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Prepping a Road bike for the Track!

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Fowlersrs
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Joined: 30 Mar 2012
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PostPosted: 16:22 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Prepping a Road bike for the Track! Reply with quote

So I've got my van to load the bike into along with a front wheel chock and soft loop tie downs to hold the bike down in the back. I've got 2 big ass planks to load it to and fro.

Now I need to look at the bike as next year I intend to do as many track days as my finances allow!

Tyres:

The bike is gonna need new rubber anyway, do I just stick a set of Michellin Pilot 3's on and have done with it, or would I be better to get separate wheels (eBay, etc) and get some track specific rubber fitted?!

Crash Protection:

What's the general consensus, tape up all headlights and remove mirrors?! Also I take it crash mushrooms are worth it in the event of a low side. Front axle, rear and fairing ones right?

Spares;

Now without going mad what's a good idea to carry in the van?
Brake pads? Oil? Filter? Clutch/throttle cables?
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P.
Red Rocket



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 16:29 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is what I'm doing.

Cheap race fairing from gaybay.

Got trailer to load it onto.

Got boot in car, that will have the tools to replace tyres, brake/clutch levers, bag of bolts and the general screwdriver/10>17mm spanner/sockets. Also spare levers and stuff like that.

Will carry oil and funnel if I think I need to although most prep would be home done.

Crash stuff, either a crash cage should I smash the fairings or bungs and fork sliders.

Tyres, is it just a plain track bike. If you are doing wet days, get a set of wheels and fit wet tyres. On track I'll be using part worn Supercorsa/racetecs and buying 4 or 5 sets when I next visit the place I get them from.
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0l0dom0l0
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Joined: 21 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: 16:56 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most high end road tyres will be okay on the track, so your pilot 3's will be fine if you fit them to the bike. If you buy another set of wheels, as paddy says put wets on them as this is a massive advantage for wet trackdays.

Other stuff to take is duck tape and cable ties, along with loads of tools etc. Just take whatever sort of spare stuff you have as you never know what will be useful.

Crash protection has a mixed opinion but bungs will help in the event of a slow to medium speed low side.

Paddock stands and tyre warmers are useful if you're going to take it seriously.
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.
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Chalky.
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Joined: 30 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 17:02 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

What I do

Put in trailer at home.

Remove from trailer at track.

Ride round track.

Put in trailer.

Drive home.

Simple Wink

Bikes are built for tracks - they don't need a great deals of mods for a track day at least. May as well make sure you enjoy it before you get race fairings, rear sets and shiz.
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Bendy
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Joined: 10 Jun 2002
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PostPosted: 17:03 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like these - https://www.gbracing.eu/ - seen them work very well to stop you holing those sticky-out engine bits. No harm having them fitted for the road either.

You don't need super-mega-sticky track rubber until you're truely reaching the limits of what you have fitted, so its a far easier life just to use what you're using on the road.
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supZ
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Joined: 03 Feb 2009
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PostPosted: 17:09 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

it sounds like you want to use a road legal bike?

if you just wanna prep the bike for the track all the lights and that should be coming off (race fairing wont fit with them still attached anyway.. not without cutting holes in it)

if you're just using it on the track, and as you're vanning it it doesnt need to be road legal, so why not remove everything you dont need (lights, mirrors, wiring, etc..) get some track biased rubber (supercorsa/racetec/etc), whack some rearsets on there and change the sprockets and off you go.

why keep the lights on the bike if you're gonna be taking there in a van?

im a little confused.. perhaps you can explain exactly what you plan to do with it
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Fowlersrs
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Joined: 30 Mar 2012
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PostPosted: 17:34 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm planning to use the bike I use on the road on the track, I can't justify buying another bike to use all of 6-8 days of the year. The bike is a triumph speed four btw
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P.
Red Rocket



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 17:36 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

In that case I would have spare wheels... purely because you'll kill tyres Laughing
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Bendy
Mrs Sensible



Joined: 10 Jun 2002
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PostPosted: 18:00 - 31 Oct 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spare wheels are only worth it if you don't pay a premium for them. They can be bloody expensive.

You shouldn't be killing tyres, just using up the edges. Thumbs Up
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Noxious89123
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Joined: 10 Jun 2007
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PostPosted: 00:07 - 01 Nov 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bendy wrote:
I like these - https://www.gbracing.eu/ - seen them work very well to stop you holing those sticky-out engine bits. No harm having them fitted for the road either.

Those look like they'd be much more useful than crash bungs tbh!
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P.
Red Rocket



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 07:03 - 01 Nov 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bendy wrote:
You shouldn't be killing tyres, just using up the edges. Thumbs Up


I mean in terms of using them at a faster rate. I know it happened with my car tyres, have the feeling it might be the same with bikes?
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