Got a track bike GSX-R750, tons of pics of preperation process

[vw151]

For the record i had just got off that bike from jennings. I do a quick look over on the bike befor i ride it,but never caught any of those things. The front sprocket has done that to me and many many other people and i didnt know it happend again. As for the forks thats just crazy? Do you mean the inside of the preload adjuster was stripped? Because the top bolt was in good condition and i raced those forks all over the counrty and never had that problem. Joe it is a used race bike and i'm sorry about any trouble you had with it,but it is a great bike for the $$$$. What i want to know is how you liked it this weekend?

Gixxie. No worries. I'm not trashing you. I was pretty pissed the night we figured out the forks were messed up. This is just my first time buying a bike that has been so "loved" I really think it's important that people realize that this sort of stuff could be messed up when buying a race bike. I understand that you rode it in this condition but I think this is a good chance to share with everyone how important it is to look over the bike. It really opened my eyes. Safety is important.

No less. Got back from Barber last night. The bike held together, actually ran it on Rain tires for about 5 sessions and got 3 or 4 sessions in on drys. Me and a buddy bought some people's sessions Saturday at lunch since it was raining and they weren't going out. Got them for $50 and then just ran on rain tires. That was a fun experience. Ran the rains first part of the day Sunday as well. Nothing like power wheelies in the wet coming out of a turn. It was an eerie experience. In the dry it was interesting too because there were weepers on the track. Little spots where it just stayed wet all day even though the rest of the track was dry. That made for some interesting experiences feeling the rear end or both tires slide and re grip the track in pretty consistent spots around the track.

The bike is fast, faster than anything I've ridden at the track. This coupled with the suspension not being set up completely right for me yet made for some light steering under power, or sometimes just plain old power Wheeling, which is fun but not so confidence inspiring when trying go fast. I actually power wheelied out of a turn on rain tires in the wet. No drama but I decided to put the power on a little later after that just till I get the bike set up. I think my fat ass was making it squat under power pretty good. I knew already I'd need a new spring on the rear shock. I'm 6'3" tall and 240lbs. It was one of those experiences where you're like, hell yah!!! that was cool but your also like, I better not do that too much or I might pitch it off the track. Either way. I'm happy overall with the bike. For the parts that are on it and what it is, it was a good price and it's a lot of bike. At my skill level it will have plenty there for me all season. The faster I get the more this bike will dish out. It's got about 40 more hp than the bikes I'm used to and it is very light and nimble. Exactly what I've always heard about the 750s. Anyway. That's that. I'll probably put up a new thread with the pictures from the trip sometimes today or tonight.

here are a few for now though.

getting used to the rains. I never found the limits on those. Surreal riding around that fast on a completely soaked track. They say you can drag a knee with those tires. My balls weren't that big. This was an especially slow downhill right hand hair pin. I swear I was faster in some of the other turns

Edited March 17, 2009 by vw151

[gixxie750]

Hell yea man! I knew you would love her i did!

[mrmako777]

I could come up with the time and money just too stupid to know what and how to do it!

you could always be my trackday sponsor?

[vw151]

Hell yea man! I knew you would love her i did!

It wasn't till yesterday when I got back on my ducati to go to work that I realized just how fast that 750 is. My ducati is not slow by any means but it isn't even in the same ballpark as that GSXR.

Here ya go Gixxie. Here is one of me getting after it a little

Got the rear shock off last night, getting it re-valved and a new spring. also getting the broken forks fixed and it should be good to go. Everything else I need for it would be a luxury at this point, like an extra set of wheels for rain tires and maybe a paint job. Meh, screw the paint, I'm just gonna wreck it eventually anyway.

Check these pics out of my buddy ray wrecking a 1997 GSX-R 600. The track photographer just put up pics from Barber. Don't worry we bought them so me sudo pirating them is kinda ok I guess for now.

If you all are familiar with Barber (it was my first time there) He wrecked making the right hand turn entering the back straight. Ran out of tire, not hung off the bike far enough. I think he had that lesson firmly cemented into his brain after this.

