In the fun begins, FL400R transformation
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Soon as the new tie-rods come in, I'll be taking it to a local track for a little test and tune...it's running now, added a few little things like a Trail Tech Voyager, some additional lights for night riding and shifted a little weight forward to give a better balance...
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1,251 Posts
Well, how'd she do???
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Shake down report... Please let me start this off by 1st saying this... "IN YOUR FACE HOSER!!!" The front end modification that he was so critical about worked great... Still have some push but this was due to the rear end not having a differential...the suspension worked perfect, soaked up ruts, washouts, jumps and without wanting to jerk the controls out of my hands. In a stock Pilot, the steering gets sensitive at speed...not the case now, it smoothed out more as speed increased and wanted to track straight and not try to grab directions...at one point I was driving 1 handed with no problems...The different geometry of the Kawasaki front end and the addition of the GPR was the nats ass. To the guys that manufacture the LT suspension for these, junk the stock Honda hubs and go with the Kaw KFX700 hubs. This gives you disc brakes, uses the same tie-rod ends and has a different throw point for the tie-rod at the hub. I did add the GPR but had it set at it's lowest setting and it was more than enough...
Steering...still have some push but found by gasing the rear around, it could still turn fairly sharp...more weight in the front would help but at this point, not sure what I could shift forward and I don't want to add weight just to add weight...
Engine temp... Water temp never went about 190 and the fan wasn't kicking on....today was about perfect for temps, 80 outside temp today... This could change though with some jetting.
Now for what to change...need to re-jet. I have it close by the plug but it's still a little rich. Going to lean it out and drop down one more size on the main...It was starting out good but would bog down a little at mid range...I'm not the best at jetting so I have a friend who has driven 2 stroke motors for years. I also have to get more power for the lights...Anyone know of a high output stator for the FL400R? I bumped the light switches on and they drained the battery within 20 minutes...once I found out the problem, a turned the switches off, gave the pull starter a good pull and I was back on the track...Until I find a new stator, going to install a master power switch for all the extras...manage the power a little better. Finally the thumb throttle is really stiff...has good spring response so going to look for a lighter spring...
Overall I am very pleased with the results of the modifications...The aluminum body is going on, take it to the races this weekend for a good shake down run...barring any problems, Monday it will get stripped down and sent off for powder coat and the body will get some graphics for my sponsors...
I did shoot some but I had MX helmet on with the visor and it kept hitting the camera...still cool video but it changed the shot so you couldn't see the controls...I'm adding some additional mounts for the Go-Pro. The suspension was very smooth and having it mounted to cage it really showed how smooth and how well the suspension worked.
Steering...still have some push but found by gasing the rear around, it could still turn fairly sharp...more weight in the front would help but at this point, not sure what I could shift forward and I don't want to add weight just to add weight...
Engine temp... Water temp never went about 190 and the fan wasn't kicking on....today was about perfect for temps, 80 outside temp today... This could change though with some jetting.
Now for what to change...need to re-jet. I have it close by the plug but it's still a little rich. Going to lean it out and drop down one more size on the main...It was starting out good but would bog down a little at mid range...I'm not the best at jetting so I have a friend who has driven 2 stroke motors for years. I also have to get more power for the lights...Anyone know of a high output stator for the FL400R? I bumped the light switches on and they drained the battery within 20 minutes...once I found out the problem, a turned the switches off, gave the pull starter a good pull and I was back on the track...Until I find a new stator, going to install a master power switch for all the extras...manage the power a little better. Finally the thumb throttle is really stiff...has good spring response so going to look for a lighter spring...
Overall I am very pleased with the results of the modifications...The aluminum body is going on, take it to the races this weekend for a good shake down run...barring any problems, Monday it will get stripped down and sent off for powder coat and the body will get some graphics for my sponsors...
I did shoot some but I had MX helmet on with the visor and it kept hitting the camera...still cool video but it changed the shot so you couldn't see the controls...I'm adding some additional mounts for the Go-Pro. The suspension was very smooth and having it mounted to cage it really showed how smooth and how well the suspension worked.
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1,251 Posts
Not sure what the output of the stock pilot lighting coil is. Consider an LED bar??
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78 Posts
Took it this weekend to race in the IATVHHS...other than it over heating, the modifications and performance were great...the automatic switch on the fan went out, causing it to overheat. Going to re-wire the fan to an on-off switch...As for the suspension mods, worked perfect...The Pilot handled everything thrown at it on the course and I could even drive one handed...allowing me to waive at my son everytime I passed him... It's now off to the shop to be pulled down to the frame, powder coat and make it look pretty...
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78 Posts
Dropped the motor off with RPC tonight out of Palo IA...Dan and Brian are going to go through it. Decided to stick with the stocker and not do the CR500...If the CR500 upgrade blows on me, there is no replacement or going back...Monday I'll should hear back on how the 400 bore was looking...etc...and then build from there. Reality is I'm woods racing, I don't need tons of top end since you can only go so fast in the woods anyway... Rest of the body panels are done now, breather system for my helmet is completed, fan wired direct completed and the battery drain from all the lights has been rectified...Hopefully in within 2 weeks we should be putting it back together and send it off for a new skin on the body.
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78 Posts
Powder coating of the frame is done. I pick it up tomorrow and will start bolting it back together. RPC from Palo IA has the motor. It's getting a new bore and piston, good pull down to make sure the motor is 110%... :thumbsup:
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Planning on racing with the stock suspension?
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Nope... Elka on the way to match up with the front Elka will be the primary set up for most courses... I have 3 sets pending the type of course, conditions, tire set up...etc...
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