Goin to the dragstrip

Taking my 1980 KZ1000 LTD to our local drag way. I have progressive rear shocks, what would be a better setting for launching, softer or stiffer?

Softer. It will let the suspension "squat" and give the tire time to plant and grab the track before all that abusive power starts trying to rip the track apart! LOL Seriously...put the shocks on the soft side for the above reason. You can use struts with a slick because the slicks sidewall will flex and allow tire to grab the track where the street tire sidewall is too stiff for this to happen. I've done it both ways and it does help to set up soft. Just have to try different settings to see if it helps or not. Depending on the tire you are using, you will need to lower tire pressure also. I found about 15 psi works with my tires. New sport bike tires get by with more pressure but they are completely different animals. It's a trial and error deal. Mainly, be safe and race within your capabilites. Don't worry about what anyone else is doing or running. Everybody has different skill levels, riding abilities and equipment. Race your race! Most of all, have fun. Let us know how you did. Keep track of what tire pressure you use, shock setting, and whatever else you think of so you will know what works and what doesn't next time. Yes...once you do it, there will be a next time!

what he said! leave the frontend in stock location if youre taking it to the track with the rear end squated down a little it will add a little more rake to frontend to help stability at topend of track

Sweet! Thanks guys, I figured it was the same as cars, you want good weight transfer... Ill let everyone know how it goes and hopefully post some vids up!

good luck....but I will tell you now...its a friggin' sickness...it will turn you into a broke ,divorced,demon rebel gear head extrordinaire....and thats just for starters....just wait till it all goes right and you make a really good pass!
then you start talking about running a 9...then an 8... and ah well I'm sure you get the picture.
welcome to the club

I see a few guys have been there before!:laugh:

just got back....twisted the crank on the nitrous bike....$$....but what the hell else we gonna spend our money on?

Never been to the strip before but hell....

KICK SOME HARLEY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
and be safe!

irishwill wrote:

good luck....but I will tell you now...its a friggin' sickness...it will turn you into a broke ,divorced,demon rebel gear head extrordinaire....and thats just for starters....just wait till it all goes right and you make a really good pass!
then you start talking about running a 9...then an 8... and ah well I'm sure you get the picture.
welcome to the club

lol, no, really??

Since we are on the subject, I would really like to see what my 1000 can do too, but am paranoid of the fuzz so plan on going to the track as well. As I have never been I have some other newb questions, very newb questions.

With a RWD car doing a burn out is easy, how on a bike would I burnout...do you just hold the brake and adjust gas with your thumb?

Also, my bike redlines at 8500, would I just go through the gears revving up to 8000 for each, or would I skip out of first early like at maybe 7000, or is this something that I will find from experience.

On your burnout question- roll around the water box so as to keep the front tire dry,put the rear tire into the water and give it a short hit of gas.Pull forward out of the wettest part of the water box,pull on the front brake and roll/snap the throttle open. It's harder than it sounds and can be intimidating for newcomers but you'll quickly find out it's not really that tough.. As soon as you see smoke,let the brake off and ease out of the throttle taking care not jump on the front brake - good way to wash out and spoil your day ! Most street bikes just need a short burnout to clean/heat the tire - after that you're impressing the crowd and wasting rubber imho.

Go to your local track on a test/tune night where there is no real racing and no pressure.Most of the bike guys are very approachable and willing to help a "newbe"- don't be afraid to ask questions. We all had to start somewhere,although I will agree the addiction is deadly - started out going to grudge nights in 1974 on my Z1 streetbike, have raced since 1979 and now crew on a world class TF bike. Ya, Im hooked...

If you got a Wife,Thats where it will go.