Dirt products

This is the place where we publicise your products, so if you’ve something to make a Mxer go faster, a trials rider keep their feet up or an enduroista stay on time, let us know and we’ll spread the word.

This is where kind people send us pics of stuff they have which will make you faster, safer, more stylish, feel good and make you a superstar (actually we made that up but if it’s in you these products will bring it out.)

1. Absolutely bootiful

Okay, so we race old motorcycles but it doesn’t mean we have to wear old kit. I mean, you’re not going to pump cash into your bike and then go out on the track in worn out DR boots now are you? Advances in riding kit mean more protection for the rider, which is good as we need to be able to go to work after the race meet. These Gaerne MX boots are built to a high quality, provide protection to the rider’s feet, ankles and shins while allowing important movement and ‘feel’ so the rider knows what’s happening to his bike. Not cheap, nothing is these days, but cheaper than a new foot…

What are they? They’re the latest MX boots from Gaerne Where d’you get them? Malcolm Rathmell Sport import them, their dealer network stocks them.

What’s the cost? RRP is £495.

3. Take a breather

Engines need air, bigger engines need more air, well sorted engines need the most air they can get – enter the big airbox. This airbox in our pic has been developed by 3L Road and Race specifically for CZ MX machines such as the 380 featured in this issue. The need for a bigger airbox came because of the sealing improvements in the development of the race engine. These mods meant more air was taken in through the designer’s ideal route… through the carb intake which showed the standard box to be lacking. This one fits the new frame but also was made so it will bolt on to the standard frame too. It’s in alloy and made by 3L Road and Race’s alloy fabricator.

What is it? It’s a high capacity alloy airbox for CZ Mxers.

Where d’you get them? They’re from 3L Road and Race on 07980 290898 What’s the cost? check with Norrie

2. Oil’s well

A new one on us is the Opus Lubricants TC-W3 two-stroke oil and one which Norrie Pattie – the engineer working with John Fleming on the CZ in this issue – swears by. It’s a super sticky modern lubricant which has proved its worth in the intense world of marine two-stroke engines. Think about it, those engines tend to work flat out all the time under the harshest of conditions. Developed to be an ash-less formula this means it has less of an environmental impact and it is claimed to provide an excellent lubricating film for maximum performance. Various quantity containers are available – our pic shows 1L and 5L – so whatever fits in your workshop.

What is it? It’s a high performance two-stroke oil from Opus Lubricants. Where d’you get it? It’s available from 3L Road and Race on 07980 290898

What’s the cost? Depends on the size of container, ring Norrie and ask.

4. Give it some gas

A subject guaranteed to make the blood of any classic enthusiast boil, be they competition orientated as we are in CDB, or road orientated on two, three or four wheels, even is one of modern petrol and its effects on older vehicles. At the very least, one has to change fuel pipes, floats and float needles in carburettors to cope with the ethanol content of modern petrol. Then there are problems with settings for carburation and ignition, as well as non metal fuel tanks being eaten by the stuff. As can be imagined this subject is quite involved and not easy to explain away with a glib “modern fuel is rubbish.” Veloce has just published a book written by Paul Ireland who goes quite a way to explain the subject in his pocket-sized book – it’s almost A5 size. In the 152 pages Paul details the experiments carried out at Manchester University and their findings from these. He goes quite a considerable way to explaining what can be done to deal with the modern fuel we can buy and how to determine you’re on the right track with tuning. It is a car orientated book but there’s a motorcycle on the cover and the content is mostly general engine stuff. You won’t find specific information on how to tune your 1842 Spagforth Whippet (Comp Model) but you will have a better understanding of the whole fuel thing after reading it.

What is it? It’s a book about modern petrol by Paul Ireland. Where d’you get one? You get them from publisher’s Veloce on www.veloce.co.uk the ISBN is 978 1 787115 90 3

What’s it cost? It’s £15.99 though there may be a postage charge.

6. Pipe dreams

When Honda decided to go two-stroke for their MX models, they introduced the Elsinore… Quite apart from them being a pretty machine they were also superb and still are in classic events. But the thing is there’s over 40 year’s-worth of development and knowledge gone on since the heady days of the mid-70s. One area which has really seen development is the exhaust system and the benefits of a well-tuned pipe are well known. Chris Lewis, who heads up Elsinore 74, knows a thing or two about these machines and has been looking at the exhaust side of them for a while – 18 months to be exact and has come up with this new system, a bolt-on replacement like all his stuff, which will give a 4bhp boost over other pipes. In the world of racing that is a significant boost. Chris will be marketing these pipes through Elsinore 74.

What is it? It’s a new exhaust system for Honda’s Elsinore models from 1974.

Where do you get one? From Chris Lewis at Elsinore 74 – contact him on 07801 072458 if you need one.

5. Classic lube

Older bikes often react better to older formula oils. Not old oil as that would be wrong but mineral oil blended to older regulations, rather than syntheticoil but still including the modern benefits of various engine protection additives. Oils such as Bel-ray EXL Mineral Four Stroke Engine Oil for instance. It is available in 10W/40 and 20W50 configurations which most people will understand means the oil behaves like a 10w or 20w when cold but like a 40w or 50w when hot. The oil is a petroleum-based formula infused with Extreme Pressure (anti-wear additives). Bel-ray EXL reduces oil consumption and offers Long change intervals. So there you are. Oh it’s available in 1L and 4L bottle Sizes.

What is it? It’s a Bel-ray mineral oil.

Where d’you get it? Check out Rapid Moto www.rapid-moto.com where a dealer stockist list is available.

What’s the cost? RRP 1L £8.41 & 4L £29.02