Well there's good news and there's bad news

[Bayouboy]

The good news is that after todays track day at No Problem Raceway I no longer have chicken stripes on my rear Diablo :rockon:

[Bayouboy]

Tha bad news is that after todays track day at No Problem raceway I no long have a sweet looking ride :oops:

[Bayouboy]

I lost it on turn 4, the one that was giving me most of the problems. I was having difficulty with body position as most of the time when I was leaning a lot my toes scraped the ground. One of the instructors saw this and pulled up to me just as I was about to start my right turn with the intention of signaling me about not scrapping my toes. Unfortunatley having no experience racing I was a bit startled to see him there and over reacted by grabbing too much rear brake. I ened up going off the course into tall grass. The bike immediately went down and I went over the windscreen. The ground was wet and soggy so I did not slide at all. I was just kind of planted there with a nice thud. Right shoulder and left thumb feeling some pain now but I suspect nothing serious.

The radiator took a pretty good hit and was leaking, good thing I switched to water wetter last week. Turned out the radiator was bent quite a bit and one of the mounting points on the bracket snapped off but otherwise OK. The overflow tube split and that's where the water was coming from. The impacts repositioning of the of the radiator put a kink in the tube from the water pump causing the radiator to overheat and hence leak through the split overflow tube. I loosened the hose and rotated it 180 degrees and that removed the kink and I was able to drive her home. Other damage, small ding in the gas tank (which I think I might leave in as an affectionate reminder of my 1st get-off). Front fairing and ZGDB windscreen are total losses. And as I said before the radiator and its mounting bracket are pretty well F*@ked up.

All in all not a bad day, really nice to have those chicken stripes banished :Punk:

[skins]

Bugger !!! Such a great looking bike too !!!, Hope you are in one piece ???:crazy:

[JeffSV]

Tha bad news is that after todays track day at No Problem raceway I no long have a sweet looking ride :oops:
:doh: What happend? I see some dirt in those frame slidder's Hope your alright. At least your no chicken!!!! :rockon:

[Chainsaw Willie!]

Bah!
Duelling scars are something to be proud of!
Shiny new bikes have no charachter.
Now you have an interesting story involving YOU and a RACETRACK.

:rockon:

[sv1k4animal]

but how are YOU, bayouboy? we can only assume you're alright, 'cause you're typing about your bike and didn't mention yourself....but confirm it for us, anway, cool?

sorry to hear about the off. that's a nasty gash in the fairing. hopefully it won't be too long till you're back out there.

[Bayouboy]

but how are YOU, bayouboy? we can only assume you're alright, 'cause you're typing about your bike and didn't mention yourself....but confirm it for us, anway, cool?

sorry to hear about the off. that's a nasty gash in the fairing. hopefully it won't be too long till you're back out there.


Thanks. I think I'm pretty muck OK. My right shoulder took the brunt of the force when I landed. It was pretty sore when ever I tried to use my arm but didn't hurt much if I didn't try to do anything with it. After getting home about an hour ago I put some cream for sore muscles on it and took a few aspirins and now I feel a lot better. Luckily for me turn 4 is the slowest turn on the circuit and I went down in tall grass and not on the track.

[DIVESLOB]

Shame about the off, and the damage to the bike, still hopefully you are ok?

[sv1k4animal]

Thanks. I think I'm pretty muck OK. My right shoulder took the brunt of the force when I landed. It was pretty sore when ever I tried to use my arm but didn't hurt much if I didn't try to do anything with it. After getting home about an hour ago I put some cream for sore muscles on it and took a few aspirins and now I feel a lot better. Luckily for me turn 4 is the slowest turn on the circuit and I went down in tall grass and not on the track.

Good to hear. Still, maybe a quick checkup at the doc would be a good idea? Better safe than sorry...
Now to get that bike fixed up.

[Timothy]

All I can say is Ooops....

Did you have fun/learn anything?

[BigThumpa]

Shit. Now what am I going to have to do since your bike was the inspiration for my black wheels? :crazy: :bash: :no:

[SV DAVE]

Glad to hear that you are OK.

Better order the fairing now. It took four weeks to get mine. Check all of the fairing harware. My fairing stay was replaced but the brackets above the radiator looked fine until we went to install the fairing, nothing lined up. The mount on the right side had bent slightly and shifted out of place. A little leverage got it straight but it was suprising how much it effected the allignment.

Hope you have it back together soon.

[Bayouboy]

All I can say is Ooops....

Did you have fun/learn anything?

Yes really did enjoy the track time. Funny thing was I was only about 10 mins from calling it a day when I got tossed. Had done about 25 - 30 laps and it was really hot, even more so with the leathers. After about every 10 or 12 laps I had to come in and replentish fluids and rest a bit - it was 90+ F. I was getting good speed and leaning well but my choice of line and body position left alot to be desired. Its so much more demanding than street riding with many more things you need to keep your attention on. The SV was excellent especially hammering out of the turns and the wide torque curve was real nice on the transitions. That turn 4 though - it was fighting me all morning. I'd estimate that in all the laps I did only about 3 or 4 times was I happy with the way I negotiated it. Getting the right RPMs and just engine braking and leaning with a good line through. The rest of the time it was a struggle. But I'm a rookie and I want to get better and the only way to do that is get out there and give it a go.

As Arnold says " I'll be Baaack!"

[one2many]

Sucks about the bike. Glad to see your spirits are up though.

[oldfart]

Hey glad to see your ok , bummer about the bike we are going to have to discuss replacement options stock, shakskins ? what else is out there

[2VORNOT2V]

Glad your OK. Bad news.......It's going to cost you extra money!
Good news.....YOU GOT A TRACK BIKE NOW!!!!!!
Get an 04 for the street and you're all set. Found out a long time ago that using one bike for both realy does not work well. Hapy rebuilding :beer:

[sv6501st]

How did the bikesliders work?
Looks like it could have been worse.
I just installed my bikesliders this weekend...haven't used them yet thank god.
I say get the bike up and running again and wear your scars with pride.
I know when I see a bike that is too clean and with out rough edges I can't help but think "what a poser".

