I have been rebuilding my old CBR400 road bike in to a track only machine. The majority of the work is done, I have still to fit uprated suspenssion units taken from a 600, new rear sets and finish making the molds of the new track fairings. I should have plenty of time to finish these small task prior to my first Trackday at silverstone in June.
I would however like to take it out to a test track for a shake down prior to being on the track. I live next door to the brooklands runway. But recently the runway has been bought up by a german car manufacturer so it is now off limits. Where else Could I test my track bike?
A big car-park, if you’ve got the permission of the owners! Otherwise, I can’t think of anything Dan, it wouldn’t be legal without permission on private property, and I bet the local cops would love to relieve you of your fun when they heard it!
Not sure if you can still do it but the Old Wisley airfield used to be used by the odd person for testing, thats not far away from you. Another suggestion, go to Brands when there is a track day on and ride it out in the paddock area.
Thanks Chaps for the input. North wield is a tad to far for after work testing but Wisley airfield looks like it might be a winner. It is only a stone throw away, On the map it is marked as Green Common ground. When was the last time you heard of it being used Chuffster? Doing some research on the net I’ve found the site was earmarked for housing. Oh well, I’ll head down there one evening this week for a recon whilst walking the dog.
CBRDAN, I used to live down that way and know for a fact that it was used, I have done a couple of runs up and down myself. Last time I know of anyone using it was a couple of years back, its got to be worth checking out though.
Failing that, try and find an industrial estate and run the bike on that in an evening or weekend. Not sure exactly what you want to test but I would have thought that a few runs up and down should suffice.
As far as what I’m wanting to test. I’ve had a mechanic friend who looked after the servicing of the bike when it was on the road take a look at it So I’m not expecting any mechanical issues. It’s more setting up and checking the susspension and ensuring fairings don’t want to depart at speed and bedding in some of the new parts fitted. The sort of things I don’t want to be doing on an expensive trackday.
Fairings should not come undone, use Zeux fastener things, nice and quick and I can assure you, they don’t come off. My fairing on the sv is held on by two fasteners on the top fairing bracket, the rest of the fairing is held on by the crash bungs, thats it, and thats all it needs. The less connection points, the faster it is to get off and on.
As for bedding in and making settings right, best place to do that is at the track I am afraid. Suspension will need to be set up correctly when you are there. You could go to Steve Jordan in Bookham, he will set that all up for you. He is a diamond at setting up suspension.
