| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
I'd like to know the same thing, but for a Cyclone. | ||
| Mikej |
I was looking at pics of Hal's XB, and thinking back to some sportbikes I've looked at, and was thinking why can't you just bolt them to the round hole in the frame below the widest point in the gas tank? All the sliders (if I'm talking about the same thing you guys are) all look basically the same, big chunk of round teflon looking like a cup with a hole in the bottom for a bolt to go thru. I'm thinking two on each side, below the gas tank, and on the tail section (but then I don't race yet so don't count my opinion much) I might have to set up the Unimat lathe and do some carving. | ||
| Mgg01 |
Hi Folks, Yeah I know I could just get some and try to fit them on, but I don't know if there are different sizes, etc. I think they will work fine on the left (as long as I get my knee out of the way), but I really want them on the right to protect the Buell Race Air Cleaner. Just wondering if someone has gone through the experimentation and has some advice. | ||
| Mikej |
Blake, How about posting a review of what you did to setup your M2 for the track? You know, for instance, if I were to walk out to my M2 (can't do it yet since it isn't back yet, can you tell I'm gettin' annoyed about that???) and decided to track-prep it for either a track day or a citizen race series. I'm really starting to think about setting it up with higher pegs, adding sliders to it, trimming the bodywork maybe just a bit, dumping the Ventura rack, and getting it ready for BattleTrax and the like. Just thinking so far. Anyway, how about posting a review of what you did? Anyone else care to jump in as well? | ||
| Blake |
Mike: I posted a quick rundown of my trackday and prep in the Tale Section.  I already had rearsets and clip-ons, they were on the bike when I bought it. I'll snap a pic of the super simple breather catch can I rigged. | ||
| Mikej |
Thanks, I thought you had but didn't know where to look. | ||
| X1glider |
I feel a bug coming on. No, not the kind the board had a week ago. Racing. I'm not really going to have the time to dedicate to it, but I want to get on the track once in a while when it's available. I've noticed licenses are required by most before setting a tire on it. Who can give me an idea of what I need to do to get started in TX. Keep in mind I just want to get some track time for fun. | ||
| Blake |
X1G: I'd be surprised if there is not a local track club in your area that allows taped up street bikes onto a local track; dues are usually reasonable. If not, find the regional racing club that frequents tracks nearest to your area. For a CMRA racing license, all you have to do is... 1. Obtain the proper safety apparel.
The posts on this years CMRA carnage are most sobering. 2. Prep your bike to pass tech inspection.
3. Pay for, attend and pass a club sanctioned racing school.
Complete two races without crashing or being black flagged. Work corners for two complete racedays during the season. Some clubs offer an associate membership which allows you to participate in club sponsored track/practice sessions or to rent a track, usually at a very reasonable rate, for your own use. Check out the following links... CMRA How to Become a Motorcycle Roadracer The MARRC Roadracing School Bike Prep Guide Try a google search for motorcycle racing "el paso" texas . I did, but at first glance didn't turn up anything of value. You may need to put knobbies on that X1 and take it to the desert.  | ||
| Shooter |
 #1 road racing rule for a Buell: bring money actually no matter what marque ya bring to the track , its not a cheap hobby. gear, gas for the truck,food, entry fees, licenses, etc.etc. adds up with out even talking about the the bike. But once You try it You will get hooked!! Track days are a great way to test the waters.Tape Your lights, drop your tire pressures (on a new set of good d.o.t. tires) and prepare to have the time of Your life. Yesterday was my club's first track day , and street riders were welcome. The carnage wasn't too bad, aided by a low turnout.People crash on track days.Typically a street rider on a liter class sport bike trys to follow some club racer on a 125 gp ring ding thru a turn, puckers and runs wide.If You couldn't bear to see your bike sliding down the track,You might want to think twice.Everybody says they are gonna take it easy, but testosterone is a powerful drug. Buells tend to break on the track, even when Don Tilley preps them. Bring tools and every spare part You have.It really sucks to pay $$$ for a track day and lose the toe peg off Your shifter in the first session.Start stocking up now.