AMA amateur road racing

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have read many posts about forum members upgrading their GS's for dragracing, which is not really my thing. So I was wondering if an '82 GS1100E could be modified to be competitive with newer models for amateur road racing. Of course, I mean while maintaining at least the engine and frame, but also as much of the rest of the bike as possible.

Thanks,

Billy Miles

[Billy Ricks]

Most regional racing associations have classes for just about anything you want to run. Your best bet would be the vintage classes.

[Anonymous]

So I was wondering if an '82 GS1100E could be modified to be competitive with newer models for amateur road racing.

Not easily. The GS is at the end of the development line of big, heavy air-cooled engines and big, heavy twin shock chassis. Is there a common thread developing here? It is not a 600 (the best track bikes going), and it is big and heavy, with wimpy brakes and skinny tires.

Check with your local roadracing group, ours has a couple of semi-vintage classes that allow older (but not vintage) machines track time. You will not blow many people away with a big GS, but properly modified it can be a decent handling machine that is a ton of fun to ride. As a minimum, you would want to rebuild your forks with new springs and race tech cartridge emulators, new shocks (the higher end, the better), new bushings for the swing arm pivot, new steering head bearings, upgraded brakes, etc. Lots of power is available (easily 130+rwhp), but getting it down to the ground and keeping the wheels in line are the big problems.

Remember, no matter what you are riding, track time is the most fun you can have. Prep the bike well (remember that your life or somone else's may depend on the quality of your preparation), respect its limits and have FUN!


Mark

[Paul]

See if you can find any posts by Craig Smith. He races a GS1000 very succesfully in New Zealand.

[moto_dan]

Re: AMA amateur road racing

Hello,

I have read many posts about forum members upgrading their GS's for dragracing, which is not really my thing. So I was wondering if an '82 GS1100E could be modified to be competitive with newer models for amateur road racing. Of course, I mean while maintaining at least the engine and frame, but also as much of the rest of the bike as possible.

Thanks,

Billy Miles

Truthfully, nothing, even with unlimited funds, but as was stated many organizations have vintage, classic or clubman type classes that accomodate our older machines. The closest RR association to your area Oklahoma City would probably be the CMRA. We have recently gone independent again and the classes have been redefined with several classes for older bikes. Check out http://www.cmraracing.com for more details.