Making my VFR a track bike

[TJenkos]

To cut the story, I have intended to turn my road NC30 into a track bike. Its ran fine on the road however I fancied doing a few trackdays and I'm not brave enough to use my R6 with the fear of dropping it.

I managed to get a full set of track fairings (single seat) which are spot on. My issue now is should I be doing more than just fitting fairings? Do I need to take the brakes apart and rebuild them, fit uprated cooling parts etc? Should I do all or nothing?

Whilst it was fine on the road, will doing trackdays bring out EVERY issue that its got and potentially be a death trap for me?

[vfrman]

Riding on the track is a lot like riding on the road.. except it is SAFER! If something goes wrong, there are a lot less hazards on the track. No trees, guardrails, street posts, curbs, or oncoming traffic. You get to practice the same sets of corners over and over.

I wouldn't have any fear of taking your R6 either. Only go as fast as you are comfortable with.

As far as things to do to the bike, I would definitely make sure it is in good condition. If everything is safe for the road, it should be safe for the track as well. Depending on the track you go to, you might have to remove the coolant from the bike and replace it with something without glycol. In the USA, we use water wetter. Also make sure your tires have plenty of life in them. They are your only contact with the ground and track days tend to stress them a tad. You will find that the centers are fine but the edges take a beating.

Once you do a track day, you will be hooked! Enjoy!

[Spike16]

dont worry about the cooling its only a problem when ur stopped or in traffic

get the hack saw out and cut the rear subframe down, major diet for everything

you want a 17" rear wheel for decent tyres, braided lines, stiffen the front end up and get some foot peg risers cos they ground out really easy

[Trinirides]

I have used a bog standard NC30 on the track and it's fine, the only thing I do is swap my nice panels for my shitters and have a race can mounted and that is it..

I keep these fairings on most of the time to be honest, even on the road as the OEM set I have are like new..



Its also quite hard to crash on track esp if it's your first time out there, you have more room than on a 3 lane A road and as was said all you have to worry about is riding the bike..
The people that do have "offs" on there first day are normally the ones walking around the paddock before hand talking loudly about how they save the front end on there knee going round there local roundabout (you know the type)... Just take ya time warm the tyre's for 4-5 laps and have a chat with the instructors. If the worst does happen it will be your fault 99% of the time so just keep it in your pants, ride within yourself and enjoy the day..

As for tarting up the NC30 just make sure it's serviced and things like pads have life left in them, you could rebuild the front forks but if they are not leaking I would try them how they are.. I think many new trackday riders get caught up with thinking there bike will need serious tuning work before heading out there and its all a bunch of tosh, hence you now have a breed of rider that has a full spec BSB bike before they have even been on track once .....

After you get out there and find you like it the best upgrade will be in the suspension units, so get a spring kit for the front "Hagon" etc and look at getting a aftermarket rear shock.. The footpegs do go down and a jack up kit could be a worthy upgrade if you feel like you need it... Braided lines do help with brake fade and this is a worthy job before hitting the track as the standard lines will fade quite quickly, only bother with the front though...

[vfrman]

Well said!

[Spike16]

dont get my wrong I tracked a stock nc30, then I raced it! not only was it stock is was my only transport, made the scruits laugh when they noticed I forgot to take the tax disk off lol

and from my experiance you want those things done

[Cammo]

Whilst it was fine on the road, will doing trackdays bring out EVERY issue that its got and potentially be a death trap for me?

Not at all. You can still ride it hard on the track while having mechanical sympathy for the bike, it's usually easier on the bike (especially the suspension and brakes) than a hard road thrashing I reckon.

You should do some bike checks, just to make it a more enjoyable day and to give you some confidence that the bike will be alright (but you may not want to do this before your first time out):

- Get the tyre pressures set right
- Set the suspension sag, preload etc, so that whatever suspension you have will work at its best
- Make sure oil and water levels are fine (flush the rads and use only water if the track doesn't allow coolant)
- Make sure it has no oil/water leaks
- You could also remove the radiator fan, you won't be needing it and it cuts airflow to the radiator
- Sticky road tyres (e.g. alpha 10's, BT090's) are great on track, you won't need any more than that
- Bleed the front brakes, change the fluid if it needs it


This is all basic stuff, go out there and enjoy yourself!

[Trinirides]

you want a 17" rear wheel for decent tyres

Does this mean a 18" 090 or Alpha 10 is no good???? Why go through all the expense of finding a RVF wheel then sorting the rear shock just to fit the same tyre in a 17" size.... Both these tyres are more than enough for trackdays and the cash you have saved could go into a superbike school to learn how to ride on track ...

You can even get Bridgestone Slick's and wets in a 18" but would recommend any first timers steer well clear

[porndoguk]

i think price also pays a big part with the 18" tyre trinriderz i could be wrong.

[Trinirides]

I pay the same for a 18" 090 as a mate of mine who runs a 17" this is however with a trade account and it could be some places are upping the price if you ask for a 18".. But it's been so long since I last looked at retail priced tyre's I could be wrong..

Also the reason that is quoted most of the time for doing this conversion is for "better selection of tyres"