Here we we are later that day taking a look at the turn from the hill before we headed home.

Edited March 18, 2009 by vw151

[balaormiga]

you could always be my trackday sponsor?

Hmmm.. let me think about that for a moment...nahhh.. can't see how I'd benefit from that arrangement...

If I win the lottery I promise to sponsor you though.

[owndjoo]

glad to hear you got good use out of those rains!! well, it'd be better if it was dry, but good thing ya had 'em!

[vw151]

glad to hear you got good use out of those rains!! well, it'd be better if it was dry, but good thing ya had 'em!

Those tires are sweet. I'm looking for a cheap second set of wheels so I can just have them with me and mounted at all times. We actually bought people's track days cheap since we had proper tires. Its amazing how those things grip in the wet. They were a lot of fun.

[APCh8r]

so how bad did he mess up his bike in that wreck? Also did fastduc run his 1098 while he was there with you? Lastly who is doing your suspension?

[vw151]

don't know fastduc. Mike AKA five0 on desmohio was there with us on his 1098s. If that is him then yes. There were tons of 1098s. I saw 3 1098R.

I am sending the rear shock and forks to Matt Carr at Ducati Indy formerly from section 8. He has done the work on my monster and has the tools to do ohlins stuff and penke so I figured might as well get it all done there. He is a super nice guy also.

The wrecked 600 seemed to come out ok. The main fairing is pretty much trashed, but the frame and forks and other vital parts seemed fine. I think it will need new controls, new clip ons, new rear set, new frame sliders and of course some new body work. Tail seemed repairable though. We are hoping it will be relatively cheap to repair since it's a 1997 GSXR 600.

[APCh8r]

don't know fastduc. Mike AKA five0 on desmohio was there with us on his 1098s. If that is him then yes. There were tons of 1098s. I saw 3 1098R.

I am sending the rear shock and forks to Matt Carr at Ducati Indy formerly from section 8. He has done the work on my monster and has the tools to do ohlins stuff and penke so I figured might as well get it all done there. He is a super nice guy also.

The wrecked 600 seemed to come out ok. The main fairing is pretty much trashed, but the frame and forks and other vital parts seemed fine. I think it will need new controls, new clip ons, new rear set, new frame sliders and of course some new body work. Tail seemed repairable though. We are hoping it will be relatively cheap to repair since it's a 1997 GSXR 600.

Yea mike is fastduc on here. Best of luck with your buddy's rebuild. Also Matt does good work, I have met him through Kevin and Rob.

[Moto-Brian]

don't know fastduc. Mike AKA five0 on desmohio was there with us on his 1098s. If that is him then yes. There were tons of 1098s. I saw 3 1098R.

I am sending the rear shock and forks to Matt Carr at Ducati Indy formerly from section 8. He has done the work on my monster and has the tools to do ohlins stuff and penke so I figured might as well get it all done there. He is a super nice guy also.

The wrecked 600 seemed to come out ok. The main fairing is pretty much trashed, but the frame and forks and other vital parts seemed fine. I think it will need new controls, new clip ons, new rear set, new frame sliders and of course some new body work. Tail seemed repairable though. We are hoping it will be relatively cheap to repair since it's a 1997 GSXR 600.

If you're going to Indy, i suggest Reuben at 35 Motorsports. Matt's got tools and such, but Reuben has the most up to date info for suspension set up and he can tailor your suspension stacks and internals to fit what you are doing. Not just fix and repair and install... Matt's got tools...Reuben's got knowledge and even more tools like a shock dyno, etc...

[vw151]

Yah, Mike is a good guy. He didn't bring rains nor did he want to run in the rain, mostly due to the fact that his bike is worth more than the other 3 bikes and the trailer we came in combined. He ran second half of the day on Sunday and was really starting to get the track by the time we were going home. At one point he said he passed the guy on the desmosedici LOL

I can't wait to go back there with a sorted suspension and dry pavement.

