Re: brake pads. For the track (only) Bendix make a carbon matrix pad for some bikes and maybe a carbon/metal pad set. The straight carbons are the pick for the track. They are absolutely amazing. Do not know for sure if they are available for the TR calipers, but there is a reasonable chance they may make them for these calipers but listed as a different bike ( ie use the same pads). Once you use them you wonder how you ever used anything else, BUT you MUST run them in properly as per instructions, and they are useless on the road, as they have to be heated up and kept hot to work. They leave a blue carbon glaze on the discs that increases friction and must be deposited first ( only once unless you clean the discs). They also transfer much less heat to the caliper pistons). I used them on some NSR250's and an ER6N ( non std caliper) for racing. Incredible feel and control and amazing stopping power. Also much lighter. There is also a new pad available that I havent tried. http://www.kenma.com.au/ben_carb.html
Yeowch! reading this and Gregs comments above, makes me wander what the supermoto guys run? Sounds like a decent price on the track days. Round here it's literally double that figure.
Our race days used to cost about 120bucks a day for 4 races 2 pracs in each of 2 classes ( 25bucks extra if you didn't have a race licence). But that was a go kart track we hired . Mareeba was about the same but the track was 1200m instead of 900m (and had an actual straight and 5!!! 180deg hairpins. Marreeba you can hire anytime unless there is a Go Kart meet on for yourself for $75. You may have to share the track with other hirers though.
Did you ever get a more detailed posting up on this rear shock conversion? I'd love to do something like this as well! RR
Rex, You might try sending him a PM as well. It would be great if he could give more info on his conversion.
