Bike Parts Question

[BrianC]

At least if he gets fancy levers he'll have stockers as spares.

This was part of the reasoning. They just move out of the way kind of like folding levers do so that is supposed to prevent them from breaking. Really, I just want them because they look cool, but def not getting them because I see I can use the money for more important things.

[union]

This was part of the reasoning. They just move out of the way kind of like folding levers do so that is supposed to prevent them from breaking. Really, I just want them because they look cool, but def not getting them because I see I can use the money for more important things.

Last folding lever I had folded itself into two pieces. On the brembo its easier to change the master cylinder then it is to change the lever. Something to think about at least.

[BrianC]

Here's how it panned out so far:

-Dropping bike off to GMD tomorrow for fork and shock service= roughly $420
-Woodcraft dual temp tire warmers from STG.com= $342
-Traxxion Dynamics tank sliders (don't care if they're not as good as ETI's, don't feel like painting those and drilling holes in the tank cover)=$100
-New number plates, oil/filter, plugs, plug gapping tool =$100
Total: 962.00

That's enough for today. I still have to save for practice, license, entry fees, gas, hotel, tires... anything I'm missing? How much is the license anyway? After buying gear, bodywork, paint, and parts for my bike, I could have sold my 06' and bought a brand new bike! It's definitely worth it though considering I won't be confined to the boring streets anymore!

[FireboltEric_MA]

Your on the the right path to Raw Talent!

[BrianC]

The raw talent is there brotha, it just needs to be honed on the racetrack now!

["Dangerous" Dan K]

The raw talent is there brotha, it just needs to be honed on the racetrack now!

I'm starting to like this guy. Can't wait to watch that rookie race!

[union]

Wirelessly posted (TELECA-/2.0 (BREW 3.1.5; U; EN-US; SAMSUNG; SPH-M810; Teleca/Q05A/INT) MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Im telling you dont waste your money on those traxxion dynamics pieces of crap. If I remember Ill bring my tank into the shop. You can see how nice they work.

[Boston Moto]

Stop in and say hi at Boston Moto next door.

[BrianC]

Wirelessly posted (TELECA-/2.0 (BREW 3.1.5; U; EN-US; SAMSUNG; SPH-M810; Teleca/Q05A/INT) MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Im telling you dont waste your money on those traxxion dynamics pieces of crap. If I remember Ill bring my tank into the shop. You can see how nice they work.

That was a tough call because I guarantee the eti ones are better like you say, but I didn't want to be painting and drilling holes. Some day I'm going to sell this bike w/all it's street plastics and can't really have holes in the tank cover. The traxxiondynamics ones look like they'll work for at least a low-side anyway. If the bike goes tumbling I'll be spending money on a new tank or repair I guess.

Stop in and say hi at Boston Moto next door.

I'll be up there around 10am.

[OreoGaborio]

Good luck selling it as a street bike. Once a racer, always a racer, even if you put it back to stock.

[tls25rs]

Some day I'm going to sell this bike w/all it's street plastics and can't really have holes in the tank cover. The traxxiondynamics ones look like they'll work for at least a low-side anyway. If the bike goes tumbling I'll be spending money on a new tank or repair I guess.

I have no idea if the Traxxion Dynamics tank sliders are as bad as some make them out to be but it would likely be alot easier to sell the bike with the holes in the tank cover, or just leave the ETI tank sliders on it, then it would be to sell the pile of ashes that winds up when the bike catches on fire due to an inferior tank slider.

[CEO]

That was a tough call because I guarantee the eti ones are better like you say, but I didn't want to be painting and drilling holes. Some day I'm going to sell this bike w/all it's street plastics and can't really have holes in the tank cover.

2 things here:

1. I have the traxxion dynamics ones and they have worked for me in a couple crashes... but I haven't had a nasty highside like James (union) did and for that I do see what he's saying... I would definitely get the ETI ones for my next set. I may do it for my spare tank and switch em or something.

