The Flywheel Chronicles

[mik_str]

After having ridden around with a lightened flywheel (done by Roger D. himself) for a number of years now, I have decided to swap back to an OEM unit for a change/experiment. I swapped bikes with my bud Jack Flash (from the Superhawk forum) last weekend and was really impressed with how smooth his engine was, so I'll see if this exchange narrows the (vibration) gap on my bike. My bike is ridiculously responsive (the product of the numerous rotating weight reductions carried out over the years, including the recent addition of carbon wheels and CMC front rotors) and I figure I can afford to step up to a heavier flywheel without losing too much of said response. As I ride my bike exclusively on the road and like to partake in decently long rides, the added smoothness may be a nice change. Of course, if it does't work out as expected, I can simply swap the lightened one back in.....

[sirch345]

It'll be interesting to hear your opinion on this flywheel swap back to an OEM item Micky. I know many have carried out this mod (of a lightened flywheel on their Firestorm/Superhawk) and rave about it. Some even say it's one of the best mod's they've ever done, but me personally I'm not 100% sold on this. So I look forward to hearing your opinion

Out of interest, what was Jack Flash's opinion of your bike

Chris.

[carmanbikes]

Keep us updated on what you think as I have a flywheel ready to be dropped off at Rogers

[mik_str]

tyo put things in perspective, many who perform the mod are running basically stock engines with little/no additional powertrain lightening. On the other hand, my drivetrain has been extensively lightened:
- Hyperplate aluminum clutch plates
- lighter pistons and rods
- (slightly) lightened (and balanced) crank
- anti-rattle primary drive gear removed
- 520 chain and Al rear sprocket
- carbon wheels
- lightweight rear brake rotor
- CMC rotors (front wheel I know, but so long as the Wheel is on the ground it needs to be accelerated)

so there is a significant weight loss apart from the flywheel, so I think I can afford a slight weight gain for soem additional smoothness.........

as for JF`s comments, he didn`t say much (though he has since mentioned he was impressed by the rapidity of the response)

[kenmoore]

I am extremely interested in this experiment.

I have J E pistons, no anti rattle , lightened flywheel and an electric water pump that allowed me to remove the pump drive gear and chain.

I love the way my bike revs, however the extra vibration around 4250 revs is a pain at times.

Interested to see what you think!

[NZSpokes]

I have just gone to a light one. Really like it. makes the bike more aggressive.

Yes it makes it rougher round town. But I dont ride it round town as I have a big ol Bandit for that. In saying that i have a 1000 mile in 24 hours ride coming up and the Bandit is what I will be on.

[mik_str]

Picked up the OEM flywheel yesterday and it will be going in Monday morning. Will report back on the results but I am hoping to trade a bit of response (have LOTS of that now!!!!) for a bit of smoothness.... The beauty is I can always swap it back in if the trade-off is too big.... Of course, adding carbon wheels has given me a lot of wiggling room on the response side of the equation....

[mik_str]

so, get ye OEM flywheel on and the result is favourable (for me, anyhow). While these things are hard to quantify, vibration seems down by about 25% and low-rpm pickup is smoother and cleaner. Things are slightly less frantic response-wise but, as I mentioned earlier, all the other work done has given me a good cushion to work with. So, it works and will be staying in.

On another note, when I pulled in to the dealer to have this done (couldn't be bothered to do it myself, so I paid one hour of shop time), the tech goes out of his way to state that the chain (slightly loose, granted) is likely the source of my vibration (*yawn*, yeah, whatever). I explain what has been done to the engine and my reasons for going back to an OEM flywheel (sensing all the while this is going over said fellow's head). Seeing as how he is preoccupied with the chain tension, I tell him to tighten it while it's on the stand (throwing a bone to the dog, so to speak). I never thought to double check it afterwards, I mean the guy is a mechanic. I am riding along and keep hearing this mild "whirr" sound as I decelerate (never heard it before in 230,000 km of riding, never heard it on any bike btw). I pull over and check the chain tension: Jeezus!!!! You could likely use the chain as a spring board for diving!!!!! I got home and loosened it up (it wasn't so tight as to bend the shaft or kill the bearing, but quite snug it was). Moral of the story: check and double-check the work of shops. I am starting to think there aren't any good mechanics out there anymore........

[lloydie]

I don't trust anyone anymore to work on my bike for that reason.

[mik_str]

sadly, living in an apartment and not having all the necessary tools, I have to call on the skill of others for most of the big jobs (though in this case tightening a chain is obviously not; I couldn't fathom that a so-called mechanic would mess up something so rudimentary)...

[VTRDark]

You scare me when you take you bike to a garage mechanic Mik.

(:-})

[mik_str]

You scare me when you take you bike to a garage mechanic Mik.

(:-})

YOU'RE scared? Imagine how I feel...... lol