(thank God for e bay) You will be amazed at what running at 5000 rpm and up for 10-15 minutes will shake loose off Your bike.Check everything before and after each track session.Safety wire Your oil filter whether its required or not. You will learn more about your bike in 1 track day than in a year of street riding.Focus on being smooth, especially braking and down shifting.Remember, anybody can twist the wick,It's corner entry that seperates the men from the boys. Make sure after your track day to get max poser points with your shredded tires!!  | ||
| Henrik |
If You couldn't bear to see your bike sliding down the track,You might want to think twice.Everybody says they are gonna take it easy, but testosterone is a powerful drug. Speaking from unfortunate experience ... very true words  I'd fortunately started riding the SV on track before I crashed the first time, but it still sucked. It really sucks to pay $$$ for a track day and lose the toe peg off Your shifter in the first session.Start stocking up now. I'd add footpegs, shift and brake levers, shifter rod, aftermarket clutch and front brake levers, header nuts and other exhaust mount hardware. Of course gaffers tape, safety wire and a variety of clamps is a good idea as well. If you think it'd be a waste, think about the guy I met at a track day, who dropped his bike in a slow low-side, broke his clutch lever and had to bail on a $300 Pridmore track day because he couldn't find a $6 part. Safety wire Your oil filter whether its required or not. A large hose clamp around the filter gives you a place to attach the safety wire. You can also use a T-bolt clamp and let the end of the T-bolt but up against the case. Henrik | ||
| Caboose |
Shooter, When it comes to corners I've always been a fan of the "in slow, out fast" methodology. Keeps you out of trouble on the track (and street) Besides, when going fast its more fun to slide the rear out of a corner than to push the front going into one! On a side note, I've rented Cayuga Motor-sport Park for July 8th. If there are any Buelligan's in the southern Ontario region of Canada looking for some track time, ping me. | ||
| Shooter |
 new item to bring to the track: upper rocker box cover!! rocker arm put a crack in my front box. | ||
| X1glider |
Not surprisingly, I'm suddenly discouraged. I definitely went about it the wrong way. If the original intent was solely to race, I'd have bought a used M2, trailer, clothes, other gear, stripped her down, fixed her up and got her on the track. Mashing her up would be expected too, to think otherwise would be naiive. But I bought her as an alternate transport to the Hog for daily riding. It'd be too much of a pain in the ass for me to strip her down and put her back together all the time. Plus, the money issue. Oh well. I did get a reply from a Brooks Gremmels @ Shogun Motorsports about becoming a member of the CMRA. Even if I don't race I can at least get into the loop and be a part of the action no matter what it entails. It's all fun in the end! | ||
| Mgg01 |
Hi X1glider, Don't get too discouraged. I have an X1 and can prep it for the track in about 20 minutes now. I started with the stock X1, added Buell race module, Buell race air cleaner, and V&H exhaust. I have a lot of fun. I have now been to 1 (2day) class, and about 5 track days. I have low sided once, and that scraped off the shifter  , but it wasn't too bad. It is a great way to learn about your bike and yourself. If you go once then you will be hooked, and that is the dangerous part. Now I have had the front end re-valued and springed, rear sets, new handle bars, and new tires, etc. It does make it less fun on the commute (if it is a long one), but I still trade on and off with the Harley and Buell. Overall I like the trade off. Your mileage may vary.......... -mgg | ||
| Blake |
