talledega gp - Honda Motorcycles

pushbike4 · 10-08-2003, 2:41 PM

I'm signed up for my first track day. I'll be spending some spare time in the next 2 weeks getting the bike ready, including the safety wireing, new tires, removing blinkers, etc. All my gear is bought and I am crazy pumped. Does anyone have experience with this track and care to comment on tire pressure and suspension settings?
B

Pater · 10-08-2003, 11:08 PM

I'll also be down for Sunday's track day at Talladega. *We were on it about a month ago. *It's a great little track, especially for your first time. *It's pretty tight, with 3 180 turns in a row. *Normally they reverse the direction after lunch to help with tire wear. *The track is set up with five turns one way and only one the other.

As far as tire pressure, we run 31 in the front and 30 in the rear. *I'll have an air tank with me if you need to make adjustments as the day goes on. *My suspension is pretty rigid. *With stock front springs you almost can't get them stiff enough. *I don't know the numbers right off hand for the front, but the rear is one click from full hard on compression.

Come find us Sunday morning when you get there. *I'll have a Black/white/gray 900rr and my buddy will be on a blue R1. *We'll be in a grey dodge ram and under a green tent.

See you there.

Tank69 · 10-09-2003, 2:06 AM

Most important, have fun and don't over do it.

pushbike4 · 10-09-2003, 2:14 PM

*excitement building* Thanks for your reply, I'll definatly have to come look you up. I dropped the bike off last night with Spud so that he could mount and balance a pair of his take offs from a practice session at Barbers. When he opened his garage there was motorcycle candy everywhere. See you there.
B

pushbike4 · 10-13-2003, 10:06 AM

Gentlemen thanks again for your help. I managed to get the oil drain plug drilled and safety wired, as well as a clamp around the oil filter that is also safety wired. Is there anything else that needs to be safety wired according to what Talledega requires? I've gotten the tires changed, supercorsas (soft and extra soft) as well as flushing out the coolant for distilled water. I have pulled the headlight fuse and removed the blinkers (what a pain the rears were). I will tape the glass before I go. Is there anything I'm missing?
thanks,
B

Red Rider · 10-13-2003, 11:49 AM

Safety wire the oil filler cap?

Pater · 10-13-2003, 10:36 PM

STT doesn't require safety wiring anything, so you should be ok. *If you haven't already, pull off your passenger rearsets, license plate, and kickstand. *Other than that, just enjoy the ride! *See you this weekend.

02FBlade · 10-14-2003, 11:37 AM

Pater : STT doesn't require safety wiring anything, so you should be ok. *If you haven't already, pull off your passenger rearsets, license plate, and kickstand. *Other than that, just enjoy the ride! *See you this weekend.

STT does require wiring and no antifreeze...the beginner group is not as strict but I would still have my bike fully ready incase you want to move up a group.

I'll be there both days. *Stop by and say whatz up. *Silver w/ primer 954, black dodge truck and black trailer.

A note on the track, it is rough...has tons of grip but will eat your tires up. *Harder compounds may last longer. *The do switch direction but not at lunch. *Saturday will be the normal direction (counter clockwise) and Sunday will be clock wise.

From sportbiketracktime.com *Remember number 10!!!! No FUR!

Bike Preparation (Also know as '101 uses for duct tape')

1) All bikes MUST pass technical inspection prior to admittance to the track. If your bike DOES NOT pass tech inspection, you will NOT receive a refund.
2) Tires and brakes must be in good condition. Tires should be at least 75% of new condition. Any tires that are bluing from excessive wear will be disallowed. Slicks are allowed in 85% plus condition. We will have on site tire service at each track day, so if your tires don't pass, you will have the opportunity to put on replacement tires to pass tech.
3) All glass, headlight, turn signals, and plastic lenses must be taped over or removed. Side mirrors must be removed for the advanced group and at least taped over for all other groups.
4) We recommend, but do not require removal of center stands. No bikes with center stands will be allowed in the Advanced/Racer Group due to the ground clearance issue.
5) All machines must have an operational handlebar mounted kill switch/button and self-closing throttle in good working condition.
6) Advanced and Intermediate group riders MUST use water or water wetter in place of coolant at all events.
7) All valve stems must have caps.
8) Wheel balance weights must be well-secured.
9) License plates must have bolts taped or be removed.
10) No Fur Allowed.

