Planning next years budget racer

[r6_philly]

if I race thunderbike I would do it on a buell, a lot of contingency...  Besides I hear 90hp SV's don't last too long. I could get a F2 as well ;)

for the record, I have been given problems by built SV's as well. If I was just starting to race, I will sure to go with a SV. But since I am stuck here on 600's for so long, may as well...

[Mark Bernard]

if I race thunderbike I would do it on a buell, a lot of contingency...  

Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell, Bu...ell !  ;) ;D

[Dawn]

if I race thunderbike I would do it on a buell, a lot of contingency...  

Sure....

A lot of contingency, but a LOT of repairs as well.

Dawn   ;D

[Super Dave]

Sure....

A lot of contingency, but a LOT of repairs as well.

Dawn   ;D

Um....yes.

[Mark Bernard]

Um....yes.

Um... not necessarily guys. I ran most of the season and only had one mechanical problem all year. It was a minor problem at that. I broke a retaining clip and the bike was stuck in 4th gear at BHF. Still finished 5th in that race. But if you dont go ratical with crap like shaving flywheels, bigger boar, augging out the cases... trying to get 110+ hp at the rear wheel. A Buell can be a relitavily reliable bike on the track. I have run mine 2 seasons and have never cracked the cased apart. At the start of the season last year my bike was putting 94 hp on the ground with a relativaly stock motor and setup. All I did befor last season was a basic valve job and new piston rings. Am I lucky? Probably... But I have seen the ratical stuff some racers do to there Buells and I have seen first hand what is involved and the concenquences of trying to get huge hp out ot Buells. "Time bomb wating to blow!" Now I still have to do my maintance for next season. (been busy) But if my hunch is right... when I tear down the motor in the next couple of weeks, I will be willing to bet that the rods and flywheel is in great shape. But basicly what I am trying to say is that as long as you keep the motor (basicly stock) It is a very reliable bike and it can make decent hp! But like I said... I just may have gotten lucky. My $.02

[Super Dave]

I think the trick is being competitive in Thunderbike.

At 3.8 pounds per HP, if Ed makes 90 really reliable HP, he'll probably need to weight to get up to 342.

I know that my AMA Supersport CBR600F2 weighed in at 410HP on the scales at Brainerd in 1993...that would allow 107HP.

How hard is it to get a Buell down to that weight?  Then make the compareable HP?  I think that's where the trick lies.  Yeah, it does seem like one can make 95HP or so somewhat reliably.

Still, I think it might be cheaper to to get an SV down to 310, which might be where Ed is, or lower, and simply make 81HP.  I'm hearing numbers of about 75 to 78 on the new FI SV650's.

Regardless, the important thing is that one races.

[Super Dave]

 I figure by the end of February I'll have about $3,000 to put towards a bike.  I've looked around and have seen several 99-01(ish) SV650's for about $2,000 that are cosmetically challanged but mechanically sound.  For another $1,000 I figure I can get a shock, jet kit & steering damper. I appreciate any input or similar strategies that others have in mind.

Mr Schock is selling his CBR600F2.

http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=ccsclass;action=display;num=1065870418

Has a shock, extra motor, wheels...$1500.  IF I had some extra money, I'd buy it and race it.  That bike did everything so well...it's really one of my favorites.

[Mark Bernard]

How hard is it to get a Buell down to that weight?  Then make the compareable HP?  I think that's where the trick lies.  Yeah, it does seem like one can make 95HP or so somewhat reliably.

Your right Dave. It is a bit hard to get the buell down to 410lb or lighter with out compromising the reliability of the motor. We (or I should say that Curt Ellis) have gotten the weight down to around 392 lb making 110hp... but, the problem then was that the bike kept blowing either a push rod tube seal.. or timing cover gasket... but reguardless, yes. It is hard to get the weight down. I weighed my M-2 at Gateway and it's a whopping 445lb wet. I can safley say that I could shave a few pounds. i.e. remove the charging system, lighter jugs and pistons, crap like that. But I am getting too old to be push starting my bike so the starter stays! lol! I will be making the bike a little lighter for this season. but it is still gonna be a heavy bike. (looks like it's back to the gym for me!) Gonna have to work on the upper body and legs I guess!   :P :-/ ;)