@@stevebulwicki thanks Steve! I'm hoping some of these vids help make racing more approachable to people on the fence. It also helps me to unpack everything to try to boil what I learned in a weekend down to 20 minutes.
Man oh man the video started off with a bang. It was never my favorite track but I really liked the back section kinda like a roller coaster. For some reason I managed to pull out a few wins there.
@@mmotorcycles9497 hah, I was hoping someone might appreciate it. I rewatched Jackass 4 recently so it was in my head. I expected to hate the track after the first half day of the practice track day. I actually started to enjoy it despite the fact I clearly had no idea how to ride it at all. It seems super basic but it's got quite a bit of character. It's also got some bumps in strategic locations to make sure you never get too complacent. I think it'll be a while until I can join you in the Gingerman winners circle though, hah.
@@rmnanney thanks man. Yea I walked away pretty much untouched which was both lucky and awesome. And I didn't collect anyone which is the best part. "Geometry tear" was a new term for me this weekend, hah. Hopefully I'll see you out at one of the upcoming Blackhawk weekends.
Yeah having Chris behind me gave me brain fade at the end of the race. I tried to leave the door open early in the last lap in turn two thinking he would pass there and I could return the favor but I ran out of mental energy and got two downshifts instead of one in turn ten. So my shift at the apex really killed my drive and any chance of retaking first place. It was a great ride by Chris!!!
He was going to make any pass attempt into T11 mighty difficult for you on that last lap, hah. Tougher to play Parking Attendant with the wider turns at Gingerman compared to Blackhawk Farms though.
Really enjoyed the video and commentary- glad to see you’re unscathed from that lowside. I’ll be racing my 400 at Blackhawk next round so maybe i’ll see ya there 🤙🏻
I'm committing the sin of commenting after watching less than 10 seconds. That sucks. Back to watching the rest before I say more. The start around 8:20 was indeed nice. The goose survived again! Rough weekend with the crash, but very good to get back at it and finish out the weekend. Push starting can be a challenge, but it's a good skill to pickup on a random free day at the house. Can't wait to see more!
Hah, I'm long-winded so comment whenever you want. It was a rough weekend but one that I'll probably look at in the future as a positive stepping stone. I'll have to try bump starting the bike sometime just to remember the mechanics of how to do it. I was a deer in headlights at that moment. Hopefully things are going well for you and your SV!
@@matttriestodothings I'm sure it will be. That's how I'm looking at my solo crash weekend already, hopefully you get that same feeling and mentality going on. I've been running around the go kart/sumo type track near me and getting much much better there. I'm hoping it translates to the big track next weekend for round 3.
@@g3yost oh hell yea, good luck dude! Hopefully you get some nicer weather for this one. I feel like you deserve it after the last one. Kart track sounds like a great way to get comfortable, experiment, and spin a bunch of laps.
I’m glad to see you out racing again after the last accident. Not to sway the subject away from this specific video but you may remember me from a comment from early this year. I had just bought my own 84 VF500F and was looking for some info on where to start getting it running. I’m happy to say I’m getting close to finishing up restoring it. I also convinced two of my friends to get their own VF500F’s, one got a 85 and the other got a 86. All together we have three running bikes and three frames that came with parts. Your carb rebuild vid was what gave me confidence to take on such a project and now I’ve rebuilt three carb packs. One question regarding VF’s though. Now that I have my bike running and have some others to compare it to, I’ve noticed a subtle ticking noise from the engine. It’s not a knocking or anything that sounds scary. I did pull the engine, replace the head gaskets, and gap the valves but the ticking never went away. The bike however is running fantastic so I’m hoping that it’s not something that’s causing damage and I really want to avoid pulling the engine again to dig for the sounds source. So if you know anything about what would cause this sound, any info is appreciated.
Hell yea, you're the V4 carb man now. Be careful with who you share that information with, hah. Regarding the ticking, I am far far far from an expert. My bike ticks as well. I don't hear it with ear plugs in, but I hear it when I'm off the bike. I was actually listening next to it a few weeks ago. My understanding is most of these bikes are going to make some noises. I've just accepted that I've got that little tick--the bike is running awesome this year so far. The flipside of that is that could possibly be coming with the cam chain tensioner. On these bikes, I'm honestly not even sure how they work. If it's the very feint tick as mine, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are worried, your best bet is to try to capture the audio of it (very difficult I know) on video and ask the question on the 1st gen VFR World forums. Anything I tell you would just be guessing since I don't have a huge wealth of experience with these engines.
