| Author | Message | ||
     X1glider |
I looks as though I will be attending race class this weekend at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson. 8:00am?!?!?! I don't get up that early for work. On a Saturday?!?!?!? Even more unheard of. It turns out Brooks Gremmels didn't send out the info packet I needed before the class, but he says I can just show up that day to join the CMRA and take the class. And I can can forego the belly pan and safety wiring. That's something they are planning on changing for obvious reasons. The only thing keeping me now is getting my leathers in the mail. Once those come to me, I'm up there. I've also been able to borrow a 3 rail trailer this weekend, so I'll do the obvious things and take off the mirrors, signals and maybe the passenger pegs. Then I guess I'll just need to tape over the headlight. Oh, can't forget the kickstand too. Ummm, can I just put a jumper wire in the connector to close the cicuit to the switch? Hopefully they'll have something there so I can stand the bike up when not in use. I don't. Can't think of anything else. Any ideas on other things I should bring up that I might need? I'm cluless and want to be as well prepared as possible. Anybody else interested in the class this weekend? It's only $75. How about those showing up for the races? | ||
| X1glider |
Hooray!!! Got all my stuff and am ready to go. The Joe Rocket Highside 2 pc suit fits fine and seems well made, as does the AGV Carbon 7 pro gloves. My boots (Joe Rocket) aren't race boots but will do for the class. The HJC AC-10 also came in and I am pleased as well. So, I look like I race now. Just gotta get past the looking part now and take the class. Most likely, I'll just be doing the track days afterwards. Racing might break my bank without sponsors and donors, and if there's no payout for amateurs, why should I risk busting up the bike? Not out to prove anything, just to have fun. Don't need the pressure. I'm surprised. No one coming to Motorsport ranch? Skully, you are only 45 minutes southeast of me. Blacksix? Blake (you've been quiet lately)? Gotta be more in Texas. I'll give Dan a break since he practically lives in Mexico (650-700 mile trip there), si senior? | ||
| Blake |
X1G, Sorry, been REAL busy lately. I'm pretty much relegating myself to OHR for now. Will be trying to rent the track for a day next week, probably Friday. As to your kickstand switch, yes unplug and jumper is the way to go. As to how to hold up your bike without a kickstand or wheelstand, use one of your tie-down straps hooked to your truck or trailer and hooked around your bike's frame. I left my bike near the pit area and used a tie-down to support it from a sturdy fence post. It worked great. | ||
| X1glider |
Race weekend at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX: 1st step in the 12 step program complete. Joined the CMRA and passed the new racer class. Now I have to parctice, practice, practice and race 2 times without crashing and work the corners 2 days. Good class. I don't watch any TV so I never see the races like many others here. So, learning the flags, track/pit rules and procedures for entering/exiting the track was paramount to me. Very knowledgeable instructor too. I have the utmost respect for anyone who can talk without saying "uh" in every sentence and pausing for thought. This tells me the person knows his stuff. Rides like a mutha too. We got two 15 minute sessions on the track and he rode with each of us briefly getting us to follow his line or to get us (me) to speed up. No knee dragging here. Had a few who felt they had to be the fastest rookie. 1 wiped. I mainly concentrated on being smooth and picking the best line (failed miserably even tho there were cheater cones laid out) but I had too little faith in my Dunlop D207Fs that came on the X1 to go very fast thru the tight turns. I felt the bike slide a number of times and only scraped my pegs about 2 dozen times. I did scrape my toes more often. Never left 3rd gear either, It turned out to be most comfortable for maintaing control thru the corners and even though it was slow getting up to speed in the starights, I did manage to hit 100. Speed wasn't my goal, keeping rubber side down was. At least didn't get passed by the guy in the YSR50!  I do like the user friendliness of how a CV carb reacts to the DDFI. I still haven't gotten used to the DDFI's whip. Great track and it was bright and clear all day. Wish it wasn't so expensive to join the club. Here's what I learned that day: 1. I suck 2. I'm not riding on the balls of my feet, hence scraping my toes. Bad habit from riding upright with mid controls all the time on the Hog. 3. Not hugging the gas tank. 4. Do NOT turn my head to see who's passing me. It's their responsibility to avoid hitting me. I wish this were true on the street. 