the paint on your gas tank isn't going to help you go faster. If it is a platic tank, leave it unpainted! Put your effort into work that will help the bike perform better and survive, don't worry about cosmetics on a 20 year old bike!
If you want to be serious about racing then you have to understand that the work you need to do is NOT a one time thing, it is a continuous process. A serious racer will definately change his suspension settings for the track. Air pressure and even tire changes will be made to adjust for changing track conditions (how wet the track is, the soil conditions, etc.) Some will even rejet the carb between morning and afternoon heats.
To be effective in suspension adjustments you have to really understand what the adjustments are and how they effect your ride. It is NOT an exact science, and there is no "correct" setting for the bike, but there is a "best" setting for you riding that bike on that track. Change the track or the rider and the suspension may need dramatic changes. If you understand the suspension (travel, rebound rates, bottoming out, etc.) and you can make note of it as you are riding then you can make a few practice runs and dial it in. Another approach is to make a small change and take another practice run and time the lap. Adjust, try it, adjust, try it, etc. Find the setting that gives you the best lap times and use that for the race.
Same with gearing. If you are riding on a track that has a long straight stretch you will want gearing that will give you top end. On the other hand, if the track has a series of turns and jumps that has you constantly shifting between 3rd and fourth you might do better to gear down and just stay in 4th. Again, it is rider preference and track dependant.
If you want to go faster for the least amount of money then study the suspension and what tire air pressure will do for you.
If you are willing to spend a little bit of money then get a selection of front and rear sprockets plus the tools to "break" the chain (you will need to add or remove links to adjust for sprocket size changes).
Learn how to "read the plug" and be prepared to change jetting, sometimes even throughout the day to adjust for temperature changes.
Or, don't sweat the details and just have fun racing your buddies. Accept the fact that speed costs money, and there will always be those who have more to spend than you do.
Rod