@@matttriestodothings Thank you for the information. I read that the cam chain tensioners can make that noise if the rod that locks the spring when you install them is worn. More scary is that it’s a rocker arm or a spring on one of the valves. I should have enough parts now to build a 86 engine assuming it doesn’t need a complete rebuild since I haven’t found where I can get parts like crank bearings. I’ll be sure to post pictures on the forums once we’re all done.
Dude, what a race year you've had so far, glad your okay (again) :D ! I'm def thinking shift earlier, on your way to 10 - I think that saves quite a bit a time setting yourself up for 10b. And I'm wondering how the hell to do that corner now watching. Did you see how the fastest people do it? It looks like to me your charging it a little too early which might be why you really hard on that front tire. I'm thinking (armchair analysis here lol but) you come in just a little wider into it and leave some room, it looks like a late apex. So once you kinda find a good turn in point, you should be able to roll the throttle on early and put your body over the grass right where that late apex is, I'm thinking that's how you don't loose your drive. That one guy who doesn't let off, hugs the inside white line all the way through the apex and even after it. Wish I could ride it myself, it looks like an interesting one. And btw I could totally be absolutely wrong :D lemme know
Unfortunately it's been eventful, yep. None of my race footage pre-crash into 10B is even worth looking at and thinking about because it's all crap. I was running it completely wrong. I didn't *see* in the flesh how the fast people do it. I've seen video of it though. It's a far more conventional and tighter line than I was running. I'm just getting straight up killed on exits though when I try to do it. I need to be comfortable getting on the gas quicker. I'm at a HP disadvantage, but the time I'm losing is way more than just a HP issue. It's a rider issue. We'll see if ASRA makes it back out to Gingerman again. I'd like to do a full reset and approach it differently. Maybe you're wrong. Maybe you're right. You literally couldn't be more wrong than I was though, hah.
We need more people like you in this sport. Lots of entertainment and insight listening to you pick yourself apart. See you at the next race!
@@stevebulwicki thanks Steve! I'm hoping some of these vids help make racing more approachable to people on the fence. It also helps me to unpack everything to try to boil what I learned in a weekend down to 20 minutes.
That’s exactly what you do, drop the ego and get real about what it takes to get out there and do it!
@@stevebulwicki Oh trust me, I've got an ego. It's why I take a week to put it back in check first, haha.
Man oh man the video started off with a bang. It was never my favorite track but I really liked the back section kinda like a roller coaster. For some reason I managed to pull out a few wins there.
@@mmotorcycles9497 hah, I was hoping someone might appreciate it. I rewatched Jackass 4 recently so it was in my head.
I expected to hate the track after the first half day of the practice track day. I actually started to enjoy it despite the fact I clearly had no idea how to ride it at all. It seems super basic but it's got quite a bit of character. It's also got some bumps in strategic locations to make sure you never get too complacent.
I think it'll be a while until I can join you in the Gingerman winners circle though, hah.
Glad you're ok man! That tire sure looked like a massive geometry tear 😮
@@rmnanney thanks man. Yea I walked away pretty much untouched which was both lucky and awesome. And I didn't collect anyone which is the best part. "Geometry tear" was a new term for me this weekend, hah. Hopefully I'll see you out at one of the upcoming Blackhawk weekends.
Yeah having Chris behind me gave me brain fade at the end of the race. I tried to leave the door open early in the last lap in turn two thinking he would pass there and I could return the favor but I ran out of mental energy and got two downshifts instead of one in turn ten. So my shift at the apex really killed my drive and any chance of retaking first place. It was a great ride by Chris!!!
He was going to make any pass attempt into T11 mighty difficult for you on that last lap, hah. Tougher to play Parking Attendant with the wider turns at Gingerman compared to Blackhawk Farms though.
Really enjoyed the video and commentary- glad to see you’re unscathed from that lowside. I’ll be racing my 400 at Blackhawk next round so maybe i’ll see ya there 🤙🏻
@@parkertibbs4928 thanks Parker. I'll be there as well, see you there! Hopefully it's a good weekend with a good turnout.
I'm committing the sin of commenting after watching less than 10 seconds.
That sucks.
Back to watching the rest before I say more.
The start around 8:20 was indeed nice.
The goose survived again!
Rough weekend with the crash, but very good to get back at it and finish out the weekend.
Push starting can be a challenge, but it's a good skill to pickup on a random free day at the house. Can't wait to see more!
