rebuilt 88 LT500r and problems

[Deathzilla]

Hello all, this is my first post and I am happy to have found this site, having the oppurtunity to own only 2 strokes, I find it nice here. I have a problem with my zilla, I have just finished putting in some Ebay purchased gears, on a machine i bought, but my second gear is slipping out into first sometimes only under heavy throttle, the only modification I have that could affect is a 15tooth front sprocket. this really sucks after waiting so long and rebuilding my first LT500. I think I need a new shift drum, or can the forks be the problem? Any suggestions? Oh and believe it or not, the zilla feels faster than my modded banshee, that sprocket really helps.
Mario

[suzuki LT250R]

maybe one of your shift forks is bent???? That is my only guess.

[zillaguy89]

hmmm....I could be wrong here, but hopefull yyou did the work yourself and will know what I'm talking about here...haha

OK is the spring on the shifter shaft installed correctly? and maybe the end of the shift cam that the gear from the shaft rides on, its got those little spring loaded teeth that actually turn the shift cam itself (the part that ratchets)....maybe those springs are weak and they don't catch properly, but now that I think about it, that would cause a problem in all gears probably...

Boy thats a complicated mechanism to talk about with no pics...haha

[Banshee]

Just a wild guess did you buy a magnetic Drain Plug off ebay? My buddy bought one and raised all kinds of issues with his motor and shifting. Can't remember if it was the same issues but basically the magnet was to high and to strong that it would actually pull it out of gear.

Told you this was a wild one

[lannyLT250R]

Wow, are zilla's that big of a pain in the ass like everyone talks them to be? or is it like most 16 year old quad that it needs lots of maintanence?

[Banshee]

I think it is like any 16 year old quad but a little more maintenance because it's a bigger old motor. With correct maintenance they can be reliable just most people mod them out and you always loose reliability when you start modding the motor.

[Deathzilla]

Thanks guys DT250rides, yes I did the work myself! and THESE bikes are not crap or high maintenence, I love opening motors up, the previous owner was a complete idiot, he ran it with NO OIL, from the nice seized 5th gear, and broken teeth on its mating gear, basically I replaced the whole shaft, and anything that was worn, I forgot to replace ONE SPRING!!, the one that kind of holds the anterior shift fork to the shift drum. So I put it together with my little brother, and we ran it today. PERFECTION! I cant believe the torque and the sound, I love the growl under acceleration. I checked the pawl (the two little teeth that rotate the drum those were good,) Banshee, no I dont have that magnetic drain plug, and thanks for the info, Ill avoid it, important to also note that that magnet may ruin the balanced magnetic field of the stator, that is very sensitive also.
Lanny250r in response, No, I rebuilt a 1995 Kawi Ninja sport bike, this rebuild I can pull off in my sleep now. Just take care of the bike and it will take care of you, I bought this thing for 1500 dollars, and fixed it with 500 dollars with all new bearing seals, ebay complete bottom end. It was just abused, they put a longer swingarm and NEVER lengthened the chain! In California, these bikes cost much more than I have paid.
THANKS for the replies guys! Ill be able to help anyone else now, these things are not that hard to take apart.
I have some more questions, I have bought a Paul turner head, was this the "best" choice, Im also thinking of ordering a PTR pipe, and maybe a RAD valve, what do you guys suggest. Im also thinking of buying an LT250R, any leads here in CA?
Thanks,
Mario

[dubs LT]

when I got my LT it also slipped out of 2nd. But luckely the bike came with spare parts, tranny was one of them! So I rebuilt the shafts with all the good gears and then had them backcut 11 degrees (I think it was 11). I am VERY VERY happy with the way it shifts now, solid and firm.

Its a huge dragin help also. put just a little presure on the shifter and let up on the throttle for a split sec and BAM right up into the next gear. Like I said firm and sollid and REAL fast (shift) everytime!!!

I was worried about metal shards in and potential damage but there is none to be found. A buddy with a heavly moded shee told me to do it. Said it would be one of the best things I could do, he was right! He actually had a wasted tranny in his shee. All the dogs were worn (rounded). He back cut it and 3 seasons later still runnin the same tranny with more mods to the motor(more power)!!!

It cost me 75 bucks which is a whole hell of alot cheeper than replacing gears and shafts!!!

I have yet to hear a bad comment about backcutting. Its a mod that will last and In my opinion one of the best nonpower adding mods that can be done.

Aaron

Im also tryin to recrute the shee guy Im talkin about, we need more e2s members!!!!!!

[370banshee]

back cut gears huh?????

[sparkzilla]

Deathzilla sounds like you got a hella good deal. I am pretty sure when you get everything in order you will be thrilled with your zilla. I know I love mine. But it has a tranny issue too. Any way good luck with it.