wsmc884
11-21-2006, 11:01 AM
Well my first weekend back was fun and interesting. My GSXR600 made some mega power but I fought suspension problems all weekend and in the race.
I decided to race just one race, 600 SuperStock, and placed 20th. :( and my fastest lap turned out to be 1:33.2. I can honestly say that physically and mentally I'm faster than the bike at this point. I feel I could have taken the bike sub :30's and closer to my old times but for the suspension issues.
Saturday
Racetech helped me out a lot in practice by removing the rear shock and taking 10mm of preload out of the spring because as it was I was backed all the way off in adjustments and there was just too much preload on the spring.
That made things a lot better in the rear and I wasn't being bounced out of the seat in turn 8 quite so much. It was still rough but somewhat manageable.
I started taking more and more compression out of the rear and things actually got worse so I dialed back in 3 clicks and things went back better but still hard to control taking it into 8 fast.
Second practice on race day I pushed the bike harder and started getting killer drives out of turn 9 and found myself in a mega tank slapper down the front straight! If it wasn't for the Scotts streering damper I would have crashed. Well that killed any better times for the session.
Practice starts really sucked as I had a really hard time launching the bike without slipping the clutch. I adjusted on it between starts to get it better and better but in the end I just need more practice on launches. I think its time to see if LA County raceway still has grudge night and go out there and practice for a few hours.
Sunday
I came in and spoke with racetech again and they dropped the front one round. No time to test of course but as it turned out it was much better in the race!
In the race on the second lap I pushed the bike a little too hard into turn 9 passing someone and ended up with my leg on the ground and both tires sliding toward the edge of the pavement! I got lucky and both tires caught and I drove off the corner ok but after that I was a bit timid in 9 the rest of the race.
When I came in I found the right side of my rear tire flattened out pretty good but then again that's after 2 full days of practice (11/6 fasttrack riders and 11/18) and 2 sessions on Sunday so I guess they are a bit worn. Time to flip 'em!
In the end I have to buy lighter springs for the front forks and I'm going to do the racetech thing to them. I'm also going to have the frame measured and straighted.
At least I survived the weekend, eh? :) I'm in escrow on a home right now so I'm going to be out for 3 or 4 months but I'll use the time to get in better shape and get the work done to the bike and I hope in time for the GTU races!
See you at the track!
Robert Cole
I decided to race just one race, 600 SuperStock, and placed 20th. :( and my fastest lap turned out to be 1:33.2. I can honestly say that physically and mentally I'm faster than the bike at this point. I feel I could have taken the bike sub :30's and closer to my old times but for the suspension issues.
Saturday
Racetech helped me out a lot in practice by removing the rear shock and taking 10mm of preload out of the spring because as it was I was backed all the way off in adjustments and there was just too much preload on the spring.
That made things a lot better in the rear and I wasn't being bounced out of the seat in turn 8 quite so much. It was still rough but somewhat manageable.
I started taking more and more compression out of the rear and things actually got worse so I dialed back in 3 clicks and things went back better but still hard to control taking it into 8 fast.
Second practice on race day I pushed the bike harder and started getting killer drives out of turn 9 and found myself in a mega tank slapper down the front straight! If it wasn't for the Scotts streering damper I would have crashed. Well that killed any better times for the session.
Practice starts really sucked as I had a really hard time launching the bike without slipping the clutch. I adjusted on it between starts to get it better and better but in the end I just need more practice on launches. I think its time to see if LA County raceway still has grudge night and go out there and practice for a few hours.
Sunday
I came in and spoke with racetech again and they dropped the front one round. No time to test of course but as it turned out it was much better in the race!
In the race on the second lap I pushed the bike a little too hard into turn 9 passing someone and ended up with my leg on the ground and both tires sliding toward the edge of the pavement! I got lucky and both tires caught and I drove off the corner ok but after that I was a bit timid in 9 the rest of the race.
When I came in I found the right side of my rear tire flattened out pretty good but then again that's after 2 full days of practice (11/6 fasttrack riders and 11/18) and 2 sessions on Sunday so I guess they are a bit worn. Time to flip 'em!
In the end I have to buy lighter springs for the front forks and I'm going to do the racetech thing to them. I'm also going to have the frame measured and straighted.
At least I survived the weekend, eh? :) I'm in escrow on a home right now so I'm going to be out for 3 or 4 months but I'll use the time to get in better shape and get the work done to the bike and I hope in time for the GTU races!
See you at the track!
Robert Cole