1986-90 Evo Sportsters: What every owner should know but were afraid to ask

[Four Speed]

Hi Flame, if it was in my power, I would have a case of them sent to you expedited shipping. Sadly it is not, but at least we know they are going to be in production sometime soon.
I will try INA Europe and see when they might be available. Yes, they are a neat design. Like a full complement ball bearing without the drawbacks.

Maybe your bearing guy could find us a source of genuine Koyo or NTN made NUP1009 rollers. These do exist (apparently it's a common size in Asia for stone crushers and mini-tractors) but getting genuine bearings through authorised suppliers in America or Europe seems to be the issue.

[Flame__]

We shall keep our eyes open! I'll see if he can he can find those NUP1009 until then. I love my 4 speed, and if I'm going to upgrade my clutch, I would like to replace that bearing too.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Four Speed]

Flame, that's the spirit. Yes, sadly, the 6009 basket bearing is a weakness.

Please note: it's an NUP1009. The NUP design is fully enclosed using a thrust ring. In some ways it is a better choice than the BXRE design. This is discussed in the link above.
An NU1009 is a different bearing that won't work.

[Flame__]

So, I wonder how many XLFers would want to have access to these NUP1009, other than myself?

[Four Speed]

I have been making enquiries about this with the manufacturers. Only two major brands list them. The issue is getting genuine ones. I have found some but don't know about getting them imported yet. Bear with me.
Maybe a 'group' buy would be the way to go.

Sadly, the BRXE bearings are currently 'not in production.' I don't know yet if that means someone holds stock already.

The alternative is to fit a genuine SKF 6009 2z bearing and plan on replacing it every couple of years.

[Flame__]

I have my guy looking into it. He's even intrigued about the BRXE since that link you shared was dated 2015. Been best friends with this guy for 30+ years, and he is the manager at a Bearing distribution place. Let you know when I find out something.

[Flame__]

Okay, here's the latest: NTN said they DO have a "global inventory"(whatever that means). He did finally get a cost for us, slightly above employee cost, just enough where management shouldn't ask questions. I've never priced these, so I don't know how good a deal of $175 is. What do ya'll think? Can we generate some interest?

[Four Speed]

Thanks Flame. Hmmm, $175! I am sure your Guy is getting a good price but I suspect it is the fact that it is a rare machined brass caged bearing that is pushing the price up. I gather NTN hold four units in Japan!
That price does rather underline why we were sold fakes. For instance, the FAG NUP207-E-TVP2 bearing is an alternative roller bearing for the mainshaft, is a much more common bearing and
freely available from FAG or SKF: they cost about $60.

Flame, see what WI Duker and Insaneshane think. If we did a group buy, mine would need to be sent to the UK. I will continue to get a price in the UK and see how it compares with yours.

[Lia]

Hi everyone -

I'm wondering if someone can help a relative newbie out? I have an '88 883 that I love, and am wanting to make it fairly bulletproof in preparation for a big bore kit. Nothing too outlandish - I'm planning on the Hammer 1250 Basic kit, plus switching the stock D cams for Andrews V2's.

I've already got a steel cam follower, and I plan on replacing the oil pump drive gear with Hammer's bronze one when I do the big bore kit. So, my questions right now are:

1. Is the Scorpion clutch worth the extra $300 over an extra plate kit?
2. Will either the Scorpion or the extra plate kit increase clutch lever pull weight? (I don't have a lot of hand strength, and I struggle with the stock clutch in stop and go traffic)
3. Of the "big ticket" items (Barnett Scorpion or extra plate kit, V-Twin Manufacturing clutch basket, Zipper Performance trap door), is there any difference in how important each of them is?
4. Should I wait until I can afford all three and do them all at once, or is there a suggested order I should do them in?

Thanks very much for any advice!

[Four Speed]

Hi Lia

That is a quite a list and some good choices.
1. The extra plate kit works well. It holds up well even with the stock spring and I would try that first - if you are concerned about hand strength. Barnett does a stronger spring for about $20 should you need more grip.
2.The scorpion comes with a range of springs but it is thought to be a slightly heavier pull. Assuming that your existing clutch hub is in good shape, I would save your money and spend it on the oil tank upgrade instead, if it has not already been fixed.
3. The biggest weakness is the alternator design and bearings. So, the zippers is worth considering as it introduces a double row bearing on the main shaft. Or you could fit a NUP207-E-TVP2 roller bearing in the HD trap door. The Andrews gearbox
upgrades are important for the countershaft and gears. Make sure that the alternator gear and Clutch hub splines are in good shape. The Vtwin basket is a conundrum. It solves the problems of detaching magnets but have a read of the
total devastation thread. You will see that tuned engines are able to destroy the VTwin baskets. Much depends on the output of your engine.
4. I would go for strength at a sensible price: Zipper trapdoor, rebuilt clutch basket (set magnets in epoxy, rebalance and install quality bearing), Andrews countershaft and gears and an extra plate kit.

Ps. what do you feel you gain by a V2 cam over the D grind?