Thanks for the review Asim, it was a pleasure working with you. Have fun and ride safe!

Initial review of my 'Joelled' FZ-18

Hi,

I had joined XBHP quite sometime ago to help me in making my decision to buy the FZ. After numerous review of posts, I finally got one in Dec, 2009.

I was v much satisfied with the performance, looks, handling and most importantly the stability of the bike. Continued riding her stock for upto 3 years.

Meanwhile, the pot was brewing at XBHP about Joel and his wonderful work with motorcycles. Firstly heard about his fiero, then the R15. His work seemed quite marvelous.

Read a few more reviews and made up my mind to get my bike 'Joelled'. The initial plan was to get the big bore kit and CAM. I would get them installed in Hyderabad. Contacted Joel via gmail and asked him for the BB kit and CAM.

The kit was promptly delivered without undue delay and in good shape. Took it to Ganesh Yamaha and got the BB installed. CAM had to wait as the mech there was unable to install the newer CAM ( i guess technically challenged is the appropriate word).

The bike had to be run in for 500Kms under 5K rpm. I could not gauge the improvement then.

Got another mech who could get it (the CAM) installed for me. Got the upjetting done there too. However, after the installation, the bike seemed to not perform as i had expected it to. It would get overheated, lots of valve noise which would hinder in pushing her further and the fuelling was all wrong (lots of hesitation). I was ruing my decision to get modded in the first place as i could not find even a single mechanic worth his salt, who could properly perform the upgrade.

Finally, as last resort, i sent my bike to Joel himself via courier. Asked Joel to check her out, and also went in for the next stage of mods: Bigger racing carb, air filter, clutch springs and the 'infamous' FFE.

Joel, promptly began working his magic on the bike. The problems were dealt with swiftly as he pointed out the mistakes that the mechs had done in installing the kit (Yamaha SVC: extra sealant on the gaskets; private mech: improper valve adjustment, improper carb tune).

To top it all, Joel also had a front petal disc assembly, which he was willing to install on my bike. I couldnt have had asked for more. Went in hook line and sinker !

Also, he had fixed my clutch and a top up of engine oil with Agip. that was the icing on the cake.

Got my bike back from Bangalore about a month ago (minus the DB killer). Took her out for a spin one fine morning and i was just taken aback by the sound. What on earth could make such a sound. it was f*cking awesome !!!

Thought about taking her for a long ride to gauge the performance as previously a lot of issues had prevented me from riding her.

That's when tragedy struck. a failed clutch ! This was agonizing.

Work prevented me from getting the problem fixed. She was sitting at home the following week, waiting to get the clutch replaced.

After a week's worth of waiting, got the clutch overhauled at Patny Motors, Begumpet. The mech took his time (2 days) but did a good job with the clutch.

Finally, today, i took her out for a ride. And here's the report:

(thanks for reading my story until now, this is where the fun starts)

Acceleration:
Talk about breaking a sweat ! this thing goes like a rocket now. I have to be extra careful with my clutch when launching her coz i fear she might pop a wheelie. 60KMPH is discarded with disdain in a wink of the eye. 100KMPH - no problem. WOT: what a scream is let out by the exhaust, utter pleasure.
The ffe, big bore, racing carb and air filter work in a symphony to deliver a knockout punch.

I apologize, that i do not have any timing or numbers to share as i didn't have anyone along to help me out with that.

Handling & Stability: As stable as ever. Braking now being aided by a large 300mm petal disc up front, is stupendous. There is nothing called panic braking now. just sheer confidence.

Additionally, the stiffer racing clutch springs are a boon now. reduced transmission losses are apparently conceivable as one can feel an immediate latch with the crank when the clutch is released. takes off with a jerk if overdone !

And that exhaust, decelerate and you get that awesome heavenly sound (popping adds the spice).

Here are some of the pics i snapped last week for your viewing pleasure:



Finally, here's the master list of the mods:

1. Big bore kit
2. Re-worked head
3. hotter CAM
4. Free flow exhaust
5. Racing carb (33mm venturi MIKUNI carb)
6. Simota high flow air filter
7. Racing clutch springs
8. Front petal disc assembly

And a big thanks to Joel for fixing my ride and then making her better than she ever was.

Cheers!!!

Joel Could you please check the tracking details and inform me whereabouts of the BB kit?
Or you can pass on the tracking details to me?

This wait is really testing me.
I am writing here because i guess repeated mail thing is not working.

Thanks Joel for the awesome parts.
I hope I do complete it next time. But maybe next time I would like to go for a bigger ride, may be a 10 days trip or a trip to himalyas, and I damn sure that the performance will remain awesome, it just makes the ride more enjoyable.

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Abhi - I wish you complete the saddle sore the next time around.
Ride safe!

Apache 190

Hello friends,
I would like to give the feedback of the bike and Big bore kit along with FFE that how they performed on my Saddlesore attempt.
Bike: Awesome performance, rock stable even when cruising above 90 and 100 all the time, no heating issues and none of the parts went kaput, only the plastic above headlamp became loose and good grip from the tires.
Big Bore and FFE ( Joeled ): The parts performed extremely well. Even after riding for more than 1000kms or 1200kms bike was still smooth in its pickup and speed. Not even once felt that engine cannot take more load. The power delivery was awesome. Whenever i will cross any toll the bike would feel happy to quickly rise to speeds above 90 or 100. Many times I maintained average speed above 80 and above 90 but still there was no sign of sluggishness. Cruising above 90 was very much easy. Got mileage close to 32kmpl+ with speeds in excess of 90 and sometimes 100.
Big Bore is 6000kms old and FFE is 9000kms old.

Unless you loosen the sprocket combination the top-speed will be the same,but with the block and FFE you will get there much quicker than before, coz remember you are under-gearing (Short-gearing) your bike with modds (Bump in Power/Torque)

Ive done 1200 kms on the Big bore kit for my RTR 180 and boy..is it fun or what.

Ive been already using the FFE for 14 months and now with the big bore...its crazy.

What really has changed is the way the bike pulls in each gear with so much authority. Top Speed marginally increased..gets there faster. Its damn fun in the city...Lovin it !!

Any reviews for the RC kit on p180??

Joel

Can you please throw some light on the figures

A friend of mine had a zma block installed on the cbz... you can try the same

Big bore kit for GS is also available? Joel any luck on kit for CBZ Classic?

Hi Guys,

Wanted to give a report on the after-mod ride of my GS.

I got a bigger bore+Cylinder head modification done by Joel Joseph two weeks back. Was asked to do a 500 KM run-in so that the engine can settle. After that, Went back to Joel and got the Carburetor Jet changed as the engine was coughing a lot. Now no more coughing.

Now for the Difference.

Where before the throttle was really sluggish, Now it behaves like a beast that is raring to go. Throttle opens really quick and you can feel the effect on the speedo. Top speed i hit was 121 with 9k rpm on 6th gear. Am sure it will go beyond that as well. But I ran out of road. Now you may say that 121 is not a very high speed, but what matters here is the distance it took to hit that speed. So i guess i am happy with my bike. From a 149 CC engine, now i have about a 178 CC engine, So I have the additional power if i ever require it. Overall 2 weeks after the mods..AM A happy guy!!!!

Thanks Joel, Maybe in the future we can talk for a FFE.

@Joel: Have sent you a mail on your id, awaiting reply

Please check again and report.
FYI, please be clear when you expect me to tune the ECU. First you said its 165cc, now its 15cc more. Dont be hesitant to say that you are something else. Please be frank!
Keep the replies over mails.

Thanks, I will need a set of stock bore + Stock exhaust will email you. Also it was me who emailed for PSM disc rotor.

Now, I noticed an issue with the ECU.

Let me brief,

Your new map works just brilliant, Now all my issues are sorted out regarding engine and fueling, before the bike was little hesitant to reach 10,000RPM but now shoots to 11,500RPM in 1st 5 gears.

But there is something new that is bothering me now. Day 1 after I plugged the remapped ECU the RPM Tachometer stopped functioning, after turning off the ignition and turning back on the RPM started functioning.

Later the same started to occur very frequently and now the RPM will not work at all, but sometimes works if I re-seat the ECU connection or hit any bump on road. I hope there is some issue with the ECU, any thoughts on this?

No issues with RPM tachometer while using stock, even tried stock ECU a few minutes back RPM Is fine, only our custom ECU has the issue. The Connecting Wires to ECU are also fine and intact.