Grom Squad

[Parei_doll_ia]

I sold the FZ-07 a little early, and Cali has a big mini racing scene like Ohio, so I drove to PA and got this 2018 Grom with 150 miles on it.

 

It should fit sideways in the bed with the gate closed even with the toolbox, I just might have to figure out how to add a few tie down points.

 

[scguy]

Very cool, a Grom would be awesome. I've always been a Honda fan. I've currently riding a VFR800

[Parei_doll_ia]

4 hours ago, scguy said:

Very cool, a Grom would be awesome. I've always been a Honda fan. I've currently riding a VFR800

I raced an xr100 for a while with OMRL. I'll probably be taking this to kart tracks as well.

[Parei_doll_ia]

So it's very easy to go overboard on spending money on a Grom, and I'm trying to limit myself to around a grand. It already had a Yoshi RS-2 on it, so I did the airbox mod, added a Koso foam filter, and tried an EJK (electronic jet kit) for a fuel controller, but I haven't been impressed by it. I can see what the AFRs are with a Koso gauge that shows what the narrow band sensor sees in the head, but if I disconnect the EJK, there isn't much difference outside of low throttle. It's maybe making it 0.2-0.3 richer at WOT even with the red zone turned almost all the way up, and has the same top speed without it (55-57 aero limited) I should have known something was fishy when the EJK has you just ground the harness O2 plug for some reason, and pretty much just runs the bike in open loop. I only tried it because it was the cheapest FC out there, and I wanted to be able to easily revert to stock. A used ECU only costs $80-100 though, so I sent mine to DHM today to get it flashed and should gain a few HP. 

 

Garbage

 

The guy I bought it from already installed Racetech springs in the forks, so I drained and filled them with some 20w fork oil to give it better damping. I bought a YSS rear shock, and replaced the rubber swingarm bushings with bronze bushings that allow the swingarm to actually work as it should. It rides a lot smoother than it did, and should perform well on track. (no adjustability though) I also swapped out the 5yr old stock rubber for a set of Kenda Kwicks, $95 and they're reported to be as sticky as the medium Mitas tires that cost over 2x as much. 

 

Also put some proper width Pro Taper bars on with better mirrors and levers. Also a Trail Tech CHT meter and a Ram ball, to transfer the same mount that I use in my truck when I need it.

 

Also my improvised lift using 2 ladders, an engine support bar, and 2 ratchet straps. It was fun doing the swingarm with a car stand holding up the 1 tiny piece of frame that comes down aft of the engine.

[Pete M]

If it works (and doesn't maim anyone), it's all good.  

[Parei_doll_ia]

While waiting for the ECU to come back, I installed some graphics. It's a kit from 77 Decals designed to look like the Mugen Motul Civic Si race car from the 80s. It came out pretty good, I only made 2 small mistakes on the tail since the geometry is pretty complicated there. I also cut off any white that would cover white. It didn't make sense to cover pearl white with plain white unless I had to. Hopefully I'll get the ECU back by this weekend so I can take it to the practice day at OMRL.

[Pete M]

well, at least it looks super cool standing still.