Another VMCC Actrix Series-Bert go's streetstock.

[Bert]

My first attempt at streetstocking on my ZXR250a.

Part one – the pre match - the funny shit that you don't hear

Over the past couple of months I've worked on doing up the ZXR which i brought before Christmas. With the motor seeming to run fine, I spent most of my time fixing up the crash damage and making it rideable.
Last week the decision had to be made, was I seriously going to race or just ride around making a c^nt of myself.
So I decided to race. Which ment I needed to do some laps before the first round, (due to the fact that I haven’t ridden a road bike this century, other than my bucket, which hasn’t been that successful)
So I ask for Friday off work, load the bike and drove on out to Mansfeild.

On arrival I saw that there were a couple of faces that look familiar, one of which was Racey Rider. Whom I caught up with at the previous test day. So I unloaded and tried to look like I knew what I was up too. Skipped the first/second session as I was still carming the nerves. Started the bike and let it warm up. The poor thing didn’t quite sound as good as the previous night, then it slowly died.
Sh!t WTF has gone wrong now ???????
After spending the next half an hour pushing the starter motor to it limits, I gave up. It must be flooded!
Nope. – At this point I’d like to thank everyone that was there, for their suggestions and advice.

Bike 1 Brent 0

Formula ford drops it ass over the track and we all pack up.
On the way home I made a stop into Manawatu Motorcycles, to get my new rear tyre mounted and started picking Paul’s brain about what had just happen. He offered some more advice and off home I went. This should be simple!
Nope.
Bike 2 Brent 0

Friday night was spent trying to get to the spark plugs. Removed everything and called it a night.
Saturday: Up early determent to sort this out ‘I haven’t come this bloody far for nothing’. By lunch time I had found that all the fuses had blown and the regulator / rectifier had melted. Though not needed, I swapped the one off my CBX, (with a few mods), and replaced all the fuses and melted cable. Sweet this time it should go.
Nope.
Bike3 Brent 0
Grrrrr
Alex (Racey Rider) popped in, to see how things were going. To be honest I was very close to giving up. But having him there gave me some extra encouragement to keen going. The rest of the afternoon was spent removing plugs, installing plugs, flooding, removing plugs, flushing, installing plugs etc etc.
We had good spark, and fuel – WTF is going on…….
Last resort different fuel. 96 to 98. Drained the carbs (by blowing through the petrol line, I know that dumb but it had been a long day:stupid: ). Sh!t petrol everywhere, bloodly hell those carbs hold a lot of gas – flooded the motor well and truly. – take the plugs out and turn it over….
I’m now missing a half a eyebrow and my receding hairline one side as got a whole worse. Some quick thinking by Alex saved the wiring loom from completely melting while I danced around putting out my face/head.
Bike 4 Brent 0
15 mins later 6pm, the bike was purring on 98. –
Bike 4 Brent 1. it had it revenge as was laughing at me.:killingme

Thanks Alex for your time on Saturday, with out you there I doubt I would have made it on Sunday.

[Bert]

Part two – Game day

SHIT – Its 7 o’clock.
Slept in, bugger I going to be late.
Pulled into the pits at 815 to find Racey and Garry H and saved me a part pit space. – thank guys heaps
Signed in and sorted my shit out.
Tyre scrub session: first lap holy shit I can’t race I can’t even ride. Slowly got into it and start to warm up my tyre and the flag comes out. While sitting in the chute bike dies. F##K – slowly push the bike back into the pits only to see the streetstocks heading out, crap.
Back in the pits, the bike starts again first pop, bloodly thing (Bike 5 Brent 1). Shoot back out and finish three laps before the flag comes out again, rear tyre still sliding around, so I had no confidence with going around corners. Qualify LAST, bugger.

