How to turn sharpish corners?

[thirdway]

Originally Posted by Machine

They don't really need any more power, they're barking mad with just the original 40/45ish bhp (and were bulletproof reliable in two stroke context). Flat out they only do about 105mph, but that's not what they're about. Stick it on a twisty B road, ride it like you stole it and you'll be grinning from ear to ear. I was thinking of a Stan Stephens wide spread tune for some extra lunacy though...

Yes, I wasn't thinking of more power. The TSS kit seems like it manages to get through the emissions tests, it could be retuned for more torque, less power and better fuel consumption while still remaining light.

[Machine]

It's about time we told the tree huggers to f**k off. Two stroke fumes are cool, lol.

[Serial675bpurchaser]

Now that is a nice TDR, what have you done to it now? Got any pics?

[Machine]

Originally Posted by Serial675bpurchaser

Now that is a nice TDR, what have you done to it now? Got any pics?

Stripped to the last nut and bolt. Pretty much everything powdercoated (mostly in candy magenta over silver, with satin black crankcases, heads and barrels and metallic black engine side covers). I have receipts for a little over a thousand quid of powdercoat (Triple S in Bingley - one of the best coaters in teh country, but expensive). Engine had a complete rebuild in standard tune, original bores and pistons (it only had a little under 6000 miles on, but I wanted it powdercoated). Most fasteners replaced with stainless steel (including some tasty machined stainless disc bolts), any special ones that can't be substituted for stainless (crankcase bolts, for example) were replated. Tank resprayed (the TDR. logo is a decal, but the outline is airbrushed, to match the magenta powdercoat). It looks like this these days:











Tarty bits you can't see in the pics that are waiting to go on are the TZR wheels (powdercoated in same candy magenta), front Braking wavy disc, DEP silencers, new battery, chain & sprocket kit and various powdercoated bits (footrests, stand, brake/gear lever etc). It's been in storage for years, but I'd really like to finish it sometime. Shopping list to finish it includes repainting the original panels (and locating an RGV250 front mudguard), recovering the seat (I think yellow might clash a bit, lol), new tyres, calipers will need stripping and powdercoating (and probably new seals and pistons by now), new braided lines, swap the OE bars for some black Renthal Streetfighter bars, maybe a Nitron shock, some decent LED indicators, and no doubt some other stuff I can't think off off the top of my head. Forks need stripping to powdercoat the lowers (or polish them), new oil and seals. Expansion chambers need some attention (a little welding where they slot into the silencers and stripping / repainting).  I looked at Lomas pipes, but from what I hear they make the delivery more top endy, which isn't what a TDR is about. I fancy ditching the (freshly powdercaoted) TZR wheels and having the OE hubs laced onto some wider black anodised SM Pro rims with stainless spokes, to take wider, more modern radial rubber, but that would be expensive.

It's had a lot spent on it, and a lot of work done, but there's still a fair way to go (and a fair bit to spend) to finish it properly.

[alexfe]

Nice 

[Serial675bpurchaser]

Thanks for that mate, I look forward to seeing it finished (one day), looks like you've got a lot on your plate still!

[Red]

Nice bike,   
 
Even the candy magenta looks like imperial purple which will please some members on here. 
 
Personally I prefered the first photo, but it would be nice to reserve judgement when its finished. Hope you get to ride ot lots. I used to like my DT400, always used to whisker a plug, so just swap to the otehr one.
 
Now GPF, have you taken all this in on that cornering, just get to teh carpark or have a Morning with Team Red.

[Machine]

Originally Posted by Serial675bpurchaser

Thanks for that mate, I look forward to seeing it finished (one day), looks like you've got a lot on your plate still!

Cheers. There's other things on the list before the TDR though, first one being getting my Speed Triple back in one piece and sold. The TDR last turned a wheel in 1996.

[Machine]

Originally Posted by Red

Nice bike,   
 
Even the candy magenta looks like imperial purple which will please some members on here. 
 
Personally I prefered the first photo, but it would be nice to reserve judgement when its finished. Hope you get to ride ot lots.

