The Sweet Spot Motorcycle Performance Systems Video relays important information about oils, fluids and lubricants for the motorcycle engine and forks, etc.; the cooling system; the drive train, brakes, rotors, ignition advancer and safety wiring.
Cliff Sherlock of Red Line Oil gives us an extensive breakdown of the fluids in our motorcycles. He explains the difference between petroleum, semi-synthetic and fully-synthetic oils and you will be able to make a determination which to use in your motorcycle after learning the differences. For instance - did you know that if you don't use a petroleum oil to break in your engine, the rings won't seat properly? Just how long is the break in period? And when should your first oil change be on a new motorcycle? Oil is the life blood of your motorcycle, it gives you performance and it gives you protection. For that reason, you will want to learn all you can about the different oils available in order to make the right choices.
Cliff shows you some parts to motorcycle engines that have failed because of low-quality oil. What causes an oil to fail? Cliff will explain the detriments of heat, sludge, metal particles and oxidation in the breakdown of an oil. At what temperature does a petroleum oil break down as opposed to a synthetic oil? And what is the temperature that each of the major components of your motorcycle engine is running at? A thorough explanation of viscosity and shear will also bring to bear the importance of a good quality engine oil for your motorcycle.
Cliff tells you how and why to use an assembly lube, and also the primary areas to use a chassis lube, namely steering stem bearings, wheel bearings, shock linkage bushings, and swing arm pivots.
You will learn the importance of different weight motorcycle fork and shock oils and why and when to change that oil.
For those of you who want to take this motorcycle to the race track, Cliff explains the race industry rules of why you cannot run an anti-freeze solution in your motorcycle. The only approved engine coolant that can be run on a race track is Water Wetter, and Cliff explains how and why this solution isused in the race bikes.
Jim Leonard, our crew chief for this project, takes you through the basics of chassis set-up for the race track. He covers items such as rear sets, steel braided brake and clutch lines. He discusses the differences between stock rubber brake lines vs. braided steel or kevlar. He then shows how to install the Goodridge braided steel lines and bleed the system. He discusses brake fluid types and replacement. Other items covered in his step-by-step discussion of the brake system is brake pad inspection and replacement and the function and set-up of the brake caliper.
Jim shows you how to safety wire your motorcycle to take it to the race track. His vast experience on the race track makes this job look easy, but there's more to it than just drilling holes and running wire through them! For instance, what size hole, what size wire, and which direction do you wire everything?
Jim will also take you through the selection process for which motorcycle chain and sprocket set to use for each application - 532, 530 or 520. There are specific street vs. roadrace applications, and as the chain and sprockets must match, there are also performance vs. cost considerations to be made. Jim shows you how to remove the stock chain using a chain breaker and riveting tool from Motion Pro and removing the sprocket set and replacing them with the set you have chosen, and discusses the master link retention system and the difference between a clip vs. a pressed on master link.
Other points of interest covered by Jim are the Vance & Hines Power Pak - which may or may not be allowed by some motorcycle roadrace organizations; the rear set shift pattern - which is reversed for roadracing from the street applications; clip-ons; the electric Powershifter from Holeshot, which allows a full throttle up-shift; and steering dampers. Jim discusses the theory and application of steering dampers, a necessary device in roadracing, as they dampen any quick steering input. Jim shows you where all the adjustments are for the motorcycle controls, such as clutch and brake levers, throttle cable adjustment, shift lever, so as to set up your motorcycle for your riding position and style.
"The key is to be as prepared as possible. Have all the work done before you go riding. You'll have a lot more fun and be able to concentrate on your riding."
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