ninja-turtles' racebike build (All the goodies!)

[ninja-turtle]

*This thread will be updated as I get around to installing parts

You spend your attention on everything you do and you don't have an unlimited supply of it. Fortunately, I've learned throughout the past few seasons that riding 600/1000cc bikes on the track caused me as a rider to spend much more attention on a variety of thoughts(brakes, corner, grip, bodyposition, etc) instead of being relaxed and focusing and perfecting one or two things at a time.

For that reason, I decided to pick up Ninja300 and dedicate the rest of next season to only that bike on the track and nothing more powerful than it. Riding a less powerful bike will allow me to have less foggy thoughts and focus my attention on certain aspects of my riding in order to better it.

In addition, I have plans to possible race with TPM 300 series
Ref: https://www.teampromotion.com/gp-racing


I purchased this 300 with the intent of immediately transforming it into a race bike. Having owned a cbr250r in the past, I knew the drawbacks associated with these smaller bikes and decided to invest most of my money on those specific parts (Suspension, Tires). In addition, I also invested in some others

I hope you enjoy my thread. I will constantly be updating it with new pics and information. Please let me know if there are any specific pictures you would like for me to take.

Parts list
Stainless steel lines
Suspension
- Front Andreani Cartridge Kit
- Rear Ohlins shock
Engine/Performance:
- BMC Air Filter
- Yoshi r77 Full Carbon
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Rearset: Vortex v2
GB Racing covers
Woodcraft frame sliders
Woodcraft Clip Ons
Woodcraft Lever Guards
Stomp Grips
Rear slider spool
DID Chain/Sprocket
Sharkskinz Race fairings
__________________
Fresh Oil/Filter change
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Stock Mode

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Fairings and forks off

After much research, I decided to ship to David at FastBikeIndustries for an Andreani Cartridge Kit install. Dave does awesome work and is very fair when it comes to prices. He's very well known in the US racing market and has tons of experience with working on some of the podium finishing racers bikes. If your thinking about getting your forks taken care of, shoot me a PM for more information.

Ref: http://www.fastbikeindustries.com/
FastBikeIndustries Service Form: http://www.fastbikeindustries.com/do...rvice_Form.pdf





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*I've retained the stock starter and highbeam switches by cutting the little notch off that was blocking the clip ons from entering through all the way

-Woodcraft clip-ons
-Woodcraft Handlebar covers
-MotionPro Rev2 Throttle kit





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BMC Airfilter

The air filter cover is held on by 3 screws under the right side of the seat. Here is a picture of the original airfilter. It looks like the previous owner didn't maintain the bike too well. In addition to this air filter, I also noticed a bend in the handle bars only after I had removed the grips and the paint is in horrible condition.





Here's it's replacement




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Exhaust

Yoshimura Carbon r-77 Full exhaust (not installed yet)





I will be running some Fuel Management for this setup eventually. During regular TDs I plan on running the MAP associated with this setup. TPM does not allow tuned bikes. Therefore I'll be switching to ZERO maps prior to races.
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Chain & Sprocket


I don't think the chain and sprocket was cleaned & lubed regularly. The bike was also stored outside for a season, hence the rust and poor condition of the paint.

Replacement Vortex with 520 chain (not yet installed)
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Suspension

Öhlins S36HR1C1L (Pending part)

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Tires

Still not sure what I'm going to run. I'm trying to decide between the following

1.Pirelli SC1 front | Diablo Rosso II rear
2.Dunlop Alpha 13s
3.Bridgestone S20 Evos

________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________

Fairings

Sharkskinz ( I'll post a better picture later)

[Ghostt]

[csmith12]

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

[SIZE="2"]
-Woodcraft clip-ons
-Woodcraft Handlebar covers
-MotionPro Rev2 Throttle kit

what made you decide to run that throttle that direction?

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by cbinker

what made you decide to run that throttle that direction?

What do you mean? Are you referring the the angle of where the MotionPro is mounted?

