Poco Bastardo Replica #002 by .lossaengineering

Maverick Vinales and KTM rules Valencia Moto3 test

from TWOWHEELSBLOG

Maverick Vinales has virtually been untouchable in these three days of testing at Valencia and his 1′39.299 lap has been the benchmark for the rest of the field, and the KTM machine has proved to be the most competitive bike so far, consistently in the top three spots.

However, the fastest rider on the final day of testing was Team Estrella Galicia 0,0s Alex Rins with his 1:39.618 lap followed by Vinales and Luis Salom and Jonas Folger.

The first non KTM rider was Caretta Technology’s Jack Miller with the FTR Honda who moved up fifth and making a big jump forward and he was followed by fellow FTR Honda rider Romano Fenati in sixth, with the Italian rider suffering a crash on the last day. John McPhee climbed up the timesheets to finish in seventh today and 9th overall with Alex Marquez and Efren Vasquez in front of him. While on the combined timesheet Miguel Oliveira was 10th.

Vinales’ teammate Ana Carrasco jumped forward to finish 16th overall.

There were numerous crashes throughout the sessions including Fenati, Salom, Oliveira, Toni Finsterbusch, Francesco Bagnaia, Juan Guevara and Matteo Ferrari.

The second official Moto3 test will be at Jerez de la Frontera with the Moto2 teams from February 19-21.

Moto3 Valencia test combined lap times:

01- Maverick Vinales 1’39.299
02- Alex Rins + 0.286
03- Luis Salom + 0.370
04- Jonas Folger + 0.751
05- Jack Miller + 0.992
06- Romano Fenati + 1.129
07- Alex Marquez + 1.169
08- Efren Vazquez 1.196
09- John McPhee + 1.211
10- Miguel Oliveira + 1.227

Pol Espargaro concludes final day of Moto2 with record breaking lap

 with TWOWHEELSBLOG

Pol Espargaro is already in championship form and so his Kalex machine, and finishing six out of eight sessions at Valencia on the top of the charts, sending out a clear shot to his rivals.

The Pons rider posted a stunning lap early this afternoon in 1’34″577, which was almost a second faster than his best time yesterday and six tenths of second faster than his pole position record during last season’s Valencia GP weekend.

Espargaro wasn’t the only rider to go below the 1.35 threshold, Nico Terol was second and just two tenths of second behind him, while Julian Simon on his Kalex finished third and four tenths adrift and Jordi Torres took fourth on the second Aspar-Suter bike and making it four Spanish riders in the top four.

Thomas Luthi posted his fastest lap in the morning to take fifth, but he clashed with Ratthapark Wilairot and both riders crashed. The Interwetten rider was shipped off to the hospital where he was treated for a suspected fractured right arm and collarbone, while the Gresini rider was treated at the circuit for a head injury.

Takaaki Nakagami was sixth and the fastest rider in the final session while Scott Redding and Tito Rabat were seventh and eighth respectively and separted by just 0.034s. Simone Corsi continues to be the fastest Speed Up rider in 9th, while Ioda’s Johann Zarco was tenth and he was one of the several riders who crashed.

Other crashers included Alex de Angelis who finished the day in 21st and just 0.002s faster than Moto2 rookie and reigning Moto3 champion Sandro Cortese. Louis Rossi also suffered a tumble with his Tech3 Mistral 610.

The next official Moto2/Moto3 test will be at Jerez from February 19 to the 21.

Moto3 Valencia combined test results:

01- Pol Espargaro 1’34.577
02- Nico Terol + 0.200
03- Julian Simon + 0.404
04- Jordi Torres + 0.507
05- Thomas Luthi + 0.516
06- Takaaki Nakagami + 0.545
07- Scott Redding + 0.716
08- Tito Rabat + 0.740
09- Simone Corsi + 0.788
10- Johann Zarco + 0.822

X650 Storm Conversion Kit for the Yamaha 650 from Phil Little Racing

by PAUL CROWE from thekneeslider

The X650 Storm conversion kit from Phil Little Racing gives your Yamaha 650 the look of a Triumph Hurricane at a fraction of the price of the real vintage classic.

Phil Little has been creating some excellent kits for a whole series of motorcycles over the years, dramatically transforming their appearance for not a lot of money and they're perfect for the guy with basic hands on skills and the desire to spend a little time in the garage, cleaning up that old bike that doesn't get the love it should and converting it into something he'll be proud to show off to everyone.

Phil just introduced the Storm conversion kit for the Yamaha 650. If you've always had a soft spot for the Triumph Hurricane, but your budget is a bit short of what you need to pick up one of those vintage classics, this realistically captures the appearance, albeit minus one cylinder, with one piece appearing bodywork which is actually a cleverly designed separate tank and tail section. I think he did a really nice job with the seat, too, it attaches with some very secure velcro strips and it flows nicely from the tank to the tail so you don't have to go the foam slab route if your upholstery skills are lacking.

X650 Storm conversion kit for the Yamaha 650 from Phil Little Racing

The 3 gallon tank is made with an anti-ethanol resin so you don't have to worry about fuel leaks and the bodywork comes standard in orange, so you save a few hundred dollars right there because you don't need a fancy paint job, though you can get a black or white body if you prefer and paint it any color you want. Like I said, your basic hands on skill plus some garage time putting this kit together will yield some very eye catching results.

X650 Storm conversion kit for the Yamaha 650 from Phil Little Racing

The Storm body kit is priced at $959. Options include graphics, frame cover plates, low western bars, minimalist brake and taillight, fork brace, vintage style shocks and a side mounted license plate holder.

That good looking exhaust is available separately from Michael Morse for $300.

If you have an old Yamaha 650 sitting around looking a bit tired, or if you want to pick one up at a good price, I know where there's a sweet body kit that would be just perfect for it, guaranteed to produce a few double takes at the next bike night.

Link: Phil Little Racing

Rear view of the Storm conversion kit from Phil Little