Kawimaha
Newbie
Hi guys. I'm new to the "new sled" world. I restored a 79 Kawasaki Drifter 440 (with 1500 miles) a couple years ago and have had plenty of fun with it. It's the only sled I've had but doesn't offer much of a suspension compared to the new sleds! It's very simple and easy to work on compared to this RX-1 so far.
I bought the 2004 RX-1 from a friend of a friend. It hasn't run for me yet (but started on ether) and I knew the carbs needed a good cleaning and rebuild. I feel I got a good deal... $1,200 for the sled with just over 5000 miles. The down side is that it was stored outside most of its life and needs a little TLC, Armor-All, cleaning/wax, anything. Many jobs so far have taken hours more than they should to loosen rusted bolts along with taking extra time/care not to break anything.
Right now I'm working on...
I've read through probably a hundred threads in the past few days...lots of good info! My question is (and It might be a dumb one): Can the Y-Pipe support bracket be riveted back in before the y-pipes are attached? To rephrase, can the y-pipes be installed easily with the bracket riveted back in?
I'll have to post pictures of my rebuild so far.
I bought the 2004 RX-1 from a friend of a friend. It hasn't run for me yet (but started on ether) and I knew the carbs needed a good cleaning and rebuild. I feel I got a good deal... $1,200 for the sled with just over 5000 miles. The down side is that it was stored outside most of its life and needs a little TLC, Armor-All, cleaning/wax, anything. Many jobs so far have taken hours more than they should to loosen rusted bolts along with taking extra time/care not to break anything.
Right now I'm working on...
- * Carbs: Rebuilt and waiting to be put in.
* Rebuilding the rear suspension - Found the "W" swing arm cracked amongst a couple bad bogies, bearings, cracked relay rod, etc.
* Fixing exhaust - Found the typical crack/separation at the X crossover. Wrestled with rusted Allen Head bolts, and had to drill out the y-pipes support bolts.
Ended up having to drill out the rivets for that supporting bracket and cut one tunnel protector/rivets to remove the y-pipes. What a PITA.
I've read through probably a hundred threads in the past few days...lots of good info! My question is (and It might be a dumb one): Can the Y-Pipe support bracket be riveted back in before the y-pipes are attached? To rephrase, can the y-pipes be installed easily with the bracket riveted back in?
I'll have to post pictures of my rebuild so far.
thobkirk
Extreme
I reinstalled mine after attaching the brackets if I am remembering right. Although I don't remember anything about the y pipe replacement being easy. I remember separating the muffler being a PITA.
kirkswim
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When I did my exhaust donuts, I did not remove the bracket but I had to remove the headers to be able to get the y pipes to slide in and out( had to replace them since they were cracked at the flange). With 2 guys the muffler section will slide on super easy if you have not attached(bolted or riveted) the y pipes to the tunnel. All my bolts cam out by heating the head for 10 sec with a #3 oxy-acetelene welding torch. I then replaced them on reinstall.
For the y pipe bracket remove the mounting bolt to the pipe, slide in the pipes and bracket rivet the bracket, install the muffler section, tighten the bolt. Lots of room if the skid is removed.
For the y pipe bracket remove the mounting bolt to the pipe, slide in the pipes and bracket rivet the bracket, install the muffler section, tighten the bolt. Lots of room if the skid is removed.
Kawimaha
Newbie
Thank you guys...
I realize it's been a couple months, but thanks to your help, I got the exhaust out...and back in amongst a hell of a lot of other things, haha. I ended up removing the exhaust bracket and re-rivoting it back in after the exhaust fixes. She's pretty well rebuilt all around and almost ready for snow now. I'm just finishing up front A-Arm bushings and adjusting the rear suspension. Below is a link to many pictures I took along the way and a list of what I did. The site helped me quite a bit for many jobs!
Click Here: RX1 Work Slideshow
Pretty much torn apart here...
I realize it's been a couple months, but thanks to your help, I got the exhaust out...and back in amongst a hell of a lot of other things, haha. I ended up removing the exhaust bracket and re-rivoting it back in after the exhaust fixes. She's pretty well rebuilt all around and almost ready for snow now. I'm just finishing up front A-Arm bushings and adjusting the rear suspension. Below is a link to many pictures I took along the way and a list of what I did. The site helped me quite a bit for many jobs!
