I'm looking to get a 2003/4 cbr600rr to convert to a race bike. Anyone have any suggestions on where to find good deals on bikes? Also, anyone have any experience buying salvage bikes... pros/cons vs. used, places to buy, things to avoid?
Anybody have a list of items that need to be converted from street to race to make track bike? What would be priority items?
I know buying a ready-made track bike is probably cheaper but I'm concerned about quality and I figure doing the conversion process myself will help me gain valuable experience/knowledge.
Buy the bike that is track prepped with legal skins and tear it apart for experience. Savings;about 2 grand. Opt for the '04 if you want in on the contingency money.
I will be selling the bike that sat in my pit as a backup. Should be ready in two weeks. It would be a great starter bike, but not necessarily race bike. I say that because it will have some mods, but the go fast stuff has been removed.
2003 600rr with vortex clipons, rearsets and gas cap, gold valved front end, GPR steering damper, SPA tach, carbon fiber upper fairing bracket, sharkskinz bodywork with very high end yellow paint (this will help you go faster), D208GP-a tires, 520 RK chain w/16/47 gearing. Let me know if you're interested, but either way it'll be posted in a while.
Buying used and pre-prepped will save you a ton. Try to find a bike that comes with a spare set of rims and rain tires, because once you start racing, you'll be too broke to buy these things for yourself.
Here's what you need, in order of priority. This is a way short and way simple list.
You need race fiberglass with a belly pan to pass tech.
You'll need tires. Lots of tires. Get some tire warmers, and a generator to power them.
Suspension is the most important place to spend your money. Start by finding a reputable suspension tuner in your area who can give you trackside support. I use Trackside Engineering in Milwaukee, but you'll want someone who shows up at the tracks where you race. Get a Penske or Ohlins shock that's sprung for you, and have the front end sprung and revalved for your weight as well.
Even if you buy a pre-prepped bike, have the shock and front forks rebuilt and sprung for you before you race the bike. Also, get a good steering damper.
You'll need tires. Lots and lots and lots of tires.
Brake pads are important. I like the Vesrah RJR, or RJL, something like that. Naturally, those are the expensive pads, but they work great and last longer than the cheaper Vesrahs. Others will tell you brand X or Y is better. Steel braided lines increase lever feel and reduce fade. Clip-ons and rearsets are nice, as is a pipe and power commander.
Tires. You'll need lots and lots of tires. Did I mention that you'll need tires?
QuoteOpt for the '04 if you want in on the contingency money.
But there is no manufacturer contingency for track days...
Or for amateurs.
QuoteBrake pads are important. I like the Vesrah RJR, or RJL, something like that. Naturally, those are the expensive pads, but they work great and last longer than the cheaper Vesrahs. Others will tell you brand X or Y is better. Steel braided lines increase lever feel and reduce fade. Clip-ons and rearsets are nice, as is a pipe and power commander.
Super RJL Vesrah pads are the more expensive ones. Probably twice as expensive, but I think they last me three times as long as the standard RJL pads.
I have not found that Power Commanders necessarily are needed. Neither of my fuel injected race bikes used a Power Commander. I can't say they are the most reliable all the time. What's your race day worth when the bike isn't running anywhere near properly? Pipe? Don't necessarily need that either. Raced with a slip on for all of 2003. Won races, and I have an expert license too.
Tires are most important. Chassis set up is right there too. After that...Chassis set up is still important.
watch the for sale section of www.600rr.net
there are a few race prepped and street bikes for sale now
www.cbr600rr.com/forum
First off, thanks for all of the help.
Now forgive me for being ignorant to this stuff... could someone explain the contingency thing?
What are some good manufacturers of race fiberglass? Recommendations for tires? How much do suspensions + setup or rear & front usually go for? Brake lines.. I'm assuming galfer or goodrich are favorites? Rearsets... I've seen alot of good things about Vortex, anything comparable/better?
Advice on anything that hasn't been discussed is also welcome (newbie...even the small things count!)
I probably won't be able to get on a track for 8 months or more, so I have plenty of time to set this stuff up. But I would like to get started now to spread out the cost.
