3xv: Project Phoenix

[busa1300]

Happy birthday. 
Sometimes the best presents you get are the ones you get for yourself. 
I actually saved my first fire up for my birthday this past April.....luckily it went OK.
https://youtu.be/1stvezZ8yNk

Taking your time getting bike dialed in is a good idea considering how much time you have put in it already.
There are alway more track days.

I'll be reading as much as I can and learning, so when I get my bike I will at least have a clue what is right and wrong.
Hope your part of Indiana stays dry this weekend for you

[Steveog]

Big Thank You, Busa.

You're absolutely right, but it just happened to be my Birthday. The crank just happened to let go on 9/11.

Both events were coincidence, but I also believe if we find meaning in these events, there is a real cosmic connection.

Weather looks good for track day at Putnam. Hot, humid, but no forecast of rain.

Thanks for your support. Hope you catch some details from my project. There are real 3xv gurus on this forum giving me advice.

It might seem obvious, but "Give Respect. Get Respect."

Again, feel free to PM me. I'm an expert on breaking loose a frozen swing-arm.

All my best for your project.

Steve

[Steveog]

Had a good track day on my partner's ZX-6.... Until the engine went soft at 12k near the end of session two. The oil sight glass was "full". We siphoned off the extra oil. Then it started making ugly ticking noises in session three, but still started and ran when we loaded it to the hauler. I'm guessing coolant is getting into the lubrication. The same problem he paid $8K to fix. Fook.

As if you on this Forum don't already know, there is a huge difference between wrestling a "built" 600 and a 3xv in terms of handling. One line on a decent knife does not work for all of us used to a scalpel.

We're now committed to a track day, two weeks from yesterday. Lots of tuning and road testing ahead.

My biggest problem seems to be throttle/idle control using the stock multi-cable system. Snagging and unnatural pulling on the cables being my simple diagnosis. I will look more closely at the manual's routing set up.

Our track day organizer has welcomed me showing with a 2T running pre-mix. Exotic smoke being a non-issue.

Wish me luck building the bike up to use in anger for this event. Very tempted to use the dual-core TZ radiator (it's been hot and humid, lately. This temp/humidity Hell usually continues through mid-September.) But, I want to stick with -00 CDI for this upcoming track day. If all goes well, the Zeel and a dyno come next.

As always, all opinions welcomed.

Will report road tests and show plug chops.

My best to all.

Steve

[Steveog]

The bike is ready for a test ride. However, when kicking it into gear, it immediately dies. Just as it would with the kickstand lock-out in place. I eliminated the lock-out last summer. Taking the blue/yellow wire coming from the ECU (that used to be connected to the lock-out) to ground worked fine....then. Now, even with that blue/yellow wire grounded (I tried several points on the chassis), the bike still dies when first gear is engaged.

The neutral light on the clock is illuminated, so the ECU is talking to the tranny.

I'm tempted to pull that wire from the ECU, replace it then ground the new wire.

I also have a Zeel sitting in a box. I believe it has no feature for kick-stand lock-out. Plugging in a whole new ECU seems premature, but I need to test the bike's running characteristics. It feels good on the stands and has been through 5 heat cycles.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Steve

[Martin77]

Does the neutral light go out when you put it into gear?

[Steveog]

Yes, Martin. The neutral light goes out in sync with the engine cutting off.

It's a real mystery. Nothing else in the wiring harness has been changed, except the elimination of the injection oil level relay.

Believe I'll plug in that relay just to be sure there is no interaction with the kick-stand lock-out.

It would seem that if the ECU can't see the oil level relay, it wouldn't even start on the stands, but will only take a few minutes to test.

Thanks

Added 15 minutes later: Connected the injection oil relay. No joy. 

[vinny]

Are you sure it's a electrical problem you have .??
Perhaps something is  wrong with the clutch / gearbox and she's  just stalling .
Just putting it out there   .

[Steveog]

Martin and all.

Success: Got it rolling under its own power.

Ride review first: Started first kick on choke. Killed choke in about 15 seconds. Motor lost revs and died. Kicked it again with no choke, but a bit of throttle. Blipping the throttle, rolled down my driveway. Took a short 3 mile ride. Never got higher than 3rd gear or 8K rpm. One half throttle. Even on a hot/humid afternoon, the temp gauge never got above 55C. That's amazing. Still running stock radiator and thermostat.

It pulled OK from idle, but not really clean. A bit "burbely" until 5K, then a clean pull to 8K. Depending on the throttle postion, there was an occasional dip in power delivery a 7K. Much better than the stock engine. I know I have some carb work to do. Warwick recommended going back to #20 pilot jets. Pretty sure the idle and air screws are not right yet.

No leaks, overflows and the exhaust smoke was greatly diminished once warn and revved out. Good call, Martin.

Overall: Very pleased. Now, a bit of fine tune awaits. But, not today. Its been almost 10 months since it blew. A great day.

Steve

The problem was solved by grinding off the powder coating with a Dremel at the ground contact. Should have tried that before raising a red flag.

[Steveog]

Are you sure it's a electrical problem you have .??
Perhaps something is  wrong with the clutch / gearbox and she's  just stalling .
Just putting it out there   .

Yeah. That possibility had me spooked. Fortunately, its was merely a poor ground. The powder coating guys did a good job of doweling the threads in the chassis, but grinding off the mating surface and making sure the bolt was tightening the wire from the ECU made the difference.

Thanks for your opinion. Glad you weren't right.

Steve

[Martin77]

Awesome work Steve! now the next stage of the project begins...

[thump566]

Are you sure it's a electrical problem you have .??
Perhaps something is  wrong with the clutch / gearbox and she's  just stalling .
Just putting it out there   .

Yeah. That possibility had me spooked. Fortunately, its was merely a poor ground. The powder coating guys did a good job of doweling the threads in the chassis, but grinding off the mating surface and making sure the bolt was tightening the wire from the ECU made the difference.

Thanks for your opinion. Glad you weren't right.

Steve

Bit late apologies but sounds like the first gear engage & stall like I experienced in the refurb. traced it down to earthing issue with the proppstand, stripped, cleaned and refitted then all was well 

Sounds like you're in the home straight now, at least for Round 1 

[Steveog]

Martin. Thump.

Thank You.

The support from several key friends here on the Forum is the reason I got this far.

Now, time for a celebratory adult beverage or two.

Steve.

[SeaR1ck]

I know you've been drinking them coors light but if you can find it locally. Check out some dogfish head craft brewed ales. Craft brewery out of Delaware a little more expensive but they don't really make anything under 7% alcohol.

[Steveog]

Thanks for the tip, Rick. I do like Coor's, but don't intentionally go "light", unless someone else is buying.

Tonight, it was Stella Artois. My son and I had dinner at a local tavern.

Appreciate your help on this journey. I now have the track bike you recommended from one of your first comments.

You were right.

Steve

[SeaR1ck]

Here's another craft beer i like north coast brewing out of NorCal. It has a nice hit to it at 7.6 acl/vol.