[themotoworks]

I finally finally finally did it, I bought a cheap as shit bike ($400 cbr600). I upgraded the front end to a 97 zx6r with my own clamps (I wanted cartridges). and fixed the back (someone put an f2 swingarm on it and the geometry didn't work right) - I had to machine a new dogbone link and move the swingarm link mount a bit to get the right rate, also ordering a slightly stiffer spring as the specs are 130kg/mm and what I've got measures 100. engine runs, brakes work, chopped up the wiring harness to just the minimum, going to fab a quick belly pan next. now I plan on running as many track days as I can this summer, and I'll be retaking my racing license, the whole point of this bike is to ride and race a bike that I absolutely don't give two fucks about, so I can learn how to ride well and only be afraid of hurting myself, not hurting a pretty pretty bike.

 

[TrialsRider]

My only concern would be what class they are going to put you in.

 

[themotoworks]

My only concern would be what class they are going to put you in.

Not a concern, I would be ok in a class I'll lose in, just looking for seat time

 

[TrialsRider]

Racing is the right way to do it, I highly recommend it, I just thought that if I can ever afford to start track racing I'm going to start off in a lower displacement class and work my way up or maybe try kneeler sidecar racing
best luck on the track.

 

[dirkchecken]

Not a concern, I would be ok in a class I'll lose in, just looking for seat time

you will need to decide with who (race org) you will be racing with. check the rulebook. if its vintage it will matter what model cbr600 you have (f2, f3). you should care some on how it looks. you will need to get it thru tech.

 

[BigAl8295]

As Dirk said, figure out what group you want to race and look at their rule book. Class rules cover more than machine displacement. Certain classes have restrictions on fork size, wheel size, brakes, handle bars.

 

[dirkchecken]

some classes even require the bike to be painted- no primer or unpainted plastic

 

[BigAl8295]

Nothing worse than building a race bike and then finding out it doesn't fit into any class.

I think some of the USCRA CB350 guys have a problem with their bikes fitting into AHRMA classes.

 

[rich46]

I finally finally finally did it, I bought a cheap as shit bike ($400 cbr600). I upgraded the front end to a 97 zx6r with my own clamps (I wanted cartridges). and fixed the back (someone put an f2 swingarm on it and the geometry didn't work right) - I had to machine a new dogbone link and move the swingarm link mount a bit to get the right rate, also ordering a slightly stiffer spring as the specs are 130kg/mm and what I've got measures 100. engine runs, brakes work, chopped up the wiring harness to just the minimum, going to fab a quick belly pan next. now I plan on running as many track days as I can this summer, and I'll be retaking my racing license, the whole point of this bike is to ride and race a bike that I absolutely don't give two fucks about, so I can learn how to ride well and only be afraid of hurting myself, not hurting a pretty pretty bike.

Nothing worse than building a race bike and then finding out it doesn't fit into any class.

I think some of the USCRA CB350 guys have a problem with their bikes fitting into AHRMA classes.

Themotoworks,
Looks to be a good starting place for what you want to start off doing. Make sure that when you head to tech the motorbike is clean, proper safety wired,good belly pan, shark fin, etc so it looks like you are on top of what you are doing.
Don't worry too much as to what class you will race in. Most sanctioning organizations want you to race so they will help you find a spot where you'll fit in. Our motorbikes have been built to race in the UK and IOM where the rules are often quite different. We do like to run some races here in the States and they always find a spot for us. There are classes for riders over 40 years old,50 years old and 60 years old, There are classes for bikes that are listed as classic Superbike and bikes of 25 years old so someplace there's a place for you. Remember they want you to race and they want your entry fees so they will work with you. Now if you start winning they move you to a different class but we've never been turned away and we've always had a great time.
Track days are great places to learn/re-learn the racers skills but real races are where you will truly get into the swing of racing.
Cheers
Rich

 

[themotoworks]

