Build Thread: Dax IV w/Electra Coaster 1-spd

This past Saturday I pulled the head off my motor. easy.

The Head Studs were loose, and by loose I mean, finger tight!
Jam nutted the stud and tightened them all back up carefully.
Just firmed them up really. I might do it again with blue Loctite.
Lapped the head down with 300 grit on glass pane.
Burned carbon in the compression area of head.
Removed with a combination of Carb Cleaner, 180 grit, & 300 grit sandpaper.

Cylinder walls looked shiny.
The piston head was mostly dark from burned carbon too.
Have to go further than I did and remove the jug to clean piston head.
I had limited time and did not want to mess with the piston rings.
There was one spot that was much lighter, shiny/brown.
It looked like a "flare spot", and it was right hand side transfer port area.
(I should have been taking photos)

I also made a new "exhaust gasket" from cereal boxes.
Have to get a new one on order.

The squawk noise still exists. I am going to make a video so it can be heard.
It may be a normal noise, ...or not.

Made two 10 mile runs on Sunday, no problems.
No difference at all actually with performance.

One thing else I hope to let you all hear in the video I will make...
Sometimes at high revs, I can hear a "metallic slapping".

Ah! And my pedal side chain totally came off while riding!
Got stuck sideways under my pedal, and broke into two pieces.
Stopped at the bike shop and picked up a new chain.
I think it just jumped off over a wierd bump and fell, caught, and broke.
But I did not really expect that at all. No harm, no foul!!!

Last ride I was out on I ran out of gas again. And again I was with my wife.
She of course laughed at me. While riding, I was hearing a bunch of noise.
It sounded like clicking or snapping. I pulled out the Bucking Bar and BB.
The BB has a flat spot on it! I will need to get another.

Still having carb idling issues. I may order the RT carb and cable. hmmm...
Or just finally get the correct O-ring to seal it up right.
A new BB and Bucking Bar, replace both just to be thorough.
Get a new exhaust gasket and spare magneto while I am at it.

I also pulled the plug. It's the one I bought new for the build.
What you see is the plug in it's state after a couple hundred miles.
At least 100 miles were at 20:1, I have since moved ratio to 32:1.

I will get a new one of these.
Maybe the iridium from SBP. He's got a bunch of stuff on his site I would love.
I am seeing a lot of potential in making my engine better.

plug pic's...

This weekend I cleaned up that spark plug with a wire brush.
Then I put more grease in the bucking bar and BB.
The bike is running much better now. Even at slower speeds.

It's been a couple hundred miles now.
My engine is building a little more power.
Like I said above, it is smoothing out too.

I am pretty excited about putting on some upgrades in the future.
The bike is performing better than I really ever expected.

Heard a bang while killing the motor...

Running the bike around after the wife and children are in bed is the best!
Found a great straightaway in the neighborhood with only a couple stops signs.

I was cruising along and I killed the engine to coast silently.
My speed was pretty good, maybe 20mph or so.
Just as I killed the engine, I heard a pop or a bang! It was a small noise.
But enough that I got worried. So I turned around and headed home.
There seemed to be no ill effects from the pop.
But I am going to investigate what made it backfire.

it's been a pretty busy summer.
With my regular job, working part time at the bike shop, and hanging out with the fam.
it's left little extra time to get away.
October and november might free up some time, ...might.

6 month update...
All is good with the bike and motor. Pre-mixing@32:1 and running really good once it warms up. C-Clip in either the top or second from top position. Next year I hope to get a new SBP throttle and that jetted carb from Pedal Chopper. It's hard to emphasize enough taking the time to build it up the right way. I know some of parts of my build may have seemed spendy. However, there were/are no major mechanical issues that I was unable to overcome. I really feel confident taking it out on longer and longer rides. Still packing the essential tools just in case. If you don't carry something to break the master link on the motor side, your just tempting the break-down gods to hex you. Took it out and down the Des Plaines River Trail. That was from Golf Road down to Lawrence Ave, and back. Barely a sole out there and the scenery was gorgeous. Kill the motor when I see folks out there (be polite), and just cruise along at 15-20 mph keeping a low profile in general. I really like the tone I get from the stock exhaust, and I am not trying to add HP at all. I have no quams about being out there, it's governed by the same rules as e-bikes. Not sure what the winter holds for this hobby of mine, but I will be plenty busy with family and other hobby stuff. Sad the season is coming to a close, but excited for what the new year holds!