I went to race my 14 last night. This is the second time I've raced it. I made some adjustments to the front suspension for better street riding and it seems that it made the bike wheelie a lot harder on the track. Basically I can't get WOT in first anymore without having to chop the throttle to bring the tire back down. I'm not having trouble on the launch, it's usually lifting probably 100' out and holding up through first. I'm a pretty big guy (240 suited)and last time I raced it didn't seem to be such an issue. I got some OK runs 10.5 @141 but it was very hard to be consistent.I'm not trying to get any magic number, I would just like to runs the same everytime. I feel like I can only get 1 of 4 runs to be near my best because I have to come off the throttle at different times.

Anyway I'm looking to some tips on how to adjust the rear suspension to help stop the wheelie action. I'm sure there must be somethign I can do The bike is mainly a street bike so I'm not going to lower it. But, I have been looking into straps because they can be undone and the bike can be ridden normally. Everyone @ the track seems to think that will help but I have no first hand experience with them. Does anyone have an recommendations for brands or setup with the straps?

* Last updated by: maximx on 10/4/2010 @ 5:39 AM *

Didn't you post on psychobike too?
Strap is the way to go it sounds like. It takes the travel out of the front suspension and wiLl help keep it down.

Yeah, but no one has given me any info on specific suspension setup. I'm sure there are things I can do to adjust the suspension, but, everyone is keeping it to themselves so I figured I would try another forum. I'm even more worried about using a strap now because of the oil pan issue so I'll end the season bone stock to avoid smashing it and crashing.

If your bike isn't lowered then you don't have to worry too much about hitting the pan. When my bike was stock height I'd strap it down tight at the track and did some pretty good wheelies coming down hard and never hit, and I am about 230lbs geared up.

Get a $25 strap from a reputable seller or even the guy on e-bay, on the 14 I'd suggest the brackets that bolt to the calipers to bolt the straps to because there just isn't a really good spot to bolt them to the calipers without binding.

When mine was stock, I went from 10.40's to 10.teens just by strapping the front end and practicing a little.

Also, with your weight I'd tighten up the compression and the rebound much as you can with the stock shock. That can help keep the front end down more than you'd think. Turn the upper and lower screws all the way in then back out about 1/2 turn, this worked best for me with a stock bike and netted 1.6x 60 ft times.

* Last updated by: qwiktim on 10/6/2010 @ 12:41 PM *

Don't let those guys scare you.
I ran a 65" 340 hp zx14 that was 2" off the ground for a long time before I busted my stock pan (although do take their advice on cutting the tab off, and getting a flat drain plug.) Do those and you're fine

I went back to the track last night. The air was cool and the track prep was OK but I just couldn't do anything without hanging the tire in the air. I must have gone through the 1/8 on 1 tire. My strap hasn't come in yet. I'm sure hoping it's does wonders.

Max,

The strap for my bike (SWB yada yada ) took me from a best of a 10.20 down into the 9.70's. My 60' times went from a 1.89 down to a 1.64.I weigh in at 225 in gear and my bike scaled in at 530 lbs.

You will have some gains to look forward to for sure dude.

BTW,

When I was last at the track a couple of weeks ago, I got in 5 1/4 mile passes then they closed the track down to jsut the 1/8 mile. I worked on my 60' times and had a little fun in the process. I covered the 1/8 mile a couple of times on just 1 wheel myself.
Don't ask.

* Last updated by: Beondwacko on 10/15/2010 @ 3:28 PM *