bmart
Control Rider
After another trip home after a great time at NC Bike, I started to think about what had to be done before the next track weekend. I'm a bit of a nut with tracking things and doing only what is necessary between weekends. Here's my take. I hope that you post your comments and additions in response.
- TRACKING: The logs. THE LOGS! Everyone that knows me makes fun of me for this. I track bike maintenance, track day expenses/times/top speeds, etc. suspension work, and tire usage each in their own logs. So... I update miles, time to next oil changes, tire changes/flips, what hotels I need to book, etc. Many say that they don't want to know what all of this costs, but I do. Primarily so that I know where I can limit expenses to get more track time.
- GEAR: All of the gear get's wiped down with a wet cloth to remove grime and bugs. Boot inner soles come up to get the rubber and grit out of the boots and the vent holes in the inners. Everything gets checked for damage, wear, missing parts (I pointed out a missing helmet visor screw to someone at NC Bike...) Once it dries, it goes back in the kit (one big bag) for the next time out. All of the leathers get conditioned 3 times in the off season to keep them looking good and from getting brittle.
- EQUIPMENT: Stuff gets worn out. I have a good look at straps, bike stands, chairs, canopies (both destroyed the night after last at NC Bike), etc. to ensure that it is all ready to roll for the next time out. It is amazing the missing nuts/bolts, wear, damage you find.
- BIKES: Second only to safety gear (and really a Venn diagram with it), is the proper maintenance of the bikes themselves. Everything from fasteners (bodywork, calipers, axles, etc.) to wear and tear maintenance items (tires, oil (quality and level), chain/sprockets, brake pads and fluid, fork seals, air filters and more). This isn't a sport where a mechanical failure is free. If could hurt you or another rider. I periodically have my oil checked to determine when real end of life is. As it turns out, it isn't nearly every track day or even every track weekend!
- THANK YOU: I thank folks for coming to ride with N2. I thank my girl for all of the pre to post support and help. I consider myself fortunate to have stumbled into this sport, into becoming a coach for various orgs over the years, and for the friendships motorcycling has provided me. I hope to see you all at the next N2 event.