02FBlade · 10-14-2003, 11:41 AM

Vids here if anyone wants to see the track. This was from last years STT 2 day talla event.

Please save as.

Longer, hi res.
Big one

Shorter, low res.
Little one

Pater · 10-14-2003, 11:17 PM

02FBlade, sent you a PM. Where do their rules require wiring? Am I missing something?

02FBlade · 10-15-2003, 10:20 AM

Well sorry for the confusion...after reading what I posted fully....I don't see any wire requirements....I just assumed. *Most folks do require that.

If it's not on the list, I'd say you don't need it. *I would call Monte at STT to confirm if you are worried about it.

I say just wire it...you'll be ready for other track days that do require it.

pushbike4 · 10-15-2003, 2:03 PM

After some digging I think its the track that requires wiring and no antifreeze. *I'm all set and ready except a back protector which I'll have to get local now because I've waited so long. *I've been putting it off because I didn't really know what to look for in one. *Anyway, I'm going to print this post and carry it around looking for you guys Sunday. *I can't wait, Thanks again for all the advice. *See you there.
B

edit: Great vids O2F! thanks

02FBlade · 10-15-2003, 2:31 PM

Monte might have some rental back protectors and I know he'll have some bohns protectors for sale. Call him now if you want to rent one. I have an alpinestars one but I hear the bohns protectors are really good.

Thanks on the vids. I hope to get some more footage this weekend.

pushbike4 · 10-15-2003, 4:21 PM

Who is Monte? and how much is the rental? I would probably be very interested in trying one before buying when I don't know what kind of fit i'm looking for.

02FBlade · 10-15-2003, 4:42 PM

Monte or his wife is who you will talk to if you call sportbiketracktime.com They are really cool and always helpful. You should call soon. they will probably be on the road tomorrow.

pushbike4 · 10-15-2003, 5:33 PM

Good tip. I called them but they had already left to support another trackday. I emailed him, but don't expect a response until they get back, which of course will be after the track day. On another note, do any of you guys have ramps to get your bike up into the back of a truck? I'm supposed to borrow a friends ramp (and have him help me get it up and down) but i was thinking of making my own. I hate depending on others too much.
B

02FBlade · 10-15-2003, 7:13 PM

Monte use to leave a cell phone number on the message??? *If he did I'd call him if you need to rent a back protector or if you want to see what sizes of bohns protectors he is bringing to the track.

I have a ramp you can use. *Look for a std cab, black dodge hemi & black trailer....and of course a blade (954) with primered skinz. and a big tall fukker.

Pater · 10-15-2003, 10:44 PM

Pushbike, what will you be riding/driving Sunday. We plan on getting there when the track opens in the morning. Look for the Charcoal Gray Dodge Ram (no it's not got a hemi in it) with the white trailer behind it.

Later.

pushbike4 · 10-16-2003, 10:19 AM

I'll be driving a blue GMC Sierra and the bike is the silver/blk 02 stock colors. *I too am planning on being there first thing in the morning. *
O2F: I was thinking about calling the cell, but I thought I'd give them most of today to see if they checked that email. *I'll call them this afternoon if I don't hear from them which will leave me time to get to a store. *Can you provide a description of your ramp (or link) because I was really thinking of making one. *It shouldn't be too complicated to make really. *I just haven't ever seen anyone ramp a bike into/out of the back of a truck. *(do you even sit on the bike while removing from truck bed and if so is the ramp wide enough to put your feet down?)
<---clueless really

02FBlade · 10-16-2003, 7:39 PM

It's a folding Al. ramp 6' long maybe 4' wide....made for 4 wheelers. I've only used it on my trailers so I don't know how steep the angle would be on your truck/tailgate. *We can always find a little ditch to get the tail gate/ramp angle lower and usually anyone around will jump in and help.

Don't worry, well get you unloaded and loaded.