Race One
Sitting at the back of the field, heart motoring, bike feeling good. (Wandering did I fuel it up ???). Green flag drops. Get a good start down the inside past a few bikes and raced on up to turn one. Chicken out and slowed down knowing that I couldn’t take the corner at the speed and line that I was on with out taking other out with me, last again bugger.
This is good track time use it wisely (don’t go and fall off trying to catch up). So I just settled into it and worked my way around the track. With a couple laps to go I start to gain on Ryan Scullion, and with a few good corners and 250 straight line speed I start to catch up quickly; (I started to think I can get him). We went past the white flag with Ryan just in front, came along side in turn one, then had my chance though the infield but decided not to for some stupid reason; I though I would have him on the infield straight or the back section. Nope missed a gear in Higgens and he gained some space. We powered down the back straight, (heehee I know its streetstocks but it sounds funnier that way).
“I’ve Got Him” through the sweeper we went and I was sitting right behind him. – then out of no where a bloody black RS125 screams up the inside loose as anything and starts pushing me wider and wider and then nearly off the track, slowly I see Ryan getting away and he pips me by 0.441. grrr and whom should be on the loose RS – none other than IVAN.
But last (12th in the streetstock) isn’t all that bad I still took my helmet off with a smile from ear to ear.

Race Two
A bit wetter, cool this might slow people down a bit. Again got a good start, again chicken out on turn one, but with a few more gained places. I could here Russell Williams ZXR behind me and settled in to some racing. Kept the little bunch at bay until the second to last lap where I went to sleep just before the hairpin, motored on into to it with out braking, “sh!t it’s the bloody hairpin”, down shifted and anchored the brakes (god knows how I didn’t fall off), waited for everyone to pass me as I slowly got back up to speed, (none did – I think most broke hard to avoid hitting me; for when I assed off), held my place and brought it home finishing 9th,11th overall, Sweet. Highlight passing Ivan around the outside of the sweeper and beating him home(he was 13th over all) and he was on wets. (I know you were just playing with us, as you had 3rd sorted but you can’t get passed by a $450 road bike – and its in the record books)

More Rain – end of the day racing, crap I’m slowly getting more confident.

Recommend this class to anyone. The grin factor is brilliant for the little cash outlay

Special thanks:

ESL Security Levin – good on ya Dave
Paul @ Manawatu Motorcycles. For all the stupid questions on Friday and Saturaday
My lovely lady Jess for cooking dinner every night this week while I worked late and then worked on the bike.
And Alex – Racey Racer for all of you time on Saturday helping me get the bike running and Garry H for the pit area out of the rain.

Good to see all the KB Boys doing well.
See you all next round
Bert #90

[Bert]

Well done to Vtec, RG100, Racey and alarumba for great KB showing up the front of the streetstock pack.

[Sketchy_Racer]

LOL!!

Man theres going to be some good and not so good memories from this machine you have!!!

Oh BTW, Thats Ivans Race Pace. He was full out.

I'm so eager to get to the next meeting. Hopefully with a sponser this time .....
Had a Good laugh at this one. Bling sent!!

[vtec]

Haha, cracked up reading your post about setting the bike on fire. Damn she sounds like a temperamental mongrel. Good stuff, glad you were out there enjoying it... Pretty scary in the wet aye :confused:

[Sketchy_Racer]

Haha, cracked up reading your post about setting the bike on fire.

:laugh: I think i laughed more at him setting his hair on fire.... :lol:


Sorry bert, but it IS funny

[k14]

Oh BTW, Thats Ivans Race Pace. He was full out.
Oi, leave the poor man alone. I'm sure he's got an excuse. Was probably wrong jetting, or maybe just running in his new motor, maybe scrubbing in a new set of tyres or a combination of the aformentioned :killingme

[Sketchy_Racer]

Na i think he was busy trying to scrb in his new knee sliders...... :tugger:

[Bert]

Haha, cracked up reading your post about setting the bike on fire. Damn she sounds like a temperamental mongrel. Good stuff, glad you were out there enjoying it... Pretty scary in the wet aye :confused:

Well by that time i was very tempted to just let it burn and try on con the insurance company-
" Yes sir, someone set alite in the drive way during the night" :Police:
TemperaMENTAL yep, i guess the old saying stands (if its got tits or wheels its going to be a pain one day).
but its going now, the rider has to.....:confused:
I could see and feel what / where things were going wrong so abit more track time i hope to improve. I did enjoy the rain though, really made me think about what was going on around me and what the bike was doing; speed up the learning process.
A few problems to be sorted, brakes sucked (spungy as) and i think i only got to 5 gear down the back straight. other than that all is well looking forward to next month

Cheers
Bert

[Ivan]

Na i think he was busy trying to scrb in his new knee sliders...... :tugger:


What new knee sliders dick

[Coyote]

Oh BTW, Thats Ivans Race Pace. He was full out.

