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So For now the Falco is Complete!
The first real ride, and first track days wrapped in one neat little trip to Monticello NY.
After a good set up of the suspension, gearing and deresticting the Falco feels great! Not too mention al the time, money and agrivation I put into this thing...
The bike was finally completed Saturday, with a few track alterations completed on Sunday morning prior to departure.
I did some more adjusting after a few sessions. I raised the rear of the bike by adjusting the rear shock height, which also required me to adjust the upper shock load locking nuts. I keep the shock pretty stiff as the track was super smooth and did not really need much suspension in the rear.
The front I also stiffened up (Compression) slightly and quickened the rebound for a smooth transition.
I was also going to swap out for my 43 tooth Rear sprocket I bought, but after taking off the rear wheel and removing the sprocket I couldn't find the new sprocket.I left it in the garage with a few other spares I wanted to bring, just in case. DOH!! So I put the rear tire back on and delt with being smoked in the straights by the liter bikes out there! I had no problems staying on them and gaining on them trough the corners in the second half of the day.
I really liked Mondays loop around the track in the designed run of the track. Changing it up Tuesday, and running in reverse was interesting and changed everything including a lot less braking areas as my engine braking was enough for the Falco! Except for T1, and T4 thru T6. Uphill blind Chicane (Roller Coaster) Which led into the back straight.
I was able to get used to the bike very quickly due to having the RC51 engine to feel the similar low end torgue power as well as the engine braking. Oh I can't forget the weight of it to, as you have to throw the bike around. Luckily this track was soo smooth I really didn't have to do a lot of work getting through the corners. There was only 1/2 dozen corners were you have to hop from side to side for the next quick turn.
Very cool track, and very happy now with a good working bike that will be a lot more comfortable on the street for me, as well as the G/F will be much more comfortable! I think those 400+ mile days can make a return and I will not be afraid to be sore and to tired the following days!
Only had a couple of eye openers where I ran off into the grass, one was my fault as I had WAY TOO much speed going into T4 to be able to slow enough to make T5, so I stood the bike up got on the brakse and ran off into the grass without incedent. Then re-entered the track and carried on.
The other two track off's were also without incedent, but not due to my fault.
On Tuesday the reverse day this incedent occured twice By the Doug Poulin school. They cut in front of me at the last breaking point before going into T1 where I had to get on the front brakes hard (Which was an issue as apparently I have a warped rotor giving me a lot of feedback) When I had to lock up my brakes so I would T-Bone these asshats then I had to stand the bike up and go off into the grass and re-enter the track on the pit in access road.
Other than those 3 events, I had fun messing with a Clayton, and trying like hell to Catch Oxx! I think we all shared the same idea's as which were the best lines. Oxx seemed to give me very good pointers for taing T5-T7 as well as 8,9 & 10!
I had a blast and can't wait for the nex track day!
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Originally Posted by lopycam
