Joined Apr 2012
1K Posts | 515+
NW Arkansas, USA
Actually, this should probably be titled The Converted and the Conversion since I had to be converted to the thought of a track-only Panigale before converting the bike.
This is a chronicle of my journey as I take my bike off the road and convert it into a “track bike.”
How did I get here?
First, some background…
I can read a shop manual, follow instruction and I have most all of the tools I need for most jobs; but I am no “mechanic.” Similarly, I ride well; but I am no expert. Nonetheless, what I have enjoyed most over the last few years is developing a better understanding of my bike and riding by exploring how things work – if you will, the mechanics of it all. Both by doing my own maintenance as well as by signing up for some professional instruction at a California track school back in 2010 and again in 2012.
But what really set me on to the idea of converting my 2012 1199S to a track bike was the discovery of “my local track” a couple of years ago. Track Information - Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
I had heard about the track for a few years, mostly from its reputation of having a surface that was horribly overdue for repaving. I should have checked it out for myself; but the reputation and not having anyone to go with was enough to keep me away. Too bad; my loss because I probably would have had fun regardless.
But then everything changed. Word spread that the track had been resurfaced in the spring and then one day in June a riding buddy proposed an adventure.
“I am going to the track next month for a track day. Want to come?”
He had been there before. He knew where it was and he would drive. I was in.
I had a blast and couldn’t wait to do it again. It was already mid-season but I was able to get seven track days in that year. I ran Dunlop Q3s and a stock bike other than removing the mirrors and taping up the lights.
Winter 2014/15
That winter I plotted and schemed of how I would improve the bike for the track. First order of business was re-gearing to suit the technical 10-turn 1.8-mile track. Stock, I was lucky to get the bike into third along the two short straights and corner 2 was probably best taken in the revs somewhere between first and second gear.
I decided to go up three teeth on the rear sprocket and while I was at it, went to a 520 set-up with an aluminum sprocket-carrier and rear sprocket – knocking about three pounds of rotating mass of the final drive-train. (Don't forget to safety-wire the front sprocket; highly recommended even for a road bike.)
http://ducati1299.com/mechanical-te...ve-oem-rear-sprocket-hub-flange-assembly.html
Coincidentally that Christmas, my parents – who had discovered motorcycling in their early sixties after I started riding again in 2008 – bought me some Chicken-Hawk tire warmers! Chicken Hawk Racing Pole Position Tire Warmers - Sportbike Track Gear Apparently, after I sent them some of my track pics, they decided I need them “for safety.” OK; I’ll buy that.
I started to make a mental list. Tire warmers meant that I needed a front stand to compliment the rear one, and of course, eventually, some slicks. But the track-only tires were a bit of a commitment – either to running a parallel set of wheels and tires, buying a tire-changer, or forking out cash every time I wanted to go from road to track to road again. Also, I could continue to borrow trailers; but, eventually, I would need to buy my own.
I bought the front stand, some tools and started to drill bolts and safety-wire the bike. Safety Wire: Stainless Steel, Inconel, and Monel Lock wire for Aircrafts Hell; why not? It was winter out there and I wanted to spend some time out in the garage with my bike… thinking and plotting about the next track day.
The 2015 Track Season – The Converted
March and April were as expected; low 40s in the morning topping out in the low 60s. I still was not sure about committing my bike to the track for the season or buying another pair of wheels to run a parallel set of street tires, so I ran the first few track days on the Q3s, using the tire warmers to advantage on those cold mornings even without the slicks.
Through most of April and May, other than one weekend all of my road-riding was done on my Speed Triple and the Ducati stayed in the garage, only to come out for a couple of track days each month. I wanted to see if I would be content only riding my Triumph on the road and relegating my superbike to a couple track days a month.
June came and, having only ripped the tape of the lights for one day of road-riding in the last couple of months, the Pirelli Superbike slicks went on.
I found a few seconds at the track and things just got better the more I rode. (Thanks again to Leon for the insight on tire-pressures and everyone else for their help.)
http://ducati1299.com/mechanical-technical/20395-track-day-riders-tire-warmers-what-rubber-use.html
Camping every track weekend each month definitely added to the addiction. I met a good bunch of guys, developed some friendships and generally fell into the whole community of the track and everything that goes along with it. Mid-summer, I found an old Kendon-trailer, bought it for $1,000 and put another $500 into it for tires, safety chains, paint, etc. https://www.kendonusa.com/product/dual-ride-up-srl-folding-motorcycle-trailer/
By the end of October I had put in 16 track days and by November I decided that in 2016 I would truly commit the bike to the track. Sole purpose. I was converted, the next thing to do was to convert the bike.
Besides, I was lucky so far. After all, crashing a Panigale would be expensive, and I had already had a low-side in the rain. Luckily it was not on my bike and the 390 Duke was repaired at a reasonable cost with new OEM parts.
And so the list of parts began. I decided I should probably make the “investment” in some track body work – “much cheaper to prepare than replace all of that OEM plastic, etc.” At least in theory… until I realized that I just couldn't go with a rattle-can paint job; it had to be as good looking as the bike.