X1G: Track day prep can be performed in a half hour once you get the routine down. Don't be discouraged! Once you ride a track you will be hooked. I am! Brooks is the current president of CMRA, a very competent racer, and a great guy. If you are really interested you should check out the CMRA message board. It has tons of great information for the racer wannabe. I understand Houston has a small recreational track frequented by the sport bike crowd. It'd be better though for you to join me and my friend Keith for a private session at Oak Hill Raceway. Once you have your CMRA associate membership a day at OHR is only $50! We will be renting the track in a month or so. Let me know if you are interested in joining us. The CMRA conducts racing schools on Saturday mornings of race weekends. Their schedule is... 2002 RIDER'S SCHOOL: 02/16 - Oak Hill Raceway (Henderson, TX) (full day class, no racing) 02/23 - Oak Hill Raceway (Henderson, TX) 03/30 - Texas World Speedway (College Station, TX) 04/13 - Oak Hill Raceway (Henderson, TX) 05/04 - The Motorsport Ranch (Cresson, TX) 05/17 - Hallett Motor Speedway (Hallett, OK) 06/15 - Texas World Speedway (College Station, TX) 07/06 - Oak Hill Raceway (Henderson, TX) 08/10 - Texas World Speedway (College Station, TX) 08/30 - Hallett Motor Speedway (Hallett, OK) 09/21 - Texas World Speedway (College Station, TX) 10/12 - The Motorsport Ranch (Cresson, TX) Sign up for a CMRA Rider's School and let's hit the track amigo! Blacksix and RoadThang and anyone else within a few hours of Henderson Texas need to get in on the action too. The more rookies I can whoop up on with my new Nallinized M2, the better.  | ||
| X1glider |
2 minutes ago, I saw the CMRA schedule, and was kicking myself. (we need an emoticon for that) If I'd known something was going on in Henderson, I'd have stopped in to check out the fesivities instead of whizz past, both times, on my Saturday jaunt. Gracious offer, Blake. I inquired about the full membership and should have some lit and a real application in the mail soon. Brooks said "New Rider Info." Hopefully this is the CMRA app and not something else. I'll find out soon enough. When all is taken care of, I look forward to joining you at OHR. But in the middle of May I'll be riding to Jackson Hole and everywhere around it for 10 days. So the next time is more likely. What special prepwork would OHR expect a rookie like me to do, other than get the licence? Belly pan, saffety wiring, etc? Is it required at the level I'm not even at? | ||
| Blake |
I have the same questions re: bike prep just for track day access. During the school, they will let you on track with simply kickstand and signal removal, and taped up headlights and gauges. It is a good idea to safety wire the oil filter (easy) and tranny drain plug (not too tough). After passing the school though, you supposedly will need to have a fully teched bike to gain access. Since we will be renting the track ourselves though, I'm betting belly pans can be, uhhh, accidentally forgotten with no consequences? We will bring a supply of kitty litter and a broom, he who dumps oil pushes the broom.  | ||
| Blake |
If you simply want track access for track days and OHR rental, you only need an associate membership ($50 versus $100 for full membership/license). And yes, the info Brooks mentioned is under New Riders hidden in the links at the bottom of the Home Page. | ||
| Rapid49 |
where is Henderson? | ||
| Blake |
Henderson Texas is ~120 miles due East from Dallas at the intersetion of US259 and US79. The track, Oak Hill Raceway (OHR) is out in the kuntree nearest to a little town called Oak Hill, Texas.  | ||
| X1glider |
Brooks got back to me again stating that there is a new rider class on Saturday, beginning at 8:00 AM at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX (about 15 miles south of Ft. Worth on Hwy 377) on May 4th. The cost of the school is $75.00. Sounds like a winner to me. Should give me a chance to see a friend or 2 in Dallas for the weekend as well. I'll give Brooks a call and find out what is mandatory for me to have and do for the class. As of now, the only leathers I have are boots, chaps, gloves and bad ass biker jacket. I found some gear I like from First Gear but they are not total leather. Mostly, in all critical places but have some 500 denier nylon thrown in. I'd like to try and stay below 1k if I can. As much as I'd like to have a 1 piece Vanson, I know I can't put out that much, not yet. I'll call and find out more, then post it. | ||
| Blake |
X1G, For the class they only require two pair of jeans, a jacket, gauntlet gloves, over the ankle boots, and of course a DOT helmet in good shape. I wore my Joe Rocket Ballistic two piece (armored nylon). Have fun, even when being kinda careful to avoid an oopsee, it's a total blast for sure. | ||
| X1glider |
