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How to build your own track bike: Difference between revisions

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So, you think you may be spending lots of time at the track, either doing track days or racing. It only makes sense to have a dedicated track bike, if only so you don't have to worry about crashing your daily ride. Here's a general list of things you will need. Keep in mind that all tracks have slightly different requirements. Also, if you're going to be racing, you'll have to follow the guidelines published by the sanctioning body for your event(s). So, read up. This will get you started.
So, you think you may be spending lots of time at the track, either doing track days or racing. It only makes sense to have a dedicated track bike, if only so you don't have to worry about crashing your daily ride. Here's a general list of things you will need. Keep in mind that all tracks have slightly different requirements. Also, if you're going to be racing, you'll have to follow the guidelines published by the sanctioning body for your event(s). So, read up. This will get you started.
See also: [[Reducing weight on a track bike]]


===The Bike===
===The Bike===
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'''(Looks don't matter; function does)'''
'''(Looks don't matter; function does)'''


*Low mileage w/ good-running engine
*Low mileage w/ good-running engine


*Ugly OK
*Ugly OK


*Busted-up fairings OK
*Busted-up fairings OK


*Dented exhaust OK
*Dented exhaust OK


*Broken bars OK
*Broken bars OK


*Broken turn signals and mirrors OK
*Broken turn signals and mirrors OK


*Thrashed seat OK (should be repairable)
*Thrashed seat OK (should be repairable)


*Dents in tank OK
*Dents in tank OK


*Scratched paint OK
*Scratched paint OK


*Broken headlight OK
*Broken headlight OK


*Crashed is fine, but not crashed "hard"
*Crashed is fine, but not crashed "hard"


*Wheels perfect or nearly so
*Wheels perfect or nearly so


*Frame / Forks not bent
*Frame / Forks not bent


===To Do List===
===To Do List===


*Quality rear stand  
*Quality rear stand  


*[[Stainless steel brake lines upgrade.|SS brake lines]] (buy) (optional *)
*[[Stainless steel brake lines upgrade|SS brake lines]] (buy) (optional *)


*[[I'd like to know more about clipons.|Woodcraft Lowered Risers]]
*[[I'd like to know more about clipons|Woodcraft Lowered Risers]]
*Woodcraft Rearsets (optional)


*EBC HH or other quality [[What replacement pads should I consider?|front brake pads]]  
*[[Woodcraft rearsets shifter adjustability fix|Woodcraft Rearsets]] (optional)


*Have head ported  (optional *)
*EBC HH or other quality [[What replacement pads should I consider?|front brake pads]]


*Drill oil filter and drain plug bolts & safety wire
*Have head ported  (optional *)


*[[Engine Oil|Oil and filter change]] (quality stuff)
*Drill oil filter and drain plug bolts & safety wire


*[[How do I work on the carbs?|Clean or rebuild carbs]]  
*[[Engine Oil|Oil and filter change]] (quality stuff)


*[[Exhaust|Ugly aftermarket exhaust]] (optional *)
*[[How do I work on the carbs?|Clean or rebuild carbs]]  


*Spend $ on dyno to verify jetting
*[[Exhaust|Ugly aftermarket exhaust]]  (optional *)


*[[Suspension|Quality rear shock]]
*Spend $ on dyno to verify jetting


*[[Suspension|Redo forks]] to race spec 
*[[Suspension|Quality rear shock]]  


*[[What tire makes are available that fit the 250?|Install quality tires]] (Dunlop GT501)
*[[Suspension|Redo forks]] to race spec 


*Verify [[How do I adjust chain/rear wheel alignment?|wheel alignment]] and runout
*[[What tire makes are available that fit the 250?|Install quality tires]] (Dunlop GT501)


*[[How do I measure chain slack?|Proper chain tension]] and worthiness
*Verify [[How do I adjust chain/rear wheel alignment?|wheel alignment]] and runout


