Project Phoenix: The YamaZong Rises from the Ashes

[BlackBike]

I thought Texas was big, man... that's Wide Open Country

[SpudRider]

Indeed, it is. It is very fun to ride here.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by BlackBike

I thought Texas was big, man... that's Wide Open Country

I think after all the years, I may have seen only one single car in the background of any of Spuds pics. First I thought he was riding on Mars. ;-) The man loves his solitude!

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Thank you, Rob.

Yes, I was wet above my waist. I ruined a digital camera I had hanging on my belt, and I lost my cell phone in the mud pond as well. Fortunately, the camera was a few years old, and the phone was a 'dumb phone.' I was happy to get a ride out; I was about 8 miles from the nearest town.

The next day I came back with my trailer, and parked at the trailhead. I quickly got a ride on an ATV back to the abandoned Zong. After changing both the spark plug and CDI unit, I got the bike to run. I rode back the the car, and trailered the bike home.

Other than a long push or pull sounds like you may have not had a choice, but do you think running the engine with the water in it contributed to it's demise?

I like how you call it a 'mud pond', rather than a puddle. Maybe you can go back in the summer and catch a catfish ;-)

[FastDoc]

Bike looks new again, Spud. Love the blue!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Other than a long push or pull sounds like you may have not had a choice, but do you think running the engine with the water in it contributed to it's demise?

I like how you call it a 'mud pond', rather than a puddle. Maybe you can go back in the summer and catch a catfish ;-)

Yes, the silt in the water caused the premature demise of the engine. However, there was so much mud in the water, a mere oil change would never have removed it. Also, I didn't have a choice to push or pull the bike out of there. You have ridden this fire road many times in your several visits to Idaho; I was miles from the nearest gate, let alone the nearest town.

The mud pond was about 15 feet in diameter; it traversed the entire fire road, with a steep hill on one side, and a steep decline on the other side; I could not avoid it. The water was about 18 inches deep, and the bottom of the pond was covered in greasy mud. When the front wheel exited the other side of the pond, the rear wheel slipped in the goop. I attempted to put down a foot, but there was only water beneath my foot.

I could hardly stand up in the goop, let alone push the bike out of it. It probably took me about 30 minutes to shuffle my way out of the mud pond.

[Weldangrind]

Spud, I'm so grateful that you are ok.

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Weld.

[BlackBike]

And the mountain water was warm as the Gulf of Mexico I'm sure.

[Pliskin]

Spud you made the Zong now Yamazong even better. Yamazong will be indestructible. Great idea with changing the colour too. Cool you upgraded with metric speedo, won't have to do conversions anymore. You'll probably do oil changes every 2,000km.

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Pliskin. Indeed, I plan to change the engine oil every 2,000 kilometers.

[zingshoen]

spud, that s a great modification! i wouldn t mind a TT-2xx coming my way!

what s your current sprocket ratio with the new motor and are you satisfied with it? lowering the ratio on the zong brought the motor to life, of course, but do the additional 27 cc give you noticeable more low end?

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Zingshoen.

I am currently using the stock sprocket ratio for the XT225, which is 15T/45T. I definitely notice more power from the extra 27 cc of engine displacement. Based upon the comments of other XT225 riders, I did purchase a 16T CS sprocket, but I have yet to install it.

[SpudRider]

I just finished the custom paint job for my Zongshen RX3. I painted the RX3 Patriotic Blue, the same color as my Zongshen Sierra 200 (ZS200GY-2).

[Ron B]

great job spud! how many miles do you have on it now?