trimming reeds

[daBIGstuff]

i have 125 dirtbike reeds and was wondering if i could trim them to fit on a blaster? oh, and why is a blasters reed cage smaller than a 125 bike cage?

[daBIGstuff]

any help here?

[86 Quad R]

ya you can trim em provided your very careful and use the correct tools. i've done it plenty of times.

[daBIGstuff]

what are the tools i should use?

[Kane]

I can only see misery with trimming reeds. Obviously it can be done simply by using a high-speed sanding wheel such as a dremel. But what happens if you stress crack it? You cant see most stress cracks in glass-fiber reeds. Bet the repairs cost a whole lot more than a new set of reeds would have.

[86 Quad R]

Originally Posted by Kane

I can only see misery with trimming reeds. Obviously it can be done simply by using a high-speed sanding wheel such as a dremel. But what happens if you stress crack it? You cant see most stress cracks in glass-fiber reeds. Bet the repairs cost a whole lot more than a new set of reeds would have.

honestly, i'd have to agree with Kane. the odds of stressing the fiberglass without the right tools are great. it'll start to splinter and its not worth it to do it on a engine of that caliber. my reed mods have only been limited to the smaller lil engines like the lt80's, spree's and an occasional chain saw. of course i use the much thinner/more flexible petals used on blasters and such. the beefier engines such as cr's yz's ect tend to have thicker/stiffer reeds.

if you must make your own petals i suggest that you use a band saw that has a "fine tooth blade" and apply an adhesive backer(like the type for printing lables) to the reed prior to cutting or sanding the edges.

[daBIGstuff]

OK, changed my mind i am just going to buy reeds. Thanks for the help

[climb any hill]

+ those reeds aren't that expensive, it's only one cage.
..........Question for my stock FMF Piped, K&N filtered Blaster. Will I notice a good difference by replacing the reed pedals alone?

[daBIGstuff]

yea, throttle response improves. atleast i notice a difference.

[daBIGstuff]

o, the reason why i wanted to trim reeds was because i have carbonfiber reeds with the corners a little chewed. they are what came with my bike along with other junk, like the stock header and another bills header (dented) and partially used clutches, and the original plast.