The colour's nothing like imperial purple (or any purple), closer to Nuclear Red (but darker). The pics don't show it very well, or do it jsutice. It's a gorgeous colour (if not exactly subtle, lol), and the quality of the coating is second to none (as it shoud be for what he charges, lol).

TBH, even if/when i do finish it I may just leave it dry and never ride it. If it does get ridden it'll only ever be short rides on perfect sunny summer days. It used to get ridden hard (only way to ride them, they're a hooligan tool), but if I ever finish it it'll never get ridden in anger again, just the occasional trip out to show it off at Devils Bridge, Squires, Sun Inn or wherever. Bit sad to traet it like that, given that it's arguably the most naughty bike ever to come out of Japan, but it's just too irreplaceable to risk chucking it down the road now. It's never for sale, someone would have to offer me more than I've got in it (currently five grand or so) for me to even consider selling it, even if I sold all my other bikes.

Just remembered something else for the list. I need to find an alternative master cylinder and clutch lever perch that'l enable me to put some sexy black Titax levers on instead of the cheap sloppy OE ones. Seen a couple with Cagiva Mito Evo sheels in that look good too...

[greypianosflying]

Thanks for all the advice. (and the cool pics)

Yup carpark time it is!  Bloody weather.

Used to hit full lock regularly when practising for my DAS on a Honda CBF600n (love that bike).  Hit it quite frequently when turning left on the STR as I have to do a uturn to park at work.  Strangely, I rarely hit the stops turning right as I learned to lean off the bike when turning right for the DAS (was the only way I could do a uturn when I first learnt).   Need to practice (and get some engine covers cause I will drop it eventually).

I do find full lock uturns very challenging.  I guess it limits the adjustments you can make.  Need to force myself to not drop the throttle when things go wrong and use the rear brake to adjust the speed instead of the clutch. 

I'm actually a worse rider on the STR because I'm always afraid of damaging it!  Never had that fear when doing my training, and the instructor was an ex racer so was always pushing me to lean the bike.   Great times.  (Except for the time when the throttle got stuck open!)

For some reason I find the STR easier to ride when your a bit aggressive with it.  If I'm hesitant or unsure then the bike is definitely a lot harder to turn in.

Had to do some spirited stops lately due to some numpties stopping at random.  (Why do that?)  I'm quite impressed how fast the bike stops in a straight line.  But I need to definitely do some emergency stops in a carpark as well.

Can't wait for the weather to get better - lots of learning to do this year!

[Red]

I agree, the fear of damaging a new expensive bike does mean a certain amount or reluctance to go that bit further. I am the same with my XC off road, I know its will be better if I loosen up and go a bit faster, but it does not always work that way.
 
Dont bother with the emergency stops in teh carpark, find a quiet road and check behind you all teh time. Thanks for the reminder of emergency stops 
 
Righthand turns become more difficult due to what may be your dominant eye and also you have the throttle to operate to which if you bend your arm would open the throttle if you just let it do its thing, so extra techniques for your brain to work out.
 
We will do a Team Red IAM ride day when teh weather improves and pop up nearer to you.

[greypianosflying]

Throttle control is something I do need to work on.  The engine revs change during slow manoeuvres depending on how far I've turned the bars.

When i do XC riding (on a bicycle) some downhill sections are definitely easier if you go a bit faster and let the bike flow.  It's always the fear of falling off which normally causes my accidents.  On the rare occasions I've been able to override my terror and let off the brakes the bike has shot over the bumpy stuff and regained stability. 

Looking forward to an IAM style ride.  I've been reading the rider training book that Baldino kindly leant me. 

[Red]

Not sure about revs changing when you move the bars. This should not happen if you move teh bars side to side on full lock to full lock. But when riding shorter arms can cause you to move teh throttle, the same with wider bars.
 
The rest as you say................and relax, relax relax

[greypianosflying]

It's not the bike.  I physically roll the throttle a tiny amount when turning the bars over large angles.  Drove my instructor mad. 

[Red]

I know what you mean, drop the right shoulder or elbow and the wrist opens the throttle a bit. Once you know you are doing it and why it then easier to forget and carry on.