Author Topic: 400F on the track (Read 5998 times)

tsflstb · « **on:** October 28, 2008, 07:25:44 PM »

I should have done this a long time ago. I was pretty nervous going out, but the 400F ran perfectly and had no trouble keeping up with all the modern RR's. I had a great time and met Kevin400F who also rides his 350/400 track bike as an instructor with the organization. Heck of a nice guy and as smooth as can be out there.

The best part of riding the 400 was the stealth factor. Nobody expects to get passed by an old 30HP bike. I was running an average pace for the novice group, but several guys came to tell me - "holy crap you're flying on that thing". The funny thing is I'd probably have gone slower on a bigger more powerful bike.

Not many things get me out of bed at 5 a.m. on a Saturday, but I plan on doing this more.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:34:39 PM »

So ya really did buy a set of Sam leathers Steph

ya allmost look as cool as me

Well done on the track day, glad you enjoyed it

Sam.

tsflstb · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2008, 07:55:05 PM »

I don't know if they're authentic Sam leathers, but they do have a faint smell of warm beer.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2008, 08:08:48 PM »

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2008, 01:31:23 PM »

Great placement of "beer" there. I was a little scared to go to the next line.

So is this bike's engine stock? What are in the forks and shocks? Did you have to safety wire everything first?

kghost · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2008, 01:33:52 PM »

Cool was this in Houston?

tsflstb · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2008, 06:48:09 PM »

Everything is stock inside the engine. Just some heavier oil and preload cranked into the forks. I have the taller 900F shocks on the rear. The only change I'd make next time is to remove the sidestand - it limited my lean angle in left handers.

Grand Sport Speedway is in Hitchcock - between Houston and Galveston. They have plans to expand but for now it is only 1.3 miles long -- perfect track for the 400F. Next one is at Texas World Speedway in College Station - it's a much bigger place but I might try it out on the 400 also.

www.texastrackdays.com

kghost · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2008, 06:52:58 PM »

Quote from: tsflstb on October 29, 2008, 06:48:09 PM

Everything is stock inside the engine. Just some heavier oil and preload cranked into the forks. I have the taller 900F shocks on the rear. The only change I'd make next time is to remove the sidestand - it limited my lean angle in left handers.

Grand Sport Speedway is in Hitchcock - between Houston and Galveston. They have plans to expand but for now it is only 1.3 miles long -- perfect track for the 400F. Next one is at Texas World Speedway in College Station - it's a much bigger place but I might try it out on the 400 also.

www.texastrackdays.com

We may have to do a meet up

bill440cars · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2008, 07:02:14 PM »

Quote from: tsflstb on October 28, 2008, 07:25:44 PM

I should have done this a long time ago. I was pretty nervous going out, but the 400F ran perfectly and had no trouble keeping up with all the modern RR's. I had a great time and met Kevin400F who also rides his 350/400 track bike as an instructor with the organization. Heck of a nice guy and as smooth as can be out there.

The best part of riding the 400 was the stealth factor. Nobody expects to get passed by an old 30HP bike. I was running an average pace for the novice group, but several guys came to tell me - "holy crap you're flying on that thing". The funny thing is I'd probably have gone slower on a bigger more powerful bike.

Not many things get me out of bed at 5 a.m. on a Saturday, but I plan on doing this more.

That's great, the 400F looks good, being out there on the track and all. Nice that you can show them what one of those SOHCs can do, while making them stand up and pay attention too! Sure be looking to hear about your other outings also. We know that there will be some.

GroovieGhoulie · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2008, 10:41:17 PM »

NICE!!!!

I'm gonna start doing some trackdays when I get back. The one in College Station and there is a track right near my house in Fort Worth.

I am kinda nervous though. Is there anything to be worried about?

eldar · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2008, 09:24:22 AM »

I wish we had a track around here. Only thing we have is a dirt oval. Not really the best for a street bike and they only do cages anyways!
Would be cool to do something like that though.
I had to laugh though. You look huge on the 400!

andy750 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:44:30 AM »

Great photos and looks like a lot of fun! Say a big hello to Kevin for me!

cheers
Andy

ieism · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:53:08 AM »

I'm stoked just looking at your pictures. It really makes me want to take my new project to the track as well.

I spend a long time building it, so i'm afraid to crash it on the track. But these things are made to be driven, not showbikes.

p/s. you got my vote in the BOTM.

andy750 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2008, 12:25:30 PM »

Ieism - you definitely should go to the tack with that bike!! What fun that would be!!!

