'02 GSX-R Track bike Q's

[CIE]

Hey guys.... I've been looking for a track bike for a while now and think I've settled on a ride but have a few questions.

The bike I picked up (we wrote a contract that if it doesn't check out in 7 days I can return it for a refund) is a '02 GSX-R 600.  I decided on this bike because I've had one before, loved the way it handled and fit me.  I've never had one in this state of tune though.  It's a factory Suzuki race bike delivered with a notice of ownership (read: never a streetbike).  It was prepped by Arclight racing and used as a back-up bike for one season, then sold off to a guy that used it for track days.  It was then sold again to another guy that used it for trackdays.  As far as I can tell by it's log it's gotten around 15 trackdays on it since it was sold by the race team. 

Now, here's the question.   The team said that the bike was never raced, but the motor might have a few races on it.  Good solid answer there, I know..... Ha, ha.  That plus the 15-ish track days.  Anything I should be looking for in the motor.  I doubt it was ridden hard by the second two owners.  Both were new to track days.  How long can I expect this motor to last?  Unfortunately I don't have any info about it's internals.  It seems to run strong, quiet and smooth.  It's a bit flat until 10k rpm's which I attributed to bigger cams and headers than the stock bike (definitely less grunt down low than a stock street bike).

I plan on pulling plugs tonight and doing  a compression test, then pulling the valve cover and having a look at the cams and valve clearance.  Anything else I should look for?

Buying this bike 4th hand makes me a bit nervous.  I hate not knowing exactly what's in the motor.  The only real solid answer I got is that you have to run it on race gas and that the guys with Arclight weren't too forth coming about the motor internals.  Sweet specifics, eh?

Other than that the bike is NICE!!!  Fox fully adjustable shocks, Traxxion dynamics rebuilt forks,  full yosh ti-exhaust.  The frame, fork, motor all look exceptionally clean once the body work is removed and it seems to ride great from my limited, on the street, road test.  It's also nice that the previous owner was my size and had the suspension set up.  That saves me a bit of time.  Plus new tires means that if the motor checks out I'll be on the track with it in no time.

Thanks in advance, guys.

[darylbowden]

Engine builders will never tell you the internals - they don't wanna give up any secrets.

The engine was likely swapped from another bike that had done some races, maybe crashed  - who knows?

How was the bike built?  For FX? SS? I would imagine SS since you said Traxxion internals.  Given that I would imagine the engine is just fine.  However, don't pay too much for the bike, just because it was prepped by Arclight doesn't make it worth than $3500-$4000.

Also, it sucks that you have to run race gas cause that shit is expensive!!!!!!!!!!

[tufty]

Also, it sucks that you have to run race gas cause that shit is expensive!!!!!!!!!!

Heh, 10 bux a gallon for 110 octane at Barber this weekend.... yikes!

[darylbowden]

Heh, 10 bux a gallon for 110 octane at Barber this weekend.... yikes!

Heh, try MR9 - even worse.

[derby]

"built by arclight" doesn't carry much weight given the last time chuck touched it was probably 5 years ago.

if it was an arclight bike from '06 or '07, it'd raise my eyebrow. not so much for a 6 year old scoot.

that said, he builds good bikes. if it was properly maintained over the last half-decade, i'm sure you'll be happy (as long as you don't keep track of your fuel bill  ).

[CIE]

Ha, ha, ha... Thanks guys.  I think it was prepped for SS also.  Unfortunately, having not bought the bike directly from Arclight I really don't know much about it other than what I can gather by inspecting it myself.  It appears to be all there and seems to run good.  Like I said, I don't think it was ever run really hard.  By his own admission the last owner said he struggled to keep the bike in it's powerband.  He said he'd regularly look down and see it turning 6k.  That probably doesn't get it making much power.  Kind of an upside to that, too, is the fact that he never turned a wrench on it except to change the oil.  The less inexperienced hacking, the better.

Word through the last two owners was that (now this is murky) it was a spare bike, the motor might have seen a couple races.  It apparently has never been down hard, but has some bits and pieces that have obviously touched the ground (frame sliders, gas tank and plastics have all had some love).  Apparently this bike had been sacraficed on a few occasions for parts, then reassembled with what they had around at the end of the year.  Like I said, it looks to be all together and doesn't have any real hard parts damage. 