[vw151]

If you're going to Indy, i suggest Reuben at 35 Motorsports. Matt's got tools and such, but Reuben has the most up to date info for suspension set up and he can tailor your suspension stacks and internals to fit what you are doing. Not just fix and repair and install... Matt's got tools...Reuben's got knowledge and even more tools like a shock dyno, etc...

Thanks for the info. I may check him out. I've already mailed my rear shock to matt though.

[APCh8r]

Thanks for the info. I may check him out. I've already mailed my rear shock to matt though.

I agree with Lizard on going to Reuben. He is top notched, is a site sponsor, and has worked on Lizard's, Flounders, Owndjoo's, Natedog's, and my suspension. Also he has build many AMA caliper bikes. Great guy and well worth going to.

[natedogg624]

i can't comment on the quality of the build yet as i've really had no time/place to push the bike and probably won't until mid spring when track season starts for me.

BUT i can comment on his customer service and it was grade A top notch stuff. If i had questions/concerns about anything in the process he answered quickly and thoroughly. He suggested doing a full revalve but that pushed it out of my budget and then he mentioned a "trick" he could do to the OEM valves to increase their performance abilities. Not only did he help with suspension questions, he also helped me with my transmission work and all my engine questions he answered as well. Always answered the phone, in all the times i called he always picked up it never once made it to voicemail. Im sure i was a thorn in his side during all my questioning, but i learned more than i ever could imagine and am very thankful.

[vw151]

This guy sounds like a great guy to know. Honestly I feel the same way about Matt. He rebuilt my Monster forks and resprung the rear shock and also dyno tuned my bike with a rapid bike module. I've been very pleased with his work in the past and he has done a ton of work on my other friends bikes as well. Mostly ducatis so lots of work on ohlins stuff in particular. He's actually pretty well known for his suspension work. He is very knoledgeable and friendly and will answer any questions I have. If nothing else I know him and just now heard of rueben. I'm sure both places will be a good place to go. Ask yota he knows matt pretty well and knows the quality of his work. Matt is also a track addict so he knows what works on the track, not just street. Who is better? WHo knows but it sounds like this Rueben guy is pretty good as well.

It is also a little known secret that matt also has a GSX-R750 he just doesn't talk about it since he owns a ducati dealer. I appreciate all of the information though. this forum is a wealth of knoledge.

Edited March 19, 2009 by vw151

[vw151]

Been working more on the race bike. Suspension is at Indy. Sanded the body work. I am considering going with white primer rather than black. Switched the monster to GP shift so I can consistently shift the bikes. So far I like it.

[vw151]

Here are a few of me on the track at Barber a few weeks ago before I took it apart again.

I guess that last one is a repeat. Pulled the dent out of the tank the other night. No pictures yet but I'll get some soon. Doing some sanding and going to go with flat black on the whole bike. Hopefully I'll get the suspension back soon and get it back together. Also found an extra set of wheels for the rain tires. I'd say I'll se set once it's all back together this time.

Next track day. Mid-OH April 25th and 26th due to bluegrass in April being canceled.

Edited March 31, 2009 by vw151

[Moto-Brian]

This guy sounds like a great guy to know. Honestly I feel the same way about Matt. He rebuilt my Monster forks and resprung the rear shock and also dyno tuned my bike with a rapid bike module. I've been very pleased with his work in the past and he has done a ton of work on my other friends bikes as well. Mostly ducatis so lots of work on ohlins stuff in particular. He's actually pretty well known for his suspension work. He is very knoledgeable and friendly and will answer any questions I have. If nothing else I know him and just now heard of rueben. I'm sure both places will be a good place to go. Ask yota he knows matt pretty well and knows the quality of his work. Matt is also a track addict so he knows what works on the track, not just street. Who is better? WHo knows but it sounds like this Rueben guy is pretty good as well.

It is also a little known secret that matt also has a GSX-R750 he just doesn't talk about it since he owns a ducati dealer. I appreciate all of the information though. this forum is a wealth of knoledge.

