Whats up R* brothers, I don't post much but wanted to share this with you.
I have an 04 R* at 18k miles I installed Yamahas high compression pistons I didnt want
to bore the cylinders because the dowel pins were relocated on the 04 so i went
with yamahas parts. I installed their cams as well as their 42mm flat slide carb and valve springs.
Barnett clutch and yamahas ignition. All went well it ran like a champ around 25k
miles I started getting some spark knock with 93 octane used since new I had no clue.
A buddy said put the stock pistons back in. Huh? it didn't do that before,it should not now, carbon is NOT
our friend neither is ethanol. Two bottles of yamahas ring free new plugs and oil problem solved.
As time passed the * got hard to start hot you had to leave the throttle locked a couple minutes
then ride or it would stall but restart. A buddy stopped by a 5 star rated yamaha mechanic
of 42 years, he told me start that thing and ride around the block a couple times,
I did, he then with the bike running locked the throttle at 2k rpms. The bike is blowing through a
Vance and Hines two into one he said can you hear that its not hitting solid on both cylinders I said
Ok lets figure this out..

Long story short we removed the heads ring free cleared up the intake valves but
not the exhaust side of things I spent three days cleaning the carbon off the pistons,
heads valves and exhaust ports. I relapped the valves installed new valve seals and reassembled
the heads. Just about the time I was going too start to get it back together my buddy called me and
said dont put that 17 together back just yet I want to talk to you.

Long story short the crank in a R* is Heavy that determines how fast it revs up we pulled the motor
split the cases, I bought Carrillo rods they cut through the oil better, and took the rods& pistons to
a place where they specialize in balancing they lightened the crank balanced it to the new rods and old pistons I had installed earlier.

Crank bearings etc all were good, now instead of a big block looking crank this one is micro polished
and looks like a brand new piece of steel. Ordered all gaskets and we reassembled the motor.

I can not believe how much better this motorcycle runs, absolutely perfect and hauls a$$ to boot.
If I would of known how much better this bike can run I would have done it miles ago. And if you
look at it you cant tell any thing was done neither can the hd guys until the light goes green..

If you want to know anything else this mod I will put you in touch with the right people.

Ride safe

oh geez just what i need to hear with me going into the motor over the winter

starjak sounds like you have some coins tied up in the ride of yours. Bottom line how much you got in the motor mods? Not counting the carb and external of the engine.

@ smokescreens If you do there will be many smiles inside your helmet. I went riding with an fjr this am
at the first stop he said what did you do to that thing we are riding between 80 and 105
every time i look in the mirror your right there it cant be the same bike what the h#ll
did you do? I would not tell him, racing gas lol

@ curt Yes, the old saying rains true THE SQUARE ROOT OF GO IS DOUGH the rods $750 crank cut and polish bal 750
I dont remember the cost of yamis pistons and cams or clutch because I had installed them a couple of years prior gaskets 300 labor 1k .. buddy rate or I don't think I could have pulled it off. 2800
still missing the valve springs they were installed at the same time as the pistons. Now that I think about it I dont want to know maybe 4k

Sometimes just throwing a bunch of high performance parts at an engine does not guarantee an engine that will perform up to expectations. What you did with lightening and balancing the crankshaft and changing the rods was to better match the pistons to the engine. Good job!

I have the same color r* And thank you, the best part is no bigger bore no bigger heat can still ride state to state
just have to twist less. Another plus my best friend is a certified yami mechanic, I have to paint his house in and out
part of the deal but that is what I do...

starjak wrote:
I have the same color r* And thank you, the best part is no bigger bore no bigger heat can still ride state to state
just have to twist less. Another plus my best friend is a certified yami mechanic, I have to paint his house in and out
part of the deal but that is what I do...You got a bargain there! A few gallons of good paint and some sweat and you have paid for it. Heck I would even date his ugly sister or sister-in-law for good measure!

Humm you got a point its just that his sisters are fine. The one thats my age is already retired
go figure guess it will have to be the plastic ding bat hes with now off and on give the poor guy a break..

from Yakima, WA

Sounds like a sweet motor. Have you ran it on a dyno yet?