CR 500 questions

[T Baggins]

Colorado class requires expert status? If I can't run that class with a novice license, what class is a supermoto competitive in that a novice can run?

Not trying thread jack; seems like it pertains to this thread and don't want to start a new thread for a one post answer.

The new rider director has discretion in allowing novices to ride in expert classes. Basically if you're not a total hazard, and it's not something like Middleweight Superbike - he'll typically allow it.

[ducati7044]

When I first started racing with the MRA, I think Roosevelt was still president, we had the Colorado Class back then. Even then I was allowed to race in the class as a novice. I think with all of the ex250's it's going to be a fantastic venue. I'm so looking forward to it. At the last race at HPR last year we had over 20 bikes on the grid. This year should be even better.
The MRA is such a well run, fair organization, as Tony as said, unless your a total moron out there I wouldn't think it would be a problem to race the class as a novice.

[ducati7044]

Hey Dodd. If you want to see pictures of my bike, check it out on my Facebook page. Mark Hoyt, Bresnan Communications. It'll give you a visual of what we've been talking about.

[Jon]

Yeah they used to call it Formula Colorado and we all remember Ratt S. dominating it then along came tire warmers, trailers, transponders, George Bush.........

[Dodd]

Thanks Tony- Also, what would you suggest if a fella is only going to race once or twice this year, and in only one class go ahead and buy a full license or just one on what ever weekend he gets out? (PS I finally killed that super heavy bad ass Danish coffee table you sold me years ago, I guess you can only take those things apart so many times)

Mark- you my man have some very nice stuff there, and I see we also share a passion for the red bikes. I dig the simplicity of your CR- I may have to try to do something like that with the KX.

Build progresses. W/ the baby here, I only get a chance to get to Denver once a month or so and I'm headed down tomorrow. Hopefully the wheels will be done tomorrow, got a line on used rubber for mocking up purposes (Thanks Dave) and the plastics will be in. Pipe and dampener will be here Friday.

Should have a full mock up of the finished product on Saturday. Then its time to tear into the suspension and motor-

[Dodd]

OH! and I need some stock KX500 radiators if anyone has some that aren't completely destroyed!

Dodd

[T Baggins]

Sorry to hear the coffee table has finally passed... it was a good dog.

One weekend licenses are $50, so if you think you'll make it out 3 times, then it makes sense to go full license. Plus, if you don't have a license you have to pay to get in at the gate which is an additional $10.

If you're coming twice, it's $120 vs. $150 for the season license... but if you don't license up fully - then you don't get to vote for the poor suckers, um I mean kind folks who lead this fine organization.

Up to you man... but I bet once you get a few laps on that beast you're gonna be one of the guys to beat in Colo Class - and you know how it is once you get in the points....

[Dodd]

Full license it is. Now I have to see if my number is still open and holler at the NRD. Will I have to complete and pay for the whole newbie class, or could I roll out and demonstrate a working knowledge of race procedure safety and policy? I raced w/ out incident (Save a few crashes) for 3 years, and have only been out one season-

PS I think I can save the table, but its going to involve some new all thread and some inventive patching-

Dodd

[T Baggins]

You've got a couple years of inactivity before you have to take the class over - and even then it is at the NRD discretion. It's covered somewhere in the rulebook I'm sure, but I wouldn't know because the rules don't apply to me anyway... :lol:

[jgixxer1]

Would anyone that rides a single care to share average lap times at each track?

I've only ridden PMP and did a 1:50 on a cr5. Will be heading up to HPR in march for some winter pricing action and want to have something to compare with.

[Dodd]

I think Mark said he was turning 2.06-

Anywhoo- If anyone is interested here are some pics of the build over the last month or so,

[img]

Here is the KX right after I brought it home, sitting next to Gabriella who is not so happy to have another project in her garage

[img]

Half torn down

[img]

After paint and a mock up

[img]

Further mock up

[img]

With a spankin' set of rad wheels by Woodies

[img]

Here is where I'm at so far. I need to trim down the front fender, figgure out the brakes, rear wheel spacing (5") rear wheel and get with Dave ref. the suspension. Hopefully, funds dependant, I should have it on the track with in 2 months or so.

Dodd

[jgixxer1]

That's sweeet!! Can't wait to see it go. It looked beat down in the first pic. Amazing what some paint and new plastic will do. I like the blue forks on all black.

[dave.gallant]

If you can get it geared even close, you will love the bike on the track. I loved mined.

[Dodd]

Thanks guys-

Dave, what gearing did you run on the big tracks? a 15T is about the biggest counter sprocket I can get away with. As for the rear, the sky's the limit as I've found plenty of places that will build what you need for fairly cheap. I was thinking a 40, or 42. That would put me one up in the front and 7 down on the rear from stock.

Also, I see you were running the stock air box. I was going to just run a pod filter to save weight and simplify things. Thoughts? This is my first delve into 2 strokes and I'm still learning.

I got a nice used Pro Circuit pipe, and have a FMF muffler I'm going to take the spark arrester out of and re-pack.

