Track Day Prep Advice

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by ASL_HONDA, May 28, 2015.

  1. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    Hello to everyone. This is my first post here and hope I can get tons of advice from all active users.

    First off I own a 1985 VF500 Interceptor. It runs like a true champ as its my daily to work and everywhere else I go rain or shine. Recently I have began to corner really hard on it almost being able to drag a knee through a turn. After realizing how dangerous it is for me to be doing this on public roads I have decided to go out and sign up for a track day At Nelson Ledge close to Cincinnati Ohio.

    Now for the advice... what all do I need to do in order to have a trouble free successful day at the track? Any special types of oils I need to use to keep temps down? What type of tires should I buy and how many for a full day of tracking? Will my current tires hold up (Pirelli Sport Demon, 1 month old)? Air filter or no air filter? what octane should I run?

    I have until June 27th to prep for the day. Thank you for the advice in advance.
     
  2. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    No special oils needed, just fresh and not leaking anywhere.
    Your Sport Demons will do just as good as anything else out there that is made in your bias sizes.
    Retain your CLEAN air filter, your bike would run like shit without it if not rejetted.
    92 Octane will be fine.
    Keep the revs down on that machine, they have a tendency to float valves at high RPMs. Keep it under 9-10K and don't try to keep up with other bikes on the straight.
    I raced a 500 for a couple seasons, and had a valve stem and tappet damaged.
    [​IMG]

    Other than that, check with the Track Day Host about stuff like taping over glass and gear requirements. And have fun!
     
  3. BWeiss

    BWeiss Johnny Partseed

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    If its your first track day, prep isn't too huge since you won't really be pushing it all that hard. You'll be more focused on learning the track, and getting comfy riding your bike on the track.

    With that said, just make sure your oil is fresh, swap out your coolant for water (put some water wetter or engine ice in there as well). Make sure your chain is in good shape and adjustment, and make sure your brake pads have plenty of meat on them. The organization putting on the track day will have a check list, so look that up and see if anything needs to be safety wired. For C group at the organization I run with doesn't require safety wiring.

    As far as tires, go with something sticky and not sport-touring worthy. I don't know about the options for the VF500, but I have really liked the Michelin Pilot Powers I have been using at the track on my 99.

    If you don't have them, get a good set of 1 piece leathers, or if your organization allows it, a good zip together jacket and pants. Again, your organization should have a list of acceptable gear.

    After all that, go ride the wheels off of her!
     
  4. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    Didn't know that these bikes had issue with floating valves. That's,ks for the tip!
     
  5. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    Engine ice... What's that?
     
  6. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Check oot the track itself. Some of the comments on the condition of the track on other sites ain't all that good.

    Look for vids on the net shot by other riders/ drivers. Track maps and ariel views are sometimes available too.

    ATGATT.
     
  7. BWeiss

    BWeiss Johnny Partseed

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    http://engineice.com/

    Essentially the same thing as coolant but tracks allow it since it isn't slick when spilled, unlike traditional coolant.
     
  8. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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  9. f3racer

    f3racer New Member

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    Everything that has been said before is on point. Also check with the trackday provider for safety wiring and such.
     
  10. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    please check your map. Cinci is only about 300 miles southwest of Nelson Ledges. Nelson is just north ,outside of Warren Ohio. I raced there for 8 years and can drive it in my sleep. I know it's only track day and they don't require safety wiring. You should safety wire your drain plug and oil filter for obvious reasons. just run the same octane as you do normally. You don't have a race engine so you don't need anything else but the gas you use on the street. air filter and your tires will last more than one trackday weekend. Have a fun day/days. Oh yea you need to double apex the carousel in order to take it right cause it's a decreasing radius on the exit and the "kink" can be had at about 110mph+.

    Ahh billy don't be a pussy. It's roadracing and Nelson is like a road. It's actually smoother now than years back. Just a bunch of spoiled boys that want smooth smooth surface all the way around. If you can race Nelson fast, you can race any place fast.
     
  11. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I was never fast. Never roadraced and never said I did. I rode dirtrack. Closest I came to roadracing was once I stuffed some brakes and a spring hub on a 30.50 Triumph track bike and did a couple of laps. The hub was so out of balance I was told they could see air aboot every time the wheel made one revolution.

    You mistake me for one of the fast guys..I was just OK . I knew it then and still know it.

    I guess if somebody wants to ride a shitty track then they can.
     
  12. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    what all did you have done to your bike? And what rear tail section is that?
     
  13. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    do you mean enter in the turn hitting the inside apex then go wide and come back in hitting the inside apex again as I exit? sorry if I'm sounding stupid right now. I am taking the first time around the track with an instructor so I know my line and braking points.
     
  14. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    1992 Honda RS250. Mounted to an abbreviated stock seat pan. It allowed some movement and flexing without having to hard mount the thin fiberglass to the chassis. Whole unit comes off with 2 bolts in the rear to the subframe.
    http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/hondaz/RS2501992.htm

    Here's the thread when I prepared it for some street duty that details most of what I did to the bike.
    http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthread.php/40487-Project-Get-86-VF500F-race-bike-on-the-street?highlight=vf500f+track+bike
     
  15. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    Pretty much. You'll early or late apex varying degrees depending on what is coming next... approaching another corner and need to be in a certain spot or heading on to a straight where your drive is important.
     
  16. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    Kinda like that. It's been a while, enter the carousel about mid track, drift down about a foot from the edge of the inside to just before the center of the turn, then drift up about two foot and then point for a late apex right at the edge of the track with lots of throttle so your wide open just past where you clipped the corner at exit.

    Now my concession is they redid that corner since I raced there so all above could just f@$k you up. Listen to your instructor! Most of all have fun, go slow and learn the right way. If you do then the speed will come later and better.
     
  17. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    I'll be sure to study the track closely while riding. I have been watching YouTube videos studying every turn and looking at maps of the track as well. The carousel is what makes me most nervous cause I'm pretty sure other bikes much faster will be passing me during it. Typically I am pretty calm when some of my buddies pass me on an on ramp but this is completely different from a track.
     
  18. BWeiss

    BWeiss Johnny Partseed

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    Don't worry about getting passed, it's not as spooky as you think as long as everyone out there is following the rules and not being asshats.
     
  19. ASL_HONDA

    ASL_HONDA New Member

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    How easy is it to take out my coolant reservoir? Just opened up the cap and saw it looking like gray but not goopy stuff at the bottom.

    I would like to drain it and clean the entire system before I go out and ride today...
     
  20. Glenngt750

    Glenngt750 New Member

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    If you have at least two hours if you are like me, you can go ahead and remove surge tank, an easy job, and then clean your entire cooling system, easy but takes time! If you are short of time just rinse out your resevoir/surge tank and go have fun! Don't get too caught up in having the perfect bike. It'll be fine. Don't do ANYTHING you aren't 100% sure of on the Track! Don't go beyond your capabilities. Check important fasteners before and after every session, CRITICAL! If your brake lever falls of you could die! Have fun!
     
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