I had no confidence and didn't try to race, and I still managed to keep up with him

No offence

[MattRSK]

Hey all.

Good to hear about the streetstock. I was out there on sunday because i wanted to check out what it was about. Hey Ivan I met you on sunday, I was the annoying guy hanging around asking all the questions. I really hope to get into the racing next month or possibly the month after.

[Sketchy_Racer]

I had no confidence and didn't try to race, and I still managed to keep up with him

No offence

mate you were going well.

you NEED to sort out the back end on your bike. Having it lowered out like that must make it a pig of a bike.

Oh and tires. You wernt on the best tires either.

If you had a perfect bike, you would easily be up with the front guys!!

[k14]

What new knee sliders dick
the wit of your replies is only exceeded by your good looks :killingme

[Sketchy_Racer]

Two words


"Firey Ginger"

:lol: :rofl:


(all in good fun ivan)

[Coyote]

mate you were going well.

you NEED to sort out the back end on your bike. Having it lowered out like that must make it a pig of a bike.

Oh and tires. You wernt on the best tires either.

If you had a perfect bike, you would easily be up with the front guys!!
The bike as far as I'm aware is alright. I was just lacking corner speed since I didn't want to push it

I did what I set out to do, get back into racing but take it easy and come out in one piece. I'd rather spend 6 races slowly speeding up finding the limits and getting my lines and technique sorted than going all out like last time

What was that book you were telling me about at the track?

[Sketchy_Racer]

Its called Twist of the wrist by keith code.

The one i have is not mine. It Jays (the guy we went riding with)

you notice how you scraped you chamber in the weekend??

Thats the effect of having the back lowered. It means that you are all ready using all the avalible lean angle. Which means it will be a C**t to get it to go around any corners faster without it digging in and spitting you off.

[Coyote]

Yeah, I'll have to see how to adjust it. Here's hoping it's an easy fix

Or I could get a top end MX pipe...

[Sketchy_Racer]

lol Im sure the pipe will go down well.......

[Coyote]

It'll be hardly noticeable

I'll have to see about hardening up the shock as well. Your KRR was pretty damn solid. Not sure how easy that is, I have no clue about setting up many things on the bike

[Sketchy_Racer]

I might be heading your way on sunday? we could have a look at it??

yeah the krr is harder than all the rg150s i've seen...

[Coyote]

I might be heading your way on sunday? we could have a look at it??

If you want to, sure thing

[Bert]

It'll be hardly noticeable

I'll have to see about hardening up the shock as well. Your KRR was pretty damn solid. Not sure how easy that is, I have no clue about setting up many things on the bike

heehee I'll know.

Re setting up Race Bikes, there are a few good threads about forks and shocks etc. I've also found a good web site on it, explains the some of the physics and explains why, sometimes it better to get an understanding rather than just doing it because thats what people say to do. at lease then, when conditions change you can adapt faster.the key is to be able to feel the difference and what other effects those differences have. But until you are riding consistantly, little changes won't be noticed. enough.... I've got a copy of twist (great book worth getting), I'll see if i can dig it out.
I post the web site soon.

cool
Bert

[Bert]

Terms
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9804_tech/

Overview
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9602_tech/

Sag setting
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9508_tech/

Spring rate and Preload

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9510_tech/

now click on
http://www.sportrider.com/tech/suspension/
and read the rest in the order that they are on screen as they flow well.
rebound
compression
Low/high speed Damping

some other setup comments

COMMON PROBLEMS FOUND WITH SETTINGS

BIKE DECKS OUT EVERY WHERE !
The suspension is too soft. Increase the preload or change to stiffer springs. adjust the ride height if possible.

