Preparation for a track day - Revision history

Hickman71 at 17:58, 20 September 2009

2009-09-20T17:58:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:58, 20 September 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Track Days]]		[[Category:Track Days]]
	These two articles will follow three N250RC club members through a day on the track at [http://www.hallettracing.net/ Hallet Motor Racing Circuit] in Oklahoma. The cast of characters includes [http://www.ninja250.org/~~hickman71 hickman71~~], [http://www.ninja250.org/blind%20man Blind Man], and [http://www.ninja250.org/swoosie Swoosie]. Story told through the eyes of ~~Mr. Hickman~~.		These two articles will follow three N250RC club members through a day on the track at [http://www.hallettracing.net/ Hallet Motor Racing Circuit] in Oklahoma. The cast of characters includes [http://www.ninja250.org/M M], [http://www.ninja250.org/blind%20man Blind Man], and [http://www.ninja250.org/swoosie Swoosie]. Story told through the eyes of M.

	The first step to track day preparation is to find out what your particular track requires. Each track is slightly different. Read the specifications carefully, and you'll sail through the tech inspection. For my track day, I began with maintenance. I had changed the oil two weeks earlier, so that was unnecessary. My cycle is two years old, so I changed the radiator coolant, along with the front and rear brake fluid, as directed in the [[Service Schedule\|service schedule]].		The first step to track day preparation is to find out what your particular track requires. Each track is slightly different. Read the specifications carefully, and you'll sail through the tech inspection. For my track day, I began with maintenance. I had changed the oil two weeks earlier, so that was unnecessary. My cycle is two years old, so I changed the radiator coolant, along with the front and rear brake fluid, as directed in the [[Service Schedule\|service schedule]].

Bokonon at 07:07, 6 October 2007

2007-10-06T07:07:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:07, 6 October 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Track Days]]		[[Category:Track Days]]
	~~====Going to school====~~

	So, you're thinking about doing a track day. We think you should. There's really no reason, saving finances, why you shouldn't. It's much safer than the street, you can ride fast legally, and it's educational. Go sign up now.

	Some beginning riders get track days confused with racing, which is natural. They both take place on a track, after all. But a good track day is like school; it's meant to help you become a better rider. In fact, as a beginning rider, you are a great candidate for track school. It will help you develop good habits before you learn bad ones.

	~~====Preparation====~~

	These two articles will follow three N250RC club members through a day on the track at [http://www.hallettracing.net/ Hallet Motor Racing Circuit] in Oklahoma. The cast of characters includes [http://www.ninja250.org/hickman71 hickman71], [http://www.ninja250.org/blind%20man Blind Man], and [http://www.ninja250.org/swoosie Swoosie]. Story told through the eyes of Mr. Hickman.		These two articles will follow three N250RC club members through a day on the track at [http://www.hallettracing.net/ Hallet Motor Racing Circuit] in Oklahoma. The cast of characters includes [http://www.ninja250.org/hickman71 hickman71], [http://www.ninja250.org/blind%20man Blind Man], and [http://www.ninja250.org/swoosie Swoosie]. Story told through the eyes of Mr. Hickman.

Bokonon at 07:16, 3 October 2007

2007-10-03T07:16:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:16, 3 October 2007
Line 72:		Line 72:
	It is generally recommended that you trailer your bike to the track. As you will see later, you may not always be able to ride your bike home, and even if you can, you could very well be too tired after a long day at the track to ride safely.		It is generally recommended that you trailer your bike to the track. As you will see later, you may not always be able to ride your bike home, and even if you can, you could very well be too tired after a long day at the track to ride safely.

	[[Riding Hallett circuit ~~8 10 07~~\|Continued in next article]]		[[Riding Hallett circuit August, 2007\|Continued in next article]]

Bokonon at 22:06, 2 October 2007

2007-10-02T22:06:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:06, 2 October 2007
Line 19:		Line 19:

	It was now time to prep the EX250 to the specifications of Hallett. Hallett requires that all turn signals, markers, lights, etc. be removed or covered. I chose to remove most of them.		It was now time to prep the EX250 to the specifications of Hallett. Hallett requires that all turn signals, markers, lights, etc. be removed or covered. I chose to remove most of them.

			In the interests of increased ground clearance, you may wish to remove your side and centerstands, too. Of course, you will then need a [http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock/ wheel chock], or a [http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/motorcycle-paddock-stand/ track/paddock/rear stand], if you have someone to help you steady the bike when you dismount.

