Work has begun on the dedicated Track Bike

[TripleThreat]

A few of you know that I recently purchased a salvage title '06 675 to go along with my '06 Graphite that has been pulling double duty as a Street Bike and Track Bike. The salvage bike will become my dedicated track bike.

I was getting tired of doing the track plastics dance every time I went to the track and then repeating it when I got home. That's 2 hours of my life that I can give back to my wife and kids every track weekend. That should make the wife a little happier!

Anyway, I've started the process of getting the new steed ready for track only duty...

I installed the following on Saturday...

Yoyodyne Fairing Stay and
WoodCraft Engine Covers

I've got a Lightech Keyless Gas Cap ready for the Track Tank as soon as it is repaired from my lowside last season. It's close to being done and then it will just need repainted. I'm also repairing the tank that came on the salvage bike when I bought it and it will be painted to match the track plastics as well. I'll end up with two tanks for the track bike complete with fuel pumps. One with the Keyless Gas Cap and the other with just the standard issue Triumph cap.

I'll also be ordering another set of Pazzo Shorty Levers, Woodcraft Clip-ons and Woodcraft Rearsets in GP Shift. I already have all of those items on my current 675 and since they are so related to feel on the bike, I will duplicate them on both bikes. Hopefully that will help me not get confused with the GP shift pattern as well. I may end up deciding to just go back to stock clip-ons on the street bike, but the levers will definitely have to be upgraded to the Pazzos.

I also ordered a Speed Triple Throttle Tube to install as well - This effectively shortens the throw on the throttle turning it into a quick turn for only about $12 - Including a new grip. I've already performed this mod on my Graphite bike and if you track yours, this is a must do mod!

I'll most likely move the Matris Steering Damper on to the Track Bike and put the stock damper assembly back on the Graphite. The Matris Damper made it difficult to use my Triumph Tank Bag on longer trips, so going back to stock on the street bike should help with that.

I'll be pulling the front forks and will send them off to Dave Moss for re-valving and to have the bump stops machined down from the standard 17mm to 5mm. This will allow more front end travel, but will still allow for no interference with the fork internals. I'll follow that up with a new rear shock - Possibly an Elka Triple Clicker with Hydraulic Preload.

Once it all starts coming together I'll post some pics... Right now it is bare naked with the airbox removed and it's up on stands looking pretty pathetic. Hopefully everything will start taking shape in the next few weeks.

The only positive thing about living in Indiana in the winter is the fact that you don't have to rush through modifications as it's too cold to ride anyway!

TripleThreat

[Will]

Good news, Jeff! I spend the day today repainting the Gixxer's plastic. It is nowhere near as exciting as putting together a 675 for the track, but it is what I've got!

Pictures?

Here are some of the Gixxer to date. Mind, now, it looks a whole lot better in pictures than it does in reality! I have a lot of work yet to do to make it look as good in the daylight. There is plenty of crash damage that will be easily visible, but I just painted over it. It isn't a problem, but other places the paint got all saggy and screwed up, so I have to fix it. Rash is fine. Bad workmanship isn't!

[TripleThreat]

Lookin good Will - I know what you mean about the workmanship thing - I tend to be a little anal about stuff. Probably not the best trait to have when it comes to track day riding.

Being anal about the mechanicals is a good thing, but being concerned about appearance of things is probably a little over the top!

Hopefully I can post up some pics in a week or so.

Jeff

[Will]

I can be a bit fussy now, since it is February. Come March when the season starts, I probably will only care if the bike doesn't run!

My brother off handedly mentioned that the paint made it look like I was a Rams fan or maybe UCLA or Cal Bears. Ouch! So I added the little bit of red to solve the problem. One thing I have discovered is Gixxers have no natural lines to follow with paint. There are a lot of details, but the design isn't coherent like a 675. You can't find a place to pick up from once you decide to use a shape on the bodywork to make a color change. Working on this bike has given me a whole new appreciation for our Triumphs. Another thing I am discovering is the countersprocket cover has the clutch cable running through it and I don't know what all else. It isn't just a matter of pulling a plastic part and changing the countersprocket.

This Gixxer has a fancy Giles chain adjuster setup, but otherwise it would be just like a Triumph, except it uses a castle nut instead of a locking nut for the rear axle. Another difference is the fuel injection. There are two sets of flappers for a Gixxer. My bike has one for low end disabled, since it broke and you never use low revs on the track if you are riding a four anyway. It freaked me out a little today after I put the tank back on and test fired the bike. The injection trouble light went on, and it took me a while to remember why. It is a more complex bike than a Triumph, although I expect it will turn out to be a hair slower.

[Goosey1812]

Hey triple treat, i'm also starting to do up a 675 for a track bike. Over here in West Aust not to many 675's to choose from but managed to find an red 2007 with only 2400km's on it, thats about 1500 miles so only just run in. It's still road licenced so I can still ride it around for a while as it will take about 6 weeks to sort some race fairings for it. I have a 2006 speed triple that I have been using at the track but suffered a low side just before christmas. I had been contemplating getting a track bike and the low side on the triple sealed the deal,so thats a positive to come from a negative. About $2000 damage to the triple so not to bad. Interesting comment about the speed triple throttle, I will have to check that one out and see the difference but you say that it makes it a quicker action?

Anyway I will keep looking for your updates to see how things are going for you, I may have to look over tot he USA for some parts as prices here for accessories are through the roof. Easier with E-bay so we can now skip the local dealers and there markups!

Best of luck with the project

[Brooksie]

Looking forward to following the progress, Triple. I don't think you can be too "anal" when setting up a race bike. There's alot on the line when you go out there and it's usually the little things that leave you in the pits. Also, keep us posted when you're going to tracks. It'd be good to ride out and see you in action and learn some things.

[TripleThreat]

Goosey1812,

Yes, the throttle tube assembly from a 1050 Speed Triple shortens the throw on the 675 throttle and in effect turns the throttle into a quick action one. It's a great mod - the throw on the 675 throttle is excessively long in my opinion. I also removed all free play (normally about 2mm to 3mm stock) in the throttle when I did this install. It makes the transition from off throttle to on throttle less abrupt, more predictable and contollable on the track.

TripleThreat

[Will]

Another trick is to cut a piece of zip tie the right width and glue it into the groove for the throttle cable. It increases the diameter of the tub, shortening the throw. Cheap and effective.