Turning your GS into a track bike?

[South East Rocket]

I'm thinking about buying this cheap GS to turn into a bike that I could used for nothing but track

What is typically involved in building a race bike?
What are the advantages of doing such mods?

[Pam G]

Read here:  http://www.gstwin.com/racers_corner.htm

One thing that I didn't see listed is a steering damper.  Most organizations require this for racing, but you usually do not need it if you are only doing track days.
I would also steer away from those Suzuki case guards.  They somewhat reduce ground clearance.  There are some aluminum ignition covers made by one or 2 people on the forum if you do a search you can probably find info.
A few other mods are swapping the entire front end with something like a GSX-R front end & swapping the rear wheel for a Bandit rear.  Again you can probably find more info if you search.

Obvious advantages of upgrading suspension is that the bike will handle better and therefore you can ride it harder and go a bit faster.

IMO bodywork is unnecessary except for perhaps an upper fairing/windscreen.  More stuff to get broken if (when) you crash..

[werase643]

I'm too lazy to read the racer corner.....probably says something similar.

track bike/
safety wire the drain bolt/oil filter bolts/oil fill cap/ exhaust bolts including the one next to the muffler
remove or cover with duck tape any glass...lights, turnsignals,tail light
disconnect tail light bulbs
duck tape anything that looks loose or could impale you if the bike lands on you....rear pegs taped in up position
remove center stand and side stand and mirrors

recomend
a  stabilizer
i have never had a problem with the stock case guards(racing a GS since 94 installed them in 98)
good brake pads in the front
steel brake line on front
springs in front
gsxr 750 shock...DUH...
good tires in correct sizes for your rims....Bridgestones are the hot ticket here for lightweight bikes

race....
Ed Bargy rider school if you are in the southeast!!!!!!!!!
NEED a 3-5 qt fluid retaining belly pan
number plates
stabizer
safety wire and remove all the lights
remove as much junk as possible to lower the weight of the pig
same weight as a GSXR1000......38hp compared to 160hp......

if you need some help at the track....look me up
I go to the WERA VIR rounds definately!

ken in NC

[South East Rocket]

Thanks for the heads up!
I've never done a trackday but i'd love to...  I doubt I'd ever get competitive enough to actually compete but I'd like to have a bike that's raw and made for nothing but ridin....

[werase643]

there are 3 in spartanburg SC.....$500 each

[South East Rocket]

there are 3 in spartanburg SC.....$500 each

3 What?

[octane]

One of my local dealers is having a track day at VIR in May - the 31st I think. My GS will be there as well as one other local guy who has a 555 big bore kit in his GS.  Love to meet some of you guys. I'll post details when I get them closer to the event.

[Pam G]

there are 3 in spartanburg SC.....$500 each

3 What?

My guess is he has 3 GS500's for sale for $500 each.

[Pam G]

i have never had a problem with the stock case guards(racing a GS since 94 installed them in 98)

Rich Taylor crashed at Grattan (IIRC) and he thinks it was probably caused by the case guard hitting the track surface.

[dgyver]

The best part about a track only bike is that the thought of putting it down and damaging your street bike is eliminated. If you put it down then no big deal. werase643 summed it up pretty good. Remove all of the street crap!
Run Bridgestone BT090 tires, 110 front & 140 rear. EBC brake pads & stainless steel braided brake lines are a must. Upgraded suspension is needed. If you want to swap front ends, go with Katana. It uses the same front wheel as the GS, but need new rotors. Not needed at first but fairings really do help push the wind around you. The little GS need all the help it can get. Most track days don't require a belly pan but its a good idea anyway. You will need a rear stand since the kickstand will be removed. A front stand will be needed as well. Save some bucks, they are easy to build.

Jennings GP runs track days year round. Talladega GPR is a good track for the first time out. Not sure where in TN you are located. I go to both along with Carolina Motorsports Park

oh yeah...don't forget about your gear...leathers, back protector, boots, gloves, SNELL helmet.

[werase643]

i have never had a problem with the stock case guards(racing a GS since 94 installed them in 98)

Rich Taylor crashed at Grattan (IIRC) and he thinks it was probably caused by the case guard hitting the track surface.

And your point is??
my neighbor slipped in the tub and died....now I shouldn't bathe?....


the reason one leans off of a bike is to allow the bike to be more vertical, have a better contact patch and centeralize the center of mass.

it also scares the living crap out of me every time i drag a knee...therefore I really lean off of the bike.

I freaked when i drug my knee at Jennings on the F3....I tried to move my leg...but it was already touching the bodywork.  

[john]

I'm too lazy to read the racer corner.....probably says something similar.

:guns: werace643

Now come on.  Are you telling us you haven't read the Racers corner?  Its very comprehensive.  Give it a shot.

[werase643]

there are 3 in spartanburg SC.....$500 each

3 What?

My guess is he has 3 GS500's for sale for $500 each.

yeah right.....try bare engines. 95-98 models i think

[Pam G]

yeah right.....try bare engines. 95-98 models i think

Well you weren't very specific.  I was just guessing.  Sheesh!

[Pam G]

:guns: werace643

Now come on.  Are you telling us you haven't read the Racers corner?  Its very comprehensive.  Give it a shot.

He obviously hasn't read it because he obviously knows everything already.

[JohNLA]

You will need a rear stand since the kickstand will be removed. A front stand will be needed as well. Save some bucks, they are easy to build.

Got any tips.
I could do a google search but I am to lazy

[dgyver]

Got any tips.
I could do a google search but I am to lazy

Here's a link to a thread on TLPlanet where several of us made our own stands. I used 1" square tubing welded together. In another thread, someone made one out of threaded plumbing pipe and welded the joints (you will need to seach the site for that one). They are not adjustable so they can only fit specific bikes. These fit my TLR as the GS is narrower. I never measured what I made since I just built it to fit. I could need to create a drawing with the dimesion if needed but I don't have the width of the stock GS fork tubes. Also, I am not sure if the stock GS forks have a hole in the bottom to accept a pin.

Thread link (with pics):
http://www.tlplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11743

[werase643]

Oh GREAT one....I read it. ...first time ever

he forgot a steering stabilizer is required to race....except for CCS...
the belly pan was HUGE....and ugly ( but they all are )

and the writer agreed...if you want to go fast, buy another bike

Kat forks are better than anything one can do to a stock set of forks

and he used the factory case guards......