Friday, July 17, 2015

It's Back!

Raceway called me twice on Thursday, once in the morning just after they opened and then again later in the day. The first call was to let me know that they were assembling the bike again and that it would be ready on Friday morning about noon. The second call was around 3:30pm to let me know that it was done and ready to be picked up in case I was in a real hurry to get going.

On Friday morning, Brad gave me a ride back to Salem via a scenic route (which I would never be able to duplicate) to pick up the rig. They replaced the header, the right cat, muffler, all of the exhaust system clamps and bolts. I shouldn't need the rope and steel hook to keep the muffler attached to the rig. You can also see the new right cylinder which includes the piston and rings. They also replaced the lifters, lifter guides and pushrods. One of the pushrods had a lot of wear on the end which was the reason for going out of adjustment so frequently.

The entire final drive was replaced along with the grease soaked rear brake pads backing plates and springs. The rear brakes actually provide some braking now! I don't think they did much since I purchased the rig and I assumed it was one of those "They all do that" things. Now I know better. The final drive also included the main drive shaft u-joint. All of this shiny new stuff makes the rest of the bike look pretty filthy.

The sidecar drive axle was replaced along with the u-joint. The splined coupler that connects the splines on the axle to the wheel was in good shape and reused as were the axle bearings.

They replaced the hydralic steering damper as the seals were leaking. This was the retrofit steering damper that Ural started to use on the 2014 models. I was told that many of the early dampers had started to leak and this was one of them. This showed up when they took the rig for a test ride after the alignment was done. Not pictured is the new kick start lever and the retrofit timing cover which allows me to use the spin-on oil filter. They now use a strong magnet on the bottom of the gas tank to help hold the reverse lever in place. Mine always wanted to slip back into neutral unless you slightly engaged the clutch to hold it in position. The also replaced the fuel lines including replacing the plastic "T" with a brass "T". Something that I tried doing before leaving on this trip but couldn't find one in Fairbanks.

I also picked up a spare "donut", the rubber coupler between the engine and the drive shaft. And a couple of the rubber timing plugs. I had lost the original at one of the campgrounds where I had adjusted the valves.

While at Raceway, it was difficult to avoid picking up a real farkle as they have a lot of stuff on display. It is simply a clear anodized aluminum ring that provides a little more "structure" to the ignition. Normally, it's just the lock barrel sticking out about an inch. It looked very unfinished. Isn't is shiny...

How does it run? I think that it is running lean as there is some popping and the left cylinder CHT is running pretty hot. I checked the compliance fittings, all of the exhaust bolts and the vacuum hose on the left side that controls the petcock. All are tight. When I called Raceway, they said it may be timing and the next time I'm in the area, stop by so it could be checked. The idle speed was set to about 700 rpm and it frequently died at intersections. I plugged in the TwinMax and resynched the carbs after raising the idle back to 900-1000 rpm. No more dying at intersections.

I think that's about it after the rig spent the last 12 days in the shop. Thank you to Ural and the Raceway staff, especially Kurt, the wrench that worked on the rig. Ural came through even though only one month is left on the extended warranty! Raceway even had free t-shirts for Brad and I.

 

 

 

 

 

12 comments:

  1. Raceway really stand by their products. Respect for pulling it through warranty. If I lived closely to them I would immediately consider buying a motorcycle from them. Seems like a very fine company.

    Finally back on the road, eh!

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    1. Yes, I'm satisfied with the service. It seems over and above. I'm still a little concerned with the "popping" which suggests lean running.

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  2. Hooray for getting back on the road. That Ural warranty seems first class. Between you and Dom, Raceway got a wad of their money.

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    1. The extended warranty seems really worth it. And Ural stands behind their product.

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  3. Great news! Can't wait to see where it will take you now!

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    1. Initially, I'm heading south. I need to keep the speed down for a break-in period.

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  4. Always ask them to throw in a t-shirt, sometimes you win.

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    1. It never even crossed my mind. Thank you for asking!

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  5. Isn't it great how URAL stands by their product? So glad you got your rig back. Any pics of the worn pushrod? Any thoughts on their part as to cause?

    Great also to hear Raceway continues to provide excellent service to riders and their rigs....Kudos.

    Weird that they set the idle to 700 rpm though, it's supposed to be where you set it later.

    How are the plugs looking now? lean or rich?

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    1. I'm impressed though it would have been better if it never broke down...

      1000 rpm is a better place.

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  6. Richard so glad to see your bike back on the road many happy miles to you, have fun riding the sun

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    1. A lot of sun today. 102F in the middle of the afternoon.

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