I'm talking to Dave (IRDAVE) about shortening the suspension and re-valving it. As for the motor, Its a strong runner that started on the second kick at 9000' in 20 degree temps. I think a simple re-build and having the crank balanced to keep it from shaking itself apart will do, and save bucks.

Anyone else who is reading this and has any ideas I would love all the info I can get my paws on.

Dodd

[Bueller999]

Here is a gearing calculator ha works pretty good and will take the "gearing" of the tire into the calculations, there is data for a 2002 KX 500 in the database.

http://www.gearingcommander.com/

[Dodd]

Thank you sir

[jgixxer1]

Definitly want to go smaller than 42 in the rear. I had a 15/39 on the cr5 and it left something to be desired in terms of top speed. Maybe the internal gearing is better on the kx for top speed though, IDK. 16 and 39 was the biggest/smallest anyone sold for the cr. I know they are different bikes/rear hubs and bolt hole diameter, but just for reference, 36T was the smallest I could go before the chain would start to get into the bolts. Sprocket Specialists said they would make me one, but I got rid of the bike before I could try one out. If you can get away with putting a 16 on front, do it. Then you could go with a 39 or 40 rear and not have to get one specially made. Some guys with cr's were doing it. Had to flip the counter sprocket(more offset on one side), run without the case saver and do a little grinding on the case in front of the sprocket.

Also, with smaller sprocket out back, you may want to order an extra chain sliders to have it on hand. My bike ate thru one of them down to the swingarm in one summer of street riding and 4 trackdays.

[jgixxer1]

Here's some pics of some baddass hondas!! These are what got me motivated on my cr5 project. I already had the monobike look; my next step was to get an Eric Gorr roadrace port, Jemco downpipe, and I wanted a rear wheel from a 250gp bike (I think that's what it is, that or an F3) so I could run smaller rear sprockets. Some of these bikes look like they are running 30T rears. From what I read 130mph was the norm for the old school cr500 monobikes. I wish I could find more info on them or some videos. I also wish I knew some foreign languages cause I'm sure there's a wealth of knowledge out there on 2-stroke single roadrace bikes but its all in another language. Anyway, here's some links to drool over. The #35 bike in the top row even has custom rearsets! That's f'n awesome!!

And a pic of mine before and after just for the hell of it.

http://sickestbikes.dyndns.org/categ...e=14&modele=65

http://www.google.com/m/search?site=...500%20monobike

[jgixxer1]

Is this thing ready yet? Are you entered in any classes for Saturday? I wanna see this thing go.

[Dodd]

Its getting really close. Bart hooked me up w/ a machinist to do the front brake caliper re-locator which I installed today. I'm still trying to get the shimming just right- because if the caliper isn't dead nuts straight on the rotor, I loose brake pressure (4 pot caliper, they have to have equal resistance to press equally together, or so it seems, something I just learned today) The new bracket is just a bit off, so once I get the right combo of shims to hold the caliper in its happy place it will work great.

But, I was able to take it down the street today, seemed to track straight and run well- even with the 15F 42R and at 9000 ft. elevation it would pull the front wheel up when it hit the pipe in second gear.

I'm still having some spacing issues with the rear wheel. Its in there, but I've only got 2-2 1/2 Mil. clearance on the brake side, and 2-4 mil. clearance from the chain. Its in a little crooked, but again it seems to be tracking straight (As much as 20 year old dirt bike can)

Hopefully I'll get the brake set and take it down to IMI early this week if the weather cooperates. Set the chassis, then pull it all apart again to go through the motor.

So I won't be racing this weekend, but I might come out to scope out what else is running in the Co. Class and say hi to some people I haven't seen in a year or two.

It looks good, in a goofy "What the hell is that and why is it at a roadrace track" kinda way. I dig it, and have been inspired by Tony's crazy paint job- I may have to do some thing similar. I'll try to post up some pics.

[Dodd]

Here are some pictures- Got the brake issues worked out today. Hoping to have it down at IMI this week-

[AdamandNoahsdad]

What are you guys doing as far as suspension changes? Lowering? Offset triple clamps? Those cool little brackets the flat track guys use to correct the trail in the front? R6 forks and triples?

[Dodd]

The only thing I had done was Dave Rose (STM Suspension) cut down and revalve the forks and shock.

Out at IMI today I found what a lot of dirt bike guys already know, that thing is HARD to ride! after years of running sport bikes on the track and in the canyons it was quite a shock to run around on a lowered dirt bike.

Plus side is I must have built it right, as it held together and ran really well, without any parts shaking off. With the high gearing its not quite as skittish and wheelie happy as it was before, and it pulls consistently through the gears. The big ole' brembo slows it down in a hurry. I'm going to have to find a solution to the vibrations in the pegs, however, as after 3 laps my feet were completely numb. I'm thinking of retro-fitting some rubber inserts into the dirt pegs ala' my old Ducati Hypermotard- or something similar.

Other than that, trying to figgure out where the front end is all the time, and the bouncyness mid corner it works great.

I think with a little more practice, and tweaking it will work really well. I'm looking forward to a HPR track day so I can get back on the big track that I know, and not try to muscle it through a little short one with so many sharp turns right on top of each other.