StanO
01-26-2009, 09:05 AM
Okay, I'm gonna try my hand at off-road racing (motocross and hare scrambles). I'm not giving up roadracing or the track, but scaling back a bit. Right now, only plannning on road racing at Daytona and Barber for '09.
I want to remain in the vintage scene, so I checked out Florida Vintage Motocross at www.flvmx.com. Their season runs from October to June, and I'm hoping to get out on the track for the last 4-5 races of the year.
I really don't know crap about the whole off-road world of motorcycling (but am learning fast). I need to practice LOTS and get some seat time before mixing it up with other folks. So . . .
Step 1: Get a bike.
A member of FLVMX bought a bike for his nephew to ride. Nephew rode it once, didn't like it. He offered me a special "club member's price," since he knew I wanted to be out racing with their group. FLVMX was racing at Hardrock Cycle Park in Ocala on Sunday, so I ran up there with the trailer to look it over.
Here's what $800 got me . . .1980 Kawasaki KX250! I will race in the vintage "Evolution" classes, generally for bikes from 1975-1981 - air cooled and drum brakes.
It needs lots of cosmetic work. I hate all the lime green, so am planning on making it mostly black some some green accents to ID as a Kawi.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img057.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img058.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img059.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img062.jpg
I took it out for a ride at Hardrock, and wanted to get in a couple of hours playing around to get somewhat acquainted with the whole "riding in dirt on purpose" thing. After about 20 mins, I headed up a LONG, STEEP hill (got in a little over my head). Stalled it near the top, so I grab some front brake. SNAP! The cable broke, and the bike fell over. Broke the brake lever when it hit.
BUMMER! That ended my play time. I looked at the brake cable pivot (and the pivots for the other cables) and notice they were REALLY dry. Not keeping them lubed will wear out the cable FAST.
So, using that as an indicator, I'm going to replace/maintain most of the the wear items: cables, wheel bearings, etc. The rear tire is good, but need a new front. The seller included a spare top end, as I'll prolly need to do that before too long.
Step 2: Get some practice
I'm going to try to get as much seat time as I can during the next couple of months, and am shooting for a March 15th race debut at Sunshine MX in Pinellas Park. Prolly get up to Croom, and will definitely hit Sunshine MX during their open track time on Sunday afternoons and Thursday nights. May even try to sneak in some time along 4th Street North in St. Pete between Gandy and the Howard Franklin. Have seen people riding there before. Won't stay all day, but try to get in 30-45 minutes or so before I get run off.
More pics later after I break out the rattle can and striping!
I want to remain in the vintage scene, so I checked out Florida Vintage Motocross at www.flvmx.com. Their season runs from October to June, and I'm hoping to get out on the track for the last 4-5 races of the year.
I really don't know crap about the whole off-road world of motorcycling (but am learning fast). I need to practice LOTS and get some seat time before mixing it up with other folks. So . . .
Step 1: Get a bike.
A member of FLVMX bought a bike for his nephew to ride. Nephew rode it once, didn't like it. He offered me a special "club member's price," since he knew I wanted to be out racing with their group. FLVMX was racing at Hardrock Cycle Park in Ocala on Sunday, so I ran up there with the trailer to look it over.
Here's what $800 got me . . .1980 Kawasaki KX250! I will race in the vintage "Evolution" classes, generally for bikes from 1975-1981 - air cooled and drum brakes.
It needs lots of cosmetic work. I hate all the lime green, so am planning on making it mostly black some some green accents to ID as a Kawi.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img057.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img058.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img059.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l268/Stan0/KX%20250/img062.jpg
I took it out for a ride at Hardrock, and wanted to get in a couple of hours playing around to get somewhat acquainted with the whole "riding in dirt on purpose" thing. After about 20 mins, I headed up a LONG, STEEP hill (got in a little over my head). Stalled it near the top, so I grab some front brake. SNAP! The cable broke, and the bike fell over. Broke the brake lever when it hit.
BUMMER! That ended my play time. I looked at the brake cable pivot (and the pivots for the other cables) and notice they were REALLY dry. Not keeping them lubed will wear out the cable FAST.
So, using that as an indicator, I'm going to replace/maintain most of the the wear items: cables, wheel bearings, etc. The rear tire is good, but need a new front. The seller included a spare top end, as I'll prolly need to do that before too long.
Step 2: Get some practice
I'm going to try to get as much seat time as I can during the next couple of months, and am shooting for a March 15th race debut at Sunshine MX in Pinellas Park. Prolly get up to Croom, and will definitely hit Sunshine MX during their open track time on Sunday afternoons and Thursday nights. May even try to sneak in some time along 4th Street North in St. Pete between Gandy and the Howard Franklin. Have seen people riding there before. Won't stay all day, but try to get in 30-45 minutes or so before I get run off.
More pics later after I break out the rattle can and striping!