BIKE SKIPS OVER BUMPS !
Reduce rear comression damping and/or preload

BIKE WALLOWS AROUND CORNERS !
Increase rear rebound damping

FRONT END SHAKES IN CORNERS !
Increase fork rebound damping

FRONT END SHAKES OUT OF CORNERS AND OVER BUMPS !
Reduce fork preload or compression damping

FORKS JUDDER UNDER BRAKING !
Reduce compression damping or preload

FORKS SHOOT UP AFTER BRAKING !
Increase front rebound damping

FORKS DIVE TOO FAST !
Increase compression damping

FORKS BOTTOM !
Fit stiffer springs, decrease air gap, apply more preload

REAR SHOOTS UP WHEN BRAKING !
Increase rebound damping

REAR SQUATS ON BUMPY ROADS !
reduce rebound damping


I hope that this may help you out with the dark art of suspension...

B

[Coyote]

There's a lot to read there :blink:

[Bert]

There's a lot to read there :blink:

Yep, but "Knowledge and understanding leads to success"
it takes a while to read through but worthwhile, better for your racing than searching for porn :confused:

[Coyote]

Yep, but "Knowledge and understanding leads to success"
it takes a while to read through but worthwhile, better for your racing than searching for porn :confused:
Or looking for cheap bikes on trademe. Found this gem. Look utterly goofy yet I want one bad: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-56513498.htm

I'll get to reading all that shit. I've been through the terms page so far

[Sketchy_Racer]

better for your racing than searching for porn :confused:


:confused: Ahh Shit you guys are on to me :shifty:

[Bert]

:confused: Ahh Shit you guys are on to me :shifty:

didn't you mum tell you it will make you go blind......
:tugger: :tugger: :tugger: :tugger: :tugger: :tugger:

[Bert]

vic club website has the standings up now. yay i came in 8th equal.....
http://www.vicclub.co.nz/tiki-page.php?pageName=2006Standing

[MattRSK]

Its called Twist of the wrist by keith code.

My boss lent me that book today, He said once I read it I wont need to go racing because I will already know everything so I can retire. Haha Fat Chance. Just given me more passion to get out on to the track.

[Bert]

How is your bike comming along MattRSK ? are you going to join us at the next meeting ?? go the palmy boys

[MattRSK]

Hey Bert
I am going to have a look at it this weekend. I think I will follow the guidelines that VMCC have on their website about lockwiring stuff and changing the coolant etc. I have not had much experience with motors but you only learn buy trying right. I desperatly want to be joining the group out there next meeting. Will run my bike without fairings I think. Any other suggestions.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Run you top fairing though. You Loose to much lap time without the top fairing!!

And if you need any help, just scream at bert and he will come and 'fix' (read: burn shit down) anytime

Eh bert :lol:

[MattRSK]

Yeah just taking the side ones off i like them too much. What do you think about those frame sliders on trade me. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Frames-bodywork/auction-56549282.htm

[Coyote]

vic club website has the standings up now. yay i came in 8th equal.....
http://www.vicclub.co.nz/tiki-page.php?pageName=2006Standing
Dead... last...

That sucks

[Sketchy_Racer]

Hey at least its not nothing at all eh??

You will get there. You will.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Yeah just taking the side ones off i like them too much. What do you think about those frame sliders on trade me. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Frames-bodywork/auction-56549282.htm

Don't but those ones though. They are a rip off.


get some made. Much cheaper

[Coyote]

Hey at least its not nothing at all eh??

You will get there. You will.
True. I've shown I can go fast on the CBR, just a bit of back luck that time.

My brother replacing the piston and ring on his KX was a success by the looks of it (touch wood, yet to run it), so hopefully we'll give the RG a shot when we can afford a new piston and ring. Should run a hell of a lot better after. The KX kicked arse when we last put in a new piston. Plus I can put on the old tyre as it handled in a way I felt more comfortable with plus being slightly larger so I should be a bit quicker down straights. I've lost an indicated 20kph from the original top speed with this new tyre. At best it would get to 160 indicated, now I've only got it to 140

Might see about taking it to the Dyno at Motomart to tune it up as well. Would be interesting to see how much power it puts out

[Sketchy_Racer]

The IRC might give you more top speed, but it will also be a bugger in the corners cause of the shit compound??

You could always change the srocket at the front one or two teeth for more top end??


It would be very cool to see how much power it makes tho

[Coyote]

The IRC might give you more top speed, but it will also be a bugger in the corners cause of the shit compound??