I would walk it up....I've seem one guy ride it into his truck bed and popped a huge wheelie and smashed out his rear window!!!!! funny chit.

pushbike4 · 10-20-2003, 10:23 AM

Pater and O2F it was really nice to meet you guys. Sorry I didn't make more time to come down to your end of the paddock to visit, but in the novice class they had us up for the entire intermediate session for class time, which only left 20 min for rest and preparation. I had a wonderful day. No off track excursions. In the first sessions I was quite nervous and felt like all the other riders were super fast, smooth and comfortable. By the 3rd session just before lunch I was setteling in and becomming more comfortable on the bike. They began to allow some passing on the straights and the power of the 954 really made it easy for me to squirt down the straights around people. By the end of the day I was scraping pegs and trying to learn how to get off the bike. Turns out I was one of the fastest guys in the group and felt a huge sense of accomplishment passing the 929 and RC51 and the 2 Aprillia Milles out there. I hope your days were as productive and safe as mine and I hope to see you guys out there again soon.
B

02FBlade · 10-20-2003, 11:49 AM

Nice to finally meet some other org members. *I had fun and was fairly happy with the weekend...my goal was a 1:03 but that didn't happen but I did pull some 1:04s. *I was running some decent takes offs but really need some fresh sticky buns to run 1:03s. *There was a pit bull factory rider on a 600rr I time at 1:02s! *This dude was smoken.

I had a high speed off track excursion on Sunday....turn 1 way too hot (trying too hard for that 1:03) shot of turn 1 and was heading towards the ditch and fence. *I dumped it before I go into the ditch. *I was ok but the bike had some damage. *I was able to repair and run some more sessions. * I have it on video and will post it once i pull it off tape.

Donald

pushbike4 · 10-20-2003, 2:25 PM

That was 'Spud' from huntsville on that red RR. He used to race in AMA and I've always heard how fast he was. Seeing it first hand on DOT tires was pretty impressive. He was the one that sold me the take offs. Apparently he had used them for a practice session at Barbers. Sorry to hear about your excursion, it was happening all over the place in Novice class. The Guy on the 929 went off in 4 different sessions but luckily never went down. Can't wait for your video, I could tell from your first video that you were way fast.
B

Pater · 10-20-2003, 3:48 PM

Good to meet both of you guys this weekend. Pushbike, saw you come by there at the end for a few laps, leading the pack you were riding with. Looked good. My buddy and I both had good days and were able to take everything home in one piece. STT really puts on a good show. That will probably be our last trackday for the year, but are looking forward to coming back in the spring.

Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you next year.

pushbike4 · 10-20-2003, 4:42 PM

Thanks man. I was really appriciating the bike and how well it worked. I left it in 3rd all day and the torque even down at 6K comming out of corners would launch me past everyone. I found the 929 and RC 51 were the hardest bikes to pass because I really had to set them up by comming out of the corner faster but not too close where I had to check up. I had no idea how fast I was going all day and the only thing the instructors would say was 'your holding a good pace out there' so I don't know what that means. But I'm super pumped that I kept everything together and felt in control out there. My left leg is killing me now because I was supporting myself with it instead of inside of opposite leg against the tank.

02FBlade · 10-24-2003, 12:43 AM

who's this dumb @ss that shot off the track? * *I really love this camera view.*It's pretty damn funny at the end! *Sorry but I didn't get any sound.

Please Right click, Save As.. 16 Megs

TOO HOT!

This is the first time I ever gave up trying to make a corner when too hot...and I paid. *Remember to not loss your head! I just had a brain fart....

pushbike4 · 10-27-2003, 2:58 PM

Thanks for the video clip. It looked like you were just passing people like they were on their warm up lap. I also am amazed at how much the rear suspension has to work. If you want to post anymore clips, please don't hesitate. After riding the track I think it would be neat to watch someone else's line.
B

02FBlade · 10-27-2003, 4:45 PM

That was about all the decent footage I had. *Mess up the camera on another session. *That was kinda a warm up lap....My friend just wrecked a few laps before...and they red flagged the field. *My tires were warm (so was everyone else's)....don't think my brakes were hot..but really it was just a big mistake on my part.

I have some old talla vids around here somewhere from last season....if you haven't seen them let me know and I'll post em.

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