rm65 mini

[breakdirt916]

'03 rm65 mini tard, first ride, washed the front in a hairpin

how are these bikes supposed to handle when you just slap tires on oem wheels? just keep pushing until you wash?

could just be the bike...I noticed that mini was so friggen light with such a small wheelbase, that pretty much anything (pavement imperfections, body re-positioning, etc.) would shake the whole thing into a boogie...maybe I washed because I moved around too much in the turn

or...this is a stock rm65 with a scooter tire on the OEM dirt rim (which are pretty narrow) - this thing looks pretty pudgy on the front - I was wondering if a fat tire on a narrow rim was pudging out and made it harder for me to properly push the bars into the turn

oh man...talk about cheap track days...$40 @ 1 track, $30 @ another w' membership (& $15 mondays!)...low sided the bike, straightened out the shifter, and kept going!



oh man, my bikes keep getting smaller



& some of these guys really fly!

[Kurlon]

Things happen MUCH quicker with smaller wheels. That little warning you get as you're pushing past your available traction on a full size bike, it's one tenth as intense and twice as quick on these little machines. Slow down, LOOSEN UP and start doing some figure 8s on pavement slowly trying to feel it out. You'll crash lots but eventually learn to read the tire. Also, I found I had to really work on body position, HANG OFF the thing, and be smooth with your transitions.

[breakdirt916]

hahaha, that pretty much felt dead on...tiny wheels, super fast washes...so much fun

I need to do the "new-used bike" refresh (transmission fluid, new bars since old ones are bent) then start the figure 8's or just spend a full day on the track to get used to staying loose, body positioning, and being smooth

so...I'm guessing because it's a 2t, that I need to do the top end right away?

how are the "namura" top ends on fleabay? $36.66

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Dirt-...b49749&vxp=mtr

otherwise, the wiseco standard bore top end (piston, ring, circlip) is $63.99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Wisec...211177&vxp=mtr

[csmutty]

Go wiseco or oem. Don't forget about the bottom end either.

[SVRACER01]

i would try to get a front rim size that matches the rear...or vice versa.
also, because the bikes are so short, its really easy to be sitting way back on the seat just from a comfort stand point, and since the back of the seat is almost directly over the rear axle its easy to either overload the rear or underload (if thats a word) the front making it light. get some big boy bar risers so you can sit further forward and try to keep your upper body over the bars and your lower body closer to the fill cap

[Kurlon]

I want to say Wiseco offers 'GP Style' pistons for many minis. Different window/skirt setup that is more road/sustained high RPM friendly.

[csmutty]

I believe the gp pistons are single ring correct?

[breakdirt916]

yes sir...

"GP style pistons are single ringed, have thicker domes than standard Pro-Lite pistons, are pinned on the centreline and have no intake window."

but first google search - $136.95

https://www.slipstreamperformance.co...ducts_id=22457

from a cost/fun benefit, I'll stick to OEM/wiseco...I'm not looking to make it work "the best"...I just want it to work

and I won't keep this forever...just hit the track like 10-15 times, have fun, then sell it

i would try to get a front rim size that matches the rear...or vice versa.
also, because the bikes are so short, its really easy to be sitting way back on the seat just from a comfort stand point, and since the back of the seat is almost directly over the rear axle its easy to either overload the rear or underload (if thats a word) the front making it light. get some big boy bar risers so you can sit further forward and try to keep your upper body over the bars and your lower body closer to the fill cap

what's the advantage of the matching rim size?

and yes...my ass is basically on the rear fender...another rider also told me I might've washed in combination with hanging my upper body off the handlebars too much...overloading the rear, with no weight over the front - likely a wash

I sat on another bike with CRF50 bars...they were awesome...way more comfortable, and I wasn't banging knees on the bars! I agree...it should help a lot with putting weight in the right place for body positioning

[Kurlon]

Pssst... That website, it's not posting prices in US Dollars... FYI.

Also, the GP series are supposed to outlast the regular series, despite being a single ring.

[breakdirt916]

interesante...

I found another link, $76 ain't so bad!

I do like the idea of longevity...you gotta keep these babies on the pipe almost all the time; unless you're slowing for a turn...so she'll feel the wear and tear

more mini action:







and yes...that's me holding everyone up, LOL

[Kurlon]

Git yo skinny ass off dat seat!

