Going down

Henrik

Today I went down twice. Repetition is the key to knowledge so I hope I learnt something really useful.

First I misjudged the grip when it had just started to rain a little. It was such a fine rain that you could not see it on the ground but surprisingly it had some effect on the grip. Both wheels just went away mid-corner. Luckily the damages were mainly cosmetic, the brake lever went off but I had one in spare with me. I missed one session since I had to clean up the bike from the gravel and use some gaffa tape on the fairings.

A few sessions later the light rain started again. Just for the cause of getting rid of any mental blockings I went out to cruise carefully. This small amount of water can not affect grip, far too little for rain tyres. Yes it can! Two laps and then I went down again in exactly the same place. This time the wind screen went broken. After that I called it a day, I did not have the energy to clean up the gravel, use the gaffa tape and change to rain wheels for just the final session which now was wet. So I packed up and went home. I know it's giving up to easily..

Anyway I am glad that both me bike got away without any serious injuries.

Not using our classics on track the way they were built to is in my opinion an insult to the guys who created them. But today's usage might be even worse😱

Brgds
Henrik

got2dv8

crash protection?

I'm sure there are many shedding a tear for you and your steed (myself included). But I agree with you that you've got to experience these bikes on the track as that's what their purpose is. At least you low sided and nothing caught😄 . With so many listers surely someone has some knowledge about crash protection for these bikes. I have seen the extruding protectors that use the bodywork fasteners as well as bar-end protectors. Has anyone had any luck with such devices?

marvin

It is always the "slickest" just as the rain starts. Once the rain has washed any oils, etc. off the track you once again have more traction. I did the same thing at CMP a year ago just as the rain started, lost the rear on a slight rise, then it hooked up, pitched me off!

Henrik

On crash protection:
The home made crash muchrooms I have is too short (that was one of the learnings). I have also connected the exhaust to the engine (visible in the pic) which was a good thing since the exhaust took a loat of the impact. I would like to use fixed fotpegs for the bike to rest on when it is on its side but have not managed to find any reasonable priced. Maybee very strong springs on the originals is a good idea? That might save the connection to the frame from getting bent which is common with totally fixed rearsets.
The bar end was one of the sliding points, so bar end protection must be a good thing. I had none so the right bar is a little bit shorter.
The old school (or GP-style) fairings we have that really covers the side of the bike is a very good thing. There was one more guy going down in the same spot some second after me (I had good company in the litter box), he was going on a modern jap bike wher the engine is exposed through the fairing. The engine is also exposed to the tarmac when sliding on the side...

On water:
Marvin, I guess you are right, but the amount of water was more like heavy fog. I am still surprised by the effect of it. This was a mixed day with cars going in one out of three groups. We all know cars on the track is a bad thing spilling a lot of fluids..

Brgds
Henrik

Mr.R

Hi Henrik,
On the folding/fixed footrest question...
I've always thought it was the pre '92 bikes that suffered from twisting the frame mountings after a crash, which's was the reason for the re-design on the '92 onwards frames.
In the event of an 'Off' the alloy hangers are ment to either bend or break before the frame lugs get twisted/bent, the alloy hangers being Sacrificial parts to save the frame.

A very cheap way of fitting a fixed rest would be to cut/machine off the lugs that take the fold up rests on the cast footrest hangers, drill a hole and bolt on a fixed rest.
This is what the factory did with the SP5's.
Another tip is to use a steel clutch cover to save the pressure plate/springs, I have a genuine 996RS cover on my bike and it's made from steel.

I like the idea of welding brackets to the headers and bolting them to the C/cases, I've seen it on the Corse Spaghetti systems in the past,
but thought it was more to do with stopping the headers from vibrating/moving around too much and causing fractures of the pipes.
I've got some S/steel plate/sheet and a brand new all singing and dancing Tig welder at work...
I think I'll mod' my Spaghetti system, before I get it ceramic coated inside and out.
This job has been on my things to do list for a couple of years now, but other jobs keep getting in the way/taking up any spare cash.

Steve R

Henrik

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the tip to modify the original peg hangers. Knowing it is the factory way only makes it better. Then I will at least have something that is genuin factory on my bike😁

I have an alu clutchcover with no holes in it (washers instead of gasket for the ventilation), it was strong enough.

What is the purpose of coating the headers?

Brgds
Henrik

Mr.R

Hi Henrik,
Having the headers/complete system ceramic coated inside and out keeps the heat inside the exhaust pipes, thus speeding up the escaping gas, it's a well known performance boost that the car tuning lads have been using for years.
Griff on this forum had his modified ST4/851 headers coated and it completely threw out his former set up, it made that much of a change to the fueling.
He wrote this up on the forum, try the seach function it makes interesting reading.
As an added bonus it keeps the heat away from the inside of the fairing, on the downside it pushes the hot gas further towards the end of the system and can shorten the life of the carbon sleaves on the cans.

Here's a link to a UK company that carries out this work...

http://www.camcoat.u-net.com/Exhausts.htm

Steve R

hauge

Welll Henrik, we all do our lessons....
Glad to hear you and your bike´s ok.
Wich track?

Cheers
Thomas

Henrik

hauge wroteWelll Henrik, we all do our lessons.... Glad to hear you and your bike´s ok. Wich track? Cheers Thomas

Knutstorp the "Kvällsposten" corner. This was one of my favourite corners on that track. Hopefully it can be that again in the future. Right now it feels like I will lose a lot in that section...

Brgds
Henrik