Very nice....

cheers
Andy

tsflstb · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2008, 04:45:05 PM »

Quote

NICE!!!!

I'm gonna start doing some trackdays when I get back. The one in College Station and there is a track right near my house in Fort Worth.

I am kinda nervous though. Is there anything to be worried about?

I was pretty intimidated when the GSXR1000's, CBR-RR's etc. were getting unloaded. My biggest fear was just getting in everybody's way out there. Some of these guys had several track days under their belt too. I ended up running right with them all day without issue. The "novice group" track speeds were about what I used to run on the street when I was young and crazy. I was using maybe 60% of my 400's capability. That last 40% is much harder to extract though.

Quote

I spend a long time building it, so i'm afraid to crash it on the track. But these things are made to be driven, not showbikes.

Exactly. I've got hundreds of hours fabricating and fitting racy parts to my bike. I felt like I needed to really use them as intended. If I wad it up or grenade the engine, I'll start over. In reality, you're probably less likely to crash on the track than on the street - there are very few things out of your control on the track.

Forgot to add ieism -- that is one beautiful bike though so I see your dilemma.

heffay · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2008, 05:20:51 PM »

same weekend and everything!

way to go man!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=42492.0

DarkRider · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2008, 06:09:45 PM »

Looks like both of you had a blast!! I so want to do a track day with one of my bikes but the closest track that i know of was a 6 hour drive from my home and it closed for good earlier this year.

heffay · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2008, 07:54:20 PM »

Quote from: DarkRider on October 30, 2008, 06:09:45 PM

Looks like both of you had a blast!! I so want to do a track day with one of my bikes but the closest track that i know of was a 6 hour drive from my home and it closed for good earlier this year.

yep, they've been closing up here too! second creek raceway closed, pikes peak international raceway closed, la junta closed... 2 because some big name said close em down, i'm building a bigger better track... then it never got built, finally kinda on its way.

pikes peak just reopened a month ago to a very limited schedule for the time being. la junta closed because a rider missed the pit, stopped on the straight to turn around and got nailed... word has it one or both of them were killed.

drive time one way to sandia raceway for me was 7 hours... well worth the ass time!

heffay · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2008, 07:58:07 PM »

the 200 dollar gas bill in the hemi dodge, on the other hand... is debatable.

ttr400 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2008, 09:41:29 AM »

Way to go you 2 guys, nothing like it in the world.

Kevin

Leino · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2008, 09:48:04 AM »

Quote from: ieism on October 30, 2008, 11:53:08 AM

I'm stoked just looking at your pictures. It really makes me want to take my new project to the track as well.

I spend a long time building it, so i'm afraid to crash it on the track. But these things are made to be driven, not showbikes.

p/s. you got my vote in the BOTM.

Off topic, but where did you get that tank and seat?

Thanks,
Juha

DarkRider · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2008, 11:55:45 AM »

They look like Benjis parts to me. Yea i hear ya on that one Heffay. Just checked out the website to the track i mentioned in my previous post and there is a petition going on to save it. So maybe i may be reporting about some track days in 09.

tsflstb · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:52:15 PM »

Did it again over the weekend. They had a guy taking pictures, so here's a few. I'm still not doing it right - need to relax the upper body, bend my elbows and get lower over the bike. I did have to roll off through a lot of corners waiting on traffic in front of me though. No passing except on the straights again, which was pretty frustrating. Quite a few newer bikes would pull half the front straight on me only to park it in the first corner. I got enough drive to get past a few but only had about 3 or 4 free laps the whole day. It was still fun. They probably kept me from pushing too hard anyway.

I didn't try to hang off much, but I grazed the knee puck just once when I had a "moment" as they say on TV. Sometimes watching racing you'll see those little wobbles as they push the front tire in a turn. It doesn't look like much, but holy crap it got my attention. Luckily I kept the shiny parts off the asphalt - except for one side cover that blew off down the back straight. The engine needs a little TLC before I do this again, but I will be back.

heffay · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:58:46 PM »

you coulda been draggin' knees at the angles the bike is carrying... that's all you need. then its just a matter of a few more mph's to counteract the additional weight over the side.

but at track days? not really gonna get that option, probably.

excellent shots. they make those crotch rockets look slow.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2009, 02:13:40 PM »

GOD, you do look cool in white

glad you had fun Steph, wish it was riding season here.

Sam.

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Author Topic: 400F on the track (Read 5998 times)

eldar