$Lindz$ builds some shit for the track

[Gundamzeppelin]

Originally Posted by babymilo36

[csmutty]

Originally Posted by $Lindz$

csmutty... Word dude, but aren't the compounds of, say, N-TECS different than my GP-As? That's what I was getting at. Cuz I've always heard most slicks will fall off harder and faster if they aren't kept up to temp. Regardless, these people weren't going fast enough to keep heat in a Q2, let alone a slick.

Anyways, yeah the NIX30s are for 08+ forks but there is enough overlap in 06-07 forks tubes to expand and hold the 08+ carts. So, in essence I have forks that are the same length as 08+, using 08+ carts and everything, just my 07 tubes.

Well first off every tire that Dunlop makes bears the N-tec name.

http://dunlopracing.com/tires-products/

The real difference is where they are made. The USA N-Tec is the AMA spec tire and does not offer as much grip. The UK N-Tec offers more grip and is $100 more expensive per set.

There is a slick based off of both of those tires, both a US and a UK compound. Slicks keep the temp just as well if not better as they have more rubber and less surface area. But can you fault people for wanting to get better wear? I know Pirelli makes what they call a trackday slick which offers enough traction for a track day, better wear characteristics than a regular race tire, and heats up much faster than a race compound tire.

[$Lindz$]

Well, it seems I have been misinformed and mistaken. Thanks, I didn't know the compounds were the same between the slicks and DOT tires. I knew the US and UK N-Tec compounds were different. I guess I got lax with the nomenclature too, most of my friends call the slicks simply N-Tecs and the DOT 211 GP-As... well, GP-As.

[$Lindz$]

Chapter 10: Steering with the rear.

So today is Dec 3rd (well, I guess it's technically the 4th since it's past midnight) and as predicted, I was able to get out to Chuckwalla and rip around a little bit.

Chuckwalla's asphalt is SO smoooooth. It's really nice. I wish it had at least 1 long straight though. As it is, every straight is JUST short of being awesome. It's still a real fun track and everything but yeah I dunno. It's like, a bunch of awesome turn complexes linked with short straights. I guess that's kinda the style for weekend-warrior-style dudes who are afraid to go real fast so it make sense (people LOVE this track). I did enjoy a lot of the elevation change and shit. That was awesome.

In bike-damage news: It was pouring rain on Saturday when I was loading up and as I was throttling the bike up the ramp into Brian's truck the cold race tire said 'f**k you' to the wet aluminum ramp, slid out, kicked the ramp and fell. I had to bail and couldn't save the bike from tumbling off the tailgate/ramp and ended up with a bent clutch lever and some smashed fairings. www.hahgay.com I hate loading shit by myself. Also I guess I need to be way more careful when dealing with rain and ramps and shit. Anyways: ain't care. Bent the clutch lever back, kicked myself for being retarded, wish the damage was from something cool, that's all.

And then on Monday (today) at the track I was braking real hard from like 130mph and my fairing touched my dumb way-too-flexible Hotbodies front fender, I guess.... pushed it into the tire which caused to to rip off the mounting bolts and fly past my head as a projectile in the braking zone. FACK. Tech looked at the bike and there was no other damage so I was able to finish off the day sans front fender.

On the ride report: Shit feels great. I was able to loft the rear under brakes a lot, getting real late and real aggressive with the braking, and also I got much more comfortable braking pretty hard while the bike was at good lean angle... which always kinda f**ked with me (considering you're taught for ages to get your braking done in a straight line.)

Then by the end of the day, coming out of the banked Turn 13 "Bowl" at full lean and full throttle, the bike was totally steering with the rear tire. LOVE THIS OHLINS. Rear shock compressed real nicely and as I was coming onto the straight and standing the bike up, it kept turning right, full compressed on the rear shock, leaned over and lofting the front wheel. I had to hang off to the left a ton and then bring myself into a tuck to get the front down (I didn't lift during any of this because umm... it was f**king awesome). Of course it wasn't like... front 3 feet in the air. More like 3 inches (if that) but the bars would go all crossed up since the wheel was off the ground until I got them back down. Here's how that felt: FCCCCKKKK YEAH.

But, I really want a quick shifter now. I mis-shifted so many f**king times because this track had a lot of kinks-onto-straights or right-lefts, left-rights and I was moving around so much that coming off the gas to shift and then getting back on it while throwing my weight around was hurting the **** out of my right arm/wrist.

Note the purple zipties holding the fairings together on the left side...

[TheJokester3]

Great read and update as always!

[$Lindz$]

I'm feeling a lot more confident on the R6. Still a ways to go, I wish I was at the track more regularly so I don't have to spend the first couple of sessions getting back into the swing of things. Had a nice little dice-out with some Scandinavian dude on a Gixxer 750 during the last 2 sessions of the day. It was awesome, we were pushing like hell and it really made me ride the bike better.


OUT HUNTING

[My94GT]

Originally Posted by $Lindz$

badass pic right here, and great write up as always. im pumped now and want to hit the track after reading this. ugh come on spring

[$Lindz$]

Haha me too! Luckily I think there are some events I'll get to soon... in January. Hah! Suck it, winter!

Despite everything that sucks about LA, at least year-round track days in the SoCal area are a plus. Any of you NorCal dudes want to make the trek down? I'll arrange accommodations or whatever, just throw some bikes in a truck and hit the 5 (or 101).

[$Lindz$]

Oh, also: someone buy my a Brembo RCS19 master. I have a dude locally with one for sale. $305. Before I pull that (get it?) trigger, anyone on here want my business instead?

[brandonduley]

just went through the whole thread. great read