| Author | Message | ||
     Howworkclutch |
I was always more of a chopper guy until I got the R... and I hated the bike the first year I had it. Loved the power. Hated the handling. Turns out the tires were wonky. I changed them last june just before riding from Rhode Island to Rockingham NC for smokeout. Suddenly the bike would stick to the pavement in a corner and I'm in love. While at the smokeout I tried running the bike down the 1/4 mile. This was my first time to do so, but i had been a spectator many many times. I did pretty good. Or, I should say: the bike did pretty good. My first time down the track was over before I perceived its start. The second-third-fourth-fifth runs were \b busy}. By the 10th run the track seemed to grow longer. They weren't running the lights or the timers because there was no point: most of us were first-timers and he bulk of the bikes were slow-boat hd's. And so, I've no idea how I did technically. Well this year I want to get there early and run with the guys who know how to race. And that means practicing. I found an eight-mile track nearby that charges a whopping $7 to test and tune. I figure my educational needs are in the first 60 ft so track-lenth doesn't matter. I went out there yesterday to get the lay of the land and observe other racers. I made a few mental notes and headed for the pits in search of experienced advice. And I found it. The guy I met offered to help me out with staging and launches this coming Thursday. I'm stoked. Besides the tires, my bike is 100% showroom stock. And this is where I'm lost... what upgrades will net me a streetable weekend-drag-racer without breaking the bank? Like Ricky Bobby, I want to go fast. But I don't have fast money. I'm also wondering where my focus should be when staging. Are there any consistent gotcha's to concentrate on? Thanks | ||
| Radon30 |
Straps for the front end , I believe pingel sales them, I was given a set. It's probably the best bang for the buck you can do for quicker 60' times | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Radon is spot on for cheap, easy mod for drag racing. I go to Smokeout each year, and this year I'll be there with my buell, either my drag S3 or my 1125, we'll see. I'd love to get up with you down there, I'll be there with Bobby Hoover Racing helping with his Nitro Harley | ||
| Howworkclutch |
Do you camp? I'm easy to find: Everyone calls us the Along-the-fence crew. As you come into the campgrounds from behind the stage, turn left. We're always at the top of the rise. Three ratty jap chops and a boatload of sportsters. I'll keep an eye out for you on the track. One of these days I'm going to get a minibike and a costume  | ||
| Budgolf |
Im going back to road racing and am selling all of my drag stuff from my 1125. Strap, shift light, air shift and wheelie bars from pingel if you're interested | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Bud, Im curious in exactly what you have and how much you want for it. How - We'll be pitted along the fence at the track itself, near where the bridge is. It wont be hard to miss us either - there'll be dragbikes | ||
| Williep13 |
Cheapest investment is an air gauge (also the strap). Free investment clutch control, learn how to use the clutch. All the lights and pretty stuff is nice but the basics is what wins. | ||
| Radon30 |
You know I played with tire air pressure , it never really helped me , traction was not an issue with my bike , front wheel coming up to far was a problem . I don't think with stock tire , no wheelie bars, or stretched swing arm you will have to mess with tire pressure to much, if at all. Like someone else said clutch control will be your best friend, along with some throttle control . I love the 1/8th , lot less wear and tear on bike and for me most races are won the first 330' | ||
| Firemanjim |
Strapping an 1125 simple as pie--get a long ratchet strap and pass it through the axle and up around frame at steering neck. When you are at track,grab front brake and compress forks tightening the strap.When done racing remove. | ||
| Howworkclutch |
Thanks Firemanjim. I'll try that. Budgolf- Thanks, but I have to pass. Money is just too tight for me right now. Hybridmomentspass- See ya at rockingham |