2. You're worried about drilling a couple holes in your tank cover? And you think you're going to have this thing in mint condition for a street bike sale later?

Dude... this bike's street life is done, caput, finito, 6 feet under, OVER.

The two holes you drilled in your tank cover are going to be the least of your worries when you pitch this thing off the track at 100mph into the gravel trap, scratching and bending your frame and swingarm, ripping off all your plastics and controls, snapping the subframe, etc etc etc etc...

Your raw talent isn't going to fix that.

Sell all your street plastics and parts to a street rider who wrecked, then put the $1k towards your tire bill... that's what I did.

[RyanNicholson]

haha I'm gunna go ahead and agree with these guys. I planned on having a race/street bike when I started, switching it back and forth. It doesn't happen... I ended up buying another street bike.

Doesn't really matter which tank sliders you get, some are better than others but something is better than nothing at least. But once that bike is on the track, built to race, mangled and rebuilt a few times, its worth next to nothing and the only people interested in buying it when you go to upgrade will be trackday riders and new racers. Which is perfectly fine, but thats just a fact of life.

Welcome to racing.

[BrianC]

Thanks for your input guys, but I totally disagree. I'll send you pics from my first street ride after the April race weekend. The T.D. sliders will be fine. I don't disagree that the eti ones are better, but to drill holes, buy more paint, and pay double the money just in case a bad crash might happen? I'll take my chances. The bike as of now is definitely not a dedicated race/track bike. For me to sell it, I'll replace the drilled bolts w/new ones, put the mint street plastics back on it, and sell it for 500 bucks less than I paid for it. My last bike sold for $200 less than I paid for it, after I put 9000 miles on it. Granted it wasn't raced, but whether the r6 will make it thru a couple of races undamaged is an unknown right now. I know I managed to make it 40 laps in the pouring rain w/street tires dodging dudes who barely knew how to ride w/out putting a scratch on the street bodywork, so...., I'll take my chances racing it this year. If I totally destroy it, oh well, that is a risk I'm willing to take, otherwise I wouldn't even bother taking it to the track.

[OreoGaborio]

Well I, for one, hope to be the first one to say "I told you so".

I'll also be the first one to eat my own shoe laces if you prove us wrong after a full season of racing.

A race bike that returns to the street trim & gets sold as a street bike for anywhere near what the original owner paid for it was never really a race bike... either that or it was sold by one helluva (sleazy) salesman

[BrianC]

Well I, for one, hope to be the first one to say "I told you so".

I'll also be the first one to eat my own shoe laces if you prove us wrong after a full season of racing.

A race bike that returns to the street was never really a race bike... either that or it was sold by one helluva (sleazy) salesman

Let's take this one step at a time. I think there's already alot of people just waiting to see if I show up to the rookie race. Let's not make bets on the end of the season yet! I actually know a place around here that sells old track bikes as street bikes after they fix em up a little.

[OreoGaborio]

Let's take this one step at a time

Oh, NOW we're taking it one step at a time? You're the one that's been diving head first into this racing thing.

[Chippertheripper]

[BrianC]

Oh, NOW we're taking it one step at a time? You're the one that's been diving head first into this racing thing.

Haha, that's true, but it's just calling me something fierce. Who knows, maybe after my first race weekend I'll be 100% converted and not even want to ride on the street or sell my bike.

[BrianC]

I can't go thru this again lol...

