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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through October 21, 2004 » What kind of tape should I use to cover headlights for track day? « Previous Next »

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Dbenjami
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 05:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Going to my first track day this saturday, need to know what kind of tape i should use to cover my headlights and tail light (9R). I have removed the mirrors and turn signals..

Have quite a bit of anxiety, hopefully I can keep the rubber side down, I have been lucky up until now...
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Daves
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 05:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I use red duct tape, it matches the bike.
Last year when i was riding a blue one I used blue painters masking tape.
Take your tail light bulb out and unhook your head lights, it's 2 little white connectors behind the fairing, easy to find. This will keep the tape from baking on.
Have fun!

Dave
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Dbenjami
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 05:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks a bunch... What do you have in the way of shift and brake levers(foot controls)? I am not really a fan of the shift lever in particular, the little rubber nub/toe-piece seems to be coming off.
Dustin
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Daves
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 06:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Right now I don't have any in stock but can get you the Free Spirit ones from Italy.
Wycked has these and seems to like them.

http://www.freespirits.it/figura.asp?idArticolo=207
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Bluebuellxb9r
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 08:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

In case you havent gotten any tape yet, I found some real good stuff @ Wal-Mart, coverd well, stayed on during the rain , and it came off without any mess. Have fun @ the track !
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Dbenjami
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 09:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What was the name/kind of the stuff at walmart? thanks Dustin
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Easyflier
Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 09:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you don't want to mess with removing the tail light bulb just remove the fuse.

I just did my first track day a couple weeks ago. I was a little nervous about keeping the rubber side down, etc.. Ride your own pace.

Even though a track day is non-competitive it is easy to get sucked in and exceed your personal limits. You do want to push it some while you try new techniques but ease into it gradually and you'll have a good time and leave with both you and your bike intact.

This approach might not work for everyone but it's what I tried to adhere to and I think it worked.
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Jens
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 07:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hi,

ATTENTION: when you tape the frontlights of the "S" Models for the Racetrack remove the cable to the lightbulbs!

Otherwise the plasticglass will melt.

R model is real glass, no problem.

Jens
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Henrik
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 09:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dustin; listen to Easyflier. If this is you first track day, butterflies are normal - I started track days in '98 and still get them.

The solution is all in your throttle hand. Start out at a pace, where you can comfortably stay relaxed on the bars (no death grip), breathe normally, be smooth and look as far through the turn as possible. If you notice any of those slipping, dial it down until you get it right again.

If you stay with it, and had a lap timer, you would no doubt notice, that you got considerably faster throughout the day. Even if it doesn't feel that way.

I've caught myself wanting to "get that guy up ahead", started riding harder, only to realize that my lap times went up.

Be smooth and consistent - go slow to go fast.
You'll have a great time - enjoy.

Henrik
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Dbenjami
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 09:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks all for the advice. it's prolly going to be a cold one here in Indiana (~50)... I am sure I will have a blast no matter what.
Dustin
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Henrik
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

it's prolly going to be a cold one here in Indiana

Make sure to ask one of the organizers/techs about recommended tire pressure. Take it *really* easy the first couple of laps until the tires warm up. And keep in mind that it is mostly acceleration and braking that brings the tires up to temp - the silly swerving you see people do, is pretty much useless : )

Henrik
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Henrik
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

oh, and if you have perforated leathers, an old, oversize sweatshirt on top of the leathers as a wind breaker, will make a big difference in keeping you warm. Plus, of course, Long Johns and long sleeve T.

Henrik
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Jaredkuper
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 11:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The track day I went to issued numbers to everyone to put on the front, as well as rear sides. The number was one of the "DIY bumper sticker" sheets that you print on with a computer. It took me forever to get it off, and I ended up scratching the heck out of my bodywork. I've used duct tape before, and it's a lot better if you have some Goof-off or the like. I would only recommend the blue painter's tape, I'll never use anything else again.
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Bluebuellxb9r
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 12:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What was the name/kind of the stuff at walmart?

Its a scotch 3m thing - green stuff I have is Scitch 3M 223+
The faster and more cool looking blue is Scotch 3M 2090 Scotch-Blue painters tape for multi-surfaces.
he green i got @ a local car painters supplier, but, the cool looking, make you faster blue I got @ Wal-Mart.
Seriously, ride within your own limits so you can expand them another day!
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Easyflier
Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 05:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks Henrik, I wasn't sure that my post would make sense to anyone else.
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Dbird29
Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 12:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would think Gaffers Tape would be best as it doesn't leave a residue.
http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=SGP%2D30&off=24

DBird
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Lovematt
Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I use a paper towel and wrap it around the turn signals...then take electrical tape and wrap it around that stretching a little...that way nothing sticks to them.

Take out the rear tail light bulb...2 minutes max. Take off the mirrors 4 minutes max...add four zip ties to hold fairing against bracket.

Finally clean the headlights real good with rubbing alcohol/glass cleaner and put the blue masking tape on them...use a razor to cut around the borders for a clean look. Unhook the white connectors to each bulb to make sure they don't bake the tape and you are good to go!
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Henrik
Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Easy - made perfect sense to me : D

Henrik
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