I'm trying to get information on ice racing and can't find much on the www. I was planning on doing some races on Lake Wisconsin http://www.swiraclub.com, but I noticed they reduced the motorcycle classes DRASTICALLY. I went and watched a couple and DID notice that there was about 300 quads and about 5 bikes. So I can see why they reduced it, but am still not happy :(
I still want to set up my KDX-200 for racing though - even though I KNOW that is a slow bike to race in the Open Pro class.
I see that there is a CWIRA club, but cannot find any web sites.
I would also like advice on making tyres - the GOOD kind. I know we need long studs and a liner, but how do you make that liner and how do you prevent the studs from piercing the tube? Do you use a regular-sized tube, even with the liner in it?
I can't even find a picture of the fenders people use. I want to show my friends a pic of the fenders so we can make our own.
Also, where are other races around central Wisconsin and where are their web sites.
Is it just my poor searching skills or is the ice-racing community just non-existant on the net? Even though I can find a bunch of quad-only sites.... :-/
It's really an underground cult type scenario.
I personally don't "race" as in anything organized. Rather I show up at a lake with a dozen other idiots and a couple of plows. We battle and have fun until our legs can no longer hold us up. Then we repeat it the next day and next weekend.
As for ice tires, I was like you and thought I would do it myself. Then I learned of the science involved and will tell you like I did... FORGET IT. Let someone else make them for you. Jeff Ferdette (sp?) in Chicago makes tires, but Stu from Action Power Sports (262-547-3088 ) makes them a good bit cheaper and they are easily as good.
The big thing with making tires is that it's not just the studs and liners, it's where in the knobby they go, what angle they go in at and what alignment each one has. And there are about a dozen different configurations which will give you varying grip. This is not something that can be done good the first time around...
Check out www.dieseljo.com and see if they have info on ice racing. They used to...
As for fenders, use an MX fender and simply fabricate a bracket to hook it to the forks or swingarm.
Maybe I need to just find a lake that I would have permission to ride on and a plow........ Cause I know I'm not really going to compete with MY bike..... I just wanna go have fun and have something to do in the winter.
That's pretty much what the rest of us do...
Lake Koshkonong near Madison, WI every Fri night during the winter; I think they start in January (ice permitting) and go through March for regular racing. Otherwise we hunt around for the good spots and bring quad plows with us.
Mike Freddette (sp) makes the good tires (so does Stu at Action Power Sports). About $550/set. Otherwise, use a Kenda ice rear with a liner, then a split tube inner liner, and a thick tube for psi. 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" ice screws won't go through (usually) with that set up. Same for a standard dirt front tire.
Since I'm having shoulder surgery in October, I'm considering parting with a Husky 450 SMR and a KX-500, both set up for ice if anyone's interested.
Look for me out there this winter, I have a set of Freddette Ice tires for my flat track CR125. I'll have 44 P on the number plates.
I remember a couple years ago out at lake Koshkonong, we were out there watching and it was so cold, that after you cracked a beer open, you had no more than 5 minutes to drink it before it turned to ice. Now that is an ice cold beer!
For all things Motorcycle related, including ice racing info:linkydinky (http://www.dieseljo.com/)
How much for the KX 500?
How much for the KX 500?
2,300 including the ice tires. It's an '03.
Thats alot of motorcycle for 2300 bucks, and the ice tires! Damn!
You'd walk all over the sleds on the lakes!
Damn, I miss ice riding.
I have a set of ice tires back home in my parents' attic in WI. They are professionally built Kendas which don't tear the knobs off like a regular dirt knobby.
The front is 19" and the rear is 18" and both tires are mounted on Honda Ascot stock rims. They both have heavy Moose tubes and nice blankets to protect the studs (and your hands)
Make me an offer. I live in the desert in CA now and won't be using them.
BTW the liner is made from an old, bald street tire with the sidewalls sawed off.
QuoteThe front is 19" and the rear is 18" and both tires are mounted on Honda Ascot stock rims. They both have heavy Moose tubes and nice blankets to protect the studs (and your hands)
Make me an offer. I live in the desert in CA now and won't be using them.
BTW the liner is made from an old, bald street tire with the sidewalls sawed off.
Dang...
19" rear and 21" front on my KX125.
If I hear of anyone Andy, I'll let you know.
Dawn
Yeah, you couldn't even really run my 19 front on your rear. The stud pattern is all wrong and there is no liner in the front tire.
For anyone getting ice tires, definitely get the blankets as well. You'll ruin your screws just rolling the bike around on concrete or a metal trailer bed. My trailer had a wood deck so no worries there.
I made my front fender using the side of a 55 gallon plastic chemical drum. The curve was pretty close. My rear fender was off the rear of a Sportster (I think) I rotated it closer to the ground.
Call Janssen Racing in Kaukauna for tires and blankets. Also, one of their mechanics runs a weekly series in Oshkosh on Lake Butte de Morts.