[lrrs182]

So, flashback,.......1988,Second year of racing,28 yrs old ,on a brand new gsxr(I was hooked!) Streets of Willow.When I first stated racing my mentor, older coworker who hooked me on racing told me "you'll never be fast until you've crashed out on every corner". It's the third race weekend of the season, my bike looks like it competed in demolition derby. I come pushing my again twisted up bike back to the pits, lean it against my truck and look over the damage. He comes over and puts his arm over my shoulder and looks down at the damage. In a quit, calming voice he says,"remember when I said you'll never be fast until you've crashed out in every corner? I didn't mean do it all in one fukin' weekend!) Yea, yea, in a perfect world, with a perfect rider, you'll never go down, never crash. You are just plain fukin niave if you think you have a great chance of making a season without putting it down or off the track, NIAVE!!!!!! Dude,reality check. Go ask around anyone who's raced,ESPECIALLY Loudon! I crashed bad in 89, when the bikes I was tangled between came to a rest, I was looking at the bottom of my own boot, thinking "this is going to hurt" I was right! After major surgery, I continued to make the payments on my wadded up 88 gixxer (still have my race motors!) and recouporated for a year. Then I moved back east, opened a business. As much as I loved racing, I knew I could not afford to get hurt. Weeeeell, I now work somewhere else, make a good buck, and if I was out of work hurt, would still get paid, and would still have my job if I was a quadrapelegic. So last year I went back racing.Tommorrow I'm ice racing, $400 knee brace and all. Brian,you have the heart of a lion, or at least the roar. Talking about passing some novices in the rain does not a lion make. Fact, typically less wrecks in the rain. This is racing, not trackdays. Be prepared to crash, be prepared to get hurt.Eric wood crashed and got busted up last season didn't he? Dude, he literally could do a 15 blindfolded I bet!
Someone else chime in here please. Brain, you come talking about all your natural talent but no one with the REAL balls out, gotta win attitude could possibly think, they are going never crash.I bring spare leathers and helmets, and I'm 50 yrs old, don't think any world superbike teams will be calling, my roar is more of a gutteral growl now, but still competetive as hell and wanna win. I will be making NJMP my home track but will be doing some LRRS stuff. Cool thing about my 20 yr hiatus is that I got to start in Novice again! and I've got an old R6 thats legal in SS, so we can rub some elbows Brian!
Closing thought, you know what they call the 600 class don't you Brian? Demo Derby! I consider turn one, starting lap of a 600 race one of the most dangerous spots on earth!
Good luck Brian, I really mean it, but this aint no video game, make sure you have health insurance, and I swear to you I'd be thrilled if you or any racer proves me wrong!

[lrrs182]

As if the last post wasn't long enough I need to add one more thing.

You really need to learn one important thing that will gain you a world of free advice. Humility. Learn to shut the fuck up and listen, and if you disagree, learn to politely question. I am highly payed for my knowledge. The reason I know so much was that when I was young I listened and absorbed. Most older, wiser, more knowledgable guys will love to pass down what they know, but never to a know it all kid. I have a sign in my office, 'the only substitute for experience is being 19 yrs old. No one with any experience wants to hear how great you can be, how naturally talented you are, what you CAN do, save that for the bar. You stand to gain more ask how to get there than telling us you will. You have a group of people that have never met you that already want to see you fail.Somehow some see thru the bravado and think there is a good kid in there, I'm one or I wouldn't bother with this shit, I hate to type. A little tip, always wait a little while to reply to posts, and think how people will take what you say, and adjust accordingly. At the track, listen to advice, only ask pertainent questions and say thanks.You'll find that the fastest guys tend to be the most humble, speaking anyway, they don't have to tell anyone how good they are

[BrianC]