Hah, I'm long-winded so comment whenever you want. It was a rough weekend but one that I'll probably look at in the future as a positive stepping stone.
I'll have to try bump starting the bike sometime just to remember the mechanics of how to do it. I was a deer in headlights at that moment.
Hopefully things are going well for you and your SV!
@@matttriestodothings
I'm sure it will be. That's how I'm looking at my solo crash weekend already, hopefully you get that same feeling and mentality going on.
I've been running around the go kart/sumo type track near me and getting much much better there. I'm hoping it translates to the big track next weekend for round 3.
@@g3yost oh hell yea, good luck dude! Hopefully you get some nicer weather for this one. I feel like you deserve it after the last one. Kart track sounds like a great way to get comfortable, experiment, and spin a bunch of laps.
I’m glad to see you out racing again after the last accident. Not to sway the subject away from this specific video but you may remember me from a comment from early this year. I had just bought my own 84 VF500F and was looking for some info on where to start getting it running. I’m happy to say I’m getting close to finishing up restoring it. I also convinced two of my friends to get their own VF500F’s, one got a 85 and the other got a 86. All together we have three running bikes and three frames that came with parts. Your carb rebuild vid was what gave me confidence to take on such a project and now I’ve rebuilt three carb packs. One question regarding VF’s though. Now that I have my bike running and have some others to compare it to, I’ve noticed a subtle ticking noise from the engine. It’s not a knocking or anything that sounds scary. I did pull the engine, replace the head gaskets, and gap the valves but the ticking never went away. The bike however is running fantastic so I’m hoping that it’s not something that’s causing damage and I really want to avoid pulling the engine again to dig for the sounds source. So if you know anything about what would cause this sound, any info is appreciated.
Hell yea, you're the V4 carb man now. Be careful with who you share that information with, hah. Regarding the ticking, I am far far far from an expert. My bike ticks as well. I don't hear it with ear plugs in, but I hear it when I'm off the bike. I was actually listening next to it a few weeks ago. My understanding is most of these bikes are going to make some noises. I've just accepted that I've got that little tick--the bike is running awesome this year so far. The flipside of that is that could possibly be coming with the cam chain tensioner. On these bikes, I'm honestly not even sure how they work. If it's the very feint tick as mine, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are worried, your best bet is to try to capture the audio of it (very difficult I know) on video and ask the question on the 1st gen VFR World forums. Anything I tell you would just be guessing since I don't have a huge wealth of experience with these engines.
@@matttriestodothings Thank you for the information. I read that the cam chain tensioners can make that noise if the rod that locks the spring when you install them is worn. More scary is that it’s a rocker arm or a spring on one of the valves. I should have enough parts now to build a 86 engine assuming it doesn’t need a complete rebuild since I haven’t found where I can get parts like crank bearings. I’ll be sure to post pictures on the forums once we’re all done.
Dude, what a race year you've had so far, glad your okay (again) :D ! I'm def thinking shift earlier, on your way to 10 - I think that saves quite a bit a time setting yourself up for 10b. And I'm wondering how the hell to do that corner now watching. Did you see how the fastest people do it?
It looks like to me your charging it a little too early which might be why you really hard on that front tire.
I'm thinking (armchair analysis here lol but) you come in just a little wider into it and leave some room, it looks like a late apex. So once you kinda find a good turn in point, you should be able to roll the throttle on early and put your body over the grass right where that late apex is, I'm thinking that's how you don't loose your drive. That one guy who doesn't let off, hugs the inside white line all the way through the apex and even after it. Wish I could ride it myself, it looks like an interesting one. And btw I could totally be absolutely wrong :D lemme know
Unfortunately it's been eventful, yep. None of my race footage pre-crash into 10B is even worth looking at and thinking about because it's all crap. I was running it completely wrong. I didn't *see* in the flesh how the fast people do it. I've seen video of it though. It's a far more conventional and tighter line than I was running. I'm just getting straight up killed on exits though when I try to do it. I need to be comfortable getting on the gas quicker. I'm at a HP disadvantage, but the time I'm losing is way more than just a HP issue. It's a rider issue.
We'll see if ASRA makes it back out to Gingerman again. I'd like to do a full reset and approach it differently.
Maybe you're wrong. Maybe you're right. You literally couldn't be more wrong than I was though, hah.
Gotta steal speed from someone
I'm trying. That approach has been working everywhere else so far.