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I had to settle for a platinum plated PC pipe for my 03 KX250. Neither PC or FMF make a works style pipe for that bike anymore, sadly.
I am still waiting on my crankshaft and cylinder. I am expecting an email this week. That is all I need to finish, after that it will just be bolting everything back in place and that shouldn't take but one evening. I am getting really close!
Here are the updates,
My shock is back from the Craig at Enzo. Wow, that old shock was nasty, and missing allot of nitrogen. He sent me a baggie of old parts that had some serious stank to them. He also replaced the upper and lower bearings for me. I found a great deal on a titanium rear spring for my setup and weight. The coils are so much thicker, it's very different looking to me. I also read that the titanium springs are "livelier" than steel thus they feel different. I can't wait to try it out.
Fat titanium coils
Finishing the rear suspension, I re-greased all the bearings and replaced the seals. I checked the rollers for flat spots since the grease resembled plastic shotgun wadding. Zero flat spots on the rollers.
Curious looking old grease
Clean and regreased
Continuing with the rear end, I cleaned up the rear brake assembly and threw in new pads. I plan to do the brake fluids once the bike is finished. It would make a fun evening project with my buddies the night before a track day.
Not clean
So Fresh, So Clean
Now, I thought this might be entertaining to you guys. Some friends were cooking out Friday night and could hear some very loud vehicles doing runs. I asked who the heck is street racing. One of my buddies mentioned it was the local Great Texas Mud Race at our expo center. I just had to go.
Oh my lord. It was an incredible mesh of horsepower, lawless people, family people, and FUN!
All of the vehicles are just jaw dropping. We hung around the entry lane to where they were making their runs....I have never been that (less than 10ft) close to idling/revving several thousand horsepower v8s. The sounds and smells, it's like I was on a different planet. Then on top of that, you can stand directly behind the drag lanes and they have optional concrete barriers to duck under when roost from several k HP mud buggy comes flinging back like a wave breaking on the shore.
Here are some videos I took, please, turn up the volume and listen to the engines, and also my country friend getting completely stoked.
Mast Motorsports truck (local high performance engine shop)
Unknown pro class - They actually stand up and ride ontop of the mud.
Here is a picture of a drag truck, this one doesn't go in the mud, they have a dirt strip for these guys
Picture I took of this guys head he blew up while we were there. The promoter asked the crowd if there was an aluminum welder/machine shop that could take a look at this racers engine. My above mentioned "stoked" friend said he could look at it ( we just knew a contact, we really just wanted to meet some of the racers and see the rigs). They drove us all around in one of those Kawasaki mules, beer in hand, it was cool. The racer was from NY! I felt bad for them because they drove all that way here and that head was trashed out in their first qualifying run.
Ouch!
Also, big news, WE ARE GOING TO CRAWFORDSVILLE!! for the last race, Ironman. None of us has ever been to a national race before. I personally haven't taken a day off this whole year so I can't wait to take off Friday the 21st, fly in and soak it up. Let me know if anyone has any tips/suggestions, or wants to meet up! we are getting in pretty early Friday.
The Shop
Bring a good camera with lots of memory, there are a bunch of amazing cars in the museum.
If you go upstairs, there are tons of old photos to look through. My wife's grandmother was in the winner's circle with Bill Vukovich in 53 or 54, we spent some time looking for pictures of her.
Also, I got the call from Ken Oconnor Racing my crankshaft and cylinder will be here Tuesday.
I received my cylinder and crank from Ken Oconnor. He did a great job. I sent a OEM size B piston with the cylinder and the fit is much better than some other plating companies I have used. I also asked him to check the rings as well. I always ask the plater to do that, and they never do! Ken did, and he signed the box too! lol
So I immediately started the build, (so excited). Everything went smooth, except I forgot to put in the clutch arm and I torqued the flywheel on. I misplaced my puller so I am waiting on that. (cant put in the clutch arm with flywheel in place)
Other than that, its all done and will be in the bike very soon. (this weekend)
Barcia
Dungey
The Wheelie Wizzard
https://youtu.be/guy_HutGAHI
Crawfordsville was a really neat town.
I remember seeing that Indian last year at the IMS museum, trying to figure out what all those controls were for! Looks like a good weekend.
I sent the cases to Dan Vitaletti at http://www.vaporblastsolutions.com/
His prices are really reasonable, and he can also extract blind hole bearings or any other bearing for you as well.
His contact info is on his website. Shoot him an email, really nice guy.
Rear brake caliper was done with a big brass brush and hot soapy water.....it took awhile.
I tossed it in after work yesterday, then I got up early this morning to torque the engine and suspension bolts to spec.
Heres the short list, clutch arm install, powervalve cover bolted up, cooling system, clutch cable, carb clean and install, then the subframe and plastics.
The rear suspension feel so much better, just from bouncing the thing up and down. I am pretty excited to see how she rides....should be this weekend!
Pit Row
You will have to excuse the plastics, they are pretty rough looking.
Silver 46mm for 03
Gold 48mm for 04.
I am going to attempt to use the SSS forks in those nice looking blue applied clamps, that way I don't have to weld the steering stops. From my research I will need to trim down the non brake side axle spacer.
I am slowly starting to really appreciate this bike. I was admittedly quite disappointed on my first ride.
But that was totally my fault. As mentioned before, the suspension was ridiculously out of wack (60mm sag....WTF was I thinking), jetting was super fat right in the middle, bars were too far forward, heavy clutch pull....so as far as setup, it was no where close. That feeling of oneness with the bike is really important for me to have a good ride.
I have had tons of fun the past few days tweaking things and going, Ahh! now that is much better!
The SSS forks are arriving as Craig Decker's place tomorrow for a revalve, respring, and rebuild. I am a little nervous about trimming down the spacers so they fit in my 04 applied clamps....but if I can't get that to work, they are coming with the stock 06 triple clamps.
I do peruse TT from time to time. The info is great. I like the members much more on Vital vs TT.
I am probably going to switch out to the original steel 4.9 later this week when I go to the track.
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