Thumper Club Forum

Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: JOOLZ on May 30, 2012, 06:49:03 PM

Title: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on May 30, 2012, 06:49:03 PM
I rode the XBR 600 for the first time today, its a completely different animal, compared to the old bike, very rorty snorty :) with a lovely crackle on the over run. I put 2 short videos on you tube. Enjoy
&feature=plcp
&feature=plcp
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: guest564 on May 30, 2012, 07:19:53 PM
The 600 conversion is more than worth the money  :) :)
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on June 01, 2012, 12:32:34 PM
I just got back from a longer ride today, the bike behaved its self very well, with no signs of pinking from the high compression. The only downside was a small weep of oil from the rocker cover gasket, and some movement from the head bearings as it settled down, so a little torquing down and adjustment will be required. Carb jetting was spot on, so no need to play around with that, and the methanol / water injection worked ok and kept the engine temperature down. Im extremely pleased with how well things are going.
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: Richard on June 01, 2012, 12:36:30 PM

Excellent result.  Water/Methanol injection - you sure you haven't built a Bf109 by accident ?
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on June 01, 2012, 01:45:47 PM
A lot of 1940's and 50's high performance piston engines used MW injection with spectacular results, but they were also supercharged. Methanol / water doesn't work so well in naturally aspirated engines, but you do get a small increase in performance due to charge cooling, but I was more interested in keeping cylinder head temperatures lower
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: blew on June 01, 2012, 04:54:54 PM
I can't really compare my 600 conversion,because the bike was knackered as a 500.I simply used an XL600 barrel and piston.It's torquey,rather than revvy,so I fitted a 16 tooth gearbox sprocket.It feels as if I could get off and walk faster because it's rather effortless.The bike was running rich,probably a worn needle/jet combination,so I fitted a Dominator 650 carb,and the plug colour is much better.My pillion hates it and won't come on it though-too slow,she says.
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: Andy M on June 03, 2012, 09:34:45 AM

Excellent result.  Water/Methanol injection - you sure you haven't built a Bf109 by accident ?

Read the service instructions as well as the power figures. If memory serves it was head off every five times the boost was used.  :o

Maybe 1980's Japanese Metalurgy will increase this, but by how much?  ???

Andy
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on June 03, 2012, 10:46:51 AM
No problems now with head life, lots of modern hot rods and especially pulling tractors injecting vast quantity's of MW with no ill effects. I am injecting relatively small amounts into my naturally aspirated engine, which means cooler denser intake charge, lower head temperatures, reducing the chance of pinking, no exotic fuel mixtures needed and no need to decoke the engine any more
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on June 03, 2012, 03:52:21 PM
Suzanne and me went out for a short ride today on the XBR and had a very pleasant afternoon, although a new problem has cropped up with the bike, serious transmission judder at low revs when using the clutch.  Im not sure what might be causing that, has the clutch failed ?. Any ideas anyone?
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: guest24 on June 03, 2012, 09:24:28 PM
How is your chain adjustment?
Did it only start to happen when two-up?
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: 002 on June 03, 2012, 09:58:17 PM
Dry Plates....Sticking Plates.

Clutch basket needs dressing with a file.
Springs at the back of clutch basket U.S.

Pull the cover off and have a look.

Jethro
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on June 04, 2012, 08:06:26 AM
Thanks for the advice, I only noticed it 2 up, the chain is properly adjusted. It looks like I may have to strip the clutch, I dressed the clutch basket when I rebuilt the clutch with new plates and springs, Im starting to think it may be the springs on the back of the basket.
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: guest18 on June 05, 2012, 10:45:05 AM
"- you sure you haven't built a Bf109 by accident ?"

If it sounds like this:
&feature=related

Then I want one!  :o 8)

(Warning, audio porn in the above link, your significant other may look at you strangely when you repeatedly play the clip at high volume with a dreamy look on your face!)  ;D
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: JOOLZ on June 06, 2012, 07:05:51 AM
Ooooh Sounds lovely, no problems in this house with engine sounds, Im always playing youtube videos of engines running, I think Suzanne has resigned herself to that fact
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: tommy on June 07, 2012, 08:27:47 PM
I can't really compare my 600 conversion,because the bike was knackered as a 500.I simply used an XL600 barrel and piston.It's torquey,rather than revvy,so I fitted a 16 tooth gearbox sprocket.It feels as if I could get off and walk faster because it's rather effortless.The bike was running rich,probably a worn needle/jet combination,so I fitted a Dominator 650 carb,and the plug colour is much better.My pillion hates it and won't come on it though-too slow,she says.
hi blew i am doing the same thing now to a xbr  was there much improvement with the dommie carb what jets  are you  using and have you got the airbox  or a pod filter,tommy
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: blew on June 08, 2012, 12:06:30 AM
The bike was always running rich with the original carb,perhaps the needle and jet were worn.The Dominator carb was a straight swap,with a bit of fiddling to get the cables sorted.I left all the jets as they were.The plug is now a much better colour,and the bike seems a bit smoother.I haven't noticed any great difference in performance.I used the original airbox and filter.The main jet in the carb is a 140,and it seems fine;I don't know whether to try anything else-I wanted smoother running,not more performance.So far,it hasn't stalled once on tickover or on decelerating,which is a definite improvement on before.The tickover used to be erratic,but not any more.
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: guest7 on June 08, 2012, 07:51:55 AM
Ahhh... XBR erratic tickover - there's a well-worn thread.

My only observation is that although the Honda revised settings and pilot jet help matters, all of my bikes have been much better after having their valve seats reground.

GC
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: tommy on June 08, 2012, 09:42:40 AM
thanks blew thats a  big help tommy
Title: Re: XBR 600 first ride
Post by: blew on June 08, 2012, 03:27:48 PM
The Dominator carb is the same bore as the XBR carb (39mm),but the jetting obviously suits a 600 better than the XBR500 carb.There is also a clever little lever that opens the CV piston at small throttle openings,which I think is responsible for the smoother running.It behaves much better at idling and lowish revs than the XBR carb,and the plug colour is a nice brown,whereas the XBR carb always produced a black plug.