zabobmx

Great post and advice. Thanks!

I really appreciate all the help so far, especially the comments about common problems in the early YZF 450's. My background is in 2 strokes and I can pretty much do all the work myself. I tore my last two Banshee's down to the bare frame and rebuilt them over the winters. This is a major factor in my choice as I have zero expierence in working on the newer 4 strokes. The last thing I want to do is have someting go wrong (espically major engine work) and have to take it to a shop to perfom the repairs. Money is not the most improtant factor but I do have a budget. That budget will depend on the bike that I choose. Obviously I would allocate more toward a 450 but I do not know if I am ready to take the plunge and get an 06+ YZF since it would not be ridden all the time. That's why I was thinking about an older model (04 -05) but after hearing some of the problems, I am kinda leaning back toward a Banshee. My plan for the shee was to find one that was a little rough and rebuild it. While down, I would upgrade all the necessary accessories to make it a decent trail/ drag bike. Please keep the comments coming about the 450's as I would still like to hear the pro's/con's to both. Also, while on the subject (although after reading numerous threads on this site it's looks as though it has been beat to death) what mods would you suggest to make a Banshee competitve against stock 450's such as the YFZ and TRX? If I built another Banshee I would still like to beat my buddies bikes but be dependable on the trails as well. Also I would like to add that I am a good rider while they are just getting into it :biggrin: Again, thanks in advance! You guys have already been a lot of help.

I am looking to buy a new (new to me atleast) bike. I have had 4 Banshee's throughout the years and love them. Recently, a few of my buddies bought bikes and have begun to ride every weekend. The problem is that the place where they go is very trail oriented, probably 80% trails. There are some wide open trails but there are others that are slow going. I took my last Banshee out there once and remember that it got pretty hot on some of the trails due to the fact that not a whole lot of air was being forced into the radiator. My question is this, who has made the switch from a Banshee to a YZF 450? What are your opinons on the switch? I feel like the 450 might be a better choice for this type of riding. I will still be doing some drag racing on sand and dirt, just not as much as trail riding. I am looking at buying either a Banshee or YZF 450 ranging from the years 2001 to 2005. Any year models that I should stay away from or really look for? Also is there anyone that uses their Banshee for both, ie drag racing and trail riding. The drag racing would only be betewen me and my buddies bikes. If I was to get a Banshee, is there any mods that I can do to help with the cooling such as an electric fan etc? Sorry for so many questions. It's been a few years since I have had a bike and have not kept up with the latest trends. Thanks in advance for your help!

And it runs! Thanks Dirtman and Wallrat!

Just went out there and checked and I have no hose going between the carbs as far as behind where the choke is. Is it just a hose that connects from one carb to another? I see what looks to be nipples on each carb where a hose could be placed. I just went out there and messed with it and got it too kick start but it died after about 15 seconds. I will put a hose between the carbs... I am putting the hose between the carbs right behind where the choke needle sits correct? Basically if there was an imaginary line, the hose would complete it.

If thats the alum. tube that goes between the carbs. then yes.

The bike ran great before I tore it down. The top end was replaced not long ago. I will run a compression test on it tonight but I don't know why it started, and ran like a champ before I tore it down and then all of a sudden it needs a top end after not running for 3 months. But I will do a compression check on it tonight... Any other thoughts? TIA

Heres the deal. I just got finished trying to start my bike after doing a frame resto/ clean up job. I tore the whole bike down and now just got it back together. Today I got it where I could start up and ride it around slowly but the bike won't kick start. I checked for spark, which it had, so I decided to try push starting it. After 3 tries, and with the choke on the last time, it fired right up and I rode it down the alley and back in first gear. Didn't have any misses or anything. When I pulled up the drive, I tried letting it idle and it died. I push started it once more and it did fine but it still would not kick start. Seems to me its a fuel problem. the carbs have not been apart, as they have only had the sleeves out. It ran excellent before tear down and would cold start on 2-3 kicks. Yesterday I was asking about some vacuum lines/hoses and was wondering where they were routed. I got them on but the only connect to each other, going from the port at the rear of the motor, to the line coming out of the cover, and then routed up to around the handle bars. These hoses don't connect to the carbs in anyway do they? Anyways I am thinking the problem is pretty minor and some of you have probably had the same issue.(hopefully) Also the plugs were new about 3-4 months ago and have had around 1-2 hrs. on them. They were left untouched, in the head throughout the rebuild. The motor was not touched at all. Thanks for you help in advance!

I bought an 03 LE around Christmas time and then about a week after that, I decided to pc the frame, swinger, add some chrome etc. etc. Well its been about 3 months and have got it all back together except for a few very minor items. I got a few questions though. I got 2 vacuum lines that I need to install. Where do they install to? I have looked on the carbs and see no ports. I see one port at the back of the case but where do the lines hook to. Also I have 1 bracket with a sensor on it. Attached to that is a spring w/ a pre-bent metal rod. I though it had to do with the brakes but I am not sure. Sorry for the dumb qustions but a buddy of mine got me into these things and he had a few that were running. Since then he has sold them and I don't have one to look at and the local yamaha shop hasn't had any for a while. If I had one to look at it would have been running about 2 months ago. TIA!

Well its been a few weeks since I have posted an update. I ended up painting the frame, bumber and a-arms black. I used a black base coat/clearcoat I picked up from the English Color where I get all my automotive paints. No way was I going to spray paint the frame and accessories. The paint looks deep and wet. I also got my swinger powdercoated since it will see more abuse with rocks etc. Anyways the bike looks brand new and I'm stoked. In all I got $40 in the paint and it is worth every penny. I think I am going to get some thick clear sticker material to protect where my legs will rub and on the front a-arms where paint gets rubbed off easily. I am going to locate some of the material people put on the tanks of sport bikes to protect the tank paint. I will post some pics once I take some. Well worth the money spent.

I worked on the bike on and off all day today and progressively went further and further. The frame paint was pretty bad so I decided I would just pull it all apart and get in re coated. I am thinking about doing the frame yellow with black swinger and a-arms. Anyone got any pics. of an 03' LE with yellow frame?

I just bought a 03 banshee LE and after riding everyday over the holidays, im taking it apart and cleaning it up-not that it was all that bad but you know. Anyways I have lurked on these forums and have begun using many of your tips on cleaning up the shee. My question is, what color is the frame on the 03 LE? At first I thought it was a flat black but after lightly sanding w/ 2000 grit and polishing, it looks as if it is a dark grey metallic color. I was planning on re-spraying the front bumber, a-arms,and other pieces black but now I don't know that it will look so good. I want everything to match and look good. Anyone know of any spray paint that matches that color pretty good? If not I can just pc all the pieces but need to know the color. I was thinking of pc-ing the swinger black too, but now I am thinking about just redoing it silver. TIA

Dallas Tx. area Pauls Powder Coating www.paulspowdercoating.com

Like the title says, I am looking for a banshee or two. Either running or not or if your looking to get rid of one fast. Post up if you have anything and some pics. Need a bike for me and my gf. Can need some TLC.

Interested. Sent you a pm yesterday with my email address. It is zabobmx@yahoo.com