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Earlystocks / Race bike question

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iand
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 10:19 am

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I was watching the earlystocks racing yesterday, and am still considering entering a few races next year, but would need to get my license, would my 4 stroke Z500 be comparable to a Yamaha RD400, the Yamaha in stoke form put out 43bhp (at the engine I guess?) and weights 175kg, According to this website http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_rd_400_1978.php

My Z500 was rolling roaded at 42.5bhp at the wheel, but weighs 210kg stock, http://www.bikez.com/bike/index.php?bike=17410

Obviously in ‘race’ trim they would be lighter and I guess a little more powerful?

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JimM
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 10:44 am

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Hi Ian

An RD400 will kick a Z500 into next week mate, but variety is a good thing on race grids so if you want to race the Kwak more power to ya.

Good luck

Jim

iand
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 11:55 am

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it was only cos i already have one, but i'd want to be competitive!

is it only Cass that races in the 500cc class?

were you racing yesterday, i have a load of pics, but didn't see your name in the program?

Last edited on Mon Sep 1st, 2008 11:58 am by iand

JimM
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 01:19 pm

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Hi Ian

Cass is pretty much the only one in that class, and has been for some time. I'm not doing Earlystocks this year. I'm racing a few bits and pieces in CRMC instead.

Jim

iand
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 01:25 pm

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so even on the z500 i'd be 2nd in class, hmm sounds good!

how much do you think a full season would cost to do?

JimM
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 02:45 pm

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Race entries vary between £80-£120 per meeting (that's per day if it's a two day meeting), your ACU licence costs just under £50 – if you're a novice you'll need to take an additional course that costs a further £50.

You'll need sticky tyres; a set will cost in the region of £175-plus. You can hire transponders, but it's easier to buy your own. They're £200-250 each. Then there's the diesel to and from meetings, bike fuel, crash damage, leathers, boots, gloves, helmet etc.

Only the mosty commited to a full season, but racing's as expensive as you make it. If you do every round you'll be spending nigh on £2K a year – and that's not including tuning.

Best way is to get out there, suck it and see. I'm sure you'll love it.

Jim

iand
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Posted: Mon Sep 1st, 2008 03:10 pm

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excellent thanks jim!

i was think £5-6K, so £2k is almost doable,

i am looking into track days as i have never been on track before, so at the moment these are all just pipedreams!!!!

KitSmash
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Posted: Fri Nov 7th, 2008 10:22 am

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If I remember correctly there was a race series for the Z500 back in the eighties. Quite a few of them turned up to do proddy races, at the time I was riding a Laverda Montjuic (which was a match for the RD400's) and the quicker lads were definitely on the pace with their Kawas. Then they brought out the RD350LC, and that's another story altogether. Go for it Ian, you'll have a blast and it shouldn't cost the earth.

TR750
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Posted: Sat Nov 8th, 2008 10:38 pm

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You're quite right, there was a Z500 championship ........ I also remember in the late 70's there was a KH400 championship also :cool:

........ anyone remember that ?

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