THE BIGWHEEL THREAD!!! Yamaha BW350, BW200

[Cliff h]

I put new eccentric bushings in my swingarm, only to discover the collar that has the holes in it to lock in the primary chain adjustment is missing! This part is not available anywhere. I scoured my garage to no avail. I blame it on the kids that came over to the house recently. I think that my only option is to take the other part off my other bike and try to duplicate/fabricate a new one. Unless by some miracle, somebody on here has one that they would part (pun intended) with. Except for this part, my new BW is ready for a shake down ride.

Cliff

[Mr. BigWheel]

I hung some new blinds on the bedroom windows. I get to put a new hot water heater in today too! Then I get to go to work for two weeks. The geese will be heading back south before I get home.

Of course, I really don't have anything to complain about. I just got back from three days riding in Moab:



Cliff,

Let me check my pile o' junk and see if there is one of those collars is lying about idly. I could drop it off on the way to work tomorrow if I can locate it.

Regards,

Mr. BigWheel

[Shercoman]

I'm going to be fabricating a rack to hold the 2 gallon gas can on the back of the BW350/400.Need more range!!
I'll post pics when it's done!

[Cliff h]

I found an adjustment lock in collar! Now I will have to wait for a week or so for it to be shipped. Project back on! Can't wait!

[BigE_50]

Mr. Bigwheel, you've made another fine video!

Cretaceous Cliff, you certainly look spry for your age. You're an inspiration to all of us who hope to pop wheelies at many tens of millions years old.

Wishing Hollywood a safe and successful trip,
Big E

[Cliff h]

We cretatious types do what we can do, when we can do it. I hope my swingarm spacer comes in tommorow so that I can re-assemble BW#2. I have a also have a new air filter on the way as I damaged the old one while cleaning it. Pics comming soon.....

Cliff

[Cliff h]

Got my Bigwheel #2 up and running today! It is running pretty well. I added a longer rear shock for more travel and adjustable dampning (thank you Mr. Bigwheel), and it also is quite a bit taller than stock (also has a 25" rear tire). Fixed a non working headlight, it was not getting a ground thru the headlight socket, I ran an aux. ground and now have a working headlight (very handy with the 18 hours of daylight we are getting lately). Still no electric start, It needs a new battery, but I was able to jump the starter solenoid with a battery chager and got it to start electrically that way. Took it for a couple of laps around the block and no issues so far. I would like to take it for a longer ride next weekend. Pics:






Cliff.

[Cliff h]

I am looking for an ignition switch (where the key goes in). My ignition switch is mangled up (Needs no key, but a screwdriver works.... for now). I have not been able to locate one (new old stock) anywhere, I would like to fix this correctly. If anyone has one they are willing to part with, please let me know. Thanks.

Cliff.

[WSdog]

http://montana.craigslist.org/mcy/3025948674.html

Here's a good one for sale

[Mr. BigWheel]

I wish he would deliver to Anchorage.

Shercoman,

I look forward to seeing your efforts on the rack. The factory and aftermarket ones attach right behind the footpegs and conspire to cause major bodily harm in a tip-over. I suppose that's why most of us ride in Supercross configuration when we're not hauling elk quarters back to camp.

Regards,

Mr. BigWheel

[Shercoman]

I'm mounting mine to the two bolts under the back of the seat and the two bolts that mount the fender.I'll probably reinforce the little brackets the fender bolt to.
My intention is to haul a 2 gallon gas gan.
I'll post pics.

[WSdog]

Finally got out. Makes my TW200 Feel like a dog. Now I'd like to Convert my KTM 450EXC..

I'd post a photo but only gives the option of attaching from a URL rather than uploading the image directly to the response from my desktop. Am I missing something?

[Cliff h]

WSdog,

I use photobucket myself to post pics, I'm not sure about anyone else.

pics of mine to share from Permante trail:





Bike did ok, with a compression ratio of approx 5:1 I think these things would run on Boone's farm wines ( I think the owner's manual reccomends "Strawberry Hill" flavor) but apparently BW's don't run on water so well. I dumped my bike while crossing King river, and sucked water into the air intake (note to self, don't rely on a co-rider to provide spark plug wrench). I opened the airbox and drained out 2.7 liters of glaciel fed river water, purged the water from the carb and prayed fervently to every god in every religion and she eventually fired (thank you Budda!). I had to purge some more water 15 min later. After that, the bike would flood out if you let it idle very long, but otherwise ran ok. I need to get the electric start system working again. I think the floats are set wrong and I will have to take the carb. apart and clean it. Are there any "rebuild kits" out there for the stock carbs?

[Mr. BigWheel]

I use photobucket for the same reason that Cliff does. (it's free)

And just like Cliff, I went swimming with my 450 KTM in the King River a few years back. I recovered my airbox cover about 3/4 mile downstream after going through the resuscitation procedure.

The bikes always seem to run poorly until the air filter dries. But riding a balky machine back to the truck is a joy compared to getting it home and draining the milky-white oil out of the crankcase. And then draining it again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only member of that club.

Regards,

Mr. BigWheel

[Mr. BigWheel]

From a ride today:



Just a warning: winter is not far away, ride while you can!

Regards,

Mr. BigWheel