RACING A CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE
As this web site is intended to help 'newbies' get into racing classic motorcycles, I am writing this article even though my own racing career has been relatively modest. When I began racing in 1967, I crashed at my first three meetings, and on one occasion four times in one day. I would like to think that with the following comments, I am helping newcomers avoid that sort of experience.

1. LEARNING TO RIDE
It is preferable that potential road racers have some experience which has been derived elsewhere, so that they understand the rudiments of machine control.
When beginning to ride on the bitumen circuit, remember that it is essential to stay in control of situations at all times. Start riding slowly, and work up to speed. If you try to go fast too soon, you will probably go slower, and you might make a mistake and crash, - that is to be avoided at all costs. Do not start timing your laps until you have raced a few times.
2. CRASHING
Don't be afraid of crashing your motorcycle, it is certain to happen sometime if you continue racing. However as you become more competent, crashing becomes less likely. You can take the attitude that 'every time we crash, we could be killed', but the reality is that most motor race circuits have very few solid objects around them, there are sand traps to collect fallen riders, and smooth top surfaces which don't grab a sliding rider and cause him to roll. Most riders walk away from most crashes without injury.
For example :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cepa_LDLEmc
If you find yourself in a situation where you havetotally lost control of your machine, and are predicated to hitting the deck, keep your limbs together and close to your body without going rigid. Do not stick out your hands to save yourself. Just adopt a relaxed state and let it happen. A competent rider will stay in control in most situations, even if this sometimes means letting go of the handlebars, and grabbing the tank of the machine. The ability to stay upright comes with experience - practice makes perfect.
3. YOUR MOTORCYCLE
It is important that your motorcycle is set up to help you. Some modified street machines are set up with steering geometry which causes them to have slow and heavy steering. You may develop a tendency to 'ride around' poor handling, it is always possible to improve this aspect of your machine. A combination of poor handling, savage power band, poor tyres, and unreliable brakes, can destroy what should be a pleasant experience. A nimble machine is preferable to a slow steering one, especially on slower tight circuits.
Get lots of practice, and learn to be smooth. Motorcycles with good brakes, torquey power bands and lots of close gear ratios are a recipe for success. When starting out, learn to count gear changes so you always know which gear you are in, and try to have the changes occur regularly at the same place around the circuit. Never over-rev your motorcycle, and always work both up and down through the gears. Work up to the corners until you are proficient.
When starting out, try to stay in the centre of the track, without taking a racing line. That way other riders will be left with an opening through which to pass you. Avoid wobbling or weaving, and be ready for others to flash past you, - do not crash because of the surprise.
4. STARTING TO RACE
It is important to get a good start in races. In historic events these days it is common practice to use clutch starts, and a major advantage lies in having a gearbox with a low first gear, and at least five speeds. Many of the older authentic racing machines have four speed close ratio gearboxes, with a very high first gear. These are ideal for push starts, but in modern races they are a major disadvantage. If you lose 200 metres at the start of a race it may be impossible to regain it, and get to where the action is.
Do not ride your machine by watching others and braking when they sit up. It is a common mistake which can lead to a crash, especially if the rider you are following suddenly decides to outsmart you by braking without sitting up.
Asyou gain experience you will learn to anticipate the actions of other riders, and use this to your advantage.
Lots of racing kilometres are needed, and are important to being successful.
Get lots of practice, BE SMOOTH and BE SAFE !
I hope this helps,
A.C. August 2011