2PLY, on 11 March 2012 - 09:08 PM, said:

Got out for the first ride of the 2012 season on it yesterday......it was a warm sunny day, and some of the snow had melted, so I puttered around on a test ride for about an hour.

The hit seems a bit more mellow, and a bit less likely to stall. I like it! The effect seems to be reasonably subtle though....the flywheel on these things is massive to start with, at least compared to my YZ, so the addition of a FWW is not as dramatic a change as it was on my trail/MX bike.

Having the new fender on also makes things look a bit nicer.

There's a one day trials training course close to me in April, so I'm looking forward to that. Also can't wait for the rest of the white stuff to melt, which should be over the next two days, which will allow me to go play on the obstacle course, and to start working on my splatter wall construction project, along with adding some sections in the steep ravine behind my place.

laser17, on 12 March 2012 - 03:18 AM, said:

I did do a quick check and it seemed to be pretty much on. Only out a few thou....so as you say, maybe I got lucky.

But if I hadn't, I'm not sure how I would have been able to adjust the FWW, short of turning it on a lathe, which I would have to farm out, not having the equipment nor the skills.

A few thou is perfect. Mine was off 20! when just slapped on.

Way to go Laser......I thought I was all done with the S3 FWW installation on my 280 Raga. Now it's going to bug me until I check it out. Fortunately one of the guys I befriended at our fall, informal event is a machinist with complete shop - hopefully I wont need him to turn it.

I to was amazed at the weight of the flywheel and how little the S3 seemed to increase that weight. I was able to ride in a warm spell afterwards and between the FWW and the new low compression insert, it seemed that I could feel the difference on how the rear connected with the ice when I would slowly roll off the throttle (a trick 2-Ply shared with me for traction in slick conditions). Riding on ice and packed snow
has few advantages(darn few), but might as well learn what I can from it about steering and balance in nasty conditions!

Sorry about that G! But if you want the best performance, fitting it accurately can really pay off. If its off, your crank bearings will thank you. The good news is that its pretty easy to check for piece of mind if nothing else.

laser17, on 14 March 2012 - 07:15 AM, said:

True...but you would have to machine the holes in the FWW to fit it, wouldn't you, given how everything is tapered and thus as you crank down the mounting bolts everthing is aligned pretty tightly it seems.

Not on mine. Maybe that was part of the problem as mine had some slop. (talking 0.020") I feel the Hebo design was better as it was referenced right off the tapered crank, but I wanted the lighter s3 for my 250.

If your bike feels electric smooth - your all set. Mine felt rougher than I thought it should, so I checked it and it was off. Noticeably smoother after alignment.