The angles of the clip ons and the MotionPro are not set just yet. These positions were set temporarily as baselines. The oil pan is being held up by a jack at the moment and waiting to install the rear shock and hook the linkage all up before I can sit on the bike and figure a perfect setup for the clip on and throttle positions.

In addition, I more than likely will be removing the stock start/stop switch and installing a smaller switch because that is holding me back from adjusting the MotionPro properly.

I hope that's the info you were looking for

[xXecuterXx2]

Good golly, thats a good lookin build. Please, Please keep the pics coming. I love em!!

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

What do you mean? Are you referring the the angle of where the MotionPro is mounted?

The angles of the clip ons and the MotionPro are not set just yet. These positions were set temporarily as baselines. The oil pan is being held up by a jack at the moment and waiting to install the rear shock and hook the linkage all up before I can sit on the bike and figure a perfect setup for the clip on and throttle positions.

In addition, I more than likely will be removing the stock start/stop switch and installing a smaller switch because that is holding me back from adjusting the MotionPro properly.

I hope that's the info you were looking for

remove all the left hand electronic controls and place the starter and kill switch over there is what I did:

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by cbinker

remove all the left hand electronic controls and place the starter and kill switch over there is what I did:

A set of instruction came with the MotionPro that specifically stated to aim it downwards. It's a tight fight but it currently works out just right. If I don't end up removing all of the extra buttons from the clip ons, I will deff move the starter on to the left side.

Thanks for the suggestion and the pic!

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

A set of instruction came with the MotionPro that specifically stated to aim it downwards. It's a tight fight but it currently works out just right. If I don't end up removing all of the extra buttons from the clip ons, I will deff move the starter on to the left side.

Thanks for the suggestion and the pic!

Thats odd, my instructions have pictures of how to install it.

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by cbinker

Thats odd, my instructions have pictures of how to install it.

I've got a folded instructions paper that shows some pics and outlines installation instructions but there was another separate black and white piece of paper that came with it that stated to aim it downwards.

I went in to the garage to find that paper but I couldn't find it. I threw away most of the boxes and papers that came along with these parts.

I'll take another look tomorrow just in case its hiding under something.

[cbinker]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

I've got a folded instructions paper that shows some pics and outlines installation instructions but there was another separate black and white piece of paper that came with it that stated to aim it downwards.

I went in to the garage to find that paper but I couldn't find it. I threw away most of the boxes and papers that came along with these parts.

I'll take another look tomorrow just in case its hiding under something.

not a big deal, thought i may have missed something.

[Alex]

Nice build!

[ninja-turtle]

I've gotten most of the parts installed, this includes rear sets, exhaust, sprockets and chain. I should have those pictures up towards the end of the week.

[TnNinjaGirl]

mmmm bike parts porn...

[SLOWn60]

How did you mount the shock reservoir? Can you post a picture? It took me a while to come to my solution and I had to make a modification to the passenger peg bracket. I'm curious what your solution is.
Thanks

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

How did you mount the shock reservoir? Can you post a picture? It took me a while to come to my solution and I had to make a modification to the passenger peg bracket. I'm curious what your solution is.
Thanks

Pretty easy. The line for the shock should come out the left side of the bike and mount on the back left tail. Remove the rear left passenger pegs. Mount the plate exactly like the image below (not my bike)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/5359/575b.jpg

Are you sure your mounting the plate on the external side of the subframe? and also are you sure you have it mounted properly. Flat side bolted and then the groove coming outwards?

When I take pics of the bike later this week, I'll make sure to get a few details pics of that setup for you

*Oh yea, I'm not using the passenger pegs lol so maybe thats why it mounted up much easier for me I guess your bike is setup for street or street/track mix hence wanting to keep the passenger pegs

[SLOWn60]

I like that settup!
I do have it mounted on the passenger peg bracket but I have no problem removing those. I sort of look at them as built in sliders!
My shock didn't come with the bracket in that picture. Maybe I'll check the box again! Lol!
I would like to see a picture of your solution of you get the opportunity to post it.
This is how I resolved my mounting dilemma:

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

I like that settup!
I do have it mounted on the passenger peg bracket but I have no problem removing those. I sort of look at them as built in sliders!
My shock didn't come with the bracket in that picture. Maybe I'll check the box again! Lol!
I would like to see a picture of your solution of you get the opportunity to post it.
This is how I resolved my mounting dilemma:

It should've came with that mount. It might have been hard to spot as its a fairly flat peice and it might've slid behind the foam pieces in the box. If not, I'm sure you could order it from Ohlins or better yet email them and they'll probably send you one free of cost.

