DAL

Thanks. I fully understand if I want to become competitive in races I will need to do a lot more than just adjusting the height and changing the tires, but I'm just looking to take her out on the track a few times to see if it's something I'm even interested in pursuing.

LOL. Every thread needs at least one asshole to contribute absolutely nothing to the conversation in a childish, immature attempt to make someone look stupid. Thanks for steppin up Cammie!

In the light of everyone's suggestion, I think you guys are right; she just needs some grease. I uploaded a crappy short video though just so I can have you guys take a listen. She normally isn't this dirty, I promise... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkpK8-MDRk0

Great thread! I'm thinking about doing the same thing (currently set up for trail/MX, but want to try TT in the near future), and want to keep the bike easily interchangeable between one form of riding and another. If I decide I like it, I might change the Banshee to full TT, and build another MX/trail bike. Just so I make sure I understand; essentially all that needs to be done is changing out the shocks (which I assume lowers the stance) and changing out the tires? I have Fox floats on the front currently, and can be adjusted for height - would I need to get new fronts with this set up?

It's a nice, informal place to relax and ride. The owner broke his ribs the weekend before, and then they had a ton of rain last week, so none of the tracks were groomed very well, and there were a few areas with standing water. Another guy with a SICK MX 'shee showed up right as I was leaving. The drag strip was pretty long (enough for you to get to fourth or even fifth gear), but had a few ruts. I'm sure it's primo when properly groomed. But overall it was a lot of fun, and was exactly what I was looking for to break the suspension in. Man, it's a HELL of a drive though. Next time I go I'm definitely staying the night. I'll be tied up for the next couple weekends, but will hit you up when I head to the Splendora track.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Makes me feel a lot better (I've been freaking out) thinking it was some major problem. I took a quick video of the front and back this morning, and will post a link to it tonight, just to make sure it really isn't a big deal. It's just weird how she didn't creak at all, then I change the suspension and this pops up. I was wondering if it put some kind of undue pressure on the frame, since Fox advertises that it adds 2" of wheel travel. As for the Zirk fittings; do I just use a grease gun for those? Will any type/brand work, or does anyone have a specific suggestion?

I just replaced the stock front suspension with some Fox Floats, and took her out for the test ride yesterday. I rode for a few hours at a local MX track, and they performed flawlessly. However, when I got home and took her out of the truck and moved her into the garage, I noticed some fairly loud "creaking" coming from the front. The bike sat in the garage for a couple hours before I had time to come out and fully examine, and the creaking seemed louder at that time. It really only creaks when I turn the wheels in either direction, and the sound appears to be coming from somewhere around the bottom shock mount/spindles. The weird thing is, it's also making something in the rear creak as well (appears to be coming from the left side of the swingarm). I know this is a little vague, but has anyone experienced something like this before? The sound is a weird mix of creaking/grinding; it almost sounds like something that should be greased is dry. But why would the sound also be coming from the rear? I'm kind of freaking out, thinking I snapped the frame or something, but I inspected fairly thoroughly and couldn't find anything. I'll see if I can record the sound and post it somewhere for a better idea what I'm talking about. Until then, any immediate thoughts?

Hey 368! For sure, let us know if (when) you're in the area.

MX huh? I'm slowly setting mine up for the same (Fox Floats on the way now - a-arms and axle in the near future). Been a long time since I've been on the track, and I could definitely use some pointers. I'm headed up to Gen. Sam's this Saturday to test out some new pipes. I know you said you're tied up, but hit me up if things free up for ya.

Hey DF! Welcome to the site. I'm in the Houston area, and just picked up my 2001'Shee after almost a 10 year hiatus from riding, and I'm definitely looking for people to ride with in the