took the Max out for a serious test drive today. What a difference!!!
this winter I put on new Metz 880's ( 170 rear--cleared swing arm OK, 110 frt), bead balanced, 440 standard spring 12 in shocks,
rear and front Galfer brakes with new rotors, 3in over Franks Maintenance 43mm forks, new seals, Ricor emulators with 5 wt oil, Race Tech constant rate springs, and new bearings/seals in the wheels. Greased/filled the drive train.
I already had a Starfighter seat from Ebay (cheap), foward controls, and a 1.5 in handlebar spacer to bring them slightly up and back.
I am more of a cruiser than a racer, but I like power and I love the Max.
With stock springs/shocks, etc every middle sized bump and bigger was a bone jarring experience. I constantly rode around every possible bump cause it hit so hard. Dived badly under braking. I just couldn't do long trips.
These mods aren't for the hardcore guys who generally want shorter forks and a stiff ride. I wanted comfort with control, and these mods work for me. The bike corners fine, but then I don't corner at 90 mph either. Bumps are much softer and with less vibration, or you could say "resonance". Just a little thump-thump and you're over them. Very little brake dive, maybe an inch to inch 1/2, under normal braking. Haven't hit the front brakes real hard yet, hope I don't have to.
The Galfer brakes are very good. Not too twitchy/grabby and slow you down very smoothly as you increase pressure. Very predictable. Got on them repeatedly for short spurts to seat them, and they just got better and better.
I had to install longer brake cables, which I got from Sean Morley (along with many of the other parts, thanks again), and a longer speedo cable. I had to get an auto speedo cable repair kit and solder/crimp the auto style square fitting on the one end, as Yamaha uses square at both ends (which was hard to find, at least for me).
When I installed the new front fork springs I cut off the upper 2 inches of the old springs, "soft coils". and placed them on top of the Race Tech springs seperated by a washer. When I finally had everything in there I think the one inch preload compressed these extra coils almost down, and made setting preload much easier. In any case the forks are perfect for my needs.
Filled her crankcase up with 5w-40 Rotella synthetic and went riding.
The police pulled in back of me at about 5 miles from home and followed me all the way back home so the testing sort of wrapped up early. Really, I am a cruiser not a racer. I do love raw acceleration though, and the Max just brings that out...........my bad.
Have a good riding season everyone, be safe, and thanks for all the help and advice over the past winter.
Smackdown
P.S. If you're ever in Kansas City, shoot me an email to go riding.
[email protected] Or call me at 913-287-0820.