Blake, I still haven't heard from Brooks, but I was looking at the website for Motorsport Ranch in Cresson. Initiation fee of $2400 for a REGULAR membership!!! They do tout it as being a country club (with country club prices no less, you should see the executive rate). Once a member, the track rentals seem reasonable. Nevertheless, I plan on being there on May 4th for the new rider course. I didn't see Oak Hill as being the same way on their site. So, it looks like that's where I'd be riding once I take care of business. 2 pair of jeans? In case you shit in 1? If the clothes requirements are that loose, I'm set. | ||
| Blake |
I should clarify that the "two pair of jeans" requirement was for the school conducted at OHR. The significantly higher speeds of the ranch may dictate armored attire. Try logging on to the CMRA message board and post a new topic with your questions. They will get answered in short order. This is too cool. We need more Buellers in E. Texas willing to do track days at OHR. | ||
| Dust_Storm |
Just as a note to those racer that want to practice in the El Paso TX area, the closest track that I'm aware of is Arroyo Secco, located int Demming NM. From El Paso it's about a 1.5/2 hour ride, open track on weekends, races sunday morning. Fees are very reasonable, and they'll let stock bikes on the track with the standard tapeup job. This summer I'm hoping to get out to Texas World, heard its a FAST track.. Hope to see you out there! [Ds] | ||
| 1320 |
Some info for all the folks interested in leathers whether it be for road racing or drag racing... Vanson Leathers has a very good rental program setup at both type of events all around the country and very reasonable.. The deal is that toward the end of the racing season they sell off all the rental inventory cheap! I picked up a full suit, never worn, for $500. If you can't get to an event you can call Alan Slavin at Vanson towards the end of the season to see what sizes and such that are available. www.vansonleathers.com | ||
| X1glider |
I tried Vanson, no deals for me, all suits were too large or small. Looks like I'll be buying new. I think I'll be getting the Joe Rocket Highside. Full featured. I've heard good and bad about them but I've heard the same for everyone else but Vanson. Hopefully my experience with Joe Rocket will be a good one. Hopefully I'll never have to find out the hard way! Looks like I'll be needing a new helmet too. It seems my DOT approved helmet isn't good enough. It must be SNELL approved too. My current HJC Symax has the flip up chin bar. Far as I can tell, none of this breed are approved for the track. That's OK, the Symax lets in a lot of wind noise and whistling at highway speed, it must be phenominal at 100mph. The best benefit is flipping up the chin bar to spit and get some fresh air every now and then. For that I give it an A+, D on the wind noise. When I use the double lens snow mobile shield, I give wind noise a B. Anyone who's ever spit inside their helment (or threw up from a high G-force turn!) might want it. | ||
| X1glider |
Need suspension tuning tips. I've been playing around with the settings and have finally found what I like for the street. I have a preference for less compression and more rebound damping than stock to absorb mutiple bumps. Seems to hold the road just fine and is definitely more comfortable. However, race class is coming up in 2 weekends. What's preferable for the track? Any reason to alter preload for the occasion? | ||
| Henrik |
X1Glider: aside from taste, preload is only to set your sag correctly. What you may need to do is change the damping. You may find that the rear start wobbling in turns, in which case you'll need some more rebound. You may also find the front end diving more than you like - so you dial up the compression damping. Henrik | ||
| X1glider |
I thought I might be able to get a teeny weeny bit more ground clearance with altering the preload. I see some Buellers dragging their exhaust cans around turns. I can see having more compression damping and less rebound damping on the front to keep fork dive down braking into the turns, but I was thinking more rebound damping and less compression damping might keep the suspension more stable through the turns (since it's absorbing energy instead of giving it back) and give me better traction, ditto for the rear. In the straights I can see the bike not being as stable at those settings tho. Do I have misconceptions on this? This might be a totally different way of thinking from setting up off road bikes. |
