would like to take my bike to the strip

[biker_guy]

I saw some other drag strip threads here so I hope this is the right place.

I have an 82 gs850gl it's no 1100 or even an E but it's the fastest thing I've ever owned. And I like going do the strip cause it's leagal I've even taken my 4 banger s10. Is there a trick to taking off as fast as I can without flipping the bike on me? Any starting point for a shift point? I do have a vapor trail digital tach so I could set shift points. I don't plan on acutally competing just going to a test and tune night to see what I can do on my bike. I've read that stright out of the box it's supposed to do high 12's. But even if that is true it's almost 30 yrs later. The last question any gear I would need for them to let me run? I have gloves, snell helmet, textile and a mesh armored jacket. Just wondering if I would have to have armored pants or anything.

[chef1366]

You might do 13s. Rev to around 5 grand and feather the clutch. Shift at red-line. I wouldn't worry about flipping an 850.
You will get away with jeans if your bike is under 120mph(?) You will need a modern helmet, jacket and gloves.
Have fun and hopefully your clutch won't explode.

[terrylee2u]

Isn't an 82 850 L a shaftie like mine is? and if so you might want to replace the splines to the one made with harder metal as I was told those are pretty soft and tend to self destruct? Am I correct on this one? Anyone?

[Big T]

Isn't an 82 850 L a shaftie like mine is? and if so you might want to replace the splines to the one made with harder metal as I was told those are pretty soft and tend to self destruct? Am I correct on this one? Anyone?

You are correct

Also, you need to check with the racing assn or the dragstrip to see what gear they require

[biker_guy]

Yeah I'm going to give them a call today I finally found the number to the track after posting.

It is a shafty. I'm still catching up with some of the stuff one of the POs did. When I put a new rear tire on it I was shocked to find the splines looking almost brand new. And that the last person to take off the tire either cleaned out the grease or didn't put anymore in there cause it was clean and bone dry. Anyway...it's greased properly now, but would that also mean I already have a harder one? Because I think I remember people posting that 82 was they only year they made the splines like that. And if it's that new looking wouldn't it have to come from a different year? Either way with it that new I think just a few times down the track won't hurt.

Although I think I'm going to push the date back for when I go. The clutches are with in tolorance but the last time I went to the track an 07 vette was there and oh did it sound awesome. He blew his clutch and man was it loud. Well he didn't trailer it in. And this was like 1am so I don't know how he got back home.

[twr1776]

Do you remember what color your splines were? The gold color ones are the softer type generally found on 82/83 and late 81's. The black color are the early ones (81 & earlier) which are supposed to be the hardest. The silver color ones are the replacement splines which are also supposed to be very good. I would go with Chefs recommendation on feathering the clutch on launch to lessen the force on the spline. There is a strip by me I have thought about going to for the heck of it and it is a pretty casual type place. If they would let you maybe start slightly back and roll though the start. The splines should hold up for a few runs but were not designed for full power launching. My local dealerships service manager has been there since our bikes were new and he could always tell when guys were doing burnouts with shafties because they would show back up at the dealership within a month or two with an almost new bike, stripped splines, and burned off rear tire.

[Tom MLC]

A few of us have had some fun on a Dyno-Drag. Here's a picture of RenoBruce & me on a skunk shootout. He smoked me, bad! I think turning his headlight off made the difference!



Here's a vid of Bruce in a heads up with his GS1150 up against a modified V-rod. Bruce is Da King of Da Drags!



This an an annual attraction at Street Vibrations in Reno. Mostly a Harley gig, of course. If you google dyno drags you may find one in your area. It was lots of fun. Almost like getting some real track time.

[biker_guy]

Tom: yeah I saw those videos that looked cool! Do they strap down the front of your bike or just keep it straight by that part on your front tire?


twr1776: I remember very clear for some reason they are gold.

I was doing some searching about dragging a bike and a lot of people recommend for a beginner to just take off as if at a stop light. So it won't be the max the bike can do but I'll see my time, get to go fast, and have a bike to ride back on.

Oh and I'm not going to do a burn out either. That was something else they said wait till you get better. If I practice some place else maybe but now that I'm not 16 anymore I think too much about how much that little pile of rubber cost when you get done. And from what I'm finding out how much the clutch cost and the rear splines. Besides the point of that is to make your tires sticky so they won't slip right? So would I really need to worry about slippage on this bike?

so if I took off w/o doing a burnout and without a 5 grand stall so you think I'd be trashing my bike that bad? I know it's not the greatest thing for any motor really but it is fun.

[rosco15]

I agree, leave like your taking off from a stop light, get it out a bit, and the pin it. Then start leaving a bit harder every time. Remember on the street if you pop the clutch it will probably just spin the tire. At the track it will stand it straight up because of the glue and rubber on the track surface.