What do you do to shake down your track/race only bikes?

jnicola · 07-09-2012, 12:20 PM

I'm curious what everyone does to shake down their race and/or track only bikes before an event to make sure they're sorted. Since you can't just take it on the street for a quick ride (at least, legally) what do you do?

Or... do you do nothing, and just mechanically sort it out as best as you can tell and then huck it into turn 1 praying?

Sentor · 07-09-2012, 12:25 PM

You don't buy a shady bike when someone else has a really nice one.

jnicola · 07-09-2012, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Sentor

You don't buy a shady bike when someone else has a really nice one.

Your bike wasn't in my price range unfortunately... although I frequently regret not taking that 05 GSXR off of you

fijiman · 07-09-2012, 12:50 PM

That's what TOR is for ...

but no, JK...

sunofnun · 07-09-2012, 12:52 PM

grab a plate off another bike and rip it up and down I-5

Debi · 07-09-2012, 01:02 PM

Sidewalks and Bicycle paths work great hehe

jnicola · 07-09-2012, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Debi

Sidewalks and Bicycle paths work great hehe

There's an elementary school by me with a big parking lot...

PeteN95 · 07-09-2012, 02:21 PM

Not sure what you mean by "shake it down", but when I get done working on a bike, it is ready to go. Fine tuning the suspension may be required at the track, but mechanically it is ready.

jnicola · 07-09-2012, 02:32 PM

Hmmm... that makes sense, although how do you know if you mayve have an issue with the forks being straight or the triple or something else silly like that... or maybe a light warp in the rotor... etc etc etc.

I'm probably over thinking it, but just curious if others know something I don't.

theJrod · 07-09-2012, 02:47 PM

I'm with Pete.... any bike I own will have been gone through with a fine tooth comb before it turns a wheel on the track. Even after stripping it to the frame, replacing the engine, putting it back together... it's first 1/4 mile of life will be headed down the straightaway at 100+.

I can understand buying a bike of unknown condition, but that's where you go through it to verify everything. Granted, you're not going to discover issues like brake fade, shifting, high-speed wobbles, etc in your garage, but you can definitely make sure it's 96% mechanically sound without taking it off the stands.

Warped/bent rotors can be spotted visually most of the time on the stands. Bent forks are a little more difficult. If you suspect they're bent, have them checked. You could probably make your own jig to check them yourself if you had to, but KFG will do it for pretty cheap.

jnicola · 07-09-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by theJrod

Granted, you're not going to discover issues like brake fade, shifting, high-speed wobbles, etc in your garage, but you can definitely make sure it's 96% mechanically sound without taking it off the stands.

For sure, I think I might be overly stressing about that last 4%. I feel pretty darn confident about that other 96% being in survivable condition for the track... I just like my stuff to be 100% if I can get away with it!

yard sale · 07-09-2012, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by jnicola

For sure, I think I might be overly stressing about that last 4%. I feel pretty darn confident about that other 96% being in survivable condition for the track... I just like my stuff to be 100% if I can get away with it!

i've devised a three step plan that has worked for me in the past when sorting out a new to me track bike.

step 1: talk up the bike to donny at riders meeting
step 2: causually offer to let him take it out for a session as the meeting ends
step 3: donny's a bike whore

JayS · 07-09-2012, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by yard sale

i've devised a three step plan that has worked for me in the past when sorting out a new to me track bike.

step 1: talk up the bike to donny at riders meeting
step 2: causually offer to let him take it out for a session as the meeting ends
step 3: donny's a bike whore

This.

And suggest he take it out in the Fast Group, because it's a bike that "feels better the faster you ride it."

75% of the time he'll take you up on your offer 100% of the time.

yard sale · 07-09-2012, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by JayS

This.

And suggest he take it out in the Fast Group, because it's a bike that "feels better the faster you ride it."

75% of the time he'll take you up on your offer 100% of the time.

That settles it.

/end thread

rashmaster13 · 07-09-2012, 08:53 PM

I've loaded it up and taken out to some deserted roads, and run it around a bit. I like to have it pretty close so I dont spend my whole day wrenching instead of riding.

shakazulu12 · 07-09-2012, 09:04 PM

I still remember when I bought my race bike from Jake Holden. Had just enough gas in it to get down Skyline and back.

Ballistic · 07-09-2012, 09:07 PM

Well, I will admit to back road checking b/4 some track days for a couple high speed blasts--but, my bike is licensed (like that matters) and I usually try to scrub in any new tires I may have mounted---but, when I went to the ridge 3 weeks ago, I just went out and railed on a new tire and some other wrenching and trusted it. Kinda scary. But, I guess it worked.

Bottom line, I think we are all a wee bit crazy.

CB

dwschultzy · 07-09-2012, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by yard sale

i've devised a three step plan that has worked for me in the past when sorting out a new to me track bike.

step 1: talk up the bike to donny at riders meeting
step 2: causually offer to let him take it out for a session as the meeting ends
step 3: donny's a bike whore

Originally Posted by JayS

This.

And suggest he take it out in the Fast Group, because it's a bike that "feels better the faster you ride it."

