After weeks of health & weather delays I managed to get the bike to a track today to dial it in.
First i did a couple of slow laps just to make sure everything worked as it should and nothing would fall off. Parked the bike and ran a spanner over everthing and checked for leaks.
Next I went out again and gave it a few berry's to see how it ran. It was a bit rich low down but wanted to make sure it was not lean to start with. Managed a few top gear runs and did a few chop tests and plug was nice. So I pulled the carb and droped the needle 1 clip and went out again.
OMG
what a difference. Although it has very little bottom end it pulled cleaner into the power band and was easier to clutch the revs up.
This was the first time I have riden a 1985 bike since , well 1985, and wasn't sure what to expect.
The track is a hard pack sand/river silt track with lots of woops. And I mean alot.
Once in the powerband the bike has more power then I was expecting and was pretty easy to keep on the pipe. The biggest fault was ME as I am used to a 300 and I was having to learn to use the clutch again but it didn't take long to get into the swing of things. The gearbox is a dream with the ratio's nice and even and very easy to shift.
The suspension was the major surprise.
I was expecting the front end to be a bit soft but it was actually quite good.The springs I am guessing are heavier then standard. The Full Floater is as good as they say it is. Period.
The only complaint would be the shock has no rebound adjustment and it could do with a little more. I think I will look out for an Ohlins.
The bike handled very good for what it is. I could keep it pinned in 5th down a wooped out straight and it would track pretty good. The odd time the back did step out it came back into line very quickly. The tracktion out of corners and on berms was good and as I got more comfortable I could hit the berms quicker then I thought I could.
I spent an hour going round and round and couldn't take the grin off my face. I think I may even had a semi.
I did not adjust any clickers as I just wanted to get used to the bike first and the rain was coming.
The front end needs softning a little on the compression side and the rear needs stiffening a little.
It is quite surprising how quick a well built 27 year old bike can be.
Can't wait for the next meeting in 3 weeks.
Look Ma , Not even dirty.
