Keister's 400X build - VIDEO - Page 8

[userj8670]

If you ever want to drive up f or a day of riding the invite is open. We usually we tack on 50-70 miles in a given day.

[keister]

New levers and cables all around. Steel braided front and rear brake lines.

Had the same problem with the front brake lever install as I had with my 250R. Took considerable time on the grinder to make it fit.
I get very nervous when I have to take brand new (expensive) parts out of the package and straight to the grinding wheel.

[keister]

So the motor has been started and run probably 15-20 times for ~5 minutes each.

Anyone have any advice as to how much time I should have on the motor before I do the first oil change?
Is it too early?

I am using Bel Ray Thumper oil in all of my 350Xes.

[Kintore]

Peeps,

When we rebuilt Dawns 200s, we ran it for one heat cycle. Changed the oil. Ran it a few more heat cycles changed the oil, then we riding down the road some and changed the oil.

I just figure you cant be to cautious. I know thumper is expensive my 450 takes it too, but you never know what is left over inside the motor...

[barnett468]

Hello


I would not run any type of synthetic oil for break in. In short, it can inhibit the piston rings from breaking in properly simply because it’s too “slippery”. I would use a non synthetic wet clutch 4 stroke oil that has around 1400 ppm of ZDDP in it.

I change the oil on a new motor after the first hour or so then again after around 20 hours or less. Your rebuilt engine is a big investment in time and money, changing the oil after these two intervals or sooner is cheap insurance.

I would not use synthetic for the first 40 hours in your case.

[userj8670]

I agree with the above statements. For what its worth here is how i did mine. First start I ran for 5 min and shut down, parked it. Second day I ran it for 10 min and gave a few short blurps on the throttle...being very gentle and not over reving. Third day went for a half hour ride making sure I went nice and easy and went thru all the gears. Oil change. From that point on a drove her around nice and gentle - def not running wide open. I have a speedo on mine and when i hit 10 miles i did another oil change. After the 10 mile mark i figured she was broken in enough and gradually drove her a little harder. Keeping in mind I put on the 10 miles over a couple weeks, not just one day. Good luck!

[FastZ28]

Let Rusty ride it for an hour then change it, and call it good, if it still runs lol.

[Dirtcrasher]

I did 4 heat cycles on my 350X crate motor, changing the oil with VR1 each time.

Then I beat the ever living snot out of it; Runs mint

I just don't have the stamina to hold on. Maybe I need Extenze........

[TatTooL23]

also agree, no synthetic oil for break in

[keister]

Thanks for the advice guys. I drained the Thumper and put 10W-40 Quaker State in last night..... along with a new filter.
I will keep that oil in until after TrikeFest, I think.

Also added a front fender last night.

[keister]

While we are on the subject of oil, here's what I did.

March 19 -- Per the advice of Mr. Garry Crum, I filled the motor with as much 10W40 as it would hold. Probably about a gallon - so full it ran out the fill hole if I removed the dipstick. The idea was to get the 28 year-old clutch fibers soaking. I left that oil in for about 8 weeks. Every few nights I gave the motor a few good shakes to try to keep the clutch plates wet.

On rebuild day, I drained all that oil and added the Thumper. Also shelved the NOS OEM filter.
Yesterday, back to conventional oil and another new filter.

I have, in the past, avoided any synthetics in my 350X's. Reason being, it is too slippery and not good for the clutch. I never thought about that affect on the cylinder / rings. I decided on the Thumper because it is a much higher quality lubricant. Now I am second guessing my plan to change over the Bel Ray Thumper for my garage queen.

The clutch pulls, releases, and feels excellent now BTW. I do have a new set of fiber plates on the shelf prepared for the day that they inevitably give out. Just hope they last past TrikeFest drag races.

[keister]

Looking to finish the build this weekend. It has been a fun time, but I am so ready to be done with this project.
Here are the only parts I have left to install (plus white Maier rears, which won't go on until ATCTim fabs me a heat shield).

TO DO:
Seal leak at cam chain tensioner
New front axle bearings
Fit / trim fenders to clear tank -- mount seat
Rear steel braided brake line
New decomp cable (crate motor didn't come with one)
Fix kicker damage and repaint footpeg

One last tidbit:
The rear skid plate will be the last item to install. It was also the first come off. It came loose during my last 350X ride (13 months ago). While trying to bolt it back on during that ride, I noticed the crack in the frame - which is what started this entire process. Looking back, I am REALLY happy that I bashed that skidplate off a giant rock that day.

[JasonB]

man you are well on your way! its looking great, and Gary Crum knows his machinery lol

[atc350xer]

Looking to finish the build this weekend. It has been a fun time, but I am so ready to be done with this project.
Here are the only parts I have left to install (plus white Maier rears, which won't go on until ATCTim fabs me a heat shield).

TO DO:
Seal leak at cam chain tensioner
New front axle bearings
Fit / trim fenders to clear tank -- mount seat
Rear steel braided brake line
New decomp cable (crate motor didn't come with one)
Fix kicker damage and repaint footpeg

One last tidbit:
The rear skid plate will be the last item to install. It was also the first come off. It came loose during my last 350X ride (13 months ago). While trying to bolt it back on during that ride, I noticed the crack in the frame - which is what started this entire process. Looking back, I am REALLY happy that I bashed that skidplate off a giant rock that day.

I'll be over tomorrow afternoon to help with the finishing touches!

[Dirtcrasher]

Looking to finish the build this weekend. It has been a fun time, but I am so ready to be done with this project.
Here are the only parts I have left to install (plus white Maier rears, which won't go on until ATCTim fabs me a heat shield).

TO DO:
Seal leak at cam chain tensioner
New front axle bearings
Fit / trim fenders to clear tank -- mount seat
Rear steel braided brake line
New decomp cable (crate motor didn't come with one)
Fix kicker damage and repaint footpeg

One last tidbit:
The rear skid plate will be the last item to install. It was also the first come off. It came loose during my last 350X ride (13 months ago). While trying to bolt it back on during that ride, I noticed the crack in the frame - which is what started this entire process. Looking back, I am REALLY happy that I bashed that skidplate off a giant rock that day.

Worse thing is that the 350X swinger skid plate mounts are to thin and garbage...........