Flash 9: Sanity Restored
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- Wheelman-111
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- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
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Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
Fire-breathing, 75-MPH Flash 7 proved just a little TOO hot for civilized Country-Club riding with Ms. Wheel-Person astride. No problem baby, I'll just score a nice wholesome stock engine and tone things down a tad. This too she rejected as just a little too gutless. The porridge is too hot, then too cold... What we need is Just Right.
She still wanted the quiet, "sleeper" look but a bit more Torque on take-off. One pleasant Saturday garage session for Wheelman later and here it is:
Fire-breathing, 75-MPH Flash 7 proved just a little TOO hot for civilized Country-Club riding with Ms. Wheel-Person astride. No problem baby, I'll just score a nice wholesome stock engine and tone things down a tad. This too she rejected as just a little too gutless. The porridge is too hot, then too cold... What we need is Just Right.
She still wanted the quiet, "sleeper" look but a bit more Torque on take-off. One pleasant Saturday garage session for Wheelman later and here it is:
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11319
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
After removing Flash 8 from the 2001 crankcase supplied by a Forumista with well-deserved respect, I ran into some snags. I installed the piston as usual, but as I dropped the Polini cylinder into place, I couldn't get the headbolts lined up properly to thread. Thinking the gasket was cut wrong, I "ovaled" the holes, but still no-go. Finally (and Lord knows I really hate doing things twice...) I removed the piston again and Dry-Fitted the cylinder to surmise that the larger 47 mm bore's skirts were fouling the crankcase.That'swhy it wouldn't line up. Removing the cylinder yet again, I could see how the thing fouled the curve around the transfer port: The contact pushed the whole cylinder to the left, and far enough so that the bolts couldn't line up. Not wishing to split the cases to carve on them, I just resolved the issue the same way the previous owner appears to have done: With the cylinder lying flat and flush on the crankcases, (and the headbolts threading in without issues...) It was time to re-do the cylinder installation from the Piston on up.
After removing Flash 8 from the 2001 crankcase supplied by a Forumista with well-deserved respect, I ran into some snags. I installed the piston as usual, but as I dropped the Polini cylinder into place, I couldn't get the headbolts lined up properly to thread. Thinking the gasket was cut wrong, I "ovaled" the holes, but still no-go. Finally (and Lord knows I really hate doing things twice...) I removed the piston again and Dry-Fitted the cylinder to surmise that the larger 47 mm bore's skirts were fouling the crankcase.That'swhy it wouldn't line up. Removing the cylinder yet again, I could see how the thing fouled the curve around the transfer port: The contact pushed the whole cylinder to the left, and far enough so that the bolts couldn't line up. Not wishing to split the cases to carve on them, I just resolved the issue the same way the previous owner appears to have done: With the cylinder lying flat and flush on the crankcases, (and the headbolts threading in without issues...) It was time to re-do the cylinder installation from the Piston on up.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
That's odd. I don't think I've ever seen or heard of a cylinder under 50mm not being bolt on especially an Italian.
86 Aero 50,Polini 65cc BBK,malossi oring head,100 oct. 32:1
21mm OKO,Malossi Wild Lion exhaust,
Stock Ruck vari, malossi special belt,1.5k shoes,1k center,
aftermarket bell, front/rear metro wheels, TT vapor,
5in stretch on motor mount,280mm Shock.
21mm OKO,Malossi Wild Lion exhaust,
Stock Ruck vari, malossi special belt,1.5k shoes,1k center,
aftermarket bell, front/rear metro wheels, TT vapor,
5in stretch on motor mount,280mm Shock.
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11319
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
Cylinder preparation included a generous slathering of Motul Synthetic: Yeah, this is a first for me too. I can't help wondering if the crankcase is atypical somehow...
Cylinder preparation included a generous slathering of Motul Synthetic: Yeah, this is a first for me too. I can't help wondering if the crankcase is atypical somehow...
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11319
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
So what're we gaining here? A 6mm increase in diameter doesn't sound like much, but it's actually a 45% displacement increase. It's starkly apparent here: On top of that is the Polini Porting Wizardry, albeit tuned for low-end torque here. The piston appeared to go a hair below the transfer ports and the exhaust port at BDC, and left a little squish at TDC:
So what're we gaining here? A 6mm increase in diameter doesn't sound like much, but it's actually a 45% displacement increase. It's starkly apparent here: On top of that is the Polini Porting Wizardry, albeit tuned for low-end torque here. The piston appeared to go a hair below the transfer ports and the exhaust port at BDC, and left a little squish at TDC:
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11319
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
It's an Iron Contesta, packed in Gin-You-Whine Polini carton wrapped witta-da Polini tape. It really doesn't seem like a knock-off, and I've bought at least 2 before. My suspicion is that my 2001 "Honda" crankcase might have been part Sym... The fact that the stock Honda cylinder needed to be carved too is a Clue.