*Learn how to work with fiberglass and
*[[How do I measure chain slack?|Proper chain tension]] and worthiness


*[[Body plastics repair guide|repair fairings]] as needed (cosmetics no biggie)
*Learn how to work with fiberglass and


*Buy/make bellypan (optional *)
*[[Body plastics repair guide|repair fairings]] as needed (cosmetics no biggie)


*[[How do I raise the front fender to fit a 110-width tire?|Modify front fender]]
*Buy/make bellypan (optional *)


*[[How do I service the cooling system?|Change out antifreeze]] to "water wetter" and water mix
*[[How do I raise the front fender to fit a 110-width tire?|Modify front fender]]
 
*[[How do I service the cooling system?|Change out antifreeze]] to "water wetter" and water mix


===Remove===
===Remove===


*Headlight assembly
*Headlight assembly


*Turn signals
*Turn signals


*Mirrors
*Mirrors


*Chain guard (optional *)
*Chain guard (optional *)


*Rear fender assembly
*Rear fender assembly


*Smog system if installed
*Smog system if installed


*Rear brake light assembly (optional *)
*Rear brake light assembly (optional *)


*Speedometer cable (optional *)
*Speedometer cable (optional *)


*Side and center stands
*Side and center stands


===Inspect and Repair/Replace/Adjust as needed===
===Inspect and Repair/Replace/Adjust as needed===


*Steering head bearings
*Steering head bearings


*[[Replacing the wheel bearings|Wheel bearings]]
*[[Replacing the wheel bearings|Wheel bearings]]


*[[Final Drive|Chain & sprockets]] (stock gearing is fine)
*[[Final Drive|Chain & sprockets]] (stock gearing is fine)


*Front fender
*Front fender


*Radiator
*Radiator


*Handlebars and grips
*Handlebars and grips


*Control pods
*Control pods


*All cables
*All cables


*[[Waterproofing your electrical connections|All electrical connections]]
*[[Waterproofing your electrical connections|All electrical connections]]


*Axles and hardware (washers, spacers and nuts)
*Axles and hardware (washers, spacers and nuts)


*Rear brake [[Brakes|pads and fluid]]
*Rear brake [[Brakes|pads and fluid]]


*[[Suspension|Fork oil and dust seals]]
*[[Suspension|Fork oil and dust seals]]


*Chain tensioners
*Chain tensioners


*All nuts, screws and bolts
*All nuts, screws and bolts


===Minimal Bike Spares list===
===Minimal Bike Spares list===


*Front brake and clutch levers
*Front brake and clutch levers


*Footpeg and bracket assemblies (optional *)
*Footpeg and bracket assemblies (optional *)


*Spare handlebars (optional *)
*Spare handlebars (optional *)


*Clutch and throttle cables (optional *)
*Clutch and throttle cables (optional *)


*One set spare spark plugs
*One set spare spark plugs


*Oil and filter
*Oil and filter


*Electrical tape and 6 ft. of 12 gauge insulated wire
*Electrical tape and 6 ft. of 12 gauge insulated wire


*Duct tape (of course!)
*Duct tape (of course!)


(optional *) items aren't really required, fractionally enhance bike performance, are too expensive, time consuming, or are not absolutely required for track days.
(optional *) items aren't really required, fractionally enhance bike performance, are too expensive, time consuming, or are not absolutely required for track days.


'''NOTE''': Be aware that plenty of EX250 race bikes are sold each year, usually from October through March. You will likely get a better, cheaper, completely set up bike buying one of these than doing all this on your own. But then, what fun would that be?
'''NOTE''': Be aware that plenty of EX250 race bikes are sold each year, usually from October through March. You will likely get a better, cheaper, completely set up bike buying one of these than doing all this on your own. But then, what fun would that be?
'''For another look:''' Here's a site that recommends [http://www.rcramer.com/bikes/ex250/index.shtml parts and mods] for a race bike. Good links, too.
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