Again, not bashing Matt, but rather supporting Reuben...

Difference is that Reuben has actual PROFESSIONAL racing experience and has been around race quality prep work for years. He knows more than stock Ohlins that come on bikes and has info as to how to actually custom build a fork and shock for EACH rider and not simply install a kit and slap it on and get it fixed. Tuning at the track? Well, again, after the years of knowing a lot of people like Yosh Techs, Kawasaki Factory racing techs, Suzuki techs, etc., he has grown up around this stuff for years. He can take you to AMA Pro Level work or get you sorted for your track day needs.

That translates into great quality work for both street and track. Matt is good to the inner circle of people he has done work for. At teh track, ask around and most won't know who he is. That's the indicator. Still probably does great work and it is probably done right. BUT, if you want those same things, but deeper knowledge and a better understanding of what works and why, call 35 Motorsports...

[Moto-Brian]

Here are a few of me on the track at Barber a few weeks ago before I took it apart again.

I guess that last one is a repeat. Pulled the dent out of the tank the other night. No pictures yet but I'll get some soon. Doing some sanding and going to go with flat black on the whole bike. Hopefully I'll get the suspension back soon and get it back together. Also found an extra set of wheels for the rain tires. I'd say I'll se set once it's all back together this time.

Next track day. Mid-OH April 25th and 26th due to bluegrass in April being canceled.

See ya at Mid-Ohio. Will be instructing both days. Come over and say "hi". As usual, the #10 race prepped GSXR... Black and white this year...

[gixxie750]

i cant wait to see her with real paint!

[vw151]

i cant wait to see her with real paint!

Well.... real paint. It's gonna be sanded and sprayed with DP90 epoxy primer. So it will have a decent looking flat black paint job. I was turned onto this DP90 as a friend. It's a primer that has a hardener and is very durable.

You gonna be at Mid-OH?

[vw151]

See ya at Mid-Ohio. Will be instructing both days. Come over and say "hi". As usual, the #10 race prepped GSXR... Black and white this year...

Any idea if you'll be in novice, intermediate or advanced?

I'm signed up for intermediate both days and I'll be on the flat black 2003 GSXR750 in race fairings. I'm about 6'3" tall in black teknics leathers. I'm easy to spot.

I do appreciate the advice about Reuben and I will keep him in mind in the future. I had just already committed to Matt and already sent him my rear shock by the time I had heard from you and everyone else about him.

[yotaman88210]

If you're going to Indy, i suggest Reuben at 35 Motorsports. Matt's got tools and such, but Reuben has the most up to date info for suspension set up and he can tailor your suspension stacks and internals to fit what you are doing. Not just fix and repair and install... Matt's got tools...Reuben's got knowledge and even more tools like a shock dyno, etc...

whoa whoa whoa, now I understand Rueben is a site sponser but I think you are HIGHLY underestimating Matt here. "He has tools" you have got to be freaking kiddin me man. Ducati Indy has only been open for a couple years yes, but Matt has been Ohlins certified for what, TEN PLUS years... Have you ever seen the stacks and stacks of shims and spec cards he has? Not to mention he had all this stuff before Duc indy was even open.

I know of many people here in ohio who have had Matt do their suspension. NEVER once, not even ONE time has anyone ever said something negative. Its almost always been a shocked response of how much of a difference it made. Matt has done tons of custom work for me and lots of my friends through the ducati club and its always awesome.

You want to talk about racing expeirence? Well Matt has been racing for years and also has been building totally custom suspension for racers for years. Last year his custom setups won 5 chamionships.. 5 CHAMPIONSHIPS! the riders were mike books and mike flis.

Shock dyno you say? Well thats kinda funny too. Matt was in contact last year with a shock dyno that he is now using. Yep, its the same one. I wonder how Rueben found out about the same shock dyno?

[Moto-Brian]

Any idea if you'll be in novice, intermediate or advanced?

Won't know until we get there, but we are all in the same area so, come by and say hello.

See ya in a few weeks!