel when you first lap the course thats because your on and off the throttle all the time as you really have not much idea of where you are going as you learn and go faster you will use less fuel up to a certain point then fuel consumption will start to rise again.
Now I have never had a problem with the standard tank I think the spec size for the tank 17 litres but it actually will hold a little more.
My bike burns about 6.5 or 7 litres a lap so even at worst I got 3 litres to spare............................there is no problem.
So with a standard tank a 4 laps race is one stop after 2 laps................easy

However..............I do feel that 4 laps non stop even with a big filter and a coil of pipe is not possible with a 24 litre tank. The potential time saving if you could is well worth having but 4 laps at 7 litres a lap is 28 that is a lot of filter/pipe to find.

Now there could be an advantage with a 24 litre tank over a 4 lap race IF you pit stop after one lap . You stop will be shorter if you started with a full tank and you will get 2 flying laps 3th and 4th but laps 1 and 2 will be with a very full heavy fuel load and the bike may not handle or steer as it does with a lighter fuel load also gearing could be affected more so if it's windy................... Also if you come in after one lap pit lane will be empty and NOT busy like it is after 2 laps...................you could also go for 3 laps non stop and come in after 3 for a splash and dash.............this could be very advantagous as you stop will be short however you risk being too fast and end up with not enough fuel for that last lap. Once you have started the last lap you must finish with what you have there is no way to stop again within the rules

Another interesting prospect is that if you have a tank big enough for 3 laps and say the weather changes and the race is cut to 3 laps either before the start or during the race than a tank that can run for 3 laps non stop would be very handy...............this might seem unlikely but it has happened.

Joey Dunlop famously won a 250 TT after it was cut to 2 laps from three lots of guys had pitted after one lap hoping for a flying lap on the 3rd but Joey stayed out and did 2 laps non stop the race was cut to 2 laps and he was miles in the lead ...............

I digress.

I have a 19 litre tank and a 24 litre tank and I've spent many an evening in the MGP paddock with a drink trying to tease out the options and pros and cons of using them. We have chewed it over and over to try and second guess what is best with a big tank.................I'm not telling what I've actually done


There is one guy with a RVF 400 who has a 24 litre tank and he's done it for 3 years running non stop for 4 however it is very tight and i think he may be sacrificeing performance....................and running on the lean side with smaller jets...............this DONT work on a tuned ZXR 400 believe me I KNOW

[Davw]

cargo - brilliant - thanks for that. My head is spinning with the options

[cargo]

I've been doing it since 1997 and every year me and my mate sit there in the tent trying to figure it out

Just to add to the confusion...................I'll be running flatsides next year...............

As my mate says..................


There is a lot of sky in this jigsaw and an awful lot of blue pieces

[Vic61]

You thinking of giving the real stuff a go Dave and are you gonna do any of the Nationals on the run up to it. Vic.

[Davw]

Hi Vic - I am indeed. The plan is next year for the Manx with a trip to Ireland beforehand (Cookstown?).

How are you anyhow - didnt see much of you this past season

[Vic61]

Hi Dave, I'm fine I just didn't bother with short circuits this year.

Didn't do much at all in fact only the Bush, Mid Antrim and Armoy as I was still hurt at the Cookstown.

The Cookstown would be the best one as it's one of the easier ones to learn, I wouldn't recommend the Bush for a start but it is certainly more exciting and is really good fun!!!

Cargo, in your experience would you agree?

[cargo]

Cookstown is almost too easy to learn .......I would suggest Tandragee as a good option it has a little of everything from fast sweepers to tight and twisty with jumps....................Of course Cookstown and Trandragee are only a week apart so doing both would be fantastic..............I'm sure I could help with leaving the van and bikes here if you needed to go home. Two race meetings one boat fare.

Bush reminds me of the old Temple course it is very hard to go fast and lots of nasty bumps and jumps. I know I really struggled the first year but much better now.

However nothing comes close to the IOM

[Vic61]

Although I've not done it yet I understand what you mean about the IOM attraction as I have done some roads.

My thoughts for Dave was the Manx is an awful lot of expense and time off work to then find the roads isn't for him, cause as you know Roads and short circuits are two different sports!

Is the Tandragee a definite this year? Cheers Vic

[cargo]

So far as I know Tandragee is on............ they certainly have applied for a date


Dave was at the Manx last year..................I'll leave it to him to tell you his feelings about the Manx and road racing.

But I could make a damn good guess

[mcmullen123]

hi davy, bobby here. good to know you are racking your brain and sharing your thoughts. as you know i,m going for the manx gp next year ,any advice or tips you pick up or me i,ll gladly pass on . i,m up to now goin to enter the newcomers and ultra lightweight on the zxr400. goin over in feb for induction.was over in sept for jurby 4hr endurance, came fourth on my freinds sv 650. any hoo see you at east fortune in march. regards bobby

[cargo]

hi davy, bobby here. good to know you are racking your brain and sharing your thoughts. as you know i,m going for the manx gp next year ,any advice or tips you pick up or me i,ll gladly pass on . i,m up to now goin to enter the newcomers and ultra lightweight on the zxr400. goin over in feb for induction.was over in sept for jurby 4hr endurance, came fourth on my freinds sv 650. any hoo see you at east fortune in march. regards bobby

So that 4 ZXRworld riders in the MGP next year......................?? How good is that

I hope your Feb trip to the IOM is with the Hailwood Foundation ? ?


Anyone planning on riding in the MGP newcomers race can get help with a visit to the IOM with the Foundation also if any prospective newcomer is wanting to make an extra visit to the IOM I can help with free accommidation and maybe even free use of a car/van to get round the course with. Also I can set you up with course guides as well as myself............................and all the Red Bull you can drink