Any Harley racers here?

[Tas]

Hi all,

My brothers is a Harley mechanic who owns his own shop in VT and wants to build a HD track day bike. He would like to speak with someone who's been there done that.

Is there someone I/he could contact to speak with?

Thanks in advance

[NPDCPA]

What's a Harley "racer"??

[JohnnyV]

I know there's a dude on here who races one(or did at one point) just can't remember his name. Eboos used to race a Buell if that's close

[TTD]

There is a guy that races one in NH... goes pretty good too. He buys Pirelli tires from us ... I will see if I can track down contact info and PM you.

[jasnmar]

I don't "think" any of those guys are on this board, but Scott Settino is running an XL1200R at LRRS events. See https://iwblogger.com/2013/ftf-cycle...es-win-streak/ for some info.

I'm pretty sure the guys from http://www.ftfcycles.com/mm5/merchant.mvc are doing most of the wrenching.

[Tas]

Thanks for the resources guys. I'll pass along all info.

My brother has an 883 he is going to tear down this winter and build back up but wants some direction on what to do and what he can do to get a bike ready for next summer.

[Kurlon]

Scott took the school and ran some races on his 1200 Sporty, Scott and Dan from FTF will steer your brother down the right path.

[Garandman]

Someone had an HD jacket on at the last TTD.

Thanks for the resources guys. I'll pass along all info.

My brother has an 883 he is going to tear down this winter and build back up but wants some direction on what to do and what he can do to get a bike ready for next summer.

Rich brother?

I played around with a 1200 Roadster, including almost $2,000 in tires and suspension. The engine cases are so wide that even after raising it up to XR1200X height (14.25" - some of the stock bikes are now 11") there still wasn't a lot of cornering clearance. When I realized that someone could destroy it on the track with a V-Strom, I peeled off the shocks, fork brace etc and sold it. I took a beating on that stuff because there isn't much of a market for Harley road performance stuff: they use the cheapest Showa forks, low-end Nissin brakes, the lowest spec shocks on the market, etc. so you have to spend a lot, then eat it.

For example, the V-Strom was considered under speced because it had 41mm damper rod forks. The Roadster - which weighs 100 lbs more - had 39mm damper rod forks. You have to upgrade everything. The stock Sportster wheels weigh a ton and there are no readily available lightweight wheels for them. So you either use the stock wheels ( HUGE disadvantage) or start messing around with buying wheels from another bike and machining them to fit. You face that dilemma at every turn, because 90+% of HD part offerings are cosmetic.

The Xr1200X road racers have a minimum weight of 525lbs and about 85hp. Shane Narbonne
Had the best qualifying lap time at NJMP: 1:31.166. I bet there are amateur riders here who beat that on street legal sport bikes. And HD discontinued the XR1200X: and of course they murdered Buell previously. The XR1200X's were around $12,000 new and the resale dropped like a stone.

All that said, check out the bikes Walt Siegl builds at his shop in Harrisville. http://www.waltsiegl.com/sort/motorcycles/

DucDave dragged us in there a couple of years ago. He's built some HD-based bikes that have a lot better performance than any stock HD product, but while they aren't really "racers" they are very cool!

[Mr. Kurtz]

Contact Dan Pike (crew chief/owner) and Scott Settino (rider/mechanic) about the XR1200 they raced this season at LRRS, or the Sportster they ran the first few rounds.

Oh wait, people already suggested that? Here's my addition: buy one of those from them. I think in the end itll be more cost effective than building one.

[drinkingmymilk]

Is Rob from Speed Demon Cycles not running his XR anymore?

http://www.speeddemoncycles.net/index.htm

[nt650hawk]

Scott will have a feature in a Magazine with this bike and his season. Seems like it is going to be a huge spread.

[SVRACER01]

shane narbone runs in the AMA XR1200 class. everything you need for that bike comes from vance and hines

[Kurlon]

Alternatively, look at what the BSB guys are doing in their XR class, they aren't as restricted on parts like the AMA ones.

[SVRACER01]

youll get more power out of an 883 because of the velocity the air/fuel goes into that motor vs. a 1200.
if youre gonna tear it down then make a new frame out of chro-mo and shave a 100+ lbs with that alone
realistically, an XR 750 flat track bike would be awesome for roadracing. they are generally in the high 90s for HP and that bike only weighs about 300lbs. perfect ULSB

[nt650hawk]

BTW he hit 19's.....

[tsorfas]

What's a Harley "racer"??

You would be surprised actually. Got my ass handed to me by one this year.

[Kurlon]

youll get more power out of an 883 because of the velocity the air/fuel goes into that motor vs. a 1200.
if youre gonna tear it down then make a new frame out of chro-mo and shave a 100+ lbs with that alone
realistically, an XR 750 flat track bike would be awesome for roadracing. they are generally in the high 90s for HP and that bike only weighs about 300lbs. perfect ULSB

How's parts availability for the XR 750 these days?

[SVRACER01]

lots on e bay. i was just on there looking for an XR750. sadly there are none at the moment. IIRC, last time i saw one they were in the $20k+ range

- - - Updated - - -

you can still order the complete engine from HD. the catch is you still have to make the cams and heads

[brady]

You would be surprised actually. Got my ass handed to me by one this year.

he flies, and has a bit more experience than the average Amateur racer

[tsorfas]

he flies, and has a bit more experience than the average Amateur racer

No, I know his experience and AMA past I'm just saying. It was a Harley haha.

[brady]

wants to build a HD track day bike.

I think it would be a blast trying to make it go faster than anyone expects, especially for a track day ride. Just got to remember to have fun and resist the urge to compare the lap times to the sportbikes out there.

[jasnmar]

I rode with a Harley at a TTD a couple years ago. He was pitted with 'bubs and I (Of course he was also an ARC instructor).

He certainly wasn't the slowest bike on the track (of course this was red group).

[Trouble]

Scott was an amazing racer on his Harley but I think he was pushing the limits of the bike despite it being built up extremely well. It was common for him to drag hard parts and the torque from the motor looked like it was twisting the frame like an ex. If he was a less experienced racer he would have been either going much slower or have crashed frequently. I was (obviously) very impressed with his skills and was comfortable racing with him in close quarters. The bike looked like it was holding him back. It would still make a great track day bike or an entry level racing steed for a lesser rider.

[KB]

James Brown races a buell. He goes fast too.

KB

[SVRACER01]

James Brown races a buell. He goes fast too.

KB

GET ON UP-AHHH!!