[SLOWn60]

Thanks @ninja-turtle I'll check the box tomorrow morning! Glad I'm a hoarder; it's been kicking around my shop for almost 2 years!

[alex.s]

that's some serious hardware on that little guy.

[CC Cowboy]

The original Ninja Turtle Racer, my buddy Dale

]

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

The original Ninja Turtle Racer, my buddy Dale

]

that's an awesome pic! is Dale still racing? any vids/pics?

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

that's an awesome pic! is Dale still racing? any vids/pics?

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

that's an awesome pic! is Dale still racing? any vids/pics?

After a pretty horrific accident testing at Daytona (tire failure) Dale went on to racing NASCAR and did very well in the Bush North series. He is still involved with racing in many forms.

[ninja-turtle]

@SLOWn60 Here are some pics of how its the ohlins mounted and more

Test fitting some Sharkskinz

[ninja-turtle]

[ninja-turtle]

As it currently sits. Everything has been installed except the following:

1.Brake Pads Vesrah RJL
2.Spieglar Stainless Steel Brake Lines
3.Woodcraft Frame Sliders
4.SharkSkinz fairings
5.Tires
6.PCV
7.Quickshifter

[sharky nrk]

Such a nice build, keep it up

[ninja-turtle]

Thanks guys. I really tried to to take good pics for the audience. I would have taken more if I had a second hand. It's tough constantly going from working on the bike to snapping photos with dirty wrench monkey hands. I'll have a few more photos as my lines, tires and race fairings get installed. It will take a bit of time.

In the meantime and in between time, I'd like to build a custom start/stop switch and mount. Anyone have ideas for cool looking buttons?

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

@SLOWn60 Here are some pics of how its the ohlins mounted and more

That shock resevoir mounting hardware definitely did not come with my shock! Mine had two rubber mounts and two hose clamps! I like yours WAY better! I'll make some inquiries with the Ohlins rep!
Thanks for the photos and congrats on the build! Looks GREAT!

[ninja-turtle]

Update: Finally road the bike for the first time. As some of you know we had our 7th annual private JenningsGP trip this past weekend and it was my first time riding the ninja on the track since I had set everything up.

Below are a few photos for your enjoyment

[ninja-turtle]

If anyone is interested in GoPro footage, I'll post some up on my youtube channel and you guys can subscribe to that. I think I'm going to try to become more active on youtube this season so the more subscribers the better

I'm working on editing some vids and I'll post them up within this month

[sharky nrk]

Link the youtube vid up and I am sure your get some ninjette subscribers. Thoughts on the setup? Especially interested in comparisons to the 6R (what kinda suspension setup are you running on it?)

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

Link the youtube vid up and I am sure your get some ninjette subscribers. Thoughts on the setup? Especially interested in comparisons to the 6R (what kinda suspension setup are you running on it?)

I'm currently trying to teach myself some final cut pro so that the video looks okay prior to posting it. In comparison to the 636, the 300 is obviously much smaller and lighter weight. The chassis has tons of flex which leave a boating effect if that makes any sense. Feels like I'm out at sea but you have to expect that from a bike that was not made with racing in mind.

I've got an andreani cartridge kit up front which is fully adjustable and an Ohlins rear shock with ext. reservoir. The tires I had mounted up are a pair of Dunlop Alpha 13s. The initial feel of the Dunlop Alpha 13s paired with the Front suspension left me with lots of chatter up front while taking turns. Extremely bad chatter actually. To the point where I did one lap and came straight back to our suspension guy Steve who's awesome btw. He retuned the suspension both f/r and left me feeling much more comfortable on the track.

