Converting a road bike to a track bike

[zedvfr]

Looking for a bit of advice. I'm converting my NC30 road bike into a track bike - the road fairings are original and in good nick so don't want to risk damaging them! Have got my track fairings nearly ready, and got a hugger and new crash bungs ready to fit. What can I do engine/gearing wise to make it better? Have thought about changing the plugs, and possibly the sprockets. Is it worth it, and what else can I do??

Cheers mi dears

[MexicanGringo]

Some modifications that could make the bike more competitive: New plugs, NGK ER10EH for extended high speed riding, gearing ratios chould be changed out for more top end speed, full system exhaust for 5-10hp improvement, slick tyres obvioulsy, sprocket: fewer teeth will give you better acceleration but reduce top speed before red line and should be changed in accordance to the gearing, foam air filter might give you more air flow and you'd prob need to re-jet after this and the exhuast mod, any weight saving mods like a smaller battery and removing the cooling system reservoir. Youd set your suspension to super stiff ie max pre-load.You could prob get a tiny improvement by ensuring your valve clearances all exactly the same. Change your oil&filters more regularly because obviously your stressing the engine more. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend, you could go crazy and upgrade just about anything..

[Psychosomatic88]

Well the main question is are you going to be a hardcore racer style in the fast group every week? or just the occasional quick blat for a laugh in the other groups?

Will the bike still be used for road use aswell?

[viper_biker]

Are you starting from a bog standard bike? And will you be keeping it as a track bike only? Sell the original plastics as that will get you a lot of money to go and spend.

You'll not get a lot of BHP increase with just bolt-on stuff, but you could get a strong 65BHP'ish bike with ram-air, carb and air-box modification, 1/2 or full system as well as starting to cut off the bits you don't need to save a bit of weight eg chop the sub-frame and extra lugs you don't need. Fit an RVF 17' rear wheel to allow for better tyre choice. A sorted suspension is key though. You could have the quickest bike in the world, but if it doesn't handle well then it's all worthless. With the sale of the standard plastics you could look at getting the Rick Oliver fork converson and a Nitron shock from him, Chris at Dyno-Pro can sort you out with the ram-air and how to plumb it in (or you could go down the HRC route) etc etc.

Here is my track bike and Roysters one,

http://www.400greybike.cc/newforum/view ... =23&t=1788" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.400greybike.cc/newforum/view ... =22&t=1329" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My bike is basically,

Maxton front and rear with ram-air. Even before the ram-air was fitted it was a quick bike. I gave it to a mate to go racing on and it was the quickest 400 out there racing against 650's.

[slapead]

14 /42 with the sprockets lose top end but better drive. upgrade suspension and enjoy it

[mick.mh2racing]

14 /42 with the sprockets lose top end but better drive. upgrade suspension and enjoy it

I go 14/44 and better suspension.

[zedvfr]

Thanks guys, that's given me lots to think about! I've not done many track days (about 7 or 8 I think), but I'm alreadt finding that some big bikes hold me up in corners but mug me on the straights - some of that is the way I ride. I want to do track days mainly - not advanced group yet, but I hope to move up to the inters by the end of summer. The bike is currently a road bike with only an ART can that has been changed I think, so there's loads of scope for mods. Will have a look at the bank account and see what's possible!

What do I need to keep to use it on the road? Or can I track it up and whack the number plate on when I fancy a bimble?!

[Neosophist]

You can get a Daytime MOT for a track bike.

From another forums post...

2) Get it on a daytime MOT

You can get a Daytime MOT from any bike MOT station. Remove any lights unless they are fully working for a daytime MOT all you need is a reflector at the back of the bike for the day / road legal tyres and a horn ( get the £10 mega horn from Halfords) horn) that's it; clearly your bike need to be road worthy i.e. no oil leaks; good brakes etc etc just book it in and get your MOT!

If you want a full MOT you will need tail light and brake might operated by both front and rear levers; front light with main beam and dip.

[CMSMJ1]

Thanks guys, that's given me lots to think about! I've not done many track days (about 7 or 8 I think), but I'm alreadt finding that some big bikes hold me up in corners but mug me on the straights - some of that is the way I ride. I want to do track days mainly - not advanced group yet, but I hope to move up to the inters by the end of summer. ?!

Get yourself in the inters mate. The bigger bikes will still nail you down the straights but will be quicker in the corners and so hold you up less. Some of them still cannot go round corners but hey...

You will be able to go faster and more consistently and learn more as you do it.

[zedvfr]

Think I'm definatly gonna go in the inters now - did Cadwell yesterday and go sooooo p**sed off at getting held up on the corners. They blat past me then anchor on and bimble round ggrrrrr!! I hardly touch my brakes, just go down a gear and throw it round! Only got a good run in the last session when half of them had binned it and gone home!! :D