VTR track bike conversion

Get on yer bike and lets rumble!!

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gilson
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by gilson »

RodneyT wrote:by 'engine casing' do you mean the clutch cover or the belly pan thing?
The clutch cover is standard and has now got a Carbonadi cover glued on, but I still have to have the bolt-on home-made bit on there to pass scrutineering. Looks a bit like scaffolding, but will hopefully do the job when needed.

I extended the oil filter protector with alloy strip and then fibreglassed a skin over it as we have to have a belly-pan to pass scrutineering and I couldn't get one from any of the fairing suppliers in Australia despite them advertising them still. It's a bit ugly but matte black hides a lot of sins....

Will change the clutch plates in the off-season and look at getting the fly-wheel lightened. I know of someone in Darwin who has it done and had to send it to Melbourne to get it done but not sure what's happening at the moment with the covid lockdown down there. Hopefully engineering shops are classified as essential workers!

I was also going to remove the airbox and all the associated crap inside it, but , looking at fabiostar's post about the Spondon VTR and the troubles he and others have had with that I'll just leave it alone for now. Really, it's fine as is... the track has a km long straight and the rest is fairly flowing. I lose out to the 600s down the straight but generally catch 'em at the first turn 'cos i can brake later.

I'm just an old geezer out there having fun....
Old geezer having fun - perfect! Good luck and keep the pictures and post coming.
No bike (yet).
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sirch345
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by sirch345 »

RodneyT wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:58 am Another round this weekend.... I also haven't used the rear brake at all while racing on either my CBR300R or the VTR. i always use both brakes on the street so not sure why I've never used it on the track - too many things to think about. We've a private practice sesion in another couple of weeks so might try using the rear brake through some of the corners and see what happens....
Have also figured out how to attach photos but then went and attached it twice and can't figure out how to delete one. Doh! :problem:

TERRA Rd 3 21.png
Just below the "Add files" button you clicked to add your photo, your attachment will be seen, you have the option to "delete file" there.
I've done it for you this time. I like your photo 8)

See below (click attachment to enlarge):
image_2021-09-11_115046.png

Chris.
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gilson
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by gilson »

Hi all,

Whilst the tank is off, apart from adding quick fit connectors, is there anything else that could be done? I don't need to add a fuel pump as the engine is standard but is there benefit to removing or adding filters or anything else to make it more track oriented?

Exhaust header internal welds are being ground down whilst they are off.

Rearsets are going on, as is a different shock, swing arm being braced and all linkages greased up.

Might even treat the old girl to a paint job.
No bike (yet).
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RodneyT
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by RodneyT »

thanks for tip, Chris
Unfortunately, no more racing for me this year as I managed to prang my CBR300 racebike and myself at the last round. Was going well, too - 3rd on the 300 in R1 and R2 (till I crashed) and was in front of the slow group on the VTR - best Ive done so far and managed another PB.
Long story short, snapped and pulverised both bones in the left forearm requiring 2 surgeries and at least 6 weeks in a cast. First broken bones I've ever had :(
Bike has very bent forks (back and sideways), mangled fairings, probable cracked front wheel, possible bent frame, etc, etc but that's what happens when you hit Armco...
Motor still starts and sounds crisp with no smoke so thats OK. Someone else blew their motor a few rounds ago so will see if they want to sell the rest.
Just glad it wasn't the VTR which will now have to sit unused till the start of next season next March. Still, I have a few ideas of things to do between now and then.
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AMCQ46
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by AMCQ46 »

Rodney, that sounds painful 8O Hope the healing goes ok.

Tracks with Armco are not such a good idea for bike racing, which track was it?
AMcQ
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gilson
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by gilson »

Oh dear. Get well soon. Do keep us updated.
No bike (yet).
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sirch345
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by sirch345 »

RodneyT wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:14 am thanks for tip, Chris
Unfortunately, no more racing for me this year as I managed to prang my CBR300 racebike and myself at the last round. Was going well, too - 3rd on the 300 in R1 and R2 (till I crashed) and was in front of the slow group on the VTR - best Ive done so far and managed another PB.
Long story short, snapped and pulverised both bones in the left forearm requiring 2 surgeries and at least 6 weeks in a cast. First broken bones I've ever had :(
Bike has very bent forks (back and sideways), mangled fairings, probable cracked front wheel, possible bent frame, etc, etc but that's what happens when you hit Armco...
Motor still starts and sounds crisp with no smoke so thats OK. Someone else blew their motor a few rounds ago so will see if they want to sell the rest.
Just glad it wasn't the VTR which will now have to sit unused till the start of next season next March. Still, I have a few ideas of things to do between now and then.
Wishing you well in your recovery Rodney,

Chris.
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alanfjones1411
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by alanfjones1411 »

What a bummer.Hope you heal quickly.
SO WHEN DOES THIS OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER KICK IN
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Kev L
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by Kev L »

Sorry to hear about the off mate. Hope you heal nice and quickly. Good luck :thumbup:
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F3, 954 USD front, K Tech springs, Braced swinger, Penske shock, Six spoke Mockesini wheels, Harris rearsets, QaT, Flywheel diet!, A&L stacks, stick coils, K&N, FP Ti jets, lashings of Ti & CF
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RodneyT
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by RodneyT »

AMCQ46 wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 6:58 am Rodney, that sounds painful 8O Hope the healing goes ok.

Tracks with Armco are not such a good idea for bike racing, which track was it?
Thanks for your kind thoughts, everyone.
My local track is Hidden Valley in Darwin, Australia
Hidden-Valley.png
2.87km long.
I went off between Turns 7 and 8.
The Armco I hit is about 50 meters from the actual track and luckily I hit it at a shallow angle. Have been off there before and managed to bring it back onto the track, but this time I hit a drainage ditch in the grass....
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gilson
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by gilson »

I've thrown some money at my track bike.

In addition to a service (engine is completely standard), I purchased a new spring suitable for my weight, fitted the DBR rearsets (cheers Mac) with new pegs, and braced the swing arm using the Blade swing arm. At the same time I had some bobbins fitted too.

The welding was done by none other than Alf Mossell who is an artist and has made some bike porn. http://www.alfmossellracing.co.uk/

I say that I did this, but I really mean a friend who used to work at Harris. After buying his old Mercedes estate from him and noticing his garage full of motorcycles we quickly became friends. He is a brilliant engineer and almost does it for love. Alf is his good friend.

He also connected the laptimer and painted the forks.

Another positive is that he knows people. I've had my fairings repaired and painted. I've got another friend who is going to airbrush decals on. It's a bit of an experiment but why not.

I'm hoping it looks and rides brilliantly once completed.

I hope you are all well. ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
No bike (yet).
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fabiostar
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by fabiostar »

nice work :clap: :clap: loving those yokes you have :thumbup:
the older i get,the faster i was :lol:
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sirch345
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by sirch345 »

Nice work all round Gilson 8)

Chris.
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lloydie
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by lloydie »

Looks the part 👍
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gilson
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Re: VTR track bike conversion

Post by gilson »

Thanks chaps.

I also asked for the internal exhaust header welds to be ground down whilst it was off. I'm expecting to feel the difference

Once the fairings are on it will look great, I hope.

I'd really like to replace the steel rear subframe with an aluminium one. At least I now know someone who could make one but it would probably be expensive.
No bike (yet).
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