It’s a different bike!

519 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Downer, 5 d ago

FranksRed1

Discussion Starter · 14 d ago

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Since I broke my bike last July and fixed it, I’ve made lots of changes to make it a dedicated track bike. I ruined the forks and wheels and upgraded with replacements. I treated myself to a new shock while I was at it, and with @Gearheaded help raised the rear ride height. I put a spring good for my weight but with plenty of “room to grow “ with the stiffness. Chris also suggested more length would stabilize the ride, so added two links to chain. I was using OEM bodywork when I wrecked And replaced it with race kit, which is taller in the seat-1-1/2”? The bike lost I don’t know how much weight in lights and what-not.
All this to say that it feels like a different beast. I rode it a bit around the neighborhood (no tag, so quick ride) and WOW! Super “nosy” - just wants to dive into a lean at the slightest thought. Way stiff, but I love it. Feels way lighter, too. Can’t wait to get on track this weekend and see if I can still move.

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Gearheaded

· #2 · 14 d ago

Between the rear and front ride height, the wheelbase extension, and the new seat height, it’s gonna be a blast. Never mind the stiffness now, first corner when you’re hard on brakes and the bike still turns in, while trail braking, with stability; it’ll all come together like homemade lasagna. Get ready, cause she’s gonna keep asking for more and my boy you will be there to give it to her. Have fun!

can’t wait to actually get to ride together again, maybe later this year?

bón appetitè

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Gearheaded

· #3 · 14 d ago

Fyi she looks beautiful. Love the forks and wheels combo.

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FranksRed1

Discussion Starter · #4 · 14 d ago

Gearheaded said:
Between the rear and front ride height, the wheelbase extension, and the new seat height, it’s gonna be a blast. Never mind the stiffness now, first corner when you’re hard on brakes and the bike still turns in, while trail braking, with stability; it’ll all come together like homemade lasagna. Get ready, cause she’s gonna keep asking for more and my boy you will be there to give it to her. Have fun!

can’t wait to actually get to ride together again, maybe later this year?

bón appetitè

Yep...the forks are finally worthy of the killer front brakes set-up. They are crazy sharp and have lots of feel. I'm hoping the Ohlins gives me that much more feel to help with trailing it in. Thanks for your help with the brakes, too!
I'm a little nervous, TBH. The first day will be just getting used to the new feel and getting my "speed legs" back. I think I'm gonna leave the timer in the tool box on Saturday. I've been riding on the road, but it's just not the same.

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Gearheaded

· #5 · 14 d ago

FranksRed1 said:
Yep...the forks are finally worthy of the killer front brakes set-up. They are crazy sharp and have lots of feel. I'm hoping the Ohlins gives me that much more feel to help with trailing it in. Thanks for your help with the brakes, too!
I'm a little nervous, TBH. The first day will be just getting used to the new feel and getting my "speed legs" back. I think I'm gonna leave the timer in the tool box on Saturday. I've been riding on the road, but it's just not the same.

Agreed. Proper shakedown. Get a feel for the brakes, the front end, corner exit, and brake markers. Don’t worry too much about specifics in front end feedback unless it’s absolutely unmanageable (which I don’t believe it will be considering it felt planted even with a bent rim when I rode it). You’re gonna get up to speed (your speed legs) by lunchtime. Then it’s trusting edge grip again, to the fullest. Then at some point in the afternoon you’ll be at pace and ready to start syncing with the front end and rear shock, just as fatigue really sets in 🤣.

I just went through it Friday lol. Didn’t get anywhere near pace until after lunch and by then I was whipped.

get your sea legs back; enjoy day one, and if you’re riding day to text me and we can talk about what the bike is doing and if it needs adjustments. I think you’ll take some time to get used to the stiffer springs in the front and how much tighter the bike will be on corner exit, so you’ll have your hands full.

Have Fun!!!

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FranksRed1

Discussion Starter · #6 · 14 d ago

Good points all. I haven't been able to set sag, so I have to get with a suspension guy first thing. I'll take his recommendation for setting based on my weight and typical lap times. I'd love to run it by you after checking it out.
I am looking forward to the slingshot at exit...
BTW, I'll definitely make it to a JGP day if Eric runs any more this year? They're tough because I need to account for two week days off at work, which busy in the thick of a project at the moment.

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Gearheaded

· #7 · 14 d ago

FranksRed1 said:
Good points all. I haven't been able to set sag, so I have to get with a suspension guy first thing. I'll take his recommendation for setting based on my weight and typical lap times. I'd love to run it by you after checking it out.
I am looking forward to the slingshot at exit...
BTW, I'll definitely make it to a JGP day if Eric runs any more this year? They're tough because I need to account for two week days off at work, which busy in the thick of a project at the moment.

Next run will be October / November i think. We are in the heat of the race season which ends September, so his traveling will be from that. Our schedule is pretty packed this year with two trips to CMP, Barber, Miami again, Tally, two trips to Roebling, all before the end of September. It’s roughly two races a month.

I wish I could make them all but the wife ain’t having it lol.

you already know I’ll be texting you for the next track day.

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Cipher_R1

· #8 · 14 d ago

What a beauty! Looking forward to seeing you on track next time out, will be great to see you rip it. Tricked out is an understatement, looks stellar.

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Numbers

· #9 · 13 d ago

This thread makes me smile from ear to ear.

Great looking machine bud.

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ampfore

· #10 · 8 d ago

It looks great!

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Downer

· #11 · 5 d ago

FranksRed1 said:
View attachment 1029186

Since I broke my bike last July and fixed it, I’ve made lots of changes to make it a dedicated track bike. I ruined the forks and wheels and upgraded with replacements. I treated myself to a new shock while I was at it, and with @Gearheaded help raised the rear ride height. I put a spring good for my weight but with plenty of “room to grow “ with the stiffness. Chris also suggested more length would stabilize the ride, so added two links to chain. I was using OEM bodywork when I wrecked And replaced it with race kit, which is taller in the seat-1-1/2”? The bike lost I don’t know how much weight in lights and what-not.
All this to say that it feels like a different beast. I rode it a bit around the neighborhood (no tag, so quick ride) and WOW! Super “nosy” - just wants to dive into a lean at the slightest thought. Way stiff, but I love it. Feels way lighter, too. Can’t wait to get on track this weekend and see if I can still move.

Looks great

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