Featured in the July 2019 Issue of Roadracing World:
There is no such thing as a low-maintenance
racebike at the World Championship level. The thought struck me as I was
walking through the garages at Jerez at the end of the Superbike World
Championship season, and I watched mechanics going through their end-of-day
rituals after Saturday’s track sessions were completed.
It was especially fascinating to watch mechanics
working in the garages where the World Supersport 300 competitors were based,
because on the surface, there should have been very little to actually do to
the Yamaha YZF-R3s, Kawasaki Ninja 400Rs, Honda CBR500Rs, and KTM RC 390s that
race in the class. Racing modifications allowed by the rules are very limited,
so much so that many competitors transport their bikes in the same truck to the
races, completely unconcerned about revealing performance
secrets to each other. There just aren’t any!
But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to be
done. Saturday afternoon meant a partial disassembly for the bikes of the front
runners. Radiators were removed, taken out back, washed and blown clean with
compressed air. The entire bike was cleaned.
Of particular interest to me was the brake
servicing. In most of the garages, the brake calipers were removed, the pads
pulled, and a mechanic then carefully scrubbed the caliper pistons …
– Cleaning Brake Calipers, by Michael Gougis, in the July 2019 Issue of Roadracing World
It’s not glamorous work, but
keeping your brakes at the peak of their performance capabilities not only pays
off in terms of safety, but can make a difference in the speed of your
racebike. And it can make an even more significant difference in the rider’s
ability to brake with precision and confidence. There’s a reason pro teams pay
so much attention to cleaning their brake caliper pistons. Read about why – and
how – in the July 2019 issue of Roadracing World!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR INSTANT ACCESS!
PREVIEW the July 2019 Issue
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.
Log in or subscribe HERE.
Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.
https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld
https://twitter.com@roadracingworld
https://instagram.com@roadracing_world
Join the Roadracing World Online Community of Racers, Riders, & Fans. Post photos and results, make connections with sponsors, and more! Create your Roadracing World Online Profile today!