This article is the 3rd and final issue in my suspension series. I am going to share some specifics about what Go-Race did to transform my WRR stock suspension into something even better....much better!
I discovered Travis & his Go-Race Suspension shop in Christiansburg, Virginia, by pure chance, or maybe it was fate. You can learn all about that in my ride report titled: "Highfive Goes Dragon Hunting". You'll have to read that story to understand why I hauled my bike all the way from Oklahoma to Virginia for Travis to work on. You could do the same as me, or just ship your suspension components to him, if you desire this kind of an upgrade. My advice: Go Ride Virginia....its incredible!
Being there with my bike, permitted Travis a good time thoroughly flogging my WRR all over those magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. He is a very skilled woods racer, by the way, so, it ain't just head knowledge. He gained some valuable butt-time to understand my stock WRR suspension. Then, he began crafting the modifications to achieve the kind of changes that I desired. It was helpful that I could explain to him accurately how the stock suspension was behaving for me, as well as what specific performance improvements I desired.
A summary of the step by step procedures he undertook is listed below. At least, its the best play-by-play I can muster from memory (with a little help from Travis). I can't possibly cover every detail, because there were things going on inside that shop beyond my pay-grade. "Trade Secrets" kind of stuff, no doubt, but Travis would simply call it his art. After all, Everything is Art. Besides, I didn't babysit the project trying to micro-manage. I let the professionals take over and got out of their way. However, I did gain enough understanding of their process to be able to share some helpful information.
This project is called the "10cup Mod" since it was invented by a fellow WRR rider known as 10cup on ADV.
The procedure that follows is his. I have only helped to contribute improvements to it as a result of being the first person (besides 10cup) to complete the procedure. We collaborated thoroughly on lots of additional testing to refine the end result. Warning: this was a bold & daring modification which demanded accuracy & precision at every step. Do not attempt this modification, you probably can't do it. 10cup has years of experience working with fuel delivery systems during his Kart Racing days. So, he is obviously more comfortable working with this kind of stuff than the rest of you-uns. As for me, well....I'm just plum crazy!
As of the publishing of this article (Feb 2010), the Safari tank is the only large capacity tank available in the aftermarket for the WRR/X. The fit & finish is quite good, and it seems to perform very well exactly as it comes from the manufacturer. The purpose of this modification was simply to enhance the performance. An attempt at making a good product even better. Here is currently what's inside the Safari tank when you receive it:
It employs one medium capacity Mikuni vacuum pump to transfer (lift) fuel from each wing to the primary Yamaha fuel pump...necessary when the fuel level drops below the primary pump intake. A significant amount of fuel capacity within the "wings" sits below the primary fuel pump sump, and thus, it must be transferred up to it...to be useable.
The reasons that we have performed this mod are threefold: 1) To provide a secondary (backup) vacuum pump system 2) To enhance the fuel delivery rate to the primary fuel pump under highway speed conditions 3) To ensure maximum utilization of available fuel capacity within the tank.
Many people have wondered how to grease their wheel bearings. I've actually read in the forums where some folks say the WRR bearings are sealed....and you can't re-grease them. Indeed, they are sealed. Thank goodness they are sealed. But you most certainly...absolutely...without a doubt....CAN grease them. And I'm going to show you how right here & now.
This will be like Show-n-Tell....in video....without the background music....but in freeze frame. Ready - - - Action !