After the last track day, I made arrangements with a painter, bought some track body work and sent them directly to the paint shop with a sketch of what I was looking for and a desired delivery date of early February. Custom Motorcycle Paint | Connecticut Cycle Refinishing
This is a chronicle of my journey as I take my bike off the road and convert it into a “track bike.”
How did I get here?
First, some background…
I can read a shop manual, follow instruction and I have most all of the tools I need for most jobs; but I am no “mechanic.” Similarly, I ride well; but I am no expert. Nonetheless, what I have enjoyed most over the last few years is developing a better understanding of my bike and riding by exploring how things work – if you will, the mechanics of it all. Both by doing my own maintenance as well as by signing up for some professional instruction at a California track school back in 2010 and again in 2012.
But what really set me on to the idea of converting my 2012 1199S to a track bike was the discovery of “my local track” a couple of years ago. Track Information - Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
I had heard about the track for a few years, mostly from its reputation of having a surface that was horribly overdue for repaving. I should have checked it out for myself; but the reputation and not having anyone to go with was enough to keep me away. Too bad; my loss because I probably would have had fun regardless.
But then everything changed. Word spread that the track had been resurfaced in the spring and then one day in June a riding buddy proposed an adventure.
“I am going to the track next month for a track day. Want to come?”
He had been there before. He knew where it was and he would drive. I was in.
I had a blast and couldn’t wait to do it again. It was already mid-season but I was able to get seven track days in that year. I ran Dunlop Q3s and a stock bike other than removing the mirrors and taping up the lights.
Winter 2014/15
That winter I plotted and schemed of how I would improve the bike for the track. First order of business was re-gearing to suit the technical 10-turn 1.8-mile track. Stock, I was lucky to get the bike into third along the two short straights and corner 2 was probably best taken in the revs somewhere between first and second gear.
I decided to go up three teeth on the rear sprocket and while I was at it, went to a 520 set-up with an aluminum sprocket-carrier and rear sprocket – knocking about three pounds of rotating mass of the final drive-train. (Don't forget to safety-wire the front sprocket; highly recommended even for a road bike.)
http://ducati1299.com/mechanical-te...ve-oem-rear-sprocket-hub-flange-assembly.html
Coincidentally that Christmas, my parents – who had discovered motorcycling in their early sixties after I started riding again in 2008 – bought me some Chicken-Hawk tire warmers! Chicken Hawk Racing Pole Position Tire Warmers - Sportbike Track Gear Apparently, after I sent them some of my track pics, they decided I need them “for safety.” OK; I’ll buy that.
I started to make a mental list. Tire warmers meant that I needed a front stand to compliment the rear one, and of course, eventually, some slicks. But the track-only tires were a bit of a commitment – either to running a parallel set of wheels and tires, buying a tire-changer, or forking out cash every time I wanted to go from road to track to road again. Also, I could continue to borrow trailers; but, eventually, I would need to buy my own.
I bought the front stand, some tools and started to drill bolts and safety-wire the bike. Safety Wire: Stainless Steel, Inconel, and Monel Lock wire for Aircrafts Hell; why not? It was winter out there and I wanted to spend some time out in the garage with my bike… thinking and plotting about the next track day.
The 2015 Track Season – The Converted
March and April were as expected; low 40s in the morning topping out in the low 60s. I still was not sure about committing my bike to the track for the season or buying another pair of wheels to run a parallel set of street tires, so I ran the first few track days on the Q3s, using the tire warmers to advantage on those cold mornings even without the slicks.
Through most of April and May, other than one weekend all of my road-riding was done on my Speed Triple and the Ducati stayed in the garage, only to come out for a couple of track days each month. I wanted to see if I would be content only riding my Triumph on the road and relegating my superbike to a couple track days a month.
June came and, having only ripped the tape of the lights for one day of road-riding in the last couple of months, the Pirelli Superbike slicks went on.
I found a few seconds at the track and things just got better the more I rode. (Thanks again to Leon for the insight on tire-pressures and everyone else for their help.)
http://ducati1299.com/mechanical-technical/20395-track-day-riders-tire-warmers-what-rubber-use.html
Camping every track weekend each month definitely added to the addiction. I met a good bunch of guys, developed some friendships and generally fell into the whole community of the track and everything that goes along with it. Mid-summer, I found an old Kendon-trailer, bought it for $1,000 and put another $500 into it for tires, safety chains, paint, etc. https://www.kendonusa.com/product/dual-ride-up-srl-folding-motorcycle-trailer/
By the end of October I had put in 16 track days and by November I decided that in 2016 I would truly commit the bike to the track. Sole purpose. I was converted, the next thing to do was to convert the bike.
Besides, I was lucky so far. After all, crashing a Panigale would be expensive, and I had already had a low-side in the rain. Luckily it was not on my bike and the 390 Duke was repaired at a reasonable cost with new OEM parts.
And so the list of parts began. I decided I should probably make the “investment” in some track body work – “much cheaper to prepare than replace all of that OEM plastic, etc.” At least in theory… until I realized that I just couldn't go with a rattle-can paint job; it had to be as good looking as the bike.
After the last track day, I made arrangements with a painter, bought some track body work and sent them directly to the paint shop with a sketch of what I was looking for and a desired delivery date of early February. Custom Motorcycle Paint | Connecticut Cycle Refinishing
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