Throughout the 3 days at Jennings, I would go back and forth and mainly retune the compression on the front end which has almost eliminated the front end chatter. At this point there is very little to almost none and I mainly feel it when I'm on the absolute edges of the front tire. I feel it's more the front tire telling me not to push its limit rather than chatter. Also, Throughout I had almost lost the front about 5 times this past weekend and by the end of day 3 I had the suspension to a point where the tire would grip at the very edges and left me feeling very comfortable.

Now that I've covered the good, let me tell you a bit about the bad.

I had come across a very serious issue which I had read about prior to picking this bike up and that is false neutrals/mis-shifts.

Come out of turn 12 pin, down to brake marker 1, 2, downshift....uh oh wtf rear locks out, I get shot off course and now I'm catching air as I'm riding off course and at the same time trying to locate the rear brake with my right foot. The bike is bouncing around everywhere and I'm doing my best to keep it up and have it stop as soon as I can. I just remember reminding myself not to freak out and finally as I felt my foot on the rear brake, all it took were a few gentle tap...tap....tap...taps and it finally stopped right before oncoming traffic on the other side of the track.

This was a very scary issue because I was not expecting this to happen at all and when your carrying that much speed and about to take the last turn you need to think fast and react properly. I think I may look into undercutting my gears because it is not worth the risk of having this happen again. Aside from this and the ****** front brakes which I never used after the first few laps, the bike is an absolute blast. This was my first time riding it on the track and I'll put it to you this way, the poor 636 sat all week and was only taken out for a spin 2 session only. The 3 day weekend was almost entirely dedicated to testing and tuning the 300 and I don't think I'm done yet.

I would like to make a few more modifications and would love to try a set of Pirellis on here instead. SC1 front, Rosso rear. My riding style just fits much better with pirellis than with dunlops. I tend to take extreme lean angles often and that did not feel safe on the Dunlop Alpha 13s. Maybe this is an eye opener and a way of telling me to work on my body position some more instead of relying on the edges of a tire. I also need to remove the clutter on the clip ons, change the grips and make adjustments to the angle of the clip ons.

If you guys have any specific questions feel free to shoot them my way and I'll try my best to answer them

[sharky nrk]

Interested in eventual comparisons of the A13s to the SC/DRII setup if you try them. I like the Pirelli set well enough but those SCs are a bit expensive lol.

Scary mess with the trans there. Not cool and certainly a confidence sapper. What about the factory pro shift kit?

Look forward to more posts .... good stuff.

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by ninja-turtle

Aside from this and the ****** front brakes which I never used after the first few laps.....

Is this a mistype or are you saying you ride the track without using your front brake?

[Alex]

[ninja-turtle]

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

Is this a mistype or are you saying you ride the track without using your front brake?

I honestly did not use it on my ninja 300 except for maybe turn 8 at times. I mainly relied on engine braking. Although I don't think my pace was at a level to utilize the front brakes properly. I still think I'm pretty slow at Jennings. I don't have a laptimer to get proper statistics but just looking over a random gopro vid of mine, I ran around 1:36 at one point which I think is slow and I am not consistent with that time. I'm not sure what the laptimes are for these bikes

As a matter a fact, I'm going to be posting a video here soon. I'd like for you guys to check it out and tell me where I'm making mistakes. Which brake markers I should push further, which areas are the brakes used best at, which lines am I screwing up on, etc. Basically point out anything and everything you see that I am doing incorrectly that if corrected would help me lower my laptimes

Edit* 1.35 was the quickest time I had from the only few vids the I recorded. I may have ran better and I certainly ran worse that week but that gives you an idea

[ninja-turtle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E23pUSVTTrc

Heres a video of our mock race

[howlinhoss]

You might want to look at the Factory Pro Detent Arm Shift Kit to help with the miss shifts. I have had the same issues as you when really hard on the gas. Check out this scary vid.

Link to original page on YouTube.