The results were pretty much as i expected. As detailed in my page on the CBR, I changed out my chain and sprocket sets to a 15/44 and a 520 chain. From a 16/42. So essentially I have substantially changed the gearing. lowering my top speed and top end power and adding brutal off the corner acceleration. My primary goal was to set it up for a gearing that would be most useful in track conditions, and lets face it, a trip to Izu is just a slower version of a trip to Motegi!

I really like the changes I have made. I lengthened the axle to swing arm length by about 1.7cm. Which will had the effect of changing the way the rear shock responds under load. A change in length will effectively jack the rear of the bike up a little. As a result I upped the rear preload by two notches on the stock showa unit. I would like to spend a bit of time adjusting that a little more once I get some new tyres on. I could do with a little more rebound damping to slow the shock down a little, It may reduce the “flickability” a little in fast transition corners but it means that when it gets there it will be more settled.

Anyway I really liked the results all over the bike. The front was nice and planted and the drive off the corners was phenomenal.

Very happy!!

It’s Snowing.

The first snow flakes of 09 are resting on the covers of my bikes. I like it, it’s a rare occurrence in Tokyo and coming from a warm climate country it’s something that I will probably always appreciate for the pure beauty of it. The snow will melt and be gone, if it sticks at all, and before you know it we’ll be back in good riding weather.

The thing is, I wanted to change a tyre today. Do i brave it in the raincoat and wrestle with the wet tools? As i glance out my window the thought is quickly dismissed. It will be fine tomorrow. I can do it then. Funny thing is, I wanted to change this tyre back in November. It hasn’t been crappy weather for 3 months, but priorities being what they are, changing the tyre on the KTM has remained low on the priority list. somewhere behind watching Discovery channel, in front of the heater…

(more…)

I was really hoping to get out this week. Spring is in the air, but with it the rain has arrived!! So i may just wait till early next week, maybe even a Sunday.

Which bike to take…..

I guess it depends on where i might be going!! If i can getthe info for the beach trip then i guess its the KTM but otherwise im going to take the R1. I am still to put it in a situation where i am totally happy with the way it handles. It falls to the right if I take my hands off the bars and behaves funnily in slow corners. By funnily i mean it wants to fall into the corner. Like its alignment is wrong. It visually it doesnt seem to be, and there is no reason to believe it has taken a hit that would mis-align it….

Maybe its just the way it handles?? my RC-51 used to fall to the side as well with the hands off the bars and it was definately straight.

What would be best is if i ran it up to motegi for a day or so and put it through its paces in an environment I know well. It will probably be on the cards maybe next month…

Check out the forum for any riding plans underfoot….

Busy, busy, busy….

Welcome Everyone!

Truth be said i burn very little rubber but what i do you will be sure to hear about!! This blog is going to focus all the different styles of riding I enjoy, from off-road to track riding. Hopefully a few ride reports very soon and other stuff relating to the development and maintenance of my bikes…

The Stable these days…

Yamaha YZF-R1 2007

KTM Adventure 640 2001

Honda Lead! 90cc of mind blowing power!!

TO end with a favorite quote of mine from Valentino Rossi refering to his  2001 RC-51 ride in the Suzuka 8-Hour.

“”You come out of corners with the bike sideways like the Beautiful Holy Mother!”"

GO VALE!!!!