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I bought a Zilla a couple of months ago, I think I have a quad problem...
Anyways what are the best mods to start on with a Zilla?
I own a few 250s and have a good recipe to make them run and perform, but with the 500 I am shooting in the dark.
I have fixed most of the initial problems I found.
Made a case saver, new chain and sprockets, flipped the shocks over so they actually work, made metric studs for the swingarm carrier.
In general, just fixed messed up stuff that someone who didn't know what they were doing worked on....
Where do most Zilla owners start? Fix the suspension geometry? Better Shocks? Motor Work?
Thanks, any input is appreciated. -
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Man, there's a long laundry list. The main thing to know is that as soon as you start making power, it will start to break if it's all stock.
different ppl will have different priorities but if it was me i'd start with the junk OEM airbox. Get you an airbox eliminator kit. Not sure if SBLT500 on here still sells but i have a different type that i made that was a copy of another members design. I just beefed it up for **** riding. -Jumping, dunes, etc. Also, this will allow you to run a larger airfilter. 500s need to breathe!
Do simple tuning. Set your toe, slide height, and fine tune the carb. Speaking of!
Get a decent carb! Get a mikuni 43b10+ carb and have it bored or a lectron. I personally have never liked the keihn carbs.
Get a big boy pipe. This is one of the cheapest best mods you can do. HP to $$ ratio wise. There are lots available now. Q, HPR, DCS, AEEN (large pipe).
Check the main bearings. 500s are known for having main bearing issues. grab the flywheel and try to move it up and down. should be zero play.
While you're done there, go ahead and remove the flywheel and send it out to someone that can weld it up. 100% of all 500s that belonged to my friends that skipped the flywheel mod have had their flywheels explode on them.
Get some decent reeds. Vforce 2 or 3s are my favorite. I ran the pyramids and quickly went to the V2s. I think you can only get 3s now.
You could do the camber mod if you're running stock a-arms.
This could go on and on. there are special things you need to do to 87 models only. I'm assuming you have an 88+. set your squish, Oring the head, machine for inserts for the crank bearings, head studs, reshaping the dome, piston mods, back cutting the trans, gusseting the frame, Welding up the cylinder ears, etc, etc. I'm sure im forgetting some things. Anyone feel free to jump on and let us know.
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Hi!
New guy lurking here with a original owner, low hour 87 Zilla.
You say there are specific things to do right away for the 87s? Please elaborate!
Also, I want a pipe. Do we PM you to get one?
Thanks,
Walt -
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Hi!
New guy lurking here with a original owner, low hour 87 Zilla.
You say there are specific things to do right away for the 87s? Please elaborate!
Also, I want a pipe. Do we PM you to get one?
Thanks,
Walt
Welcome to the site Walt.
If your 87 still has the 6 stud cylinder on it (large reed design) You'll need to have larger stud bolts machined in. That's the main issue specific to 87s. Another thing that i didnt mention in my previous post was not using the headstay. When the frame flexes, it will torque on the head.
I'm not the man who makes pipes, however, i may have a buddy willing to get rid of one. Let me check and i'll get back with you. -
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Q2W,
Thank you. That makes sense about the head stay. Some of the used heads I've seen look like that hole is all wallowed out, or the boss has been worn badly by the stays being loose. Point taken!
I don't intend to go too crazy on this, clean and match the ports, V force reeds, pipe, etc. I've raced CR500s since 87 and love the 41 Pro series Mikuni TM from Sudco- very tuneable and tractable, good power compared to the Keihins. I intend to do mostly trail racing, no **** sand or drags.
Maybe dumb question- where is the flywheel welded- just on the rivets? Outside only? Didn't have to worry about it on the CR's for MX, so I just don't know!
Thank you, and the rest of the OGs on this site for your sharing!
And if that is a Qv2, I'd love to chat! Or if a Hall pops up... Walt -
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Best mods imo are
Larger head studs as mentioned above.......Could even get the head O-ringed
V-force reeds V2's if possible
Big volume pipe
Get a TM38 off an 88+ and have it reworked/bored (PM me if you need info)....I'd avoid the Lectron imo but that's just me.
Tig weld the hub on the flywheel.......3 small welds around the center hub....Lots of info on that.
Personally I'd keep the stock airbox but do the mod to allow the use of a clamp on filter....SB designs used to make them,not sure if he still does.
If you are going to do a trailport with those other things you should have a reliable 500 that has more than enough go.
Just my .02....Welcome to the board...
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Thanks for the info, Rainman!
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Q2W,
Thank you. That makes sense about the head stay. Some of the used heads I've seen look like that hole is all wallowed out, or the boss has been worn badly by the stays being loose. Point taken!
I don't intend to go too crazy on this, clean and match the ports, V force reeds, pipe, etc. I've raced CR500s since 87 and love the 41 Pro series Mikuni TM from Sudco- very tuneable and tractable, good power compared to the Keihins. I intend to do mostly trail racing, no **** sand or drags.
Maybe dumb question- where is the flywheel welded- just on the rivets? Outside only? Didn't have to worry about it on the CR's for MX, so I just don't know!
Thank you, and the rest of the OGs on this site for your sharing!
And if that is a Qv2, I'd love to chat! Or if a Hall pops up... Walt
The welds need to be around the inner hub of the flywheel. This will take the tension off the rivets holding the flywheel together.
one pipe is the QV1 and the other the QV1.1 (modded QV1 pipe to come on sooner) His bike is in pieces after nuking his motor years ago. Keeps claiming he'll rebuild. lol The other doesnt seem to want to part with it either... -
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Thank you for checking!
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Thank you for checking!
In this link, there's a picture of a welded small hub flywheel. It's about ~3/4 ways down the thread.
http://www.suzukiquadracerhq.com/builds/zilla-monster-energy-build/
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Thanks again Q2W!
Pics are always better for a slow 'ol guy like me...
Cool build thread too.
Walt -
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