5. How to pick a line that will lengthen the straightaway. Entry isn't as important as exit. 6. I suck Honestly I didn't do too badly. I corrected my mistakes in the 2nd session and felt more in control. I just didn't feel the speed was important that day. I will admit I didn't feel comfortable on the X1 at all. Other than the pegs being too low and the tires not sticking well, it felt too top heavy even with shifting my weight properly. It's definitley not the bike I'd prefer for the track. I looked around after the class, talked to people, watched, listened. For the most part, friendly people who are very enthusiastic about why they are there. They'd better be. Anyone who didn't seem friendly, I chalk that up to them being preocupied with preparing for their race. But on the whole a good experience. In all my travels, I noticed I was the only Bueller there. Think there's a reason for that? I do. Like I said, I don't think the X1 is the right bike for job no matter who is riding it, even with race rubber, rear sets and low bars. I'm thinking an SV might be in my future, something I can butcher up and strictly race. It'll be a little difficult to complete my required 2 races with the X1 if there's no one to compete against. But I should wait and see how I improve before I make that move. Edurance racing seems the way to go. More track time for the same entry fee. My girlfriend is up for that. She has her Kiwi licence and thinks it won't be a problem to transfer it to getting a CMRA licence. I really don't know about that. As of right now, she's the only one i would trust to ride the same bike...besides some of you out there, but I've never actually met any of you either. I'll keep showing up at the races, watching, listening, learning, and maybe make a couple friends, even offering to help them so I can learn more. I'll make more decisions after that. Fun, fun, fun!!! | ||
| X1glider |
Oh, one more thing. How the hell do you get the spring off the kickstand? Man, that thing is tight. Had to leave it on and tie wrap it. They should have made a kickstand assembly that can simply be unbolted fron the frame. And duct tape isn't the best choice for taping up lights, signals and brake light. Nothing a big bottle of "Goo Gone" won't cure tho. | ||
| Blake |
Congrats!!! Sounds like your X1 needs some fine tuning suspension wise. Rearsets are a must. And that dang sidestand spring is tough. Getting it back on is even tougher. Are you up for a day at OHR anytime soon? Would be a weekday, Monday or Friday in a few weeks. | ||
| X1glider |
Can't do weekdays. Gotta work and too long of a drive. I guess you're saying weekends are really busy there? In a few weeks, I'll still be in Jackson, Wyoming anyway. I'm not even positive if I'd be allowed on with a provisional license. I forgot to ask. I'd hope so, so I can practice for those races. So how did you get the spring off and not damage the bike? | ||
| Blake |
I used a screwdriver and a scrap of wood for leverage and was able to pry the spring off with some effort. I resorted to vice-grips to get the spring back on. | ||
| Blake |
The idea with the weekday (Friday or Monday) was to avoid having to share the track with a bunch of serious experienced racers. That will be beneficial at some point, but not until I can get comfortable with the track and down to a competitive lap time. We're looking at either May 17th or 20th (Friday or Monday) depending on the work schedule of my buddy Keith. If you can take a day off, it would be worth it. If not, it would be worth a Saturday or Sunday too. Not all weekends are booked either. Let me know if you are interested in renting the track. You can check on the CMRA message board to see if anyone is renting the track on a weekend you are considering. Or just call the owners.  | ||
| Gcpoland |
Kickstand springs: use the old Harley method of putting coins in the coils, sring comes off easy and if you leave the coins in it, goes back on easy. Gary | ||
| X1glider |
That's an excellent idea Gary. They should put that in the service manual. Unfortuantely, now that I have 2 bikes and a trailer I am still paying for, I have no coins to spare! hehe Some engineer I am for not thinking of it myself. | ||
| Blake |
Wow, that's too easy! Thanks for the great tip Gary! | ||
| Dust_Storm |
Really, which is the best Buell to use for twin racing? From what I've read, the S1/W series had the most power, but everyone (Barnes, etc) seems to be on the fuel injected X1's. Blake is around and about on an M2, and as I've only ridden the X1 (FANTASTIC BIKE!), and would love to pick up a "project" twin to race with, which Buell would be best? Like any part-time racer (read as poor), the I could honestly care less about titles and everything else, so long as the frame is straight and the motor turns better than average. Currently I'm stuck on a 600, and would much rather be on a twin. What kind of Buell should I start looking for? Thanx! [Ds] | ||
| José_Quiñones |
IMHO, Buell - S1 or current X1 are fine. Non - Buell - Suzuki SV650 | ||
| Caboose |
For you guys racing an X1, what fairing do you use? I've been looking around and the only one I find is for the S1.  The bubble for the tach / speedo is on the wrong side for an X1. Will this fairing work for an X1 or is there a different aftermarket part available?  | ||
| Dust_Storm |
SUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAY!!!!!!!! To all those in the ELP TX area, Arroyo Secco Raceway in Demming NM will have open trackdays this weekend, entry is 40$, looks to have a few of the locals racing etc.. I'll have the Kawak 600 and my trusty (and still VirGiN!) Blast to throw around, we'll see how it goes in the mono compitition (I'm sooooooooooooooo out gunned, and the Force pipe won't be in 'til next week..) so root for the underdog! Hope to see you all there, if ya can make it! [Ds] - who needs an S1/S2/M2/X1 in the worst way... | ||
| Jeffl |
Anyone racing in Seattle? Seattle International Raceway? | ||
| Rick_A |
Caboose...What do you need a speedo for when you're racin'? All I do is scare the crap out of myself when I'm haulin' and look at my speed. | ||
| Blake |
When you are mid corner or coming off the corner exit, and realize that you could take the corner faster, it's valuable to have a reference. RPM or MPH are good references. I guess most racers use RPM though, since they don't always have a speedo. | ||
| Caboose |
I'm thinking it would be good for trackdays. If you look at my profile photo you'll see nice matching white tape. Well I'm sick of having to apply and then remove said tape. The amout of time I spend removing glue from the lenses is no longer than it would take to remove the headlight and license plate mounting bracket assemblies. | ||
| X1glider |
Blake, I got a line on belly pans. Called Hals Speedshop and they can set us up. We need to come up with our own bracketry but that shouldn't be a problem. They even have a fairing with the bubble on the proper side for my X1. Asked about used stuff but they said it is either damaged or gets handed down to the up and coming racers. The team comes back from Elkhart tomorrow and I should get a return call about the parts. As of now I don't know any details of the part's construction, design or cost. | ||
| Blake |
Cool. I await the price wiht much trepidation. If the price is WAY high, I've thought about modifying an X1 chin fairing with a judicious application of some fiberglass mat or even sheet metal to achieve the enclosure required. | ||
| X1glider |
Question on rearsets: Does anyone have some good opinions on the distances to set the controls back? Crossroads are 2" up and 2" back. Bankes are 2.5" up and 4" back. LSL, I'm not sure about, but they look the best made of all 3. Anyone know about these? I want plenty of ground clearance but don't want to have to get help to have someone unfold my legs after a ride. Will 2x2 be enough or should I go for more? If I go 4" back will I still be able to shift my weight easily? | ||
| Blake |
I think the ergonomic harmony you are seeking varies from one rider to another. I sure do like my Banke rearsets on my M2. Stop by your local Duc shop and try out some of the various riding positions... 748/996/998 versus 900SS versus M900. Then try a Firebolt. That might give you an idea of which position suits you best. Peg location does work in close concert with handlebar location also. | ||
| X1glider |
Still looking for opinions on rearsets. What people think, how they feel, etc. Blake: still no word on the belly pans, I'll contact Hal's after lunch. OHR? I have the 5th off. Which day, did you want to rent the track? I'm game now. I'll probably set up camp at Caddo Lake for the whole weekend with a lady friend and just travel back and forth as needed for practice and the race. Ever camp there? I've only been thru it, no more, no less. | ||
| X1glider |
Actually, Blake, I meant to say Sabine National Forest, not Caddo. That should be a little closer to the track. | ||
| X1glider |
Ok, called Hal's. The guy to talk to is doing a team photo shoot at Elkhart. What I was told (now) is that the pan is something they don't sell to the general public. Huh? Why not? Is a belly pan dangerous or something? Are they saying you have to be a factory race team to get stuff like this? What about those who pay their own way on the track? Why exclude them? Doesn't make sense. But the person I talked to will get back to me Monday. Says he'll talk to the proper person and see what he can do. They get the stuff from Buell. I think Buell should put this stuff in their catalog. If they will sell a race ECM which isn't street legal but more likely to end up on the street, they can sell a belly pan too. | ||
| Blake |
X1G, On the 5th the CMRA will probably be setting up the track for the race weekend, at least in the afternoon. Not sure if we will be able to rent it on the 5th or not. Stay tuned. The best/closest actual camping would be at Martin Creek Lake State Park. Nice little lake, only a few miles from the track, and they have shelters for rent. If you are set on camping at either Caddo or Sabine NF, I'd say that Caddo is probably a quicker run to the track. You can get on 43 south fron Caddo all the way to Tatum then take FM1797 south to Oak Hill, hit FM1716 south for a few miles and there you at the track. Oak Hill Raceway is ten miles or so NE of Henderson on FM1716. | ||
| Mikej |
X1, The word I got is that the person/shop who makes the bellypans is production limited, so they only openly sell to licensed racers and active amateur racers racing on tracks that require the bellypans. If I remember right a guy out towards Madison who put one on his S1 said it took a little bracketry fabrication and minor cutting to get it to fit. | ||
| Blake |
Well, that's good news. We are licensed raceres! |
