Got my GRiSO back!

For all the bitching I have done regarding the amount of time that my GRiSO's flat tappet to roller tappet upgrade has taken, all I can say is that it was well worth it!

In a word, I am impressed! The acceleration and sound of the bike is more REFINED. It's as though the bike's engine has been freed to run a little smoother (freer??).....perhaps as it could have always done. I enjoyed the bike as it was but this is stupid enjoyable. It gives me the feeling of riding with an improved map, less choppy at low to mid rpm and even slightly more linear in delivery all up and down. I am not sure how this is possible as I did not think this upgrade would make such a noticeable improvement and was not expecting it. It was apparent within seconds and continued as I climbed gears and hit the hwy..I was under the impression that the engine would be quieter, and it is a little (not as many marbles rolling around inside it seems). It's the delivery of power and the sound of the bike that seem to synch better if that makes any sense. A number of times today I tried to separate the engine noise from the experience of the accel. and riding in general in an attempt get a more objective idea of how the bike was actually performing. Also tried to rule out my good feelings over just being back on the bike after 2 months. At the end of the day, and after quite a bit of thought, I really don't think I am imagining this!! It is even more fun to ride now!    

Also slapped on one of Todd's new black anodized oil coolers and it looks very niiiice! Will post a shot shortly.

Does this change work on 1100's??

The 1100 motor is completely different to the 1200. It's only the Hi-Cam motors that can use the roller conversion.

If the bike in question had failed/failing tappets and cams it would of been running like a three legged donkey with a broom handle up its chuff previously! It's bound to feel a thousand times better now it has a top end that actually works! The problem is that the ECU doesn't know the cams and tappets are fucked so it will keep delivering fuel as though the engine is healthy. With the valves opening later and closing early there is less time for the cylinder to fill and consequently it overfuels desperately. Typical signs are spitting back through the TB's at idle, lack of power, black smoke and a depressed rider!

Pete

That makes good sense Pete and may very well be the case. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough experience to understand or detect a slow deterioration of the bikes performance due to the increasing cam failure. I'm sure I would have noticed it as the problem got worse or became obvious to a newer rider like me. I didn't think the bike was running too poorly at the time prior to the upgrade if at all but given your what you have said and is the case, that would seem like a good fit for the feedback I got from the bike today.

Thanks

Pete Roper wrote:

it would of been running like a three legged donkey with a broom handle up its chuff

That doesn't sound good.

(there should a compendium of the more, uh, "colorful" phrases from out friends mates Down Under!)

Glad the bike is running well again!

Dag nab it Pete. I thought you would say that but I had to ask anyway. Ya never know.

Thank tocino - me too! I feel confident in the bike again and it really is a hoot to ride now!

I do miss the kick in the pants that my 09 flat tappet delivered at around 5500rpm...
Yep.

I have read about that loss in other posts. Is there any trade-off for losing the "kick in the pants"? That was one of the few "kick in the pants" I have received in life that I really liked!  

On second thought, not too worried about it, I do like the way the bike runs at the moment w/ good grunt throughout and speed when I want it.