75% of the time he'll take you up on your offer 100% of the time.

This tends to work 100% of the 75% of the time its asked or hinted.

PeteN95 · 07-10-2012, 08:39 AM

You shouldn't be slamming the thing onto your knee in the first turn anyway, so as you warm the tires for the first lap or so, you'll feel any issues before they become critical. I don't think blasting down some straight road will tell you much anyway.

jnicola · 07-10-2012, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by PeteN95

You shouldn't be slamming the thing onto your knee in the first turn anyway, so as you warm the tires for the first lap or so, you'll feel any issues before they become critical. I don't think blasting down some straight road will tell you much anyway.

Well you're no fun!


07-09-2012, 12:20 PM	#1
jnicola Shredical Joined: Aug 2009 From: Mt Hood OR Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: DIRT BIKES!!!!!!	What do you do to shake down your track/race only bikes? I'm curious what everyone does to shake down their race and/or track only bikes before an event to make sure they're sorted. Since you can't just take it on the street for a quick ride (at least, legally) what do you do? Or... do you do nothing, and just mechanically sort it out as best as you can tell and then huck it into turn 1 praying? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 12:25 PM	#2
Sentor Novice Racer Joined: Feb 2006 From: Beaverton, OR I Ride: 2008 R6 Race Bike - #52 - And whatever's in the shop!	You don't buy a shady bike when someone else has a really nice one. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 12:50 PM	#4
fijiman Knee Dragger Joined: Apr 2008 From: Beaverton, OR I Ride: Fijian Style...	That's what TOR is for ... but no, JK... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 12:52 PM	#5
sunofnun Retired Joined: Feb 2005 From: s. greenlake bitch I Ride: KTM 625 smc \| TL1000S/R \| wr450 \| CB350 \| CRF50/88 \| TTR50 \| your mom	grab a plate off another bike and rip it up and down I-5 __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 01:02 PM	#6
Debi Novice Racer Joined: Apr 2009 From: Renton, WA I Ride: 05 KTM450SMR, 04 YZF250 and one bad ass Truck hehe	Sidewalks and Bicycle paths work great hehe __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 02:21 PM	#8
PeteN95 Joined: Jan 2008 From: Muk, WA Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: fast, except on the road.	Not sure what you mean by "shake it down", but when I get done working on a bike, it is ready to go. Fine tuning the suspension may be required at the track, but mechanically it is ready. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 02:32 PM	#9
jnicola Shredical Joined: Aug 2009 From: Mt Hood OR Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: DIRT BIKES!!!!!!	Hmmm... that makes sense, although how do you know if you mayve have an issue with the forks being straight or the triple or something else silly like that... or maybe a light warp in the rotor... etc etc etc. I'm probably over thinking it, but just curious if others know something I don't. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 02:47 PM	#10
theJrod Racer Extraordinaire Joined: Feb 2006 From: Marysville, WA I Ride: w/ Optimum Performance Rider Training	I'm with Pete.... any bike I own will have been gone through with a fine tooth comb before it turns a wheel on the track. Even after stripping it to the frame, replacing the engine, putting it back together... it's first 1/4 mile of life will be headed down the straightaway at 100+. I can understand buying a bike of unknown condition, but that's where you go through it to verify everything. Granted, you're not going to discover issues like brake fade, shifting, high-speed wobbles, etc in your garage, but you can definitely make sure it's 96% mechanically sound without taking it off the stands. Warped/bent rotors can be spotted visually most of the time on the stands. Bent forks are a little more difficult. If you suspect they're bent, have them checked. You could probably make your own jig to check them yourself if you had to, but KFG will do it for pretty cheap. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 08:53 PM	#15
rashmaster13 Endorsed Joined: Jul 2009 From: Myrtle Point, Oregon I Ride: 04 R1, 05 zx10 track, 00 zx12, 88 VTR250, 78 SR500	I've loaded it up and taken out to some deserted roads, and run it around a bit. I like to have it pretty close so I dont spend my whole day wrenching instead of riding. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 09:04 PM	#16
shakazulu12 Peg Dragger Joined: Sep 2007 From: Portland, OR I Ride: Melbs5150's momma	I still remember when I bought my race bike from Jake Holden. Had just enough gas in it to get down Skyline and back. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-09-2012, 09:07 PM	#17
Ballistic Licensed Joined: Aug 2005 From: Spokane I Ride: Yamaha FZ1, 08 gsxr 1000 trackbike	Prayer and double checking Well, I will admit to back road checking b/4 some track days for a couple high speed blasts--but, my bike is licensed (like that matters) and I usually try to scrub in any new tires I may have mounted---but, when I went to the ridge 3 weeks ago, I just went out and railed on a new tire and some other wrenching and trusted it. Kinda scary. But, I guess it worked. Bottom line, I think we are all a wee bit crazy. CB __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-10-2012, 08:39 AM	#19
PeteN95 Joined: Jan 2008 From: Muk, WA Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: fast, except on the road.	You shouldn't be slamming the thing onto your knee in the first turn anyway, so as you warm the tires for the first lap or so, you'll feel any issues before they become critical. I don't think blasting down some straight road will tell you much anyway. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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