Track Bike Project

Just got this track bike off my buddy.

She's rough around the edges as alot of track bikes are, but I plan to make her real Purdy and into a MotoGP RedBull tribute bike. It will NOT be a road legal bike.

Fork seals are F'd (no big deal) and the bodywork (2 sets) is awful (wrapped and poorly done). Tires are like rock, so will need new slicks if I venture on track. Mileage is high , but WTF.

Will I take her to the track.....well, I'd like to, if I can be trusted to ride within my skill level and ability, although im not sure a KTM RC8 1190R is a good bike to start out on.





Here is the end game ....

 

Hell yes!

Get in the right group with the right outfit and do it! Maybe take a school / track day combo.

 

also been eying this bad boy up at my buddy's place... 2004 BMW R1150R Rockster with a few tweaks.

thats my old VF1000R in the background BTW

 

Yea, I'd need to do a track school day for sure !!

 

Makes a cool magazine / helmet rack?? At least the right helmet is on it.

 

I like forward to seeing the end product!! RC8 should make a great track bike.

 

Yea, my buddy has alot of bikes (50? 80 ?), and any magazines with each bike noted inside gets put on the seat. Evidently there are alot of magazines with the VF1000R

 

I bought this the other day too. '98 Bandit S 1200. Really nice shape, just needs fork seals, Mirrors, and a good detailing. I already fixed the small rip in the seat. It came with new tires and a new battery, original silencer in a box , bike cover, tank bra (I don't use em) too. all for $1500CAD ($1100 USD). I couldn't let that pass by.

Mirrors came with it but one is broken (Suzuki Canada wants $505 each FFS !!), I have some Ebay mirrors on the way and they look better then OEM

 

"bodywork is awful" <-- right up your alley! Damn that's an awesome looking bike. That thing looks like an absolute weapon. That tail is wild.

There are several organizations I'm aware of that run somewhat of an "intro to track riding" course which gives you a much more structured day and track experience than even a standard novice day. Maybe see if that's something that's offered. Even if it isn't, your statement "if I can be trusted to ride within my skill level and ability" I don't think is going to be an issue as you've obviously got a head on your shoulders. Just take in the experience, it's awesome. And if you're not comfortable, then either slow down or pull off. They don't hand out trophies. It's just about having fun with motorcycle people.

The Bandit is an interesting choice. At $1,500CAD I'd probably have a hard time saying no.... let me know how it is to ride, so I never have to buy one myself. I'm really curious about riding a 1200 someday after spending so much of my life trying to get a 600 to run right.

 

Nice Bandito Cat.....

 

thanks Matt.

Yea re the Bandit, I was only looking for one as an engine donor for my 1986 GSXR Skoal Bandit project. When I saw this 30 min from home , I went to see it , floated him a crazy offer and he took it. It was for sale all summer. Not sure about the USA but here nothing is selling in the bike world (I got lucky selling my M109R).

 

What a strange word. But I also don't know what "extra shop space" is either I suppose.

 

"selling".

It is a foreign word for getting rid of things to make space for more things.

I have not had amazing sales this year, but there is always money floating around bikes. Especially "classic" bikes that people want before they take the long nap. I am refusing any more projects, since I have 3.5 bikes on the list for rebuilding. I want my garage back and I only really want to work on the bikes I want to keep.

I remember the Bandito, kinda of a sleeper bike in my mind. Hope it works out for your skoal!

 

I understand Cat … I’m done restoring. I have 2 Cb1100r’s that I’m going to dump. Tired of working on bikes that I’m not going to keep. I have one 1100r that is clean that I’m keep. The other 10 bikes are keepers. I’m happy with what I have and like The Cap says … what’s garage space?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I (typically) don't work on bikes I'm not going to keep. And that's my fucking problem I guess. I flipped the 1990 VFR, but that was SO WORTH all the work. I got paid handsomely, in cash and parts, to work on that, and I applied a bunch of what I learned going thru my 92 keeper.

I have 4 must builds in the queue, with parts already restored waiting. Custom VTR250F (fab/mods all done, currently apart for RESTO), 1986 VFR750F (another one! I have too many cool/good parts not to build it) and a "VF750R" (extra VF1000R parts), Custom VF500F (again, too many cool parts not to build it). Pretty sure I am done after that. Fuck, maintenance alone is already killing me.

But I still (mostly) love it. I've said this many times already, but when I walk into my shop I either think, "Fuck, I love this." or "Fuck, I'm an idiot." Usually depends on my blood alcohol content.

 

"Fuck, I love this." or "Fuck, I'm an idiot."

sounds like when I walk into my shop too

Id like to keep all mine too , but space is an ongoing challenge. Im at 20 bike now and I walked away form 2 really good buys this week alone.

Some days I can exhibit a small glimpse of self control and common sense, other days I come home with bikes "because they were too cheap to say no".

I truly love the restoration process, and while buying an already finished bike or a mint original is often cheaper, I don't get the same satisfaction as I do looking at something I created.

 

We seem to speak the same language


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

So I have a question for all the guys who have raced a bike.

On my new KTM the left handlebar and the left grip is 2" longer than the right side throttle grip. the left grip has been extended by adding and safety wiring another 2" section of grip at the end. (you can see it in th epics above). Why ?

Extra grip in left hand corners ? Personal rider preference ? is this common ?

 

No fucking clue.
Has to be a personal thing.
Not common.

 

At the track now, and I've never heard of this. I see people run bars more inward... I see people run them shorter (on woodcrafts and probably others you can set the bar length)... But I've never heard of different bar lengths for a road bike. I could see it maybe if you were only turning left or right possibly.