32 Sprocket Installed

I finally installed my long awaited 32 sprocket on my bike.  It took a while to find one and get it made.

ZA50 Clutch Update

Good time to do a clutch performance update on my ZA50.  Installed these first and second gear clutches about a year ago.  I blasted around Japan at least a good 100 miles on them.  Typical Gila wear and tear starting to show.  I'm gonna try to use better transmission oil to prevent this.  I'm was using Type F but will try 0w20w or 5w10w synthetics next.

Weird ZA50 Failure

I had a weird failure with my ZA50 motor this weekend.  After a hard night pushing the limits of our bikes with Soma-san on Japanese Hwys 129 and 246, I rode my bike the next morning to a rude awakening.  When I was at half throttle, my engine started to make a violent shaking sound.  I immediately thought it was the Gila's death rattle of seizure!!  But soon realized I heard this sound before.  I next thought it was my clutches blowing up.  In any case, I was lucky to make it home on 1/4 throttle.

Taiwan Scooter Life

Chan Kai Shek Memorial

I recently got back from a trip to Taipei, Taiwan. For all you scooter fans, this is one of the meccas for scooter lifestyle.  A ton of bikes and parts come from this Asian island.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to go to the many performance shops around town.  I didn't see too many two-stroke scooters or mopeds either.  It was a plethora of four-stroke Yamahas, Kymcos, and SYMs.  And they were everywhere!!  And I mean everywhere!!  I haven't seen this many scooters in action other than Vietnam.  They even have devoted scooter lanes on the freeway.  Enjoy some of the sights around town: