Scooter work

It's been some time since I've actually worked on my scooter. But I seem to have a renewed fondness for the scooter. Since I was actually prepping it as a pit bike for All Star Bash, I wanted to make sure it's running o.k. Being it's 25+ years old I'm sure I have to replace a whole bunch of stuff. But i'm not going to just need to get it going. Swung by the the Scooter Shop in Orange, Ca. Replaced these things called roller weights. For easy reference it's right across the street from Motorsport Auto, the Z gurus. Luckily these guys knew what I had and was able to find something for me.


The rollers were sitting on the shelves for so long that it has long lost it's packaging, this is how I got the parts. There seems to be different weights available. Lighter weights improves acceleration at the loss of top speed and heavier weights does the opposite. I've upgraded from 7.0 weights to 4.7, for better acceleration, hopefully it won't degrade the top speed much.


Never really tore apart the drive train on these things, but it's so easy I could do this stuff with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back.


Here's what the old rollers look like, it's flat spotted which is a no no. Acceleration gets erratic as the scooter gets up to speed.

This is the clutch assembly, looks like shoes for drum brakes. The clutch itself seemed questionable also. The shoes and clutch bell are glazed which didn't look good at all.


Some sand paper to rough up the surface should do the trick.


While I was at it, might as well change the oil. Yes the Rotella even finds it's way to the scooter.

Results: It definitely has a noticeable pep in the acceleration department. I don't know if my top speed has improved since I didn't have a working speedo. But who cares it's a definitely improvement from $13.00 parts

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Car Cast

Since Top Gear America didn't cut it with local TV execs. The Hollywood car nut/ comedian has decided to strike out on his own. Not Jay Leno, but the "other" gearhead Adam Carolla has begun making his own podcast about anything and everythings cars. I just finished listening to the first hour long episode and I thought it was pretty entertaining, it was a bit long. But I have a short attention span anyways. Hopefully they will start making a video podcast.

For more info swing by their site. Also swing by iTunes to subscribe to the podcast.

Fail

Why? Cause I didn't get to go All Star Bash this weekend. Stupid piece of crap wasn't running right still. This time I wasn't gonna try and figure it out what was wrong with it, and feel horrible like I did and AE86 comp and Megan Invitational. Usually, I don't normally attend these events, but what had drawn me to this event was this time they were using Streets of Willow, for me this was nostalgic.


It's been maybe 5+ since people drifted on that track? Before drift days, formula d etc. there was Speedtrial USA. True car guys who had an open mind about drifting. When they held open track sessions, they would have us in our own group where we could drift. Most of us were really green then, since there wasn't many who knew or even understood drifting. Streets was the track where I learned and understood the fundamentals of drifting. Nowadays people got it easy where there are classes they can take, I learned by doing since there wasn't any classes or instructors.

I know not much smoke but what do you expect with a 100 hp

All this in my little 100 hp Corolla, I bet most who think they are really good at drifting probably can't do it in a little corolla that could.

Does anyone remember the first track that was drifted in mainland usa?

We the People

Image via Wikipedia

What does that mean to you. At least for me it was time to do jury duty. This time it was in compton, you know bloods and crips, nwa and eazy e. So i'm sure i'll see more drama than law and order. Some people really hate it for whatever reason, but I didn't mind much. It's the least you can do for the country that you live in, so quit being selfish. Last time I was called up they didn't even get to serve. And so far I got a streak going on, since I was sent home yet again.


But here's something interesting. Looking for lunch around the courthouse, I spotted this fried chicken joint. So i'm like there should some good southern cooking here. Wrong, look below and it says chinese, and yes it was chinese food much to my chagrin. What's that all about. It's koreans running it with mexicans cooking the food, but if you're going to run a restaruant at least change the damn sign. Anyways at least there was a Popeye's fried chicken down the street. I just had to walk another block, bastards.

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Nomex Socks?

Where the hell are they?!?

Silver Anniversary

If you're into anime, especially if you watched Robotech and Macross back in the day. Today is the anniversary of 超時空要塞マクロス 愛・おぼえていますか ,The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?. I've been a fan of Macross for quite sometime and actually did a marathon of watching both Robotech and Macross last year when I got laid off. Anyways happy anniversary!

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Head bolts revisted

Browsing Ukiya Shokai's website. Same guy who gave me the idea of using 7A oil pan on a 4A 20v block.

A while back I wrote about using 20v cylinder head bolts in a 16v engine. Looks like they beat me to the punch and made a kit. From what I can translate, they claim it's a stronger bolt than original. As for cheaper alternative, maybe.

