a few questions about my sx

9

97vmax600

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Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
6
Age
39
Location
Austin, MN
Hey guys. I have a few questions that I hope you can anwser. I have a 97 VMax SX 600. I have noticed that it doesn't not have a very good top speed. It will top out at about 70-80 mph. it revs all the way to 8000 rpm and it doesn't seem to bog. its got plenty of power it just stops pulling at about 70. It also keeps blowing belts. That last belt went at 400 miles. The whole sled is stock except it has 96 studs. I just rebuilt the primary clutch and that helped acceleration alot. The second question I have, is there a better suspesion i can put in the rear? These sleds are awesome, its just not good for ditch banging and big jumps. It bottoms out all the time and it has recharged shocks. the front suspension rocks with the ohlins. thanks alot guys.
 
You can make it marginally better by putting a long travel rear end in it with shocks from a viper or sxr. Or you can make it much better for jumping by throwing an expert x in, or an M10 if you want a plush trail suspension. As for the clutches, tell us what it is doing from 0 to top end on a WOT run. What is it revving and at what points? What is in there for clutching: springs, weights, rivets, rollers, helix.
 
Welcome,

Well you should get 90-95 out of it if you have the right setup. It will pull to 80 then start climbing to the top speed a bit slower.

You should not have a belt issue. You should be running the 89L Yamaha belt. You need to make sure the center to center distance is 268.5mm and the offset is 15mm. Your clutch setup is a bit different than my '97 XTC in that you use the 8ab weights, a green secondary spring and a less steep helix (43* vs 47* stock). I don't know if this is what is effecting your top end though.

Did you buy this sled new or used? Did anyone change the gearing? The stock 23/39 gear is a 1.77:1 ratio. If the top was dropped a tooth or 2 that could be your top end reason.

What is your mileage? Were there any modifications done? When you said rebuilt the primary what was done? Weights/rollers/spring anything that was changed list it.

First thing I would do is inspect the primary for wear and replace what ever looks worn. The secondary needs to be looked at as well. It is one big moving part and the spring in it does double duty in both compression and twist. Replace it with a new "Green" spring. Also take a look at the pads that rub against the helix. They are cheap replace if they are worn. Also clean the secondary with some hot soap and water to remove the years of belt debris. Things work better when they are clean.

Suspension? Well drop in a set of aftermarket ski's. That will make a big difference. The rear needs to be set up for your style of riding. Since mine is perfect the way it is I don't screw with it so I might not be the best person to say what you need to stop the bottoming. BY far the biggest improvement you can do on a sled with your age is inspect and replace any worn bushing in the rear suspension. Replacing shocks is great but there are more than a dozen bushings back there that do wear out. Pioneer Performance has a bushing kit I believe. You can also get a set of adjustable and rebuildable shocks. I think your's has the short travel shocks as stock.

So Are you a heavy rider? What is your primary riding style? Any info will help someone here help you.
 
thanks for the fast respones. i just raced one of my buddies last night. we left even and once i hit about 60 my sled did not go any faster than that. we were both in 3 inches of fresh powder but he hit 100mph no problem. it seems like the belt was slipping pretty bad. im not sure what would cause this. I do know who the origanal owner was so i know that it was not moded. it has 5700 miles on it, but the motor feels very strong. I rebuilt the clutch with all stock parts. i brought it to my yamaha dealer and they gave me everything i needed. i also had the secondary out and i cleaned it really well. i was wondering if maybe the spring is junk. im not sure. and as far as the rear suspension goes, it has rebuild and recharged shocks, all new bushing. i am 160lbs and i ride mostly ditches. i will try to hit every end drive i can. i like jumping it. that just my style of riding. thanks alot
 
I rode a 97 600 for 5 years and you should have no problem getting it to 100 on the dream meter. My 97 had 22/39 gearing, red secondary spring set at 3-3 with 43* helix and 8ab weights in the primary, all stock from the factory. So it sounds like something is not right if thats all your getting out of it. We need more info tho from you. You should not be blowing belts, I never blew one in over 10,000 miles, wore them out but never blew one.

With the suspension, do you have the TRA set at hard, medium of soft? It can be long traveled for more travel in the rear but if you don't do the fronts as well it's hard to set up (been there done that).
 
what else do you need to know about it? im not sure what else to tell ya. anything else you need to know let me know. o ya, how and were would i look to get a long travel suspension setup? thanks alot guys. you are very helpful.
 
To increase the rear suspension travel you need 3 things, long travel shocks (rear of rear and front of rear) and long travel limiter strapes. I have a set of 02 long travel shocks from my 02 viper and limiter strapes if your interested. These shocks were set up to jump houses, I kid you not they are stiff! I still own my 97 SX and put them in when I had a 2 up seat on but my oldest (now 12) is riding so I went back to the 8" set up for him, much softer ride.

In regards to your clutch issue, sounds like your clutches need to be checked for alignment. After a run have you felt both clutches to see how hot they are getting? Which holes did you set the spring in in the secondary? Should be 3-3. With the primary did you make sure the X's were lined up when you put the cap back on? Did you put the shim back in on the primary spring? What color spring are you running in your primary? What weights and rivets did you go with for the primary?
 
you know what, i think you just helped me out. i don't think i put that spring in the secondary where it needs to be. and i am very interested in those shocks. please let me know what you want for them. thanks alot
 
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