On Sunday I took the TR750 to Cadwell Park for it's and mine first outing. The track day was for 1995 and older bikes with some exceptions made for bikes of interest.
There were 4 classifications of riders....novice, intermediate to 600cc, intermediate over 600cc, expert or fast group. As this was mine and the bikes first track day entered in the novice group.
First thing up was the noise test, max 105 decibels allowed. We failed it at 107!, went back to the pits tried stuffing steel wool in stinger , failed it again! More steel wool and this time we passed it! bike would hardly run and unfortunately I think it all blew out but the bike started to run better and no one seemed to mind.
First session, …..a lot to take in. First time the bike ridden in earnest and it wasn't with out its challenges. Was really taken with how fast others were and how slow I was so started to ride over my head. On about the 5th lap ran off at the goose neck, ran out of talent and track all at the same time. Ran across the grass. I can honestly say its the fastest I've ever ridden on grass but got back on track. Immediately signed up with an instructor.
Followed the track instructor for 3 or 4 laps with the goal of following or emulating his track lines. He then followed me for 3 or 4 laps and then critiqued my performance. What I got out of it was speed up and aim for the turn in point, turn in and then hit the apex, accelerate out . Sounds simple and it is but does require a level of confidence real or imagined, brakes are nice to have as well and false neutrals can change the racing line significantly...…….not a good thing.
Kept at it and slowly started to improve. Off track once more in the third session at the hairpin leading onto the start/finish straight stretch due to a false neutral and my inability to deal with it but back on track with no fuss or interference to others.
The fourth and final session was mine and the bikes best. In the first three sessions it had drank about a tank full that I would estimate at about 20 ltrs. of fuel.
In the end my accomplishment was ,I think I learned some of the basics, got much faster by the end of the day, didn't damage myself, the bike or others and I'm looking forward to the next time. Pleased with that.
Areas that need improvement other than my own abilities on a track,...………... that will come with time.
-rear shocks need to be replaced as the ones on it were very inexpensive bought mainly to build the bike as they had the right eye to eye measurement. New ones on order today.
-front fork cartridge emulator needs to be set up properly, far to soft both ways.
-first gear is hard to find, to many false neutrals. A winter tare down project
-front brakes are minimal, need to review complete front brake system and modify
-got to get to 105dbls/5500RPM for noise test. Wont be easy but have some ideas
What was encouraging
-the motor ran well
-new 3.5"rear wheel and brake worked well...…..thanks Mikey!!
-in spite of all the things that need attention the bike was easy to ride with no real bad habits, Good actually when you consider how old the technology being used is.
-I like the bike and a number of people at the track did as well.
Will post some pictures of this outing when I get them