So, flashback,.......1988,Second year of racing,28 yrs old ,on a brand new gsxr(I was hooked!) Streets of Willow.When I first stated racing my mentor, older coworker who hooked me on racing told me "you'll never be fast until you've crashed out on every corner". It's the third race weekend of the season, my bike looks like it competed in demolition derby. I come pushing my again twisted up bike back to the pits, lean it against my truck and look over the damage. He comes over and puts his arm over my shoulder and looks down at the damage. In a quit, calming voice he says,"remember when I said you'll never be fast until you've crashed out in every corner? I didn't mean do it all in one fukin' weekend!) Yea, yea, in a perfect world, with a perfect rider, you'll never go down, never crash. You are just plain fukin niave if you think you have a great chance of making a season without putting it down or off the track, NIAVE!!!!!! Dude,reality check. Go ask around anyone who's raced,ESPECIALLY Loudon! I crashed bad in 89, when the bikes I was tangled between came to a rest, I was looking at the bottom of my own boot, thinking "this is going to hurt" I was right! After major surgery, I continued to make the payments on my wadded up 88 gixxer (still have my race motors!) and recouporated for a year. Then I moved back east, opened a business. As much as I loved racing, I knew I could not afford to get hurt. Weeeeell, I now work somewhere else, make a good buck, and if I was out of work hurt, would still get paid, and would still have my job if I was a quadrapelegic. So last year I went back racing.Tommorrow I'm ice racing, $400 knee brace and all. Brian,you have the heart of a lion, or at least the roar. Talking about passing some novices in the rain does not a lion make. Fact, typically less wrecks in the rain. This is racing, not trackdays. Be prepared to crash, be prepared to get hurt.Eric wood crashed and got busted up last season didn't he? Dude, he literally could do a 15 blindfolded I bet!
Someone else chime in here please. Brain, you come talking about all your natural talent but no one with the REAL balls out, gotta win attitude could possibly think, they are going never crash.I bring spare leathers and helmets, and I'm 50 yrs old, don't think any world superbike teams will be calling, my roar is more of a gutteral growl now, but still competetive as hell and wanna win. I will be making NJMP my home track but will be doing some LRRS stuff. Cool thing about my 20 yr hiatus is that I got to start in Novice again! and I've got an old R6 thats legal in SS, so we can rub some elbows Brian!
Closing thought, you know what they call the 600 class don't you Brian? Demo Derby! I consider turn one, starting lap of a 600 race one of the most dangerous spots on earth!
Good luck Brian, I really mean it, but this aint no video game, make sure you have health insurance, and I swear to you I'd be thrilled if you or any racer proves me wrong!

Never said I wasn't going to crash... . I don't know what it is about this forum that gets people so wound up that they feel like they need to teach me a lesson when they've never seen me ride and don't know me personally. Maybe this is just what happens to new people on the forum, but it is kind of gay. I'm 32 years old, went to college, smart enough to make a decent life for my wife and kids, and have over 20 years experience riding motorcycles. I know I've got myself into trouble on here a few times because I've talked like I know what roadracing is all about and I can now say that I won't do that anymore, but I do know how to estimate danger. I've ridden with and kept up w/guys like national enduro champ Kevin Hines and expert local racers fucking screaming on a big 2-stroke thru the woods w/trees 24" apart and rocks big as fuck. I look at roadracing as the easy kind of riding. My confidence in my abilities to ride or race a motorcycle on the pavement comes from years of experience riding the hardest places I can find, dirt or street.
From now on please do me a favor... if you had an experience w/something like crashing, losing races, going slow, or getting scared at the racetrack, keep it to yourself. I appreciate knowledgeable advice on things I need to know, not predictions of the future or guesses about my ability on the track. Like I said... if I destroy my bike, it is a price I am willing to pay otherwise I wouldn't take it to the track to begin with.

[Kurlon]

Ok, based on that, stop, right now.

If you think roadRACING is an easy kind of riding, you do not belong on the track under a green flag.

Have you noticed the common trend in all of the peoples who HAVE roadraced advice? Every single one of them is telling you "It's dangerous, you're GOING to crash, plan for it." We're part of a dying sport, attendance is dropping, and racing by yourself is no fun, so they're not trying to scare you away out of fear of you mad skills. We're trying to pass on what we've ALL had to learn so that maybe you can avoid some of the rougher parts of the learning curve we went through. We want to keep you in the game 'cause we ENJOY RACING.

So if you'd prefer to run around with rose colored glasses on and avoid any talk of reality, kindly shut the fuck up around us, or don't get pissy when we're honest with you.

[Pittenger5]

Oh sweet jesus, I need to move back to Boston and race this season for this alone