Its Alive!

[TimSr]

I finished putting the Z back together tonight. Some may remeber the picture of the Z frame with forks in it awhile back. It was so lame and tired at the last Haspin trip, and pretty much needed a total rebuild. Ive got a different bottom end, totally new clutch, fresh bore job, all new swingarm and carrier bearings and bushings. When I got it all together, I blew into the gas tank vent hose to put some gas in the carb, and it fired up on the 2nd kick. I ran it until it got warmed, shut it down and finished assembling it. Then I fired it up again for the test ride, and 30 seconds later it started sputtering and backfiring and died. Since I go through this every 6 months, I knew to pull the flywheel again, and replace thewoodruff key, which was again seared off. (Anybody else have this problem?) Got that done, and took it for a spin. Wow! I almost forgot what it feels like when its at its prime. When it degrades over time, you dont realize how bad it was. Im ready to run against Mik's Tecate on the Haspin drag now! I also slid the forks tubes up 2 1/2" above the clamps, and its a major improvement for cornering. Cant wait to do an MX with it now! We are going riding tomorrow as its supposed to be in the upper 50's here, so I can give it a day long test before we go to the Rumble in two weeks. Its nice to be on it again. I could have used it when we had all the snow, though.

[FullBore]

Is it an Alloy Woodruff Key? Make one out of steel, it might last a bit longer lol.

Nat

[Billy Golightly]

So Howd your ride go TimSr?

[200xer]

Try lapping the flywheel to the crank. Put some valve lapping compound on there and spin the flywheel on the crank. Clean it all off and put the flywheel on as usual. This is what we do with racing kart motors, don't even need to run a key.

[TimSr]

Lapping it sounds like a great idea that never occurred to me. Its probably the flywheel itself that needs it more than the crank. This is a different crank than I had on it before. Ive already done a "fix" on it, but if it happens again, thats exactly what I will do.

Saturdays ride went great. I took it easy for a while, and broke in the top end on the trails. Lots of mud! Its power was awesome, and its been restored to its former glory! Sliding the forks up with a total of 2.5" above the mount was a HUGE improvement in handling. I was actually able to turn the wheel in mud, and have the trike turn - something Ive never experienced before! It does shift the weight forward, so I added a little air to the forks to compensate until I find some stiffer springs. I wish Id done this years ago. While still quite inferior, I think it at least corners in the same league as the R and Tecate now. Close enough to compensate with rider skill, anyways.
A we were all finshed afeter a full day of riding, we were heading back to the van, when I got a lot of noise from the bottom end, and then it died. TimJrs Raptor 80 towed me back, and we headed home. Sure enough, the woodruff key had again seared off, and this time the flywheel came almost completely off. This time I replaced the key, put locktite all over the shaft, and reinstalled the flywheel, and set the air impact to max and torqued it on. Ill probably regret it next time I go to take it off, but I think itll last awhile this time. Its been firing up first kick, every time, cold or hot. Id say its ready for the Rumble on the Ridge.
Im posting some pics.

http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/triza.jpg

http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/trizb.jpg

http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/triz2003a.jpg

http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/triz2003b.jpg

[Tweeked]

Nice job Timsr,
Looks like you'll have a blast on that one. Are those head lights on there brighter than the stocks by any chance?

[TimSr]

I think a flashlight and duct tape is brighter than stock lights! These are 35watt sealed beam trapzoidal lights from AutoZone, and they work great. Mine are wired to both be on at the same time, which is just about the limit the electrical system will handle (70watts). I have them mounted upside down, and a steel plate is welded on top of the metal light guard bracket.

http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/trizlight1.jpg

http://home.neo.rr.com/timtim/trizlight2.jpg

[Tweeked]

So I take it they're staying on? Looks cool, kinda like bug eyes though :D .

[Billy Golightly]

Is that the universal silencer that you bought, thats on it now? Doesn't look to bad actually. Next time I get my Z running I'll definetly try sliding the forks up and see how it improves it.