First Ride on the YZ450F

[Flash393]

Ok, well I am a little tardy on getting this posted so sorry but there’s not much to report (yet). I went to a park here in central Texas called Cherokee Motorcycle Park.

The 05 YZF450 ran great I must say first ride was for about half an hour in the deep woods. The course was an intermediate one and was tiring to say the lease since this was the first time I’d bike riding since 1991. Had to stop a few times to move branches or pull them over my head to get through the trail. It was fun but I could tell the bike needed some attention to the suspension (front & rear). The bike was set up for a 15 year kid weighting only about 145 pounds (humm the good ole days) and I’m a tad much more than that. Came back in and rested a bit then off I went again this time looking for the motocross track which I could not find, it’s odd to me that this park would have a motocross track out in the middle of the park that you have to ride your bike to get there. So I rode for about 45 more minutes and headed back to the truck since my son was there waiting and I was sure he was bored to tears by now.

Update: Since this ride I’ve purchase and installed Race Tech front springs and rear spring. Also put a new Dunlop 756 on the front while I was at it, plus while having the front end a part noticed the steering wasn’t smooth so I am replacing the bearings and races as well.


I will be test riding and tuning the suspension in a few days so I should have some good news to report back on how the bike is handling. Oh yeah this time we are going to Cross Creek to ride, much more spectator friendly.




Here is a couple of pics my son took and that's about all he took besides some cows out there.



Leaving the house


And me getting ready to ride.

[char393]

Cool writeup Flash. What front tire came off the bike?

Are you racing at Cross Creek this weekend?

[Macho393]

nice to see you in the saddle

[pjg351]

That bike looks pretty tidy Flash, and i'm digg'n that Chevy

[Flash393]

Originally Posted by char393

Cool writeup Flash. What front tire came off the bike?

Are you racing at Cross Creek this weekend?

Thanks Char, the front tire was an old 756 and by the looks of the inter tube it was from the factory back in 05. Replaced that bad boy too.

Not sure if i will have the suspension tuned in time. Are you going?

[Flash393]

Originally Posted by pjg351

That bike looks pretty tidy Flash, and i'm digg'n that Chevy

Thanks Pete, I dig it as well.

[char393]

No, we're not going. After spending the last two weekends driving 20+ hours, we be stickin close to home.

I really do want to ride at Cross Creek though. Let me know when you're headed there. Racer92 has asked about us coming several times, schedules just never seem to work out.

[Dirtbikindad393]

Nice looking ride Flashy! I also like the stickers on the shrouds!

[crfjedi393]

Lookin' good in that black gear. It's pretty dang cool getting back on the bike, huh!

[Flash393]

Originally Posted by Dirtbikindad393

Nice looking ride Flashy! I also like the stickers on the shrouds!

You noticed...

[Woody_393]

Great to hear you had fun, and are getting the bike dialed.

That (the dialing in part) is probably my favorite part of getting a new bike.

[Flash393]

Originally Posted by char393

No, we're not going. After spending the last two weekends driving 20+ hours, we be stickin close to home.

I really do want to ride at Cross Creek though. Let me know when you're headed there. Racer92 has asked about us coming several times, schedules just never seem to work out.

You got it. I will try and make it on a weekend day.

[OLDMXRACER 393]

Good to hear you're havin' fun Flash. Looking good man!

[Flash393]

OK, well here is a bit of an update on my suspension upgrade. I guess the previous owner either did not know about using grease or own any.
I was having a problem setting the sag after installing my new RACE TECH spring on the rear shock. When I went to pull the linkage system off I had a problem getting the bolts out so I knew I was in trouble. The bolts looked like they ave never seen any lubrication and the same goes for the bearings. So now I've ordered a new linkage bearing kit. So the bike is still down for maintenance. I should have the new bearing kit by mid week if all goes well and will post an update when I get the bike back together. It should ride like a new bike when I am done (well ok close to new).