-= Li'l Red =-

Murraymountain wrote:

I haven't had time to throw in my 2c here but I'm loving it! Been keeping up with the thread pretty regular. Love the headlight upgrade! I though I mentioned something a long time ago saying you should put some pods under the hood lol. They look great tho and I'll bet they're plenty bright!

Love the spindles too. They look super stout! I've got my originals reinforced right now on the MM but when it's back together, if they start failing I may have to go this route too.

So far it seems super stout!  I kid you not, I popped about 20-30 wheelies the other day until the belt said, "No More!"  LOL, that 94" belt must be closer to 96" by now.  I have a couple 93's I may try to stretch out.


Still haven't got my bearings in yet.  They were lost for a couple days, then amazon evidently overnighted a new set yesterday UPS that should be here today sometime.  UPS says they are out for delivery.  They typically show around 4-5 in the neighborhood, so I got a couple hours yet.

Bearings came in today.  Not 100% happy with them.  This is the 4th time I have purchased them and two of the four in the package either need grease or have a scarred race.  The two don't turn smooth.  Debating on my path for this as it would probably cost more to ship these back.  The other two are like all the others I have purchased.  Smooth.  Hub installed.




The part of the bit that made it all the way through and broke off from the bottom.



Spacer reinstalled and just for overkill, I reinstalled the nylon locking nut to protect the threads.



Its all ready to go!

Where'd you get these bearings from mighty? Also, are they sealed?

Yes they are sealed.  I was going to pop the seal when I can on the two questionable ones. I have a pick to pull it out.  I got them off amazon.  The previous sets were made in the US, this set I think was made in china.  Definate quality difference.  I'll run them till they fail. I found some that are a few dollars more made in the USA that I will get in the future.

Edit:  Xike They did come from china this time.  Previously they came from US or Germany.  This set clearly says PRC.  Peoples republic of china.

I'll probably look into PNG from now on.  Thats who I got my bearings from for Dirty Rat's peerless 2300 refresh.

As I was afraid, I popped the seal on one of the rougher ones and it was not packed.  Only had some grease squirted in about halfway.

I've revived a great number of bearings by pulling the seals out, washing them out and rinsing them with lacquer thinner while turning them until the lacquer thinner comes out clean, then repacking them with grease and putting the seals back in. Did the AC clutch bearing in my maxima like that. It was nearly locked up and I did that routine and it's been fine since.

Yeah, I repacked both lesser bearings and they are MUCH better. I'll throw them in the ammo box as spares.

Just got caught up, man you are doing amazing work man! Those spindles turned out so so good and the new stance is perfect

Thanks man. I totally scorched a belt trying to pop wheelies to stress test them. Let's just say the holy pulley mod on a dry belt is pretty grippy still. LOL.

Hmm..

Interesting issue.  The carb gasket is wicking fuel outside the carb where the 2 halves come together.  the 4 screws are as tight as possible.  I'd say a defect in the carb but this goes all the way around identically.  I think I may have a bad gasket?

100% gas no ethanol.


UPDATE:

Apparently, I got ahold of a Chinese gasket at some time.  It was swelled up 2x its size.  I looked through my stash and all were USA, but this trash who had a logo similar (not the same) to my US ones but was from China.  I didn't have a new gasket for this style carb (4 screw), I did have an original lightly use Briggs and Stratton one that was in excellent shape.  I put that on there.  We'll see how this goes.  Makes me wonder if one of my other Oppy's have one of these gaskets.

Wonder if a flat block and some 1000 grit might help too.

Old stock gasket appears to be leaking too.  Hmm...

I have a 3-bolt carb that I can slam on it while I figure it out.  Hate to do it because this one is so spicy.

I'm beginning to fear there may be a crack.

If it's possible I would use a file (lightly) on the gasket surfaces to first see if they're warped and then level them out, sure you could use a strait edge and feeler gauges but it's just an unnecessary extra step.  Almost every single gasket surface I have ever checked on a small engine has left alot to be desired.

UH OH!



Nah, it's all good!

So, right now I decided to dig out the old carb from Red.  The original 4 screw.  I always thought it was the issues with the engine in Red.  I later realized.  Especially this past month, the original engine in Red was just done.  Plumb tuckered out.

The old carb works great on this engine.  I am still a little concerned.  It is one of those oppys that is a little bit noisier.  Man does it have some pep compared to the old engine.

Bottom line, no leak, and I can take my time to figure this carb out.  It just seems different than all the ones I have worked with on opposed.

I wonder if you could still find rings for these engines. Or at least ones for the right bore size.

So, I returned Red to the Garage.  I went to bomb it around the neighborhood today.  When I backed it out, I saw a small oil spot on the floor.  I could not find a leak anywhere on the tractor.  I went back out there this evening and found where the oil was coming from.





Can you guess?

If you guessed the shock.  You would have guessed correctly!  Ugh.  I was thinking the front was really floating on me today as well as the front was a little bit more nose down.  I'll send it for now.  Glad it was not the engine.

Think it’s a seal or the case itself is cracked? As cheap as those seem to be I guess it might just be better to get a new one

I was out messing around on Red today and realized if I pedal the gas, I can get it bouncing enough to bring the wheels off the ground pretty good.



Engine has a lot of pep for stock.  Also, it does burn a little oil after first start.

Later after dinner, I realized.  I'm going to use up my tires before I can use them for good off-roading.

I decided to put TDR's other tire set on Red.  That way I don't feel bad going up and down the road.

Ooo, street mode!

The street wheels look awesome on it!

Figured out my next two mods.  

 1 - Oil Drain for the 820. Mowrons have an example.
 2 - Skid plate for said 820.  

I have dragged my feet on both.  Time to do it.

Well, I might put some of that on hold.  Realized a major flaw in my front suspension that was more than likely the reason she tipped on my daughter a few years ago at Haspin.  I was out bombing around in the backyard with Red last night took the turn a little fast and it almost sent me. I was able to recover but almost sent me the other way.  I did some calculated weaving at around 15mph and she gets a little tippy.

What's the problem you ask? (Other than having 2 blown shocks that exasperates the issue)



I wonder it the issue is the placement of said shocks. / \ instead of  | |
It could just be the fact that the shocks are blown, but I fear the /\ design is causing a front axle teeter-totter.

Fixing this isn't going to be immediate, but hopefully done before the end of summer.

Blown shocks definitely aren't helping but they also look like they're layed way in. Shocks that are angled inwards travel easier (leverage) and allow the wheel to actually lift higher, straiter up SHOULD offer more stability.

Keep in mind I have no experience *yet* with shocks on a strait axle although I can't help but feel that the ideal angle would be very close to the theoretical sweep angle that the axle travels, I could be way off base with that though.

This seems like a good opportunity to add some adjustability in shock placement so you can feel the differences and be able to tune it for different types of riding.

Where's our suspension aficionado @AllisKidD21 at!? Lol

I have an idea for a bolt-on solution that I can build for an upper shock mount, but I just need the materials.  And the shocks of course.  LOL

You and Brianator are absolutely right as to the angle of the coilovers. Leaning them in like that gives the suspension more leverage on them, and resistance likely decreases as the suspension is more compressed, at least compared to a more straight setup. Your setup actually has more angle to it than any other I can remember seeing, lol.