Anyone here in Michigan doing any vintage or other road racing? I'm 52 this summer, been riding some kind of scooter since I was 4 years old with my first mini bike. My son is graduating from university this year and I'm just itching to put together a vintage road racer. Wouldn't mind talking to some other riders around here that's into this.
Michigan racers?
- Thread starter JDS
- Start date
JESUS FREEK
Been Around the Block
It might be worth a trip up to Grattan? Can't remember if that is how it is spelled,its early and kids are screaming! I am originally y from Mich. Also you may wanna contact Cafe Racer Ypsi. Google the number,they are cafe shop in Ypsilanti and i'll bet a cup of coffee they could put you in touch with some fellas and point you in the right direction. Also the VJMC may be able to help also. Imo I thought they were arrogant and purist when I met them out in Novi at the international cycle show. Cutting up a bike to cafe was just sin in their opinion. Good luck!
eyhonda
Coast to Coast
Also, there is the Gingerman track out west. AMA races out at both.
Locally here near Detroit, call up SBTG:
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok
They hold seminars about racing and the staff races. They sell track gear also (obviously).
I was part of the VJMC earlier on. Great guys and welcoming to me but like you said, they are more into restorations and originals than cafe bikes. My cafe bikes kinda stuck out in their shows so I stopped joining. They were a great source of local info before the onset of internet forums. Even though they only do restorations, they still do a lot of the same work we cafe guys do (polish, paint, powdercoat, plate, motor work). At the same time, I'm sure there are members here that only do restorations (probably, the minority). It's like that on any bike board. There are the purists and there are the modifiers. It depends on the bike I think. If it's rare, I would think twice. Sorry, getting off on a tangent.....
Eric
Locally here near Detroit, call up SBTG:
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok
They hold seminars about racing and the staff races. They sell track gear also (obviously).
I was part of the VJMC earlier on. Great guys and welcoming to me but like you said, they are more into restorations and originals than cafe bikes. My cafe bikes kinda stuck out in their shows so I stopped joining. They were a great source of local info before the onset of internet forums. Even though they only do restorations, they still do a lot of the same work we cafe guys do (polish, paint, powdercoat, plate, motor work). At the same time, I'm sure there are members here that only do restorations (probably, the minority). It's like that on any bike board. There are the purists and there are the modifiers. It depends on the bike I think. If it's rare, I would think twice. Sorry, getting off on a tangent.....
Eric
Thanks for the information, Grattan is only an hour away from me and April would be perfect for a race class. I'll have to talk to my riding buddy and talk him into going as well and I would probably talk my son into it also. GordonH I appreciate the help and I'll give you a call this weekend and bug you for more information. I found 2 cb750s on CL and trying to reach the seller and see if we might be able to make a deal. I'm just trying to learn what I need, the equipment, leathers, etc. I'm definitely going to make this happen!
eyhonda
Coast to Coast
CB750 for your first time vintage racing? I'm not sure if that's a good choice. Someone else chime in but I think a small twin is better (and cheaper) to learn on. A CB160/175 is a popular choice and many parts/info available. I'm sure those bikes will hit the ton on the straight. ;D If that's too small, consider a 350 or 450 twin. The 350 twin is the Chevy of Honda vintage bikes. Plenty of parts and bikes. Just a thought. A 750 just seems a tad big (and heavy) to learn racing on.
CB750 will be a handful for a first timer, but if the rider wants to do it, so be it. Personally, I prefer simple. One cylinder = one piston, one sparkplug, one coil etc. I absolutely hate wrenching at the track and singles seem to have less trouble than multis. I'm not getting any younger, and I want to have more fun on the track than in the pits Been there, done that.
What I recommend to starting racers is to get a bike that they don't really care about. Got that nice Ducati you'd like to race? How would you feel about totally wrecking it in a get-off? Best way from a monetary standpoint, is to get a friend that wants to race and go in together on a bike that you can run in multiple classes. This will wet your whistle as to whether you want to continue and you won't be out thousands of $. For starting out, stock is best. I know, you're really fast and you need that extra power. Believe me, it will take you some time to get good on the track.
Costs? I try to budget $1000 for each weekend of racing. Thats entry fees, fuel (for bike and van), hotels, tires and food and whatever. If I'm by myself, I usually stay at the track overnight and sleep in the van. This saves considerable money that can be used for bike stuff.
This not a pastime to taken lightly. Good medical coverage is recommended, as you WILL need it at some time. Is your significant other comfortable with you putting your life on the line? Are you? I'm fortunate that my wife understands my need to do this and hasn't given me a lot of grief (just some) over the years (26th season this year). Sorry, her sister is married. Her husband races cars.
Hopefully, I'll see some of you at Grattan in April. Team Chicago has been putting on a race school there for years, and I don't see why this year would be any different. Dan (Team Chicago owner) usually puts up the entry form after Daytona, so check his website then.
Hope this info helps out.
Gordon Hamilton
AHRMA 58R
What I recommend to starting racers is to get a bike that they don't really care about. Got that nice Ducati you'd like to race? How would you feel about totally wrecking it in a get-off? Best way from a monetary standpoint, is to get a friend that wants to race and go in together on a bike that you can run in multiple classes. This will wet your whistle as to whether you want to continue and you won't be out thousands of $. For starting out, stock is best. I know, you're really fast and you need that extra power. Believe me, it will take you some time to get good on the track.