[Bayouboy]

How did the bikesliders work?

Since it went down in the dirt the bikesliders really didn't have a chance to do their job. They just dug right into the ground. See one of the pics above where the hole is filled with dirt. Thats probably why I got the radiator damage. If it went down on the track the bike sliders and clipons probably would have protected the radiator.


I say get the bike up and running again and wear your scars with pride. I know when I see a bike that is too clean and with out rough edges I can't help but think "what a poser.

That's the plan. I heard it takes a while to get a new fairing in so for now I'll just try and duct tape her together so I can get in some more track time. Don't think I'll bring her back to the track in pristine condition untill I get a lot more laps under my belt.

[lesbrownjr59]

Mark sorry to hear about your accident.Glad you are ok.The bike can be fixed.Probably won't cost as much as you think to get it up and going.Not much consulation to you but bikesliders will replace the puck for free.Just send them a pic.Hope every thing goes well for you.If I can help give me a call.Ride safe........................Les

[mooner]

Glad to hear your OK. One thing to check is your Bikesliders. After my accident back in November, I didn't check them :doh: . Last week I pulled them off and found the all thread bolt was bent and corroded. I've since replaced them the factory sliders. Hope you get the SV back on the rode soon. Also the track kind of reminds me of the old Riverside Raceway.

[JesseJames]

Man your bike is sooo sweet! You actually got super lucky it didn't fuck up more of your pricey bits. Glad your OK!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10534&item=7907111813&rd=1

[oldfart]

Mark , if you have super sliders they will replace them for free . Now if you are going to repair the front fairing yourself go to home depo there are a lot of pvc plastic adheasives avaible there is also pliastic weld kits ( the good ones cost a lot but there seems to be a future in it ) you will have to build the braces that hold everything straight. Good luck

[Malkey]

I know when I see a bike that is too clean and with out rough edges I can't help but think "what a poser".

Mark, sorry to hear about your accident. Glad to hear your injuries are only minor. I'm sure you'll have your bike looking the bollox again soon.

Seth, I hope your remark is not directed at my bike... :lol:

[Bayouboy]

Man your bike is sooo sweet! You actually got super lucky it didn't fuck up more of your pricey bits. Glad your OK!

I said the same thing when I picked her up, the wheels, forks, and rear shock reservoir all came through unscathed. Even the engine, frame and pipes escaped injury. It could have been worlds worse :beer:

[Padraic]

:doh: Wow! Glad you're okay! (for the most part) Could've been a lot worse! :shock:

Just one question, wanna trade? :killingme

[Timothy]

Yes really did enjoy the track time. Funny thing was I was only about 10 mins from calling it a day when I got tossed. Had done about 25 - 30 laps and it was really hot, even more so with the leathers. After about every 10 or 12 laps I had to come in and replentish fluids and rest a bit - it was 90+ F. I was getting good speed and leaning well but my choice of line and body position left alot to be desired. Its so much more demanding than street riding with many more things you need to keep your attention on. The SV was excellent especially hammering out of the turns and the wide torque curve was real nice on the transitions. That turn 4 though - it was fighting me all morning. I'd estimate that in all the laps I did only about 3 or 4 times was I happy with the way I negotiated it. Getting the right RPMs and just engine braking and leaning with a good line through. The rest of the time it was a struggle. But I'm a rookie and I want to get better and the only way to do that is get out there and give it a go.

As Arnold says " I'll be Baaack!"

Good to hear that your getting back in the saddle and back on track.

I NEVER do the last session of the day for that reason....tired, cocky, de hydrated and you just HAVE to crack a boit of the track.

Often better to save it for another day mate, if you go back don't even think about turn 4 and it will come with time.

[Poncho Villa]

Mark, glad to hear that your ok. so there's an upside to this downside. did somebody say "a new project"? could it be that subconciously we trash our toys so we can get new ones? I dont think so...but?

[oomidamon]

Shit. Now what am I going to have to do since your bike was the inspiration for my black wheels? :crazy: :bash: :no:
Make him an offer for the wheels!! :lol: Mmm, nice wheels...

Sorry to hear about your 'off' Bayouboy, happens to the best of us! :no:

[Timothy]

Do 'we' know where he got those wheels?

[Robbo]

Do 'we' know where he got those wheels?

Tim if your after powdercoated black wheels I know a chap who can sort it? £150 I think I gave you the link some time ago when we were talking about you getting your swing arm done???

[Bayouboy]

Do 'we' know where he got those wheels?

I got em off the internet from a small operation that is no longer in business - can't even remember what their name was. I searched quite a bit and ordered them from the cheapest source. They are OZ HL-01 for a 2002 GSXR-600. Perfect fit brake rotors and cush drive bolt on, the wheels came with bearings and valve stems. However mine are not for sale :beer:

[rjk]

Completely missed this post while out of town. Sorry to hear of this Bayou...but you WILL be back. How are things coming along? A friend of mine crashed pretty hard on the track (in Seattle). He wore through a knuckle and needed a pin!! :shutup:

Let us know how you are getting along!

[Bayouboy]

Well, ordered all the replacement parts (I hope) found a bit more damage when I started taking things apart. The headlight assembly is cracked and both mounting points on the right side broke off. So had to order a new one of those. Took off the SuperSliders today and found that the bolt is bent. Will take a few pics of the damaged parts and post soon. Two weeks without going for a ride - bummer, longest since I got the SV. Hopefully we'll be up and running this weekend.