As always I've returned from the rally with a bunch of jobs to do on the bike. Overall I'm very happy with how the bike went. I started getting a bit paroniod that the gearbox issue was getting worse but it's still as strong as ever. Mal took it for a ride and thinks 5th gear issue may be the Cush drive in the starter clutch area. Thinks first is just a worn gear. Believes it's not a terminal issue and no drastic rush to fix.
Mal said carb balance was spot on just needed the fuel mix adjusted, the improvement from that was surprising and running heaps better. Still seems to have the slightest lag down low and using about 7L/100. Probably just the pods, is like to experiment with the original jets again or maybe open up the exhaust with different mufflers. A set of minuki flat sides is definitely in the future.
The most annoying issue was the oil leaks. Have narrowed it down to the half moons and also seems to be coming from the front head bolt. Geoff suggests it could be a hidden crack, Mal suggests my head gasket just not sealing well in that area. In any event it means head off.
So here is my conundrum, thinking I would not mind putting up with the gearbox as is for now and just get the leaks fixed.
After riding Andy's bike I'm keen to upgrade the motor sooner rather than later but it just won't happen in the near future.
Think I'm better off starting on my other job. Getting it to handle as well as possible. I know the forks are not straight and probably the triple tree too. I had over tightened the swing arm bearings so I'll need to check and probably replace them again. I'd thought of a later model fork swap but think I'll just go with upgrading the original. Is it possible to put 37 mm inner forks from a different bike into the Xs outer forks? Check everything is running true. I'm thinking about adding some late model gussets to the frame if possible.
Next thing you know it will be in pieces again lol