Look in the classified section of Roadracing world. the classified section of this board and the...dare I say it...WERA board is good to. Do yourself a favor and buy a bike that is set up and ready to go...you'll save a butt load. Your money would be better spent on track time and tires....
Woodcraft, I think makes the most durable and inexpensive stuff. Stands, front and rear, rearsets, and sliders.
http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com
Brake lines. Well, you need 'em. Not sure if it matters an incredible amount.
Bodywork. Sharkskinz are potentially the most durable. More expensive than some, but when you fall, notice I said when, they will survive generally better than anything out there.
Did I mention that you'll need lots of tires?
Buy your tires at the track. That way, they will be fresh. Your tire guy will have recommendations for the weather and the track conditions at a given event. You'll end up spending more money on tires than anything, so you'll end up developing a relationship with your tire guy. He is the one who will likely teach you more about racing and bike setup than anyone else.... if he's good at what he does. Honestly, if brand A tires stick better and the tire guy is a moron, you'd be better off running brand B tires because the brand B tire guy can really help you get the most from his tires.
Where are you planning to race? Midwest guys like Michilens, primarily because Tommy Mason of Mason Racin Tires is such an awesome tire tech guy.
thetireguy2@msn.com
Keep an eye on the classifieds section of your local paper, too.
I got a smoking deal on my '03 R6 in Feb of '04. The guy I bought it off of was afraid of the bike after crashing it, and wanted out. Rather than fix it, he sold it to me for cheap, with rashed street plastics and a few broken parts (that I was going to replace anyways, like footpegs, plastics, and handlebars.) Worked out pretty good... the money I spent on the bike and new race parts was about the same as if I'd purchased a pre-prepared bike.
Street riders often have to keep their bike perfect, and typically can't afford the thousands of $$'s it takes to get it back to perfect after a crash (with new stock plastics, etc.) Find a wrecked street bike and use that as a negotiating point ;)
Clip ons are where your grips go-you know, the handlebars. There are aftermarket clip ons for many reasons; they come in varying lengths and adjustability depending on which manufacturer you choose to buy from, they are expendable after a crash. Probably several other reasons the pros here will give you. Are you going to do track days or get your license? Check the "Tips and tricks" section as well, use the Search button. Keep asking questions. Watch e-bay for used parts. Also, IF you're looking at getting into the actual racing check out www.LockhartPhillips.com and go to the Privateer section, find a contact phone # for Aaron or PJ and make the call. They'll help you get started with a little sponsorship thing, when you get your license.
Quotewww.cbr600rr.com/forum
my bad....thats what I meant :-/
We race a team of 600rrs and are currently selling some of the 2003's to make room for our new 2005's. We can help you with a prepped bike with as much or as little as you would like on it. Also, we have a ton of experience with these bikes and would be happy to help you with any questions you may have in getting started with the bike, and racing or track days. Call or email me anytime.
I will say that the Lithium Motorsports CBR's were setup really well! You could not go wrong there.
Lithium Motorspotrs is a highly professional and reputable shop. Owner Rob Oliva is as straight up a business man as you'll ever meet. He's also a passionate racer and fan of the sport. I've personally spent lots of money and recieved tons of support from Lithium. If what you want is a 2003 CBR600RR racebike, I think you've just found your very best answer. Give Rob a call, and get a feel for the man yourself. If you buy one of his bikes, you won't be getting a questionable machine. Rob wouldn't take a chance like that with his company's reputation.
Numbskullz... have you raced with/against lithium? or dealt with them otherwise?
Anybody else from the midwest have any info on/experiences with lithium motorsports?
I buy ALL my stuff from Lithium because I trust them. He won't BS you and will go way out of his way to help in any way. If I could afford a new race bike I would definatly be buying one of his bikes. Search post w/ Lithium in them....you won't find a negative one.
Dave
Yeah, I have dealt with them quite a bit. They do know their Honda's. They provide some of the best trackside support in the midwest. One of the things they do real well is suspension, which is key.
Experience? How's this?
I'm writing a book aimed at racing and trackday beginners. (In other words, you.) Rob finds out about it, and offers to let me build the project bike in his spotless, state of the art shop instead of my greasy garage. Why?
