jsin38
Hello all,
I have a 1991 851 Strada and I'm very much inclined to take it to the track. I have an SV650 that currently does track time but the 851 begs to be freed from the agony of overcrowded city streets.
I've read through some posts here regarding this type of conversion but the 1991 851 has left me with some questions.
First, will the 888 tail section from Sharkskinz or AirTech work on the '91?
Also, it looks like the rearsets are different from the '92 and later models and that leaves me wondering if spares are available anywhere. I don't think that Woodcrafts intended for the 900ss will work.
The bike currently has braided steel brake lines and the pads do a great job on the street but I may replace the pads. Any suggestions here?
I'm also considering a Brembo 19x18 MC to help in the braking department. Feel free to stop me if I'm going into overkill though.
Last item is a steering damper. The bike has nothing now and I'm wondering what might work best. I'll assume that it's best to mount one on the right side but I would be very grateful if anyone has some photos showing how this is best installed.
Thanks in advance!
Henrik
My 888-Strada has gradually turned into a track bike. It was not the intention from the start, it just happened along the way.
Of all the parts I have bought to the bike I rate the extra wheels highest. If I would do it again I would for sure start with finding an extra set of wheels. It's no fun taking a day off and miss the party just because it is raining.
Part from that you are fine with taking off the parts you don't want to scratch (fairings?).
Brgds
Henrik
molamphy
The sharkskinz rear section will work. Not perfectly but it will fit. Seat-wise, I just cut a thick piece of foam and used 3M adhesive. The tail section doesn't have recessed section behind the bump pad(as on stock SP) to screw it down, though. I switched to an SP5 subframe and never tried it with the stock subframe. I'll have to come up with a plan so that rear section is secured by more than just the two screws on the forward sides.
I felt the same way about my 92 strada; just begs to get on the track. I wish I had more info for you but I'm in the same process. Slightly stalled for the moment since I'm in Kuwait for another month. When I get back, I'm going to replace all the coolant hoses, add the CF undertray Jasper so kindly sent, install a windscreen and get some Ti exhaust hanger fabbed up.
I have a set of 900SS aftermarket rearsets but I wasn't thrilled with the fit so I'm rolling with stock. I'm going to pick up an extra set of wheels for rains, too. Shouldn't be too difficult to find a set of 900SS or 900 Monster wheels. You should be fine with brakes set up like they are. Maybe just new pads.
I'd send you a picture of the steering damper set up but I'm sure someone will volunteer that long before I get the chance. Simple set up, though.
Mr.R
Hi Jason,
Recambi Weiss in Germany can supply a track single seat unit to fit the pre 92 851/888's, for not much money.
The Euro's taking a bashing due to Greece going all but bankrupt, so buying from Europe should be getting cheaper for you lads over in the States.
Spike on this forum found out that rearsets intended for the 749/999 series fit the early 851 frames.
If you can? Mount the steering damper on the Left Hand side, that way you can adjust it without letting go of the throttle whilst out on the track.
Any damper intended for the early 900 monsters will fit.
For the track EBC HH's are pretty good on standard Strada discs, not so good on the road as they loose their temp' fairly quickly.
I've never tried a radial Brembo unit so I can't comment on it, but I use a AP Lockheed adjustable ratio M/cylinder unit and it definitely improved the standard brakes on my '92 851.
Steve R
stafford
Mr.R wroteFor the track EBC HH's are pretty good on standard Strada discs, not so good on the road as they loose their temp' fairly quickly.
Steve R
Any recommendations for an organic pad for cast discs Steve, anyone?
Mr.R
Hi Stafford,
I like Ferodo Platinums for fast road use, I find them very predictable without any "Brown Pants" moments because they've cooled off between corners on roads with long fast sections and I've not managed to get them to fade, which's more than I can say about the OEM Brembo's. 😯
Performance Friction pads have a good reputation, mates who are a lot faster than me rave about them.
I'm also a very big fan of AP Lockheed kit, having used their products for well over 35 years now.
Back in the old days when you could pick up the phone and speak to Ron Hammond who was AP's chief Technician, tell him what brake set up you had and how you were using the bike it was a lot easier, his advice was always spot on, I wish I could say the same about EBC or Brembo.
Steve R
marvin
I've been using Carbon Lorraine SBK3 pads on the street with ductile iron rotors which work quite well. Very linear, don't need to be hot to work well. (# 2247SBK3)
For the track I like the DP Racing pads (RDP614) which are a little bit more aggressive but still very linear.
As I've posted before I don't like the EBCHH pads for the same reasons that Steve has mentioned.
griff851
I'm using bendex, they seem to do the job. I tried a set of sintered goodridge and man did they stop well. Right up there with modern brakes. However they did have a tendency to machine the disks somewhat. I wouldn't recommend doing it.
Griff
jsin38
Great stuff! Thanks everyone.
One more question. Any caveats to going GP shift? I know that on a Suzuki it is a very easy switch from standard to GP.
stafford
Hi Griff, I've been using Bendix sintered on steel discs and have to say they have been excellent. I've got them on the ST4S and the Monster which now has a set of four pot four pad calipers and on there they really are awesome.
Mr.R
jsin38 wroteGreat stuff! Thanks everyone.
One more question. Any caveats to going GP shift? I know that on a Suzuki it is a very easy switch from standard to GP.
Hi again,
I use a GP shift "Down for up and Up for down" on my 851/916, I fitted a pattern Ducati Corse 748/916/996 lever which's a billet part, (a lot stronger than the DP/Corse item) that I got from Louigi Moto in the UK, but recently I've seen cheaper copies on E-Bay.
These levers work well with the standard footrests and the Carbon Corse units, being just a reverse lever without any linkages but with an ajustable/eccentric toe lever.
Steve R
Henrik
If your aim is to go out on track my advice is to just remove the parts you dont want to scratch and go out there. After that you can start to think about what you want to improve with the bike.
Else, you risk ending up in the garage all season.
Brgds
Henrik
jsin38
Good point, Henrik.
Although I can see nothing wrong with being in the garage all of the time 😄
jsin38
A quick update.
Got a full set of Sharkskinz bodywork and I must say that I am well impressed. Working in the evenings on fitting the 888 solo seat to the 851 Strada frame but I have a couple of ideas that I will try this weekend if time permits. I'll be sure to post a description if it works.
Steering damper is a Hyperpro unit that is fitted on the left side using a 900SS mounting kit. Clears the bodywork and has enough travel to allow the forks to swing from lock to lock.
GP shift was an easy conversion but I need to test it out. I should get a test ride in on Saturday morning to make sure that 1 up and 5 down are at the disposal of my left foot.
Thanks to everyone for encouraging this. It was a bit unnerving to take something that I waited 17 years to get and then start taking it apart 😄