[B440]

i would try to get a front rim size that matches the rear...or vice versa.
also, because the bikes are so short, its really easy to be sitting way back on the seat just from a comfort stand point, and since the back of the seat is almost directly over the rear axle its easy to either overload the rear or underload (if thats a word) the front making it light. get some big boy bar risers so you can sit further forward and try to keep your upper body over the bars and your lower body closer to the fill cap

Here you go: http://www.rswracing.com/kx65.htm

I have this triple clamp on my KX100. I'm 6'0" and it makes the bike feel so much bigger. I can get forward and plant the front wheel.

[breakdirt916]

kurlon - I did eventually...then crashed...

so I spent the rest of the day planted on the seat, lowered the speeds to learn the bike

when are you coming man?? if you stay saturday-monday, we can ride one track on Saturday and another track on monday!

but wow...those triples look awesome! I also heard the fork brace can really help keep that front end from twisting...

now how are triples any different than tall bars? they both look like they just raise the position of the hands

[Garrett]

That looks like so much fun

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

BBR makes a bunch of mini stuff like higher bars, triples, risers etc

[breakdirt916]

garrett - friggen blast...try it!!

oxx - I saw the bbr stuff...just trying to keep the investment minimal...not going to trick this thing out...just keep it rideable

[B440]

The triples have two sets of holes for the bar mounts, and the mounts are offset. So it allows you to move the bars forward, as well as upward.

[breakdirt916]

hmm...I would like forward...I sit so far back that I'm practically on the fender, haha

another rider recommended that I drop the clamps on the forks about 3" and get it forward more...he even runs clip-ons, but I don't have the knee clearance for that

[B440]

The KX One-Hundy has three holes. I put mine farthest forward and offset the mounts forward too.

[breakdirt916]

whoa!! that's cool!!

I have to find someone out here with those clamps on their bike...I want to see how they feel before jumping in...the CRF50 bars are only about $35 shipped

[breakdirt916]

well, I sold the RM65 a bit back...and got into a new project:

1997 CR80!!



got a friend who lost his job...he got this bike for free and can't afford to pay the $$ to get her track ready...so I'm going to do the work in exchange for saddle time (which for me, is only realistically 4-5 times/year)

-the front rim is a 17", but the rear is a 14"...already sourced used tires for free

-according to google, the "CR80Rb" or "expert" model came with a longer swing arm and a 16" rear wheel...
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/858...o-cr80-expert/

unfortunately it's at least $100 for the swing arm and $150 for the rear rim...doesn't seem quite worth it yet

going to do the following:
-top end, install hour meter
-transmission fluid change, radiator fluid change
-new brake pads, bleed brake fluid
-currently - clean the chain/sprockets, see how it does on the track, then get new chain/sprockets (possibly re-gear at that time)
-swap dirt tires for slicks (my friend already got the tires) - mechanic will do for $10/tire
-replace miscellaneous fasteners
-install catch can for all fluids

then we'll get it on the track, and tweak it from there...but I will be careful about not making this a money pit/project.

you can get carried away and easily spend $1,000+ on these things:

http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showt...e-CR80-or-KX65

[B440]

Nice. Ditch that motor and toss a 125cc mill in it.
http://cr500riders.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB...1364934241/all

[breakdirt916]

nice!

a 125 in there would be wild!!

[breakdirt916]

okay!

to my limited knowledge...it just needs a top end, maintenance, street tires, and a catch can to be track ready!

the air filter was missing...



the proper amount of transmission fluid did not come out...nor was the radiator close to half-full



chain caked in mud



the cylinder head bolts took a little negotiation to come off, and the cylinder head itself has a bunch of dings from debris going through the engine, and the rich burn has a good amount of carbon buildup on the piston...



but otherwise, the cylinder is clean and still has its crosshatching...new top end, and the motor should be good to go

the front brakes have very low fluid, and the rear brake pads are almost down the metal...but the rotors are re-usable, so we should be able to get away with new pads and brake fluid top off/bleeding

from a track prep standpoint - we're getting slick tires (already sourced), and I need to put 2 catch cans for the 4 drain hoses on the bike (1 radiator, 2 from the carb, 1 crankcase breather), tune the carbs so we get a nice clean tan burn, then setup the gearing so you shift into top gear 1/2 way down the main straight at Adams Motorsports park in Riverside, CA

[breakdirt916]

took the head to a shop...they said it's not salvageable



some of the gouges were too deep...they said it would create "hot spots" in the cylinder head which would lead to pre-ignition

used head (in good/smooth condition) ordered from fleabay...

new plug and fresh fluids picked up:



front tire mounted:





rear tire likely mounted by Thursday...