Suzuki Bandit 600, from road to track

Bunged-up jets, grumpy cables and a crap rider still combine to create big grins

-  Dave Manning

After Pembrey, I didn't feel that I had much to do in the way of maintenance or changes but, as is the way with race machinery, my feeling was entirely incorrect and the Bandit needed cosseting and fettling, which echoes the sentiments of the 'No Leisure' half of this column's title.

I'd intended to give the Bandit an outing at the Suzuki Live! weekend at Cadwell (as sneaky practice for the final round in September), but when I fired up the bike the day before, a chronic low rpm misfire showed that the pilot jets were gummed up in the carbs (all four!), so needed pulling off and cleaning out. Modern fuel is renowned for this if a bike is sat unused and, as the accompanying pic shows, it also has an effect on the rubber seal used on cheap aftermarket petrol caps...