The bike runs awesome. I have already put 300 miles on it and it is just flawless. I broke it in very gently with a bit of idling, a cool down, and then very gentle riding. Just today I wound it out for the first time at around 275 miles. Here are some random thoughts:
1. The motor is great. It pulls strong to redline in a surprisingly linear fashion, with a noticeable pickup at 7k RPM. It doesn't like to dip below 3000RPM. I would estimate the motor in the 55hp range just based on other bikes I've ridden.
2. As the front end gets light it gets kinda wobbly around 90mph. But I can tell this bike is made for the mid-speed corners where the light weight and nimble handling make it INCREDIBLE.
3. I am very surprised that it somehow gets 44mpg. That means I should have a max range of almost 200 miles, though I don't think I'll try testing that.
4. As a 6 foot tall person, it fits me just fine. Thank goodness. I was able to ride for 4 hours with no knee or neck issues.
5. I measured the compression tonight to get a baseline. Warm I measured exactly 120psi in both cylinders. Should I be running 87, 89, or 91 gas?
6. I have a rattle noise that I am 99% sure is coming from the carbs. It's not audible at idle or while riding at higher throttle openings, however it is while putting around at low RPM or lightly revving at a stop. Using a screwdriver 'stethoscope' I was able to pinpoint it to primarily the left carb. I was worried it was the pistons or something but they actually sound okay. The reed valves make a very consistent tapping noise. But this rattle coming from the carbs sounds like something is loose and rattling around. Anyone ever have that?
7. I have gotten 4 or 5 false neutrals between 5th and 6th. It doesn't pop out of gear, but it likes to get hung up between them and requires a positive shift. If I am shifting lazy, it will fall between gears there. All other gears are fine. Might try a different oil.
8. The jetting seems to be perfect as far as I can tell. It does get a slight lean pop during ~5% throttle so I might try turning in the air screws 1/8 or 1/4 turn (currently 1-1/4 turns out). The top end feels smooth to redline with no hiccups, surging, bogging, etc. This is running stock carbs with 250 main jet, stock air box with baffle and snorkel removed, uni foam filter, DG pipes.
9. The suspension balance of the bike was a bit off when I first rode it. A bit too twitchy and divey. I added 12psi of air to the fork legs and it is great now. I believe the previous owner swapped fork springs because they are linear rate (not progressive wound). The stock shock with slightly stiffer spring is just okay. It has almost no compression damping so it's easy to blow through travel or to feel squatty on the gas. Yet somehow this doesn't stop the bike from being extremely capable in the twisties. I still can't really believe it.
10. Last, but not least, I can't thank you guys enough for the continued support in the form of knowledge and encouragement. It was all worth it in the end.
