- Joined
- May 9, 2011
- Messages
- 17
- Location
- Nr Coventry
Well. I did the Mallory track day a week last Friday. :eek
The T proved it's self a lot better than me. As it was only my third time out I decided to book the slow group. (The excuses have started early then :rolleyes)
I fit the Maxton shock purchased from tuboy which arrived on the morning of the track day. Big thanks for the super quick delivery tuboy.
The new shock was fitted as soon as I got home & a restless nights sleep was had.
As soon as I set off the difference between the old & new shock was obvious. No bucking over small bumps & a more controlled feeling from the rear.
I got there early & proceeded to tape up the mirrors & lights. After posting a previous question about the best way to protect the front lights I decided to go with the tape over ploy using white insulation tape. I then unplugged the bottom set of lights. (Any one spot the school boy error?).
After the brief & lowering the tyre pressure to 30/30 I headed out on the 3 sighting laps & on the 4th opened her up a bit.
I found out straight away that the gearing for Edwina's was not quite right. Second gear to high & first gear too low, (but well interesting). First was also a little too high for the hair pin. A 15t front sprocket which arrived the day after should go a long way to sorting that out.
Once the tyres had warmed up, (big shout out for Dunlop Qualifier 2's) I felt the front end felt as if it was going to wash out on me. After the first session I went in hunt of the suspension guru who is always present on a track day. Not today though.
Bugger, I thought as I'm a bit clueless when it comes to knowing the difference between pre load & compression & all that dark stuff. As the guy told me the 100% guys were not there, a voice said, "Can I help". Strewth. It was only Chris Walker. Chris Walker the Stalker!!! The guy who gave us one of the most BSB thrilling seasons with his dice all session long with Neil Hodgson. And he wants to set my suspension.:banghead
"Hi Chris" I muttered, "Yeah. That would be great". Knob! I didn't even think to get my phone out & take a picture of CHRIS WALKER setting MY SUSPENSION.
Anyway. What a total gent. We chatted about Norton & the GP future. His present BSB ride. His dog! Chris, (I feel I can now be on first name terms as, did I mention, he set my suspension. That rhymes you know:rolleyes) more or less maxed the front out on all but the preload settings saying tactfully the front is a bit budget. The rear he left as is so I presume Maxton know how to set up a shock.
The next session the T was transformed. The front felt solid. The rear under full control regardless of how ham fisted I was trying to sort the right gear out for the pre mentioned corners.
I decided on 2nd for Edwina's, just go in a bit quicker:bawling & 1st for the hair pin, up & through the bus top, just be careful exiting down onto the devils elbow.:bawling:bawling
It's can just be a 3 geared track (at my pace) with 3rd just hitting the limiter before tipping into Gerards.
I must mention the brakes. F*^k me the front brake has some power. Thank god the rear is ****. Just enough to settle the bike on turn in.
It was the best of days. The best fun I've had with my clothes still on:eek
The day was halted mid morning as the intermediate boys were getting to rowdy. After a dressing down from the track manager we all headed back out with a feeling of, christ. Not been spoken to like that since leaving school :no
Sorry if I've woffled on a bit but it was a great day with a great bike. Absolutely love it!
And did I mention. Chris Walker set my suspension?:lol:rolleyes
The T proved it's self a lot better than me. As it was only my third time out I decided to book the slow group. (The excuses have started early then :rolleyes)
I fit the Maxton shock purchased from tuboy which arrived on the morning of the track day. Big thanks for the super quick delivery tuboy.
The new shock was fitted as soon as I got home & a restless nights sleep was had.
As soon as I set off the difference between the old & new shock was obvious. No bucking over small bumps & a more controlled feeling from the rear.
I got there early & proceeded to tape up the mirrors & lights. After posting a previous question about the best way to protect the front lights I decided to go with the tape over ploy using white insulation tape. I then unplugged the bottom set of lights. (Any one spot the school boy error?).
After the brief & lowering the tyre pressure to 30/30 I headed out on the 3 sighting laps & on the 4th opened her up a bit.
I found out straight away that the gearing for Edwina's was not quite right. Second gear to high & first gear too low, (but well interesting). First was also a little too high for the hair pin. A 15t front sprocket which arrived the day after should go a long way to sorting that out.
Once the tyres had warmed up, (big shout out for Dunlop Qualifier 2's) I felt the front end felt as if it was going to wash out on me. After the first session I went in hunt of the suspension guru who is always present on a track day. Not today though.
Bugger, I thought as I'm a bit clueless when it comes to knowing the difference between pre load & compression & all that dark stuff. As the guy told me the 100% guys were not there, a voice said, "Can I help". Strewth. It was only Chris Walker. Chris Walker the Stalker!!! The guy who gave us one of the most BSB thrilling seasons with his dice all session long with Neil Hodgson. And he wants to set my suspension.:banghead
"Hi Chris" I muttered, "Yeah. That would be great". Knob! I didn't even think to get my phone out & take a picture of CHRIS WALKER setting MY SUSPENSION.
Anyway. What a total gent. We chatted about Norton & the GP future. His present BSB ride. His dog! Chris, (I feel I can now be on first name terms as, did I mention, he set my suspension. That rhymes you know:rolleyes) more or less maxed the front out on all but the preload settings saying tactfully the front is a bit budget. The rear he left as is so I presume Maxton know how to set up a shock.
The next session the T was transformed. The front felt solid. The rear under full control regardless of how ham fisted I was trying to sort the right gear out for the pre mentioned corners.
I decided on 2nd for Edwina's, just go in a bit quicker:bawling & 1st for the hair pin, up & through the bus top, just be careful exiting down onto the devils elbow.:bawling:bawling
It's can just be a 3 geared track (at my pace) with 3rd just hitting the limiter before tipping into Gerards.
I must mention the brakes. F*^k me the front brake has some power. Thank god the rear is ****. Just enough to settle the bike on turn in.
It was the best of days. The best fun I've had with my clothes still on:eek
The day was halted mid morning as the intermediate boys were getting to rowdy. After a dressing down from the track manager we all headed back out with a feeling of, christ. Not been spoken to like that since leaving school :no
Sorry if I've woffled on a bit but it was a great day with a great bike. Absolutely love it!
And did I mention. Chris Walker set my suspension?:lol:rolleyes
