Maintenance

[1-600-matt]

So I have done 13 days on track this year, not a huge amount.
I think I maintain the bike well but the last day out in Aragon the brake master cyl came lose on my last session. My mate just checked over his zx6 and found sprocket carrier nuts and rearsets coming lose. Seems periodic maintenance may need to be reviewed.

Any racers or regular trackday riders got any advice on their bike maintenance ?

[Alzo]

Regular maintenance is different from safety checks...and given your recent experience it tells you every nut and bolt needs checking before and after every track day...it really is that simple.

[Carbon_ZX6R]

Loctite is your friend , obviously it cant be used on every bolt , but it sure can help

[David W]

Bear in mind the finger in the air measure is that one trackday is worth 1000 road miles.
I'm a bit of an obsessive so tend to check all the major stuff regularly.

[7550]

And use a torque wrench if you are not sure of your mechanical skills. You should use one for caliper bolts, axles etc. anyway.

[Millhouse]

Sounds like a death trap! You need a new one!!

[1-600-matt]

I normally use a torque wrench, specially for engine or suspension components.

Checking everything every trackday just isn't practical. I have done 13 days this year and have only had one item come lose. So although that's bad enough I can't strip the bike after every day and I doubt anyone does that... Maybe race teams! I obviously need to do a bit more though.

[Alzo]

Nobody suggested stripping...visual and tactile checks on all components...making sure bolts are torqued up properly...how intense you do it comes down to how much you value your safety...things can still break...but if carry out a vigorous safety check before and after each trackday you can minimise the risk of failure.

[mc101]

So I have done 13 days on track this year, not a huge amount.
I think I maintain the bike well but the last day out in Aragon the brake master cyl came lose on my last session. My mate just checked over his zx6 and found sprocket carrier nuts and rearsets coming lose. Seems periodic maintenance may need to be reviewed.

Any racers or regular trackday riders got any advice on their bike maintenance ?

Fastener check every session (every session!)

Oil and Filter every day on track.

Clutch pack check every 3 race starts.

You've NO excuse for things falling off into the path of following riders....

Been on trackdays twice there year when someones sump plug has fallen out !

[LewisBeGoog]

Sump plugs fell out!!!! :-o

[Dom1]

I was on a trackday once where someone's rear spindle didn't even have a nut on it.

[Millhouse]

I was on a trackday once where someone's rear spindle didn't even have a nut on it.

And another where someone had fitted their front wheel the wrong way around!!


And several where most of the fairing was gaffer tape....

[Jonesy]

What about lockwiring the major bolts / nuts?

or at least painting them with a line across them (ala PDI check) to the part which they are attached?

[1-600-matt]

So I have done 13 days on track this year, not a huge amount.
I think I maintain the bike well but the last day out in Aragon the brake master cyl came lose on my last session. My mate just checked over his zx6 and found sprocket carrier nuts and rearsets coming lose. Seems periodic maintenance may need to be reviewed.

Any racers or regular trackday riders got any advice on their bike maintenance ?

Fastener check every session

What's on the list for the fastener check?

[1-600-matt]

I was on a trackday once where someone's rear spindle didn't even have a nut on it.

I was on a CSS day when a guy borrowed a 32mm socket off me to torque up his rear wheel spindle. After he did the wheel locked up and wouldn't turn. I went to have a look for him and the brake disc had been inserted between the brake piston and back of the pad rather than between the two pads... This had been don't at lunchtime at his previous trackday (cadwell) by the tyre guys. The only way he had done the afternoon was because they left the wheel nut lose to allow the wheel to turn. The brake calliper had all the paint boiled off cos it had got so
hot!!