First track day - done, to do & what to do

[bishboy]

I've got no more excuses to finally get out on the track.

The bike (1991 ZXR750J2) has arrived (and it starts ) although it does take some time (three or four 5 second turnovers on full choke) to start. The previous owner says this is due to taking time to get the fuel to the carbies after the fuel tap is turned on (does it need to be turned off when not used?). Would it be better to turn the fuel on, wait a couple of minutes and then start it?

ZXR750 pre delivery.jpg (249.26 KiB) Viewed 1916 times

Things I've done/arranged:
1. Track day booked - October 24 at Morgan Park . I've booked a carport with power so if anyone is coming and wants to share let me know, but the price will be high, the answering of a thousand inane questions from me

2. Stands and tyre warmers have arrived - ordered from Kaneg on 3rd October, arrived yesterday

3. Leathers ordered. Ended up buying a Collins (got to support Aussie small business) one piece via their ebay store. I bought the black RS4 suit for $699. Initially looked at a Gimoto, they are a great looking suit and I found the leather to be very soft compared to a lot of other suits (and I tried a lot of suits on) too expensive initially but if I get serious I'll probably get a custom (at 6'4" and 85kg hard to get a good standard fit) kangaroo suit. Also looked at buying some alpinestars directly from the states but with the dollar crashing the cost keeps going up and secondhand suits are roughly the same cost as what I paid for the Collins. The suit should arrive this week and I'll let you know what its like.
This is the Collins link if anyone is interested: http://stores.ebay.com.au/deal31365 Check out the Kawasaki suit for $599 with free delivery and gloves - would look sensational on someone

4. Back protector and gloves (GP3) ordered from Gimoto.

5. Boots - got to get some. Is is worth spending the big dollars for the light weight race boots (Alpinestars Supertech R) or just get some that a level or two down?

6. New fairing ordered from Race Glass (cheaper than Racers Edge). The bike currently has the carbon fibre fairing off Kawasaki Australia (Mladin's bike?) '93 superbike still with the original paint and I thought it best to take this off and put some fibreglass on but it won't be ready until mid November

7. Just got to make a few mod's to the trailer to tie the bike down

Now for the dumb questions (just one at this stage):
1. What temperature do I run the tyre warmers at? (running Pilots from memory - could be wrong though)

Problems:
1. The bike came with rusty old bolts in the swingarm pick up points, so I decided to take these out to put in the spools and the first one came out easliy but as I was removing the second one the tubular piece that the bolts screws into (which is welded to the swingarm) actually broke off, ( then then )and is therefore no longer welded to the swingarm
What do I do? Can it be welded back on (is it cast alloy/magnesium?) or am I screwed and up for another swingarm

[hoffy]

Nice tracky mate...welcome, how about some shots of the fizzer...gotaa love a fizzer.

Advice for Trackday: Lean the carn't..

[fireyrob]

Leave the tyre warmers at 74 which I believe is the standard setting! From every track day Ive been too, at least one clown gets on the circuit and within 2-3 corners has binned it because the tyre's werent warm yet. Remember the person next to you may not have tyre warmers so just be aware!

Most importantly listen to Hoffy's advice and have fun

[Six Addict]

just have fun... i've taken my road bike to one track day and have another one this saturday... i just make sure everything is in working order and rock up with a full tank of gas... its only a 250 so solar powered tyre warmers are ok for me...

this time i will be taking a couple of extra sockets to aadjust my chain if needed as the standard tool kit is useless for undoing the axle bolts if they are tightened correctly (ie tight as buggery)

other than that, just get to knwo the track and slowly work up to a pace that u feel comfortable at

oh and make sure u enjoy it

[matt76]

You should be able to get the lug welded back onto the swingarm, I cant recommend anyone to do it, just ring around aluminium fabricators.

As for boots I cant see why you would need top of the line boots, they should just provide a bit more comfort and save a little weight. I have Oxtars and they have done a fair few kms now and are still in pretty good nic.

Just have fun, you dont have to set any speed records on your first time out.

[Shifty]

I've probably done about 100,000km in my Sidi boots and they're still holding up fine. They're also comfortable enough to wear as 'shoes' if riding to the movies, etc.... I found they were money well spent.

Comfort is most important but spending $600 on boots doesn't mean they'll be comfortable, and spending $200 doesn't mean they'll be uncomfortable... try them on, awlk around in them a bit, etc. Remember to allow enough room around the calves to fit your leathers in.

[Gosling1]

.....I've probably done about 100,000km in my Sidi boots and they're still holding up fine. They're also comfortable enough to wear as 'shoes' if riding to the movies, etc.... I found they were money well spent.....

What model Sidi's are these mate ? I have a pair of Sidi Vertebrae's, they are a few years old now, but still good for trackdays and racing.

[Mitch]

From memory I didn't think that the Carports at MP had power. I was out there earlier in the year and had to use my generator to run my warmers.