Happy as a Pig in Sh*t!

I’m happy as a pig in shit when I’m knuckle deep in motor work. Got back to the xs650 motor today. Cranked the heater, split the cases, pulled the bad crank, seated the new crank and started rebuilding everything. Still need another hour or so to rebuild the top end and knock out the cam and timing but Jersey Shore is on now. I’ll save it for another night.

Save A Buck ~ Fix it

The sh*t I’ll do to save some scratch is pretty low. My XS timing chain snapped on me while bombing back into the Twin Cities last September. After I pulled the top end off, I could see that the teeth on the cam were perfect. The crank sprocket on the other hand… DESTROYED. Not a single tooth left. Unfortunately, this crank sprocket is an obsolete part meaning I’m up sh*t creek. My options are wait it out for  an old xs motor on Craigs list for around $100 beans or just swap the crank and buy a gasket set on eBay.

I went with the replacement crank and a gasket set. The crank ran me $1.99 and the gasket set… $60. Other than an hour of open heart surgery, at least I know I’m running a clean motor with new timing chain and gaskets. The top end was still well within tolerances so I’m gonna let sleeping dogs lie with that one.

Speed Club Garage Welcomes ~ “Blue”

Went out last night with Druncle and picked up this monster; a 2000 Yamaha Banshee. For all my 2 wheeled interest, I’m an ATV man when it comes to spring/summer powersports. In case you’ve been living under a rock, these Banshee’s are KILLERS! With a 350cc twin, water cooled 2-stroke motor, aftermarket aluminum head and FMF pipe, this thing cranks out about 45HP making it the fastest-accelerating two-stroke engine ever produced. Not bad for weighing in at only 386lbs. It’s no chopper or bobber but it is crazy fast, good old-fashioned Minnesota fun !