In August, I came home for a break after the Washougal, Washington, round. Mike Brown's mechanic, Corey Shea, offered to take the motor and assemble the rest of it for me in his spare time. He went above and beyond by polishing the cases, cylinder and head, making it look all factory. He also ran into some problems with some missing parts, and of course, they were still on back order!
Finally in October, all the pieces of the puzzle had arrived. We assembled the rest of the motor, and now my vacationing RM-Z is back at work. I have put two hours on the bike since the assembly and am now on my way out to clock more time on the machine. The only other thing that happened was I had to replace the front wheel. The hub broke where the rotor bolt attaches. It looked as if something hit it. Since the rim was pretty beat, I got a new hub, bearings, spokes and rim, all as parts, with some assembly required. Now that was time-consuming. And if you wonder how expensive it can be to be a struggling privateer on the National circuit, now you can see what just one bike ends up costing because most pro riders are hard on equipment and not the best mechanics!
Running Tally
Hours on Bike: 86 (46 since last update)
Modifications: $2417.68
Dr. D Exhaust: $499.95
Hinson outer basket: $230
Fasst Company Rear Brake Clevis: $53.95
TAG Metals Rear sprocket: $59.95
TAG Metals Front sprocket: $29.95
Maintenance and Repairs: $5845.52 (not including tires)
7 Bottles Torco T-4mxr oil: $8.75 EA.
4 Stock Suzuki Oil filters: $8.95
Stock Suzuki clutch, fiber plates, steel plates, springs: $214
Hub/pressure plate: $474
Clutch cover: $200
Complete head and piston kit: $1297
Top end, including complete head, piston kit and cylinder: $1748
Bottom end parts: $589
Front wheel minus the rotor: $462
12 Ready Filters: $9.95 ea.
5 sets Bridgestone tires 401A ($92.97 EA.) and 402A ($116.42 EA.)*
*mostly used takeoffs from race bike