Track Tech sticky for the forum?

[flyingmachine]

Can we have the more knowledgeable members of the forum put together a tech / DIY/ How to section for the track forum?  I'm completely new to motorcycle track days.  It would be nice to have a check list and DIY fixes to prep and ready a GS for the track.  What might seem layman to you folks is all news to me and I'm sure some of the other noobs like myself.  I'm planning to track my GS for the Pridmore school in 2010, but my GS may take a bit more work than the usually to be deem track ready.  Thanks,

[ineedanap]

Here's a basic checklist of things to load in your trailer/pickup for your trackday.

Motorcycle
Key!!!!
Toolbox
Tire pressure gauge
Torque wrench
Zip-ties
Duct tape
Blue masking tape
Rear Stand
Front Stand
tie-downs
Ramp
Bungee cords
Locks

Chemicals/Fluids/Spares
Spare Parts (levers, pegs, sliders)
Oil
Brake fluid
Brake Cleaner
Grease
Chain lube
Shop Towels
5-gallon gas can
Loctite

First Aid
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Ibuprofin
prescription meds
Card with emergency contact info & drug allergies
Insect repellent

Riding Gear
Leathers
Boots
Gloves
Helmet
Sunglasses
Ear plugs
Back protector
Extra Socks

In the Pits
EZ-up
Collapsible chairs
Cooler
Energy Bars
Favorite snacks
Gatorade
Water-Lot's of it!
Ice
Fruit
Lunch

Miscellaneous Stuff
Cell phone
Phone charger
Book
Camera
Flashlight
Cash/Credit Card

Most of this list was borrowed from "speed" and "Lovinmyf4i" at sportbikes.net.

[Bluehaze]

BT003 is by far the best tires for track imho. 
Take out the Center Stand.
Change your front Forks  springs and oil.  Sonic springs at your weight.
Change your rear suspension.  I recommend 06-07 Yamaha r6.  This is just my opinion.  You have quite a few choices for rear suspension.
If you plan to have a fairing. I recommend frame sliders.
Rejet and aftermarke pipes.

Modification above should get you to having fun and have your GS mostly setup to be as fast as possible.  You can search the wiki and the forums for How To on all of the above modifications.

Have fun.. this bike is awesome on the turns..

[ineedanap]

I've done a dozen or so track days in the past year and a half.  I'm no expert and there are quite a few people on this board with way more experience than me.  Until they chime in...

I'm with bluehaze on this.  You don't need alot to do track days.  You need your bike in 100% working order.  Do all of your maintainance and repairs before modding anything.  

Here's my list.  I'm not saying it's better than Bluehaze's.  It's just my opinion.  

1.  Appropriate tires.  It's first on the list because it's the most important.  The only 2 choices that fit our rims are BT003RS and BT090.  You should be looking for 110/70/17 for the front and 140/70/17 for the rear.  

BT090 - It's an old style DOT race tire.  It must be ordered from a Bridgestone race dealer in order to get the tubeless ones.   I've burned up a few sets of these.  Great street tire too.  

BT003RS - Latest and greatest track day tires.  Probably the stickiest choice for our bikes besides slicks.  Everybody who uses them on the track swears by them.  

2.  Fork springs and oil.  

3.  Rear shock.  Getting a quality shock will make just as dramatic a difference in handling as the fork springs do.  I've used Works performance several times, including on my GS.

4.  Rearsets of some sort.  You will scrape the pegs in the turns.  It's a safety issue.  I made CBR F3 rearsets work.  It takes a good deal of work to make it work like factory.  Woodcraft ones are the bomb, but they were discontinued last year.  Sometimes they pop up for sale used.

5.  Find out if there are any specific rules for your track day organization.  They'll be listed on their website.  Safety wire of certain critical items like drain plugs is a common one.  Taping off or removing any lenses/turn signals/licence plates/wheel weights is another.  Don't forget to use an approved coolant.  

A search will find all the info you need.

