Bol d'or classique: 1st run and engine failure

There are times when nothing goes right, and just past Thursday is one of them. Last week, we finally got our beautiful 1991 Suzuki GSXR750 back, with which we plan to ride the classic Bol d'Or. The engine is finally running smoothly. Fred, from Concept Moto in Chauffailles near Mâcon, gave the engine a thorough overhaul. The bike proudly produces 120 hp, with a nice power curve and no gaps. That's more than enough for my current level on the track. The pistons were dead and the engine gaskets had been glued to the gasket. As a result, we had no compression.

Yesterday, Bruno Prokhoroff, my team-mate on this adventure, picked me up for a first run at Carole. The aim was to get to know the beast and see how it behaved. For me, it's also a chance to get my bearings and see where I stand in terms of riding feel on the track.

After taking the bikes out of the truck and eating a sandwich, Bruno sets off on his first test lap. I watch him turn and don't feel comfortable. He comes back after a few laps with a nasty grimace. The engine runs well, but the chassis is horrible, impossible to ride. The bike is too stiff and swings wildly in corners. We fight to keep the bike on the corner.

We adjust the fork and I'm off again with the bike. It's better, but I can still feel the rocking motion. On the other hand, the bike brakes very well and is very stable. So I'm able to set a bit more pace.

I do a short session following Bruno this time, so that he can validate my trajectories. Bruno says to me back at the truck: "It's the same, but faster", and he reassures me that it'll happen in the end. Anyway, my pace isn't very fast, but that's not why we're here. We're just breaking in, and both the machine and the rider aren't quite there yet.

We notice that the rear shock absorber is hopelessly too hard, despite Bruno's adjustments. We decide to send it back to EMC for overhaul and to change the spring, which must not be adapted to our weight. I suspect the steering column bearing is dead, which will be confirmed when we dismantle it, hence the strange rocking motion.

The clutch slips a little when we get back on the gas, especially with Bruno. At the end of the afternoon, the bike is struggling to keep idling. We say to ourselves, no problem, we'll sort it out for the next run.

I set off again for a final 15-minute session. At the end of the 3rd lap, on the Dunlop arch straight, the bike suddenly revs up. I cut off and hear a nasty metallic noise. I drive a few more meters before stopping. The marshals have already brought out the red flag. The bike has made a beautiful plume of smoke. I stop at the parabolic and wait for the truck to come and pick it up. I know the verdict in advance. The track is silent. Everything seems calm and sleepy. Pollen caresses the Suzuki's fairing, bathed in the beautiful late-day sunshine. It almost looks like snow. Things are looking complicated as usual. I think back to the Zundapp on the Issoire circuit...

To top it all off, last night I had a very sore neck. It gave me a crazy headache in the evening. We'll have to overhaul the rider too. My position on the bike must be wrong, too tense... I don't know yet.

This morning, Bruno opened the bowels of the Gex and, as expected, we've got a nice broken engine. The right-hand valve is broken, and probably the piston too. There are bits of metal in the carburettor. We're going to dismantle the engine and send it back to Fred. We need to find out what's wrong. This further reduces my riding possibilities. Will I be ready for the classic Bol d'Or? Once again, the bet is on.