You could always change the srocket at the front one or two teeth for more top end??


It would be very cool to see how much power it makes tho
I dunno. I never really pushed it untill then and hadn't really noticed it being a shit tyre, but it gave way at the rimutaka summit when following you so probably best not use it. Luckily that time I didn't fall

Have you replaced the front sprocket on your bike?

[Sketchy_Racer]

Not on my KRR,

And i have no idea about the RG150 But i believe it is stock

[Bert]

Yeah just taking the side ones off i like them too much. What do you think about those frame sliders on trade me. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Frames-bodywork/auction-56549282.htm

Don't buy them, I'll sort you for the cost of parts, just need a couple more weeks to get the protype sorted. I've got access to required bits etc.
If you need a had let me know I'm generally around in the weekends though not much during the weeks - work long hours. just PM me and we'll sort out something.
Brent.

(and I'll try not to burn things)

[Bert]

The IRC might give you more top speed, but it will also be a bugger in the corners cause of the shit compound??

You could always change the srocket at the front one or two teeth for more top end??


It would be very cool to see how much power it makes tho

new piston ring will sort out the power issues. I'd do that before tring any thing else. top motorcross and kart guys replace their's before each race. generally you won't have to replace the piston unless its damaged, any small skuffs can be sanded out with wet and dry 1200 etc. so all you will have to buy is the ring, head & base gaskets. and download the manual so you have the correct torque setting (NB: this is very important, you don't want to over torque or have uneven torque or things will leak and warp).
my to cents

Brent

[MattRSK]

Cool thanks Bert.

[Ivan]

Not on my KRR,

And i have no idea about the RG150 But i believe it is stock


Yeah I think it is stock gearing but I found it good when I raced it at Taupo and Manfield

[Sketchy_Racer]

Yeah it was good at manfield. Possibly a little to short as i was reving out top gear before the end of the sraight?

[Ivan]

Yeah it revs but not to the ed of the rev gauge just near 10 Ithink so long since I looked a the rev gauge and you should have been clicking 6th about the start finish line aye

[Sketchy_Racer]

Yep just before the white line. But i was jsut hitting red line at the end of the straight

[Ivan]

Yep just before the white line. But i was jsut hitting red line at the end of the straight


Yeah sounds bout right to me that bike is mad I loved it aye I used to outbrake people into turn 1 and outbrake into the sweeper it was cool I know I wasnt doing 1:32's (BASTARD) but I was in fourth when I was on it so I was happy it was cool

[Sketchy_Racer]

It was 1:33s and im a "Little Bugger" not bastard.. get it right.

and you shouldnt touch the brakes into the sweeper on the 150s!! just close the thottle and change down gears!


Its such a fun bike!!

[Ivan]

Yeah but I take a different line to everyone else through there and had better corner exit speed so needed to scrub alot of speed entering to gain it exiting thats what counts

[Sketchy_Racer]

Is that right?

[Ivan]

Yep I'm having a avtar momment

Should it be


A) Homer
B) Sherminator
C) Stiffler

[MattRSK]

Homer is good.

[vtec]

If there is a big straight after a corner, you generally brake earlier, and take a wide line, so you can cut quite fine to get a good run onto the straight. That really worked for me at Pukekohe, where main straight entry, is vital.

[Bert]

If there is a big straight after a corner, you generally brake earlier, and take a wide line, so you can cut quite fine to get a good run onto the straight. That really worked for me at Pukekohe, where main straight entry, is vital.

good point vtec, higgens is one of those corners as well, the line feels really strange but you get a really good run down the back straight. - but you do have to watch out for the 150 guys motoring around the inside.

as for the sweeper, I had no confidence with the bike and was quite slow in the mid corner, not happy about it at all. one to be sorted next meeting. there is quite a few seconds to be gained through there and corner1 (which I seemed to stuff up every lap).

[Coyote]

Yeah it revs but not to the ed of the rev gauge just near 10 Ithink so long since I looked a the rev gauge and you should have been clicking 6th about the start finish line aye
It has 6 gears? I'm pretty sure mine only has 5

[Sketchy_Racer]

errr it should have SIx!!!