Track Bike - Plan B

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Off Road
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Re: Track Bike - Plan B

#511 Post by Off Road » Mon Oct 29, 2018 6:32 pm

The Plaque on the right is for my only win of the season.

The small Plaque on the left is for winning Rookie of the year, and I get to keep it.

They put my name on the big 30 pound glass trophy, but I only get to keep it for the year.
Have to give it back so they can present it to next year’s rookie.
Sure hope I don't drop it.





Speaking of next year, I’ve been thinking.
If I do race, I'm going to want to make some changes to the bike.

It will need to be longer, lower and lighter.
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hondaror
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Re: Track Bike - Plan B

#512 Post by hondaror » Sat Nov 03, 2018 3:46 am

Well done Steve.

Ah, I do have a frame you could use to build a bike. Oh, and I have forks too...and other parts like swing arms, bodywork, well, you get the idea.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Questo vecchio rz
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Re: Track Bike - Plan B

#513 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:44 pm

Off Road wrote:
Speaking of next year, I’ve been thinking.
If I do race, I'm going to want to make some changes to the bike.

It will need to be longer, lower and lighter.
Congratulations....can't wait to see your progress.
Wait until you buy a CPI drag ported Chettah cylinder kit and a lick up clutch.
Can you imagine being 1.5-2 seconds faster..
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ/YZR bike(project)
86 VFR750 RC24 Merkel replica (project)
Royal Enfield Bullet 500

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Off Road
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Re: Track Bike - Plan B

#514 Post by Off Road » Fri Nov 23, 2018 12:45 am

Hey Questo, funny you should say that.
After qualifying for the Edmonton race was over, a group of us were hanging out in the pits, drinking beer, and telling lies about how fast our bikes were.
Somebody asked me how I did, and I said I ran a 13.12. Then I said that was hoping to get it into the 12 second bracket.
I said I’d be happy if I could run in the 12’s.

One of the old guys standing there, looked at me, smiled, and said: “No you won’t”
I said, Ya, I’ll be happy if I run under 13 sec.
He didn’t say anything, he just stood there smiling.

Turns out, he was right.
My best time last year was 12.61 and I’m pretty happy, (and really surprised), that I got the bike to go that quick.

However, if I could improve my launch and maybe cut 0.2 or 0.3 sec. off my 60’ times,
that could result in a ¼ mile time that’s 0.4 to 0.9 seconds faster, depending on who’s formula you use.

I’d like to get the RZ into the 11 second range.

I’d be happy if I ran in the 11’s. :smt003

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Off Road
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Re: Track Bike - Plan B

#515 Post by Off Road » Fri Nov 23, 2018 12:46 am

I’ve been keeping myself busy on something new and haven’t made any time to post on the forum.
I’m taking the night off from the other project (?) because I just can’t think any more.
So, I figured this would be an ideal time to update the planet on what I’ve been doing

First off, a big thank you to the guys who have posted some great advice, and words of encouragement, on my drag racing adventure

I had a tremendous amount of fun racing my track bike last summer, but I’ve decided that I’m not going to race it again next year.

I love this bike. It’s light, it’s quick, and it’s nimble. It’s my favorite bike for twisty backcountry roads.
Hell, it’s my favorite bike. Period.
However, the handling characteristics that make the RZ a great street bike also make it a less than ideal drag bike.

The bike’s too short and the engine doesn’t make enough torque.
To make matters worse, I’m not a very good drag racer.
All of this adds up to me having a lot of very inconsistent launches when the light turns green, which results in my quarter mile times being all over the place.

In order for me to have better (more consistent) launches on this bike, I would have to make it longer, lower and lighter.
Strip it down and get rid of everything that’s not essential or doesn’t make HP.
Extend the swingarm and shorten the forks.
It wouldn’t cost a lot of money and it would make the RZ a better drag bike.

But it would also make it a really lousy street bike, and I like this bike too much to start hacking it up.

So, I’ve got a bit of a dilemma. I want to drag race an RZ next year, but I don’t want to f*ck up my street bike.
As far as I can tell, there’s only one solution. I need another bike. :smt003

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