Well, I thought I would briefly recap the last two months, so here goes:
Fell off while attempting to miss a very large, rapidly approaching boulder. In said attempt, I pinned my arm under my girth and broke my wrist.
After about four weeks, and many posts read here on PitBull, I started collecting goodies: A Steahly flywheel weight, a Moose reed spacer, FMF Torque Reeds, Cometic top end gasket kit, Moose quick-adjust perch with short lever set, Renthal mx/enduro med. compound grips. etc.
The day I got my cast off I started wrenching on the bike. First it was all the intake related stuff. I took it out to the road to kick it over, and descovered that the base gasket had finally given it up. I had noticed it was easier to start however. The gasket was going to have to be fixed though.
Last weekend, I pulled the top end off (thanks again Rick) and sadly, discovered the piston was trashed as well.
So, with my first ride since the broken arm scheduled for this coming weekend, I rushed out and found a new Wiseco piston kit. I installed the new top end last night, but it was too late to fire it up, so I went home for lunch today to see if the bike would start, and if it did, how it would run.
After about 10 kicks it crackled to life! Man, it was meaner sounding than I remembered. I did not have any gear on other than a helmet and one boot. (yes, I had on regular clothes you smarta$$es
) I was also on concrete, so I knew the traction could/would be too good. I let it run for a good five minutes so it would gradually warm up and slowly stop smoking. It held an idle immediately, which I figure was a good sign. After five minutes, I kicked it in gear and rode up the street....slowly. I repeated this a few times, only I dropped in second because in first gear it felt like it wanted to point the front wheel at the sky. It started to really smooth out after about 10 passes, although if the seat of my pants in any indicator, the bike is faster than it ever was before. The sound and pitch of the exhaust is sharper and crisper than it ever was as well. Kinda scary to be quite honest.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't drooling to get back on the bike in the right setting, and with all my gear on. I would also be lying if I said I wasn't a little apprehensive of the shear power the bike has. I am wondering how long and how easily it will be to get back the "feel" I had before I was sidelined. Maybe my perception of the new speed and responsiveness is due in large part to the fact that I haven't ridden in two months.
Who knows...only some seat time will tell right?
Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone here at PitBull for providing great insights while I was wrenching. it made the job easier and more fun to boot. I will report back after the weekend with pics too. Thanks again!