A word on Piston installation: Seems easy enough, but I recommend you keep a pristine set of quality needle-nose pliers swaddled in oil-soaked cheesecloth for this occasion. Do NOT use the ones you use to pull out errant nose hairs. Read the caption. Read it again. Be gentle with these spring clips. Don't stretch them beyond their elasticity. Dozens of posts over the years confirming the disastrous consequences of a circlip popping out. On the Polini-style clips, the "legs" must point up or down with respect to the piston. That thing is hammering over 100 times a second, so a clip on its side just might have the momentum to work loose.
Another potential Snag with this build: Good thing I've got 50% AvGas in the tank. Is there a risk if I run Premium - or rather Ms. Wheelperson does?
It's an Iron Contesta, packed in Gin-You-Whine Polini carton wrapped witta-da Polini tape. It really doesn't seem like a knock-off, and I've bought at least 2 before. My suspicion is that my 2001 "Honda" crankcase might have been part Sym... The fact that the stock Honda cylinder needed to be carved too is a Clue.
A word on Piston installation: Seems easy enough, but I recommend you keep a pristine set of quality needle-nose pliers swaddled in oil-soaked cheesecloth for this occasion. Do NOT use the ones you use to pull out errant nose hairs. Read the caption. Read it again. Be gentle with these spring clips. Don't stretch them beyond their elasticity. Dozens of posts over the years confirming the disastrous consequences of a circlip popping out. On the Polini-style clips, the "legs" must point up or down with respect to the piston. That thing is hammering over 100 times a second, so a clip on its side just might have the momentum to work loose.
Another potential Snag with this build: Good thing I've got 50% AvGas in the tank. Is there a risk if I run Premium - or rather Ms. Wheelperson does?
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
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- Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:49 am
- Location: usa
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
I got the contessa from you, and he from me.
It sounds like the deck of the engine is lower some how. This for certain I've never removed the cylinder and the guy I got it from really didn't seem too mechanically or intellectually inclined.
So odd. I wonder how many other blocks are like it. In order for it to leave the factory they would have had to cut it at the factory. When they tried to bolt it down from the factory someone had to say, "hey boss it don't fit?". Maybe ask honda about this oddity? Your 01 block I received did you have to shave any skirts?
It sounds like the deck of the engine is lower some how. This for certain I've never removed the cylinder and the guy I got it from really didn't seem too mechanically or intellectually inclined.
So odd. I wonder how many other blocks are like it. In order for it to leave the factory they would have had to cut it at the factory. When they tried to bolt it down from the factory someone had to say, "hey boss it don't fit?". Maybe ask honda about this oddity? Your 01 block I received did you have to shave any skirts?
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11319
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
Everything I bolted onto that case was unshaved except the Fabrizi, which needed the piston "corners" knocked down. That block saw a Nikasil 78, Corsa, Malossi Iron and MHR - none of them needed shaving of anything. Weird.
Everything I bolted onto that case was unshaved except the Fabrizi, which needed the piston "corners" knocked down. That block saw a Nikasil 78, Corsa, Malossi Iron and MHR - none of them needed shaving of anything. Weird.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Hi wheelman.
it looks like the cylinder head bolt holes are off a little. I wonder if it would restrict the transfers?
I was looking at my corsa to make a comparison.
it looks like the cylinder head bolt holes are off a little. I wonder if it would restrict the transfers?
I was looking at my corsa to make a comparison.
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Life's a trip enjoy the ride.
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11319
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Greetings:
Thanks, Ped. Off, how do you mean?
Thanks, Ped. Off, how do you mean?
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
take a look at the photo with the dremel. you can see the bolt holes on the bottom. one side is closer to the transfer, the other one has more meat. the bottom holes look offset.Wheelman-111 wrote:Greetings:
Thanks, Ped. Off, how do you mean?
There may be blockage to the transfers? it won't sit centered on the block.
![imo :imo:](./images/smilies/imo_trans.gif)
Last edited by ped on Sun May 24, 2015 3:29 am, edited 3 times in total.
Life's a trip enjoy the ride.
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
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- CB900F
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Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Corsa vs contessa.
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
ooh I see. good point 1man.1man8scoots wrote:Corsa vs contessa.
Wheelman, keep that dremel handy.
![wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)
Life's a trip enjoy the ride.
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
ped wrote:ooh I see. good point 1man.1man8scoots wrote:Corsa vs contessa.
Wheelman, keep that dremel handy.
![justride :peace:](./images/smilies/7597.gif)
Life's a trip enjoy the ride.
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
94 elite SR, 86 spreedio, polini corsa, keli variator, 8.4, jet. speed 65 mph
spreedio video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZr46_-douQ
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- CB900F
- Posts: 1485
- Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:49 am
- Location: usa
Re: Flash 9: Sanity Restored
Block has not ever been decked or sanded down. This is a 350 mile engine that has never been opened up. Just like Johnny248 engine honda had some quality issues with these blocks.