	Front turn signals removed		Front turn signals removed

Bokonon at 08:42, 2 October 2007

2007-10-02T08:42:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:42, 2 October 2007
Line 50:		Line 50:
	The fuse box with only the ignition, fan and the two spare fuses		The fuse box with only the ignition, fan and the two spare fuses

	[[Image:Hallett8.jpg\|~~150px~~]]		[[Image:Hallett8.jpg\|100px]]

	I taped the wheel weights on both the front and back wheels		I taped the wheel weights on both the front and back wheels
Line 62:		Line 62:
	Front headlight taped over		Front headlight taped over

	[[Image:Hallett11.jpg\|~~150px~~]]		[[Image:Hallett11.jpg\|100px]]

	Swoosie arrived from Irving, TX about six-thirty or seven. We did the same check that I did on my EX250. Then, we loaded both EX250s into the trailer at 10:45 PM and made sure that the [[How can I haul my bike on a truck/trailer?\|tie downs were secure]].		Swoosie arrived from Irving, TX about six-thirty or seven. We did the same check that I did on my EX250. Then, we loaded both EX250s into the trailer at 10:45 PM and made sure that the [[How can I haul my bike on a truck/trailer?\|tie downs were secure]].
Line 70:		Line 70:
	It is generally recommended that you trailer your bike to the track. As you will see later, you may not always be able to ride your bike home, and even if you can, you could very well be too tired after a long day at the track to ride safely.		It is generally recommended that you trailer your bike to the track. As you will see later, you may not always be able to ride your bike home, and even if you can, you could very well be too tired after a long day at the track to ride safely.

	[[Riding Hallett circuit ~~9 23~~ 07\|Continued in next article]]		[[Riding Hallett circuit 8 10 07\|Continued in next article]]

Bokonon at 07:32, 2 October 2007

2007-10-02T07:32:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:32, 2 October 2007
Line 64:		Line 64:
	[[Image:Hallett11.jpg\|150px]]		[[Image:Hallett11.jpg\|150px]]

	Swoosie arrived from Irving, TX about six-thirty or seven. We did the same check that I did on my EX250. Then, we loaded both EX250s into the trailer at 10:45 PM and made sure that the tie downs were secure.		Swoosie arrived from Irving, TX about six-thirty or seven. We did the same check that I did on my EX250. Then, we loaded both EX250s into the trailer at 10:45 PM and made sure that the [[How can I haul my bike on a truck/trailer?\|tie downs were secure]].

	[[Image:Hallett12.jpg\|150px]]		[[Image:Hallett12.jpg\|150px]]

Bokonon at 07:15, 2 October 2007

2007-10-02T07:15:56Z

New page

[[Category:Track Days]]
====Going to school====

So, you're thinking about doing a track day. We think you should. There's really no reason, saving finances, why you shouldn't. It's much safer than the street, you can ride fast legally, and it's educational. Go sign up now.

Some beginning riders get track days confused with racing, which is natural. They both take place on a track, after all. But a good track day is like school; it's meant to help you become a better rider. In fact, as a beginning rider, you are a great candidate for track school. It will help you develop good habits before you learn bad ones.

====Preparation====

These two articles will follow three N250RC club members through a day on the track at [http://www.hallettracing.net/ Hallet Motor Racing Circuit] in Oklahoma. The cast of characters includes [http://www.ninja250.org/hickman71 hickman71], [http://www.ninja250.org/blind%20man Blind Man], and [http://www.ninja250.org/swoosie Swoosie]. Story told through the eyes of Mr. Hickman.

The first step to track day preparation is to find out what your particular track requires. Each track is slightly different. Read the specifications carefully, and you'll sail through the tech inspection. For my track day, I began with maintenance. I had changed the oil two weeks earlier, so that was unnecessary. My cycle is two years old, so I changed the radiator coolant, along with the front and rear brake fluid, as directed in the [[Service Schedule|service schedule]].

With the routine maintenance out of the way, I went over the cycle closely, checking for any abnormalities.

The first check was the front and rear tires. I checked the pressure and set it to 30psi cold front/back. I also checked both tires and rims for damage. I next checked the brakes. This involved inspecting the rotors, calipers, and cables. The front and rear brake levers were then checked.

I then inspected the engine to verify that there were no leaks. I then went over the exposed bolts on the cycle, looking for any that were loose.

It was now time to prep the EX250 to the specifications of Hallett. Hallett requires that all turn signals, markers, lights, etc. be removed or covered. I chose to remove most of them.

Front turn signals removed

[[Image:Hallett1.jpg|150px]]

Mirrors removed

[[Image:Hallett2.jpg|150px]]

The bar-end mirror has to go, too

[[Image:Hallett3.jpg|150px]]

Removing the rear turn signals, markers, and license plate

[[Image:Hallett4.jpg|150px]]

The passenger footpegs were also removed

[[Image:Hallett5.jpg|150px]]

I then removed the right side body panel to access the fuses

[[Image:Hallett6.jpg|150px]]

This picture shows the layout of the fuse box. I pulled all except for the ignition and fan

[[Image:Hallett7.jpg|150px]]

The fuse box with only the ignition, fan and the two spare fuses

[[Image:Hallett8.jpg|150px]]

I taped the wheel weights on both the front and back wheels

[[Image:Hallett9.jpg|150px]]

Rear brake lenses taped over with painter's tape (easy to remove)

[[Image:Hallett10.jpg|150px]]

Front headlight taped over

[[Image:Hallett11.jpg|150px]]

Swoosie arrived from Irving, TX about six-thirty or seven. We did the same check that I did on my EX250. Then, we loaded both EX250s into the trailer at 10:45 PM and made sure that the tie downs were secure.

[[Image:Hallett12.jpg|150px]]

It is generally recommended that you trailer your bike to the track. As you will see later, you may not always be able to ride your bike home, and even if you can, you could very well be too tired after a long day at the track to ride safely.

[[Riding Hallett circuit 9 23 07|Continued in next article]]