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Engine check

Since i've been running on a poorly tuned car lately, I decided to do a compression check. I was nervous that I may have blown the motor since I felt the detonating and miss firing at the last event I attended. To my surprise, I got over 210 psi, not bad for a POS motor that I quickly threw together. And no I didn't cheat by adding oil. BTW I did add oil to check ring condition and it didn't go any higher. So rings are also in good shape not bad for parts I found in the back room. Don't not follow this example and used old parts like I do, since I am an experience professional I know what i'm doing.

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Not again....

This year hasn't been all that great. You'd think I would learn my lesson and not smash into walls. I still have a lot to learn. At the Megan Drift Invitational, I barely scrapped the wall. Fortunately, not too much was damaged.



Scrapped the rear bumper


and thrashed a perfectly good rim. And yes the tire did seperate from the rim at the event.

The rest of the car looks o.k. from closer inspection the day after.

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Hello Las Vegas

Formula D Vegas, it's the first time i've been to Fd Vegas event. The last time I was here was when D1 had their events here. The course is different from the D1 event. It seemed a tad slower, but still exciting. My only gripe was the amount of one more times that were being thrown down. It just really sucked and just sucked up so much time. Even the audience seemed a bit fed up with the one more times. Don't get me wrong, i'm not challenging the judges since I know that they are drivers, not photographers/magazine editors, and have a better clue of what's going on than any internet drifters. Maybe some audience participation on whether to go one more time should be used.

I didn't too many pics since I was spectating in the grand stands.

Looks like Steve C. has made a new friend.

ITB's x8 Daijiro's Discount tire Lexus IS.


Motley Crue Mattly Crue out to support their boy Matt Powers.



Ryuji v. Tommy

Couple of snaps of Vegas before the event.








After a long day we headed out instead of staying the night. Since an Ultimate fighting championship was being held the same day traffic on Sunday would be terrible. Too bad the neighbor didn't take my warning seriously.

For the rest of the pics swing by here.

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Like 7AG?

2009 TEC-ART'S 7AG project?

7AG, not too many people do it. Most people don't understand it. The rest just believe the lies that internet racer know it alls throw out. Way back when in 2002 I built a 7AG, definitely the best bang for the buck A series engines. Combining the extra torque from the stroke, plus the breathing abilities from the performance G heads, it was definitely a sleeper motor. To the untrained eye, they were a bit difficult to detect unless you're an A series engine geek and know exactly what to looking for. Since it you're doing is changing the block you can retain all your smog equipment, pass smog and show your local law enforcement that it's a stock engine. I came across TEC ARTS site just window shopped like I normally do, and came across this car for sale. Well looks like they've built themselves a 7AG. Look at them numbers Maximum Horsepower: 223.4Ps (7960rpm) Maximum torque: 23.4k (6140rpm) Though some 4A heads may be ho hum about the hp #'s. But if you take a look at the torque numbers and where it's produced. I'm sure that formula atlantics and similar variations of engine will probably have their max torque figures probably at higher rpms which makes them more useless on the street, but maybe someone can confirm/deny that for me. At ~6000 rpm it's at max torque, at that rpm you wouldn't even need a close ratio gear set. Maybe it's about time I yanked this guy out of retirement. To see more specs on the vehicle or maybe you wanna buy this vehicle click here.

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What to do with old oil

Luckily, the area I live in has a free motor oil pick up service. It's usually limited, but I can do all the cars no problem. They also take filters. Just set up an appointment and leave all the oil and filters out front.


By the time you get home from work, it's all gone.

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Megan Drift Challenge

Reason why I tried out for this event was cause of the cash prize being offered. Since it's nice to win some money while having fun. I thought I had a shot at winning this pot, a long shot. But if you bring a knife to a gun fight don't expect miracles. That pretty much sums up my day. Struggled pretty much all day trying to at least get one clean run with a car that wasn't up to par ever since I put it back together. I just feel bad that I failed my peers and couldn't put on a good show for the spectators who came to watch. I shall do better next time, but it's time to move on.


Next stop ASB!

Now that i've got all my emo ramblings out of the way lets take a look at what went on that day.


The two most important items of the day. Lots of water and good sunscreen. I don't know what the temperature was that day. But it was taking a toll when you're wearing a black multi layer racing suit and helmet.


The ladies of Megan racing showing off what their mommies gave them. I'm glad it's not Cyrus or else we'll all be blind.


Good friend and O.G. Team Cipher Antonio A. took time out of his busy schedule to visit.


Mark S. broke the transmission in the Inland Drift 240sx earlier


It took a hachiroku guy to fix it.




Big thanks to all who put this all together:
Megan Racing
Drift Association
Nexen tire
Nitro 2 Go

Also thanks goes to these guys:
Colin F who I asked for some advice before the compeitition and I ended up in the wall j/k.
Luc who was kind enough to let me borrow a wheel when I popped a tire. Even though I forfeited. Oh well I wouldn't have mattered I sucked.

For some pics swing by here


Did I mention it was really hot out there?