Info on Racing an SR500

A few racers on here
but not a specific thread as such because its so varied - depends on what you want, budget etc etc

So all the good infor is in its sections - motor, brakes etc etc.

I guess you need to get an overall idea of what bits and pieces you want and read up there

cafreracercarl, stewross, wizz, solo2racr, curly001, all these guys have experience among others - reading their posts might help

Sure! I'm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Not sure how this will help. Any racing info, opinions would be appreciated.

This may sound ridiculous but I'm trying to decide between using an SR500 or an R1. I'm sure there's lots of trade offs with both bikes for track days/club racing.

Thanks, doug

Solo, thanks for the reply. I understand about the location issue. Here we have two tracks, Sandia and Deming (~250 miles away). What I'm looking for is insight into whether the SR500 would be good for racing. I don't want to spend a bunch of money prepping a bike that will be underwhelming and impossible to sell.

However, I do appreciate what you have said. The SR is cheap to buy (<1500). Parts are not unreasonable and I suppose tires won't be as big an issue. BTW I went over your list of posts and found some of the parts suppliers you recommend, just so I could get an idea for what it will cost.

My biggest fear is to be the only low HP bike out there and watching everyone else's dust all the time. Of course that depends on who will be out there. At least the SR would make it a lot easier to get involved.

Thanks for all the replies,
Doug

Solo, you seem to understand the situation. In about 2 hours I have an appointment to look at the SR that I will probably buy. Your last post makes good sense.

Of course I will buy most of my parts from suppliers, which makes good sense. But I also want to build my own. For example an aluminum gas tank. The Storz XR750 replica tank on my sportster is hand made aluminum. I think I could do something similar for the SR.

AirTech makes vintage racing fairings and I'll probably pick one up. I can build my own mounts and paint the fairing too.

I have a neighbor that has been a car and motorcycle fabricator >15 years. I know he will be helpful which also means that a frame maybe somewhere in the future.

All of this is more possible with the older, cheaper, lighter and less complex bike. I'm sure it could be fun. If this all happens I'll keep the list posted.

Thanks, Doug

Where would you buy 17" modern mag wheels? Sorry about the ignorance....

Building a tank or frame would be rewarding, and it would let you play with ideas. Having fun with the SR is the only reason to buy it.

Also, seller won't let me have the bike till Monday. It's going to be tough taking it apart because it is in mint condition. Been sitting since 2001.

That's a sweet lookin ride!!!

If you are going to race a SR500 (or modified XT/TT500) I would sugest that you have a go at one of the vintage/classic classes. The two main reasons for this being, that a 500 Yamaha can be reasonable competitive in this class of racing (on the right type of track), and secondly, the majority of people who ride in these events/classes arn't "win-at-all-cost, I-would- rather-force-you-off-the-track-than-let-you pass-me" riders. The people involved are also generally more helpful and suportive of new riders than most other classes of racing.

Since the eligibility rules for vintage/classic racing vary from one organisation to another, I would also sugest that you contact which ever organisation you wish to ride with, and get a copy of their rules and read them until you really understand what they mean before modifying your bike.. It also helps to talk to other people both officials and other racers to find out what is and isn't allowed as far as mofifications and eligibility requirements as some time the rules as written can be a bit vague.

Pictured below is my 1978 SR500E Salt Racer.

i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/coljay/saltracer8x6.jpg

This bike was built mainly to run in DLRA speed trials, but was also constructed to meet the eligibility requirements of Motorcycling Australia's Class 5 Post Classic racing.

It is a bit of an extreme example of trying to build a bike to fit into two types of racing, as classic road racing classes normally have fairly strict elegibility restrictions on what modifications you can carry out to you engine and cycle parts, and the DLRA rule are pretty much anything goes as far as performance modifications are concerned, as long as the bike meets far more strict safety requirements. To meet the requirements for both organisations meant making a few compromises, e.g. the chain guard rules are different, with the DLRA rules requiring more extensive guarding of the rear chain, so that what is fitted and it is way more than MA requires. Also the engine is fitted with a 38mm VM Mikuni, as a 39mm Kehin FCR carbie, which would give far more power for the speed trials is not eligible for Post Classic Class 5 racing as it is not "OF THE PERIOD" (it is also far more expensive than I can afford). There are at least another dozen or more of these types of compomise between the requirements of one organisation and those of the other, but I choose to make a bike to fit both classes, so I live with my choices.

But, get out there, descide where you want too race, and build up a SR to meet what ever rules you have to follow, and HAVE FUN, because that what racing SR's is all about.

CJ