Themotoworks,
Looks to be a good starting place for what you want to start off doing. Make sure that when you head to tech the motorbike is clean, proper safety wired,good belly pan, shark fin, etc so it looks like you are on top of what you are doing.
Don't worry too much as to what class you will race in. Most sanctioning organizations want you to race so they will help you find a spot where you'll fit in. Our motorbikes have been built to race in the UK and IOM where the rules are often quite different. We do like to run some races here in the States and they always find a spot for us. There are classes for riders over 40 years old,50 years old and 60 years old, There are classes for bikes that are listed as classic Superbike and bikes of 25 years old so someplace there's a place for you. Remember they want you to race and they want your entry fees so they will work with you. Now if you start winning they move you to a different class but we've never been turned away and we've always had a great time.
Track days are great places to learn/re-learn the racers skills but real races are where you will truly get into the swing of racing.
Cheers
Rich

Thanks, I understand the bike is "ugly" but my intention is to make double sure it's leak tight, nothing's going to fall off and ruin someone's day, and nothing's going to impale someone, my intention is to make sure I don't spend any effort making it "pretty" because that's a rabbit hole for me and it won't end, and will get in the way of actually learning on it, I expect to crash this thing multiple times, I don't want to feel bad if I had to scrap it, it's the learning I'm after. on the sharkfin note, do most orgs require a full chain guard too? do they usually require a brake lever guard? lanyard attached to kill switch?

 

[TrialsRider]

You're going to want to read WERA rulebook chapter 8 & 9 WERA Motorcycle Roadracing

 

[dirkchecken]

on the sharkfin note, do most orgs require a full chain guard too? do they usually require a brake lever guard? lanyard attached to kill switch?

every racing org has a copy of the rules on file in the web sites, all differ some. do some leg work and look it up. why must others do this for you?

 

[Classic250]

every racing org has a copy of the rules on file in the web sites, all differ some. do some leg work and look it up. why must others do this for you?

Maybe because a lot of people now-a-days need to be spoon-fed.

 

[dirkchecken]

Maybe because a lot of people now-a-days need to be spoon-fed.

he does say he is “retaking” his licence. so hes done this before. what did he do the first go around? so maybe just lazy?

 

[TrialsRider]

I don't care just as long as it promotes the sport.

 

[Classic250]

he does say he is “retaking” his licence. so hes done this before. what did he do the first go around? so maybe just lazy?

I don't know - but agree with Trials comment.

 

[TrialsRider]

Riding in competition events was the best thing I ever did, now I don't just race in motorcycle competitions I build motorcycle competitions and thats even more fun. All it takes is the will, a venue and some money to do it.

 

[rich46]

Thanks, I understand the bike is "ugly" but my intention is to make double sure it's leak tight, nothing's going to fall off and ruin someone's day, and nothing's going to impale someone, my intention is to make sure I don't spend any effort making it "pretty" because that's a rabbit hole for me and it won't end, and will get in the way of actually learning on it, I expect to crash this thing multiple times, I don't want to feel bad if I had to scrap it, it's the learning I'm after. on the sharkfin note, do most orgs require a full chain guard too? do they usually require a brake lever guard? lanyard attached to kill switch?

You gota read the rules from the sanctioning organizations.
There are always two sections, one tells you what safety things you and the bike need to provide. This will include leathers, the date your hat must be Snell approved, what needs safety wire, and do you have insurance. LOL I mentioned Shark fins only because in 45 years of racing I've only gotten nailed buy a tech inspector: maybe four times. Once at the Isle of Man for not having a Shark fin and the same weekend for not having it close enough to the sprocket..............we'd changed the gearing..............ooooops.
The second section is broken down to classes and includes everything about the motorbike from engine size to what changes (fork up grades, carburetor changes yda,yada, yada) you can make. Most often you can race in a class that is different than you really fit in if, for instance the club has 600 class and a 1000 cc class but you have a 750 they'll let you race in the 1000 cc class. This has happened with our Moto Guzzi where the engine was too big for the small twins class but we gave away some engine size to run in the big twins class. We just excepted the handicap and raced big bore and finished 4th.
Again; YOU MUST GO ON LINE AND READ THE RULES ! I do the same thing with the rules as I do with workshop manuals. Always have one on hand and in the trailer if for no other reason other than I or even the Tech Inspector may have forgotten something important and you'll have something in writing. This can save your ass. We had a Tech guy come to us saying that our engine was an 1150 cc engine but we were able to go to the shop manual specs section and show him that it was in fact 1029 cc engine. I'm sure another competitor bitched and planned to protest us but the BOOK stopped the problem........................!

Cheers