The price was OK.  Sub $4k.  I don't expect to make money on it, just get a couple years out of it, then sell it for something newer.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

Good choice CIE. That bikes sounds alot like one I was looking at B4 I bought mine (2 different bikes, I know that for sure) The one I was looking at was also a Factory racer. The guy had lots of extra parts for it. He  also wanted a premium dollar.

Sounds like U got a fair deal.  Its a gamble when it comes to a track bike tho,, especially when its been passed around.
Post up when U get your compression test done.

How do the gear boxes hold up on these GSXR's ?

Good luck, have fun.

[CIE]

Sooo, went home last night, took the bike apart.  Everything looks good with the fairings off.  I'd say the bodywork has the most wear of everything.  I didn't have a compression guage with a 12mm (12? hmm) thread, so I had to wait till this morning to grab one from the shop.  Hopefully I'll get the compression test done tonight and then pull the valve cover to have a look inside.

As far as I can tell the bike has a 14/45 sprocket set-up right now.  The previous owner said he was having trouble getting into 6th gear at the local tracks.  I'd appreciate some input on this one.  I'll probably buy a few sprockets to take to the track with me.  What do you guys think is a safe spot to start.  Thunderhill and Infineon are my home tracks.

I'll take a few pics tonight and post them. 

[gm2]

The previous owner said he was having trouble getting into 6th gear at the local tracks. 

that should probably read 'most american tracks'.  if you're in california probably the only place you'll hit 6th is big willow and fontana.  never been to thunderhill but certainly nothing to worry about at infineon.

[CIE]

Alright... So I was wrong on the gearing.  The bike currently has a 16/45 which I believe is the stock sprockets.  I think I'll be dropping to a 15 in the front to try to get a bit more punch.

Still looking for a compression guage for a 10mm spark plug hole.  I'm going to have to visit some of my moto mechanic friends.  None of my automotive guages go small enough.  Hopefully tonight or tomorrow.

[JDS 07 S4Rs]

Yep, that is stock gearing. Check this site.

http://www.gearingcommander.com

[CIE]

Yup, I ordered a 15 tooth countershaft sprocket last night.  I figure that'll be good enough to get me out on the track and I can work on the rear sprocket from there.

Checked compression last night.  Numbers looked good.  Engine was cold, so there was a bit of inconsistency, but nothting that concerned me. 1) 180 2) 165 3)180 4)175

Valve clearance was all in spec, too.  Closer to the looser end of spec, which I'm happy with.  It'll make a bit less power, but should go further before the next valve adjustment that way.

Otherwise, so far, so good. I'll be putting the bike back together over the next few nights and then it'll be off to the track.  Can't wait.

[CIE]

Hey guys....

Taking her out for her maiden voyage at Button Willow on Monday.  Anybody have any tire pressure input.  I'm expecting 80 degree temperatures.  I've got D208 GP soft front and a medium rear on the bike right now.  I was thinking I'd start with 29 front and 31 rear.  There wont be a Dunlop guy at the track (only Pirelli).  Whatcha' think?

[gm2]

probably about right.  but i would call the Sport Tire guys and ask them.  they're always cool about answering such things.

1-800-776-8473


*also on the site, too.  but you're a better man than I if you can fully comprehend that chart.

[CIE]

30/30 on the tire pressure.  The bike frickin' rocks. The handling is nutts.  I'm still noticing that it's down a bit of power from what I'm expecting.  It pulls really well if nobody is in my way, but if I get hung up behind a slower rider I get worked down the straights.  I really need to get this bike on the dyno and see how it looks.  I'm not sure if it's lost bottom end because of the way it's tuned or if it's because it's not running right.  Running with my buddies '05 600rr street bike he'd pull me pretty good.  Maybe 3 bike lengths on a straight.

Such an improvement over my Monster on the track, though.  Way more comfortable and much faster.  My second session in intermediate I got stopped by a instructor and was told to move up to advanced.  I told him it was my second motorcycle trackday, first at that track and first on this bike.  He cut me some slack, but I'll be riding A group at my next outing. 

Weee... Yay suzuki.   Ha, ha, ha.