Costs? I try to budget $1000 for each weekend of racing. Thats entry fees, fuel (for bike and van), hotels, tires and food and whatever. If I'm by myself, I usually stay at the track overnight and sleep in the van. This saves considerable money that can be used for bike stuff.
This not a pastime to taken lightly. Good medical coverage is recommended, as you WILL need it at some time. Is your significant other comfortable with you putting your life on the line? Are you? I'm fortunate that my wife understands my need to do this and hasn't given me a lot of grief (just some) over the years (26th season this year). Sorry, her sister is married. Her husband races cars.
Hopefully, I'll see some of you at Grattan in April. Team Chicago has been putting on a race school there for years, and I don't see why this year would be any different. Dan (Team Chicago owner) usually puts up the entry form after Daytona, so check his website then.
Hope this info helps out.
Gordon Hamilton
AHRMA 58R
DesmoDog
Been Around the Block
eyhonda said:
I think you forgot the smiley face? I've got a 160 Ducati and in more or less stock form it struggles to hit 70mph. "Struggles" as in there better be a hill and a tailwind involved. ;-) 160 Hondas still have 30+ mph on tap at that point?
I've been curious about vintage racing for a few years now myself. I'd probably end up putting a single cylinder Ducati together but that would be mainly due to what I already have sitting around the shop. I have to admit I've been curious about the 160 Honda racers though, looks like fun... but then I also think an RS125 would be fun. Or a 250. Or a small Monster. Or... ;-)
eyhonda
Coast to Coast
DesmoDog said:
Ok, I guess I did forget!
A quick search...... Tuned, they might hit mid 80's, with 12-14 hp (quoted here>)
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-japanese-motorcycles/vintage-motorcycle-racing-honda-cb160.aspx
I had a few 160's in my garage (8 at one time!). Fun bikes but some parts are hard to get!
Maybe the 160 racers will catch this topic and chime in...
Still, racing around a track at 80 on the straights has to be fun. Similar to the RS125 you mentioned. How small of a Monster can you get? Here in the US, I think the smallest is 600. I thought elsewhere they were 400?
I was always curious too. But the cost is too high and I live too far from the track.
I guess I sort of got carried away about the cb750s. Its just that I have more experience and a lot of parts for them and thought it would be reasonable to start there. After reminding me though about the very important rule of keeping it simple I would have to agree about the smaller machines. Cb160 thru the CB350 are harder to find though than the 750s. I'm 6-2 at 200 pounds and my son is 6-4 and the other rider jumping in on this is in there as well so maybe the 350s would be better. I was looking at the CB160 Poco Bastardo and love the looks but I'm not sure about the dimensions. I have a really nice Great Lakes aluminum fishing boat I was going to put up for sale in a couple of weeks just for raising cash so if you know of a couple of nice CB350s that might be available I'd appreciate a heads up.
TurboCrash
New Member
Ive road raced in the past. Living in Mi makes a lot of travel trips to races out of state, so I started dirt track racing in the Dist 14. Heres a web site that has some vintage bikes for sale. http://vintagebikeracing.com/ Hope you fine something.
GordonH, I would gladly attend but I'm afraid my chopper would look a little out of place among all those racers. As soon as I put something together though I'll attend a couple of these classes to make sure I'm somewhat prepared and not a danger to anyone else. You mentioned you were more into racing the single cylinders (thumpers?), which ones and if there are any suggestions for a first time racer I'd appreciate the info. I do like the looks of those little cb160/175 but I'm not sure my frame will fit on that frame...........Thanks.
You're right about that chopper not being ideal for the track. We had some women on Harley cruisers in the street group a few years ago and by the end of the day they were scraping everything in the turns. I'm currently racing an MZ Skorpion and have raced a Yamaha SR500 in the past. The Honda Ascot is a good bike to start racing on and there seems to be some turning up on local craigslists for not a lot of money.
The smaller Hondas seem to be a lot of fun, but as they get more popular, stuff for them gets more pricey. With a stock ascot in the Super mono classes you'll have fun and not get in over your head as you learn the ins and outs of roadracing.
If you can, just come out to the track on the 7th and hang out. You would only pay at the gate for entry ($10?) and check out the scene. Bring food and warm clothes. I'll have the yellow MZ, #58r
Gordon
The smaller Hondas seem to be a lot of fun, but as they get more popular, stuff for them gets more pricey. With a stock ascot in the Super mono classes you'll have fun and not get in over your head as you learn the ins and outs of roadracing.
If you can, just come out to the track on the 7th and hang out. You would only pay at the gate for entry ($10?) and check out the scene. Bring food and warm clothes. I'll have the yellow MZ, #58r
Gordon
Mr. Sandman
New Member
I'm a newb, mostly lurker as I try and absorb all the great info. Signed up for a race day session at Graffton through the BMW dealer in Canton as never done it before and figuring it'll make me a better rider. Great to see the similar interest here.
Anyway - will try to make the 25th. Depending if I can complete tweaks to my bike in time.
Anyway - will try to make the 25th. Depending if I can complete tweaks to my bike in time.