Click Here: RX1 Work Slideshow
Pretty much torn apart here...
Wow for being a Newbie that is awesome - great photo spread.
I see the track is updated - Good
Simmons Flex Skis - GREAT
suggestions to get her unbeatable....
1. 13 mm sway bar
2. Ohlins remote resevior clickers up front
3. mono shock rear suspension from wrecked 05 rx or apex
4. apex seat conversion.
This combo is a doo killer. The sled is still heavy but a rocket and if you pick things up off of Ebay and sled swaps can be done for under $1000.00 This was an 05 so the skid was mono but I did 3 03's and 1 04 that way and all were killers.
I see the track is updated - Good
Simmons Flex Skis - GREAT
suggestions to get her unbeatable....
1. 13 mm sway bar
2. Ohlins remote resevior clickers up front
3. mono shock rear suspension from wrecked 05 rx or apex
4. apex seat conversion.
This combo is a doo killer. The sled is still heavy but a rocket and if you pick things up off of Ebay and sled swaps can be done for under $1000.00 This was an 05 so the skid was mono but I did 3 03's and 1 04 that way and all were killers.
Attachments
Kawimaha
Newbie
Thanks Yamadog! I'm sure I'll be taking more once she's all back together, haha. How do you know the track was updated? Does it look different from stock? I didn't ask the previous owner much about any work that was done to it. I think I'll have to replace it in a while...the clips are getting thin and some lugs are torn.
Sometime down the road I might customize it like you said. The way it sits, I'm just anxious to see how it compares to my restored 79 Kawasaki 440 Drifter, haha! Can't wait!
Sometime down the road I might customize it like you said. The way it sits, I'm just anxious to see how it compares to my restored 79 Kawasaki 440 Drifter, haha! Can't wait!
The 03 track was a new design by camoplast it was round dimples that looked like buttons with stryations on them in rows of 4 and 6 grouped together.
This looks like an early ripsaw. Ther originals were junk and had no bite. at a gas station on blacktop or on ice you could not go anywhere track would just spin.
This looks like an early ripsaw. Ther originals were junk and had no bite. at a gas station on blacktop or on ice you could not go anywhere track would just spin.
Sorry looked again thats not a rip saw I think it is a Kimpex shotgun I ran one of those on my 2nd 03 and liked it.
Kawimaha
Newbie
Good to know, thanks for the info. I think I can get another year or two out of it. I've got about a few hours of work left on this yet. I've got to...
Grease, adjust and align track
Install new rear snow flap and bracket
Secure front plastic panels
Install battery bracket, battery, and airbox
Polish rest of aluminum
Install Seat and rear tail light pieces.
Woo!
Grease, adjust and align track
Install new rear snow flap and bracket
Secure front plastic panels
Install battery bracket, battery, and airbox
Polish rest of aluminum
Install Seat and rear tail light pieces.
Woo!
Kawimaha said:
Thats only 15 minutes worth - GOOD LUCK - ride her like you stole her
Sounds like a good project.
I did an 03 for one of my daughters a few years ago and added the Mono. Huge improvement.
Now, I have my other daughters 05 tore down to do the exhaust. She didn't recognize the sound of bad donuts and ruined the pipes.
Anyway, this range of years can be turned into great handling and riding sleds, there are a lot of used parts out there. I'd do the mono, heavier torsion bar, Apex seat, and articulating 2" riser to get the bars forward. There are more possibilities, but these are the main things to do.
I did an 03 for one of my daughters a few years ago and added the Mono. Huge improvement.
Now, I have my other daughters 05 tore down to do the exhaust. She didn't recognize the sound of bad donuts and ruined the pipes.
Anyway, this range of years can be turned into great handling and riding sleds, there are a lot of used parts out there. I'd do the mono, heavier torsion bar, Apex seat, and articulating 2" riser to get the bars forward. There are more possibilities, but these are the main things to do.
