2004 FE550E First Impressions

Ok, I did a really detailed inspection following the race last weekend. The only concern was that my break pads on the rear were completely gone (starting to dig into the metal). What's up with that. I am not a pedal dragger. In fact, I can usually go a couple of years on a set of rear pads. Is something weird going on. Or, was it just a case of the rear disk being packed with mud and it just sandpapered the pads for 92 miles? There was also a split in the front tire on the side below the knobs. It doesn't look like a cut, but a split. Old tire, big impact, or ?? you decide.
I am not complaining by any means, I have a replacement tire and $20 for a set of pads is ok. I almost have to wonder if the pads were "starter" pads. You know , like the starter toner cartridge, or print cartridge you get with a new printer (only half as much as a normal full). I come to my own conclusion (MUD=BAD). I am seriously considering taking a look at the linkage and headset bearings etc. to see how everything looks. I know that I should have already done this. My Bad..

A nut on the bottom of the seat bolt did keep the seat screw from working loose for the duration of the ride. No locktight or anything on the nut.

As a side note:Like DaleEO, I too have inspected the valves and they have not changed since the 3 hour adjustment (I'm at 17 hours).

John

95 more race miles

The last race also toasted my fork seals, and my sons were due also.
When I picked my seals up, my dealer indicated they were an update?
Anyways, I spent Friday night replacing (4) fork seals in preparation for the camping trip out to the race site on Saturday.

Yesterdays race was 95 miles of severely sharp rocks and not much room for error. The new rear pads didn't wear at all. Seals held up on both bikes.
Finished with out a drop or fall. As I mentioned before the stock front Pirelli tire is separating. There are splits on one side of the tire in six places now. Roughly 500 miles are on it. BTW - I am ready to retire the stock rear as well, since the rocks shredded it.

New Scotts Steering Damper was incredible. There were a number of times I know I would have been on my head. The damper made all the difference. Can you see 65MPH in a deep sand wash without one?
As a side note(s), when you order one you need to know where your bars are set. There are (3) bolt on mounts for these bikes. If you ever move your bars you will need to buy a new mount. You will also need to trim the collar washer there the clamp mounts. This will give you the needed room to move the mount up where it needs to be to line it up with the damper on the bars. This is mentioned in the instructions.
Cable routing seams like a challenge. After spending a couple of hours looking for the best route, I ended up back to the way it was originally. Nothing ventured?

This was my sons first race on his 02 FE400 and he finished with nothing more than a broken clutch lever end. He took his time and helped/talked more than he raced. But, he did complete 64 miles on his own. He said that the harshness in his forks is gone with the replacement on the fork oil. It must have been a much heavier oil.

BTW- finished 4th 4-stoke Amateur last mud/snow race. 62 out of 188 OA.

Sounds like everyone had a great Moab trip. Can wait for the pics and stories.

John

Still going

This thread is getting ridiculously long, I know. I hope that it really put's new buyers minds at ease.

I have been doing regular maint. And it's ran flawless.(period)

The second race results came in...
I finished 49th over all, third place in my class.

The third race results haven't officially posted yet. But, I heard I may have a 2nd in class. It was a great race with tight roller coaster corners and 1 1/2 ft curbs.

This bike is the ultimate!
John

400

BTW- My son has raced his 02 400 at the last two races with no probelms.
It should have finished better this last Sunday since he wasn't spending all of his race time talking and sweeping (helping others).
John

Hi AJT,
Chris's is an 02.
I heard you flatted after check one. That's a chunk blower.

Are you still riding the Kboom?

Are you going to Wendel? I heard that is one brutal ride. Is that true?
Will you be on you 6fiddy (Bobzilla term) by then? What about VC?

Hope to see ya soon.
John

Does this mean that the Berg is back together?

I've read alot of complaining about the Mucca race because it was the same as last year? I disagree.. It didn't look used up..

I too thought it was fun. I was tired though. Some of the breaking bump down hills (thigh burners - I call them) wore me out.

I have ridden VC when it's wet. It was sticky. Maybe some tape under the fenders?

I should be able to make the poker run.. Will it be the same place you were planning before the big storm?
John

6 Months, 1024Miles, 44Hours. Still going great..
I have been checking the valves, only to find that they have not changed since the 3 hour adjustment?
Due for chain/sprockets.
Starts easier than new. Maybe because of the warmer weather.
Installed Scotts stainless filter yesterday.
I finished 9th in the spring race series in my class after the fourth race points have been posted (the fifth race has not been add for which I finished second) So, all in all it's been great! There really isn't a scratch on it. Still looks new. BTW- I tried "Goofoff spray" on my plastic yesterday after it's bath. It removed some of the minor scuffs easily.

It's been a while since I have posted anything.
Hope everyone is well.
Went for a 35 mile desert ride tonight - The bike- 8Months, 1510 miles, 59hours- What can I say.. It's a keeper.
Oil and gas.
Needs chain/sprockets only.

My sons 02-FE400 is ridden alot, and he just put a computer on it.
I made a custom bracket to replace the funky plastic mount that it came with. He has also added the Scotts stainless oil filter.
Party on!

I would recommend the scotts stainless oil filter. Especially since you can clean it every oil change.
The last time I cleaned it I could see some very small metal particles that were trapped on it.

John

Hi DaleEO,
I did another 100 mile race this weekend. I was a powder/silt type dust. Which made it much more challenging. I think I finished somewhere around 59th overall and 4th in the 4-stroke class. BTW- I smoked a fellow Berg in a fast sand wash (sorry). This makes for 6 starts and 6 finishes on the Berg. I crashed hard a couple of times and the bike just sat there idling until I made it over to it. I was concerned on one fall down which left my bikes tires somewhat elevated above the rest of the bike. You know that "the oil drains into the airbox" thing. (which I haven't addressed) Well I guess I was fortunate because I picked it up and it fired instantly.

My 550 starts cold with the e-start on the second hit every time. So the kick starter is mostly new. At the start of a race do you kick or button it? I'm starting to think that a kick would be better? I need to practice some starts because that dust was not fun.

I need to revisit my suspension a bit. I am having a problem sticking the front end in the loose stuff. It seems that off the throttle the front end either knifes in or out. I think it started when I slowed down the rear hi-speed compression 1/4 turn in.
I'm sure this is also part rider style (or lack there of)

Since I replaced the fork seals after a wet/sandy race last year. I haven't had one bit of trouble. The shock is still stock with no leaks. Oh, I do have a kick start shaft seal that needs replacing (just a little moisture).

BTW- My sons 400 is still running great. He did one loop (46 mi.) I'm sure he will go for two next time.

The more stuff I read. It seems to me that the 04's were the Berg to buy. I have no complaints thus far..
John