Slight Modifications

vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

Hi lads,
Bit of advice needed really, I use a cbr steelie for track. Pretty much standard as far as I know. Stock suspension and brakes, rearsets, full exhaust etc.
Done a few days on it now, really chuffed with it but I want to know are there any 'cheap' things I can do or change to make a bit of a difference. I know riding better would be ideal and free but still lol.

geordiecbrblo... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Karma :

I can't think of much, other than puuting some tlc into the bike e.g. make sure you pump out the brake pistons and clean them up regularily, make sure all the controls are adjusted perfectly, minimum slack in the throttle etc Tyre pressures spot on.

You could maybe spend a small amount of money getting the bike set up for your weight although the stock shock probably doesn't have a lot of adjustment.

New fork springs / oil is a cheap refresh.

Nope can't think of anything else, someone with more knowledge will be along shortly Embarassed

D O G · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Karma :

Suspension is probably going to be the area where you can get the most gains for 'limited' spend.

New springs and fork oil at the front end, and if your forks are damping rod type (which I think they are) you can get cartridge emulators for about 70quid which will vastly improve the front end. So maybe for less than 200quid and some work you can sort your front end out. Drop the forks through the yolks to lower the front end and improve turn in.

As for the rear shock, it's probably pretty screwed now too, so look for a replacement. I have no idea whether there are any from newer models which will fit, be better, and can be picked up cheaply from ebay or the like. Maybe possible to have yours rebuilt to your weight and use - think Maxton offer this service, or they can give you a new shock to your spec for 400quid, which is a fair bit tho!

Other than that, servcing the swingarm pivots and linkages to ensure free movement is free, but I doubt you'd be able to feel it!

That's all I can offer!

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Change your brake fluid to new stuff, maybe look into getting braided lines.
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vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

The forks are dropped, helps quite a bit. My only ideas are just keep it well serviced, oil changes. Braided lines and maybe stomp grips may benefit me a bit. Trying to keep it a cheap track bike is hard when new toys are about lol

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Pah, don't need stomp grips. Does Rossi use Stomp grips?
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vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

Lol, never used them. Heard a few recommend them as half decent is all.

Blue_SV650S · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2008 Karma :

What rubber have you got on it???

If you haven't already, putting some 2nd hand race-scrubs on there is the best money-improvement ratio you will ever spend!! Thumbs Up

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vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

Atm its running 208 rr's, not bad but got some Supercorsas to slap on next. Hoping they're decent stuff everyone raves about them.

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

Blue_SV650S · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2008 Karma :

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

Deano · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Karma :

you can run race shift on standard rearsets and like fawbish said normally the toe sliding on the tarmac is positioning issue rather than a clearance issue.

just know off the heroe blobs form the standard rearsets if you are after a little clearance.

Though after saying all this, one of the benefits of after market rearsets is you can move them BACK which can help a rider move around the bike better and feel more comfortable. being comfortable on your bike is a KEY to confident riding.

vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Best thing I ever did to the CBR was getting the suspension sorted out - £30 to Mick Grant at a Cadwell day so I could fiddle and go out, fiddle and go out... The forks had stiffer springs than standard (I bent 'em, someone was selling an upgraded pair cheap) but the rear shock was still OEM.

Play with the gearing? Sprockets are pretty cheap.

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

Not got any videos unfortunately defo want to get some though as I think they will be beneficial. Loads of posey pictures tho lol.

Gearing atm is 14 front 45 rear. I think standard is 15 front 44 rear.

Fawbish · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Karma :

Well, post some of your pics, the ones where you feel you're making progress. Mid corner etc Thumbs Up

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vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

A few from mallory weekend just gone. Felt to be making reasonable progress even a lil excursion off the track at about 90mph lol.
https://www.trackdayriders.co.uk/uploads/20090502_185236_DSC_00450045.JPG
https://www.trackdayriders.co.uk/uploads/20090502_185254_DSC_00620062.JPG
https://www.trackdayriders.co.uk/uploads/temp/20090502_185351_DSC_01390139.JPG

Was working on body position feels to be improving