Can you guess the identity of this new owner of a 2018 XC300 ??
 

Moto Center in Mesa, Arizona sells another unit.

For the first time, ever, the local race series will have a bunch of Gassers lining up.

One interesting factoid: The XC300 has been fitted with an EC pipe as an experiment in mellowization.

Is it you? :p

Too tall.:eek:

Ya I'm guessing you finally pulled the trigger.
Great shop too from what I've heard.

Maybe: That would explain the Saws-All wielding maniac:

Congrats.

GG-Man, this was part of a quick promo for the shop. The first to guess won some wearable bling.

I was standing on starting blocks which turned my 5?9? frame into 6+ standing next to 6-foooter Dave.

Congrats Rick!

Congrats Rick.
I guess you were " serious".:D

Welcome back.

I can?t believe I gave you so much stuff.

I?m gonna need it all back.

Congrats!

Congrats!:D:D:D:D

My dealer has asked me for a pic of my new one for his social media account too. You've given me an idea!

PS. Congrats on the new steed. Have you taken her out yet?

I have taken it out for some road work to check jetting in the Phoenix heat (rich, the way I like it). And for some very light trail work to give me a feel for the motor (smooth), clutch (nice), brakes (firm and modulatable), and suspension (Good and in the ballpark).

All of it is working fine.

Funny thing, the carb is jetted very fat, and yet, no spoooge. Lemme check...

Nope. (Photo attached). Left is new Turbine Core (spark arrestor) with 15-minutes on it. Right is the old Power Core plenty of time on it. Neither have been cleaned. Zero spooge. Exhaust stops smoking soon after a quick warm up.

So, given the power (already more than I need), the zero spooge at fat jetting, I'm at a loss. Normally I would head straight to the moto machine shop and have them mod the squish and combustion chamber. I don't think I'm going to be in a rush to do that now.

Edit: Dang photos are upsidedown again.

If you want a promo photo, this is from Neil, one of the gang at Moto Center.

Seems his girlfriend caught him spooning with his Spanish Mistress.

A particularly naughty GP300. All blinged out like she's going to the Senior Prom.

While I'm at it... a few months ago I was trying to find photos of the 2018 sans plastics (Nekkid). Here is my effort in that regard. If this forum flips the photos upside down again, I'll poop my pants.

What exactly does it feel like to poop your pants? :D:D:D

Almost the same feeling you get looking at upside down photos on the internet...:p

Better start pooping....:D

Curse you, Technology !!

I?m gonna need a bunch of wipees.

Curse you, Technology !!

I?m gonna need a bunch of wipees.

Should have gone with the Italian princess!

Just kidding. Congrats Rick! Looking forward to some ride reports!

If I were going 4T, it would have been the Beta.

I tried to kindle an affection for the 4-stroke but I couldn?t muster it.

I?ll look do to a video report in a couple of weeks.

No ride video yet. Head is at RK-Tek getting squished.

Rosin core measured at ~1.8mm.

As I was applying my race graphics I remembered I hadn?t checked the piston height in the barrel.

At BDC, the piston is flush with the exhaust port, while being a goodly bit above the intake port. Maybe a couple mm.

I'm going to squish my 250.. Maybe tuesday!

Are you keeping the port timing the same? Can you see how many gaskets they've stacked in under the jug?

I have no rationnale to alter the port timing.

The gasket appears to be a single, black (0.5mm) unit. No green showing.

Exhaust is perfect. What happens if I add thicker base gaskets to all of that?

You'd move the power curve up further.. and have an even bigger squish clearance.

I was just curious. TBH I haven't even really had a look over my new bike yet.

More top end, less bottom. You will be increasing the squish clearance on your new rk head as well.

Looks like I?m good, then. ;)

Lot?s going on in the garage when I get back from my 40-year high school reunion.
Lectron carb, RK-Tek milled head. Bib Mousse tire inserts...

Close up of the RK-Tek head work.

Nice stuff! I have ridden a 2018 GG with the Lectron at the Demo ride, it was nice!

I installed the RK-Tek modded 2018 XC300 head today. I took rosin core squish measurements before and after. Kelsey says that measuring technique is not useful, but I did it to show him I?m a true geek.

Before: 1.80mm.
After: 1.25mm

Kels said it would end up about 40-thousandths (1.01mm), so that might point to the accuracy of the technique. As a comparison, RB-Designs took my 2005 DE250 from 2.1mm to 1.05mm as measured by the same rosin core technique.
I also installed the Lectron 38mm HV carb. More below.

Next up was the Lectron. It measures 89.5mm from boot to reed cage. Just 14mm longer than the stock Keihin it replaced. It fits dandy. Much better than on my 2011.

I will miss the GG remote choke lever.

The 4-2 metering rod was factory set at 50.85mm.

The replacement throttle cable is a good couple inches longer

I hooked it all up and cycled the kicker to prime the carb. One good kick and it started right up.

The sound was very crisp. It reminded me of a KTM 65/85 in a way. I looked down to see my FMF Turbine Core silencer lying disconnected on the garage floor.

I guess I got a little ahead of myself.

I bolted up everything (plastics, tank), etc, to get it ready for a few laps around my neighborhood.

I loosened up the throttle cable for proper slack. I had to remove the lock nut on the throttle and snug it all the way to slack it up. I wish I could use the stock throttle cable because it has a nice 30-degree angle tube coming off the top of the carb. I fear this is a place where the cable will abrade against the carb nipple. I will replace this cable often, as in previous experiences.

Fired it up and got it warm. Runs clean (as before with the Keihin, pre head mod). RK-Tek listened to me and kept the compression constant for 91-Octane at 2000 feet. No appreciable change in power, as I requested. It pulls more on top, and has just a little more luggability starting off in 3rd gear.

The only adjustment I made was a quarter turn on the idle screw to take the idle down a bit. I didn?t touch the metering rod or power jet.

I have plenty of room to lean it out and get crisper power, but the bike is pretty close to how I like it ? on the rich side. A Racer-Boy would want the Metering Rod quite a bit leaner, for bottom to mid, and a smidge leaner on top, maybe.

A few miles in tight single track and deep sand wash tomorrow morning will tell the tale. Then I will adjust, if needed.

Now I get to wrestle with Bib Mousses, front and rear. The front Metzler FIM 90/90 stocker is small enough that I think I'll put a used Bib in it.

[Edit] Yes. The bead is just about 99% seated. Good enough.

This morning I joined a 30-40 mile ride that featured lots of slo-mo technical rockiness in washes, climbs, and kinda scary descents.

The Lectron is set rich, as I generally like. I could lean it out, maybe.

Doing some inspecting and this chunk of fiber plate dropped out of the clutch pack as i pulled it out with the hub.

Fortunately a buddy had a spare Rekluse CX ready to go for me.

I wasn?t intending to go Rekluse quite so soon, things worked out.

Wow, a new friction disc breaking like that is kind of scary. Glad you're getting it sorted out though. I'll see you at Camp Wood! Make sure to drop by where us TRS'ers will be camping. We'll be up Friday.

Has the TRS restraining order on me expired?

Seems like only yesterday.

Restraining order? Sounds like a story you'll have to tell me about, lol.

That is strange. It’s a good thing that you found it got it out.:eek: