Author Topic: 400F on the track (Read 6039 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.

andy750 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 16, 2009, 03:58:40 PM »

Great photos and also enjoyed the commentary! Thanks for posting and its definitely inspiring (esp on a cold winters night).

cheers
Andy

benly- ben · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2009, 04:01:38 PM »

Quote from: Samcr750 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.

haa... ther not as white as yours are they

many408 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 17, 2009, 05:18:37 PM »

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.

What's that exhaust?

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2009, 05:24:43 PM »

Benjis, he's a forum member, I think they are stainless steel.

Sam.

tsflstb · « **Reply #29 on:** February 18, 2009, 07:38:57 AM »

man those pipes are gorgeous - I'd look for an old beat up mac exhaust if you're still thinking of taking it on the track. Maybe a beater gas tank and seat too. The last thing you want on your mind is how much money you're sitting on. Another trick I was told was to get a thick aluminum CB650 ignition cover - it bolts right on. It's a little more "crash-able" and would keep the Dyna-S more protected than that stock sheet metal points cover.

Quote

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.

I removed the sidestand (which I promptly lost off the trailer somewhere) so I have a lot more room to lean in left handers now. I've got foot pegs maybe 1/2" higher than the stock 400F and they haven't been an issue, but I'll need to start working on hanging off to save some traction and get a bit faster. My 90 section front tire is pretty well shagged on the edges while the 110 rear is still OK. That little front end push I got gave me an idea of how much traction is up there. I think I'm really over-loading it and may switch to a 100/80/18 if I can find one.

Sam, I'm working on the full get-up. Got white gloves at Christmas. My current boots are about 30% duct tape, so I'll get some shiny new ones soon. Maybe then I'll shave my head to channel some of your mojo across the Atlantic.

Here's a pic somebody took of the track. Those 4 big pillars are part of an old naval blimp hangar. Not sure how much concrete is in them, but I think they'll be around for future civilizations to ponder. They built it right at the end of WW2 to look for subs in the Gulf of Mexico. This track is super smooth since it's built over the old "runway" or whatever you call a blimp launch site.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #30 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:40:36 PM »

Can you get a side shot of the bike up? I'd like to see what the seat, tank badge, and pegs look like. Also, are those clip-ons or just low bars? (with taller shocks, you couldn't really use the sidestand anyway- could you?)

tsflstb · « **Reply #31 on:** February 18, 2009, 05:34:10 PM »

Hi Ernie. I saw you've got your 400 on the block. Did you sell that Wilcox tank?

Those are clip-ons. I bolted a foot to the bottom of the old sidestand to add some length. It was the piece of handlebar clamp that I hacksawed off of the top triple tree. I think I still have the other one in my scrap pile to use when I get my new ebay sidestand in the mail.

I switched out the 900F shocks for some adjustable alloy-bodied Konis. They're pretty long and stiff (I may swap out the spring eventually) , but worked well on this smooth track. The long shocks make it steer scary fast even compared to modern 600 sportbikes. I've really grown to like it that way, but I did add the steering damper for insurance.

The foot pegs are just the passenger pegs from my FZR mounted with some little adapters to the stock mounts. They're raised up and back about 1/4" and are about 1/2" thinner than the stock pegs. Still pretty comfortable and I have yet to drag them.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #32 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:20:58 PM »

Cosmo doesn't want me to sell that bike, so who am I to argue.
Got close a couple weeks ago, but the guy came back with the bike making a high-pitched whine. He figured the cam was shot. I'm thinking the bike runs great so it can't be a cam. finally figured out the horn needed a little tightening. What a weenie.

Sold the tank to Carpy. He got quite a deal, and I paid another month on the house mortgage. > sigh <

Hard to imagine one of those turning in even faster! Scary. It must be terrible fun to take to a track, though. I'd love that.

BTW- I put simple Progressive shocks on mine and I love them. The sidestand rests on a 2x4 though; I think I'm going to cut it and weld a piece of butt-ugly pipe in there. A shot of black and who will notice?

tsflstb · « **Reply #33 on:** July 12, 2009, 09:51:23 PM »

Drug this up to add another pic or two. The official pics should be coming soon. I went out a couple of weeks ago to Motorsports Ranch south of Houston. Even though it was 103 degrees we had a good time and really got to stretch the throttle cable on this bigger track. Kevin and I were the only two remotely vintage bikes out there again, but I think we flew the flag well for the old 400F's. I spent most of the day pestering a guy on a ZX-14 Ninja. He had a "slight advantage" on the straights but I managed to close the gap in the tighter sections of the track.

We had a pretty diverse pit area. I brought a couple guys with me from work, one on the yellow race prepped GSXR, another on the V-Strom. Also had the FZR1000 along for its maiden track day.

400F at speed. Topped out at 94 mph on the back straight before a sharp right hander. Tested out the TTR400 box-section swingarm which worked like a charm.

On the FZR, vengeance was mine. I made good use of the straightaways to get past traffic and had a lot more open track in front of me. Only scared myself about 43 times per lap. It's a different experience with that extra 100 HP under you.

All in all, great fun and can't wait to do it again. The heat wasn't as bad as I'd feared -- white perforated leathers are actually pretty cool once you're moving. The bikes seemed to work fine. The only thing holding me back at this point is lack of experience. I'm slowly getting more comfortable out there but still have a long way to go.

andy750 · « **Reply #34 on:** July 14, 2009, 04:10:42 PM »

Great photos and like the comparison between the FZR and the 400

. Do you know how the VStrom did on the track? Curious to know how it handled with hard braking and the corners.

thanks
Andy

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #35 on:** July 14, 2009, 04:23:42 PM »

Those white leathers make you look nearly as fast as me

Real cool Steph.

Sam.

tsflstb · « **Reply #36 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:15:59 PM »

My old boss was riding the V-Strom and was getting on pretty well. That big tall bike really does lean. In the last session I let him get a head start and then ran the 400 around him in an outside/inside chicane. Office politics be damned.

Quote

Those white leathers make you look nearly as fast as me Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin

A large crowd of ladies from the local retirement home started to gather during the day. They looked awfully disappointed when I took off the helmet.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #37 on:** July 14, 2009, 07:43:49 PM »

I take it they thought you were me

that's the best I can do these days

Sam.

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Author Topic: 400F on the track (Read 6039 times)

eldar