Honda Elite 50 final gear install countershaft washer issue
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:39 pm
I've had my 99 Elite 50 SAP for 6 months now with various mods. I got it locally for $800 from a guy looking to unload his backup scoot. It was already derestricted when I got it and topped out at about 40 on flats but acceleration was spotty and I thought I'd get squished in traffic.
Daywot (Patrick) helped me out with a race CDI and KRS 8 weight speed variator which got me easily to 45-50 but not close to that on hills. My next mod was a Polini Contesta big bore. That and a 2500 clutch springs and a new center spring solved my acceleration problems and helped a lot on hills as well.
After a 250 mile break in, I took it for a nice ride, maybe 4 miles with some WOT for about 5 minutes and she seized on me. Got the cylinder and piston honed at the local machine shop and was back in business.
Next step was a 21mm OKO carb with a 107 main and new intake with a UNI filter. Trying to get more fuel and air to the head to keep it cool. Still had another seize.
Next was a temp gauge that Burnt_Toast helped me out with and thats when I found out that I was routinely running at around 400 degrees and frequently flirting with the death range of head temps.
With the Contesta fairly scuffed I decided to upgrade to the ported Corsa kit and up my main jet to 135. The upjetting really got the temp down just as Burnt_Toast said it would. But I also wanted to take some strain off the engine so I decided to go to 8.4-1 final gears.
After getting the stock gear pressed off and new gear pressed on the axle, the whole rear wheel seized when I tightened the transmission cover back on.
That brings us to the dreaded washer issue. I've read posts where people have just removed the outer metal washer with no ill effects. I've also read posts where people removed the plastic washer on the back side of the countershaft with no problems. And some have removed both.
I'd really like to hear everyone's opinions on the washer situation with upgraded final gearing. I decided to remove the plastic washer in the back of the case to get the countershaft gear flush with the final gear. Seems to run fine but I'm concerned about the countershaft gear running at high RPM's up against the case.
Let the debate begin!
Daywot (Patrick) helped me out with a race CDI and KRS 8 weight speed variator which got me easily to 45-50 but not close to that on hills. My next mod was a Polini Contesta big bore. That and a 2500 clutch springs and a new center spring solved my acceleration problems and helped a lot on hills as well.
After a 250 mile break in, I took it for a nice ride, maybe 4 miles with some WOT for about 5 minutes and she seized on me. Got the cylinder and piston honed at the local machine shop and was back in business.
Next step was a 21mm OKO carb with a 107 main and new intake with a UNI filter. Trying to get more fuel and air to the head to keep it cool. Still had another seize.
Next was a temp gauge that Burnt_Toast helped me out with and thats when I found out that I was routinely running at around 400 degrees and frequently flirting with the death range of head temps.
With the Contesta fairly scuffed I decided to upgrade to the ported Corsa kit and up my main jet to 135. The upjetting really got the temp down just as Burnt_Toast said it would. But I also wanted to take some strain off the engine so I decided to go to 8.4-1 final gears.
After getting the stock gear pressed off and new gear pressed on the axle, the whole rear wheel seized when I tightened the transmission cover back on.
That brings us to the dreaded washer issue. I've read posts where people have just removed the outer metal washer with no ill effects. I've also read posts where people removed the plastic washer on the back side of the countershaft with no problems. And some have removed both.
I'd really like to hear everyone's opinions on the washer situation with upgraded final gearing. I decided to remove the plastic washer in the back of the case to get the countershaft gear flush with the final gear. Seems to run fine but I'm concerned about the countershaft gear running at high RPM's up against the case.
Let the debate begin!