"Just, you know, so the pictures look professional and all that."
I accepted Rob's offer, and began aquiring a bike and parts for the build. Rob started shopping to get me deals, and putting me in touch with other people who could help my project along. Why?
"This book is going to really help the sport. I just want to help you make it as good as it can be."
So here I am, six months later. Rob has helped both my book and my race program tremendously. He's sacrificed a lot of his own time and profit margin to help make my dream a reality, and my project a success. Personally, all he's likely to see out of the deal is good PR. (How am I doing so far, Rob?)
Any way kcnewbs, that's the kind of guy you're dealing with when you call Rob at Lithium Motorsports. As was already mentioned, do a search for posts about Lithium on this board, and you probably won't find a single bad response, but plenty of good ones. And if your "KC" screen name indicates that you're a midwest guy, you'll even have Lithium Motorsports showing up at the same races you run, right there to give you help and advice on the bike that you bought from them. How sweet is that?
Unfortunatly the kc has nothing to do with the midwest. I'm in VA right now but moving to FL in about 6 months (I guess I'm just trying to move further away from the midwest, just to be difficult). It sounds like Lithium is a good option... sent an email and hope to hear back soon. Thanks for all the input.
btw, when is hte book coming out
As soon as the boy gets it written. I know he's worried about finding a publisher, but hey, he sold a NOVEL ferchrisake. (Damn decent one, too). Non-fiction is so much easier to pimp, especially when you have an untapped market.
Go Chris! ;D
The book is about half written. The back half deals with the buildup af a salvage SV650 into a racebike. The buildup is going to happen in the last week of this month at Lithium's shop in Iowa. I'll be hauling the wreck out there, documenting the job in pictures, then hauling it back home to Chicago in a three or four day weekend. After that, I need only complete the writeup and file for a copyright. I can finish the tables and indexes while I shop the manuscript to publishers.
Hey, if you do buy a bike from Rob, I could bring it back as far as Chicago in my inclosed trailer, if that would help get it to you. Just an offer.
K3 is that mean you gonna race an SV ?
Where ya been Bud ? GOnna race much this year ?
kcnewbs, I also have dealt with Lithium, Stand up guys.
Yes, Stevie, both Gixxers are gone, and my new ride is an 03 SV650. I'll be splitting my time between CCS racing, Endurance racing with CMRA, and coaching for Sportbike Track Time. This may be my most fun season ever!
How about you? Gearing up for a big push this year? Still on your Gixxer?
K3 - thanks for the offer. I'll let you know once I figure out what I'm doing!
QuoteNumbskullz... have you raced with/against lithium? or dealt with them otherwise?
Anybody else from the midwest have any info on/experiences with lithium motorsports?
little late on the post but I can throw .02 in on Lithium.
Met em at a track day at MAM through track addix, asked a few questions, they where happy to oblige. Next thing you know I decide to take my track days to racing... but where do I get my stuff from? a few random online vendors that ship 2 weeks after your order... the local shop (still a lil sore from that one).
I order a set of sharkskinz through... sharkskinz, and it turns out there are a few hurricanes beating up the shop in florida, they are evacuated. I get ahold of Rob in a panic cause I dont have any skins on the bike at all now... tells me no problem, we can get you skins in and meet you at the track, no sweat. Long story short, skins got caught in customs, and rob knowing my situation brings with him a darn near pristene set of shrakskinz for an 02 R6... already drilled, undertail, double bubble, mounting hardware...ready to mount up!! now sure they where probably just lyin around the shop collecting dust but c'mon... how many shops would you know would go that far to make sure I wasnt runnin a nekid bike?
Another story, heading to hallet this weekend for some tuning... needed chocks for the trailer. Rob tells me they may not make it here on time.. so tell ya what, how bout I just send you some of ours to use until yours get here.. then we can swap em back"
Now how cool is that!!!
In conclusion I have dedicated all my business to Lithium, prices are fair, service is 2nd to NONE!! And if I ever have a question bout the shock I bought from em, or the fork rework, or any of the other NUMEROUS purchase... they are every GP event I will be at!
Stand up guys, very knowledgable... what else can I say?
Tim