I know everyone with a real interest in FFs, especially all the designers and constructors will be fascinated by these pics of Robs earlier creations, so here they are.

http://rohorn.smugmug.com/Other/Favorites/i-Kxbt7w6/0/X2/LR1-X2.jpg
http://rohorn.smugmug.com/Other/Favorites/i-C7MN8VN/0/X2/LR6-X2.jpg

Here's a link to the national organisation of insurance brokers. No great intelligence available on the phone regarding the problems of insuring 'unusual' or 'specialist' vehicles, but it's an avenue to expore for anyone having trouble getting routine insurance for their FF.

Rob Horne continues his new career as the world's only FF racer, here's his report

http://rohorn.blogspot.com/2014/06/race-2.html

Pictures to follow in due course.

Good to see someone making FF waves!

Insuring an FF

I've discovered a problem that may threaten not only the future of FF development in England but also the use of FFs currently in use here. It's insurance.

You might expect insurance companies to welcome safer two wheelers especially as FFs have been around as production vehicles since the Quasar. There may not be huge numbers, add Ecomobiles, Monotracers, and Voyagers to the twenty Quasars, throw in the various one-offs and the number of FFs in England is probably still short of fifty vehicles.

Obviously it's pot luck how long an picture stays in the 'latest image' slot. Sometimes days, sometimes a few hours. No problem. But when one gets replaced after afer a few hours by the Previous image, you have to wonder what's going on. Honad, not liking it up them? Human agency surely involved.

I think we should be told, preferably by the human in question.

Here's a press release from Arthur Kowitz. He's set up a race series for zero-emmission bikes in the USA that's a decisive step back to motor racing as we know it. Unlike the FIM/Azhar Hussien corporate lovefest, this is for real prototype racers. FFs? sure. Streamliners, bodywork? Definitely. The FIM, Who? The rules are very liberal, with a few oddities generated mainly by motorised bicycle people who apparantly race with controls that stick out and catch on things (like other peoples streamlined bodywork). Sounds very dodgy, but nothing that can't be worked round.

No sooner has the excitememt caused by the relaxation of the FIMs streamlining rules - and their confirmation that this permits FFs - died way, than Azhar Hussein announces that it's all changed again. According to Azhar, only the World Championship Series, consisting of a few rounds scattered across the world with none in England, will allow what he calls 'prototypes'.

Charles Hennekam, technical co-ordinator and Motorcycle Homologations Officer for the FIM, confirms in an email that it "Is possible to enter FF designs" in the new FIM formula that replaces E-GP.

He goes on to note the "Daunting" challenge of incorporating E-power into race motorcycles without factory support, something that all entrants will have to deal with.

Proving that time changes everything, the FIM have issued rules for their new E-power bike race series that don't actually ban FFs!

Here's some news to warm your heart!

TTXGP (AKA E-GP) is joining up with the FIM to form a 'unified' series. Other people just call it 'selling out' although I doubt the FIM paid anyone.

Question is, Will the FIM continue to apply the E-GP rules that permit FFs? Really, you only have to ask the question!

Although the FIM lifted the E-GP rules more or less complete (breaching my copyright)when they started 'TT zero', apparantly allowing FFs, they also left in their old rule about max. seat hump height (seat backs in English) of 150mm, outlawing FFs as defined.