[flyingmachine]

thanks for the replies, I'm starting a check list based on all the suggestions.  I just realized there is a nice link on GSTwin outside of the forums (where my bookmarks is) http://gstwin.com/racers_corner.htm  that have a ton of info.  Anything else not covered, please chime in.  Thanks,

[fastedmiami]

For rear sets I used the stock ones off of my 93gsxr750.  You can find these all day long on flea bay.  All I had to do was drill out the lower bolt holes and they bolted right up.  I have not dragged these pegs since I put them on, and I dragged the crap out of the stock ones.  The only caveat is that it flips your shift pattern to an "upside down or race pattern"  You shift up to first gear, and then down for 2-3-4-5-6.  Takes a little while to get used to but it makes sense when you have to pull a shift while you are cranked over in a turn and your toe is on top of the shift lever not beneath it.

[centuryghost]

For rear sets I used the stock ones off of my 93gsxr750.  You can find these all day long on flea bay.  All I had to do was drill out the lower bolt holes and they bolted right up.  I have not dragged these pegs since I put them on, and I dragged the crap out of the stock ones.  The only caveat is that it flips your shift pattern to an "upside down or race pattern"  You shift up to first gear, and then down for 2-3-4-5-6.  Takes a little while to get used to but it makes sense when you have to pull a shift while you are cranked over in a turn and your toe is on top of the shift lever not beneath it.

Why would you have to go with gp-style shift pattern with the gsxr pegs? Can they be modified to a regular pattern for street use?

[BaltimoreGS]

I'm not following that either, do you have a pic?  On the old CBR's you just took the shifter piece on the splined shaft coming out of the transmission (don't know the proper name) and flipped it 180 degrees to reverse the shift pattern.

-Jessie

[black and silver twin]

For rear sets I used the stock ones off of my 93gsxr750.  You can find these all day long on flea bay.  All I had to do was drill out the lower bolt holes and they bolted right up.  I have not dragged these pegs since I put them on, and I dragged the crap out of the stock ones.  The only caveat is that it flips your shift pattern to an "upside down or race pattern"  You shift up to first gear, and then down for 2-3-4-5-6.  Takes a little while to get used to but it makes sense when you have to pull a shift while you are cranked over in a turn and your toe is on top of the shift lever not beneath it.

I don't understand how just changing rear sets changes the shift pattern? the rear sets have no effect on the transmission. Are you saying that the new rear sets move your foot to a position where a reverse shift pattern is necessary? please explain

[Bluehaze]

its easy..he put the rear set up side down..   

[black and silver twin]

its easy..he put the rear set up side down..   

Ha! 

For rear sets I used the stock ones off of my 93gsxr750.  You can find these all day long on flea bay.  All I had to do was drill out the lower bolt holes and they bolted right up.  I have not dragged these pegs since I put them on, and I dragged the crap out of the stock ones.  The only caveat is that it flips your shift pattern to an "upside down or race pattern"  You shift up to first gear, and then down for 2-3-4-5-6.  Takes a little while to get used to but it makes sense when you have to pull a shift while you are cranked over in a turn and your toe is on top of the shift lever not beneath it.

I don't understand how just changing rear sets changes the shift pattern? the rear sets have no effect on the transmission. Are you saying that the new rear sets move your foot to a position where a reverse shift pattern is necessary? please explain

seriously please explain

[BaltimoreGS]

The pic below is like my old CBR (though much prettier).  The poorly drawn stuff in red shows what I meant by flipping that splined bracket 180 degrees to change the shift pattern.

-Jessie

[black and silver twin]

that makes sense then. I didnt know the rear sets you installed had linkage on the shifter.

[centuryghost]

The pic below is like my old CBR (though much prettier).  The poorly drawn stuff in red shows what I meant by flipping that splined bracket 180 degrees to change the shift pattern.

-Jessie

I figured that, but I'm wondering why FastedMiami says that it has to be the gp way. No big deal, just want to clarify because I'm looking for some rear sets myself.