Topic: Got rid of my 550K... and replaced it with a 550F and a 350F

[seanbarney41]

Scottly, I started skating about 1984.  There were no skateparks.  But even in Michigan, we skated lots of embankments and ditches.  Backyard ramps were a thing but you had to know the right people to skate 'em.  At the time it was a rebellious, underground activity.  By 1987, that all changed for a few years, and then in the 90's all the hype kinda died off only to gradually build up again...seems like skateboarding has become a stable, growing, acceptable sport? now.

[scottly]

I got my first board about 20 years before you started, Sean. The next wave came in the '70s and thanks to urethane wheels really took off.

[carnivorous chicken]

...seems like skateboarding has become a stable, growing, acceptable sport? now.

It's in the Olympics, after all. But the bifurcation of skating started in the '90s with the X-Games and the Dew Tour and that stuff, leading to the Maloof Money Cup and Street League (where first place for a weekend of skating was $150,000 -- I DJed the first Maloof Money Cup with some friends). But there has always been the other side -- skating in the streets, pools, ditches, backyard ramps, etc. We (Thrasher) don't cover any of those big contests -- they're on ESPN or whatever -- but just cover raw stuff.

That being said, skateboarding is in a slump period despite its seeming popularity, and the industry is going through a cyclical downturn.

[carnivorous chicken]

Leaving PHX tomorrow AM. I had a good couple of days seeing friends, skating pools, playing records, and... cleaning up this thing.

I got a POR15 kit and relined the original tank. Decided on the name "Spotted Dick" for the bike based on the spots on the side covers (and I usually don't name my bikes). Adjusted the valve lash. Put in a new air filter. Synced the carbs. Put in a little elbow grease on some of the nuts and bolts to get the surface rust off. A couple more touches -- new rear brake light mount, new turn signals -- and it'll have the chrome bits looking good. The engine shows some age, maybe clean that up a little or throw some paint on it (this isn't a restore project, so just enough to brighten it up a little). Next trip I'll be able to use the original tank (also needs a new cap seal). It runs well, gets me around, and my friends are cool with me leaving it at their place.

Picked up spare carbs for the 550F so as soon as I get back home to CDMX I'll get that thing back up and running (after a broken float tower). Got a few more random parts for the airrbox and stock motor mount hardware.

It's been pretty hot (but only a few degrees above 100!) but still got some work done. Be back in 6 months or so.

[Stev-o]

... cleaning up this thing.

Looks good, Chris.  Dont think I've ever seen a 350 with a Kerker?

[carnivorous chicken]

Looks good, Chris.  Dont think I've ever seen a 350 with a Kerker?

They're out there. Scored this one in a parts lot from SF that I got sent to AZ. Pipe is loud, like my 550 was.

[grcamna2]

...seems like skateboarding has become a stable, growing, acceptable sport? now.

It's in the Olympics, after all. But the bifurcation of skating started in the '90s with the X-Games and the Dew Tour and that stuff, leading to the Maloof Money Cup and Street League (where first place for a weekend of skating was $150,000 -- I DJed the first Maloof Money Cup with some friends). But there has always been the other side -- skating in the streets, pools, ditches, backyard ramps, etc. We (Thrasher) don't cover any of those big contests -- they're on ESPN or whatever -- but just cover raw stuff.

That being said, skateboarding is in a slump period despite its seeming popularity, and the industry is going through a cyclical downturn.

They've paved the local bike paths w/ 'Chip n' Tar' garbage  .. rather than real,rolled asphalt. Davis Has the $ to afford It ! 

[carnivorous chicken]

Made it back home to CDMX. It is illegal to bring used parts and you are supposed to declare them and potentially pay a fine and/or some kind of import duty. Every time I go to PHX I bring stuff back -- this time a set of carbs and two spare bodies, a petcock, some of the mounting hardware for the airbox and motor mounts. I waited for my bag to come through but... it never did. This means it's either lost or they are flagging it for inspection. They flagged it for inspection, but as usually happens the guy asked me to open up my bag and show him. I explained that I have a bike here, can't get parts, showed him pictures that included the Mexico City license plate, and he said, like all the others have said before him, every time it happens, "It's fine, just don't do it again."

I'll begin carb work tomorrow and hope to have the 550F up and running either tomorrow or Wednesday, rejetted.

[denward17]

Good news getting through customs like that...

[carnivorous chicken]

Good news getting through customs like that...

I honestly think they're looking for bigger fish to fry. The guy ahead of me was on a flight from Japan and he had a bag completely full of Japanese candy. Raised some eyebrows but he walked through as well.

[carnivorous chicken]

Started in on the carbs today, although thinking I might get it done in one day was a bit optimistic (I also had a few other things to do, and I am in a swimming marathon so I had to go do a leg of that today as well).

That being said, I am also feeling insanely lucky. I opened up two bowls at Bob's before I bought these, including the one body that has a broken post on my set off the bike. They looked pretty good, but I didn't really look at them up close.





I opened them up here and... someone has rebuilt these, and maybe recently. They are completely spotless inside, bowls and bodies. They have the stock brass, including Keihin #38 and #98 jets. The float bowl o-rings aren't squished in the slightest and are completely flexible. The floats move up and down freely and the float valves operate as they should. All are set the same and correctly (I will clear tube them on the bike). I'm doing a little cleaning of the exterior and the bowls after I realized I don't have much compressed air and carb cleaner around, so that part will come tomorrow. Pretty happy with that score.

Once I clean the passages, I'll put in the Keihin jets I ordered to lean the mixture and I'll move the needle one spot to lean it out. Then I'll mount them and see how it runs. I picked up a few other tidbits for the airbox set up, including some hardware and the drain tube, so I will put those on. I also picked up motor mount hardware -- it's got non-oem that does the job but is a little long. And I've got those Hagons to mount as well...

[Stev-o]

Good news getting through customs like that...

I honestly think they're looking for bigger fish to fry.

Agreed.   Flying home from CUN a couple years ago, I was wearing a cool hat made out of a palm frond when I entered U.S customs. I was flagged and brought into a back room. Thought for sure they would seize my new [$20] hat, but she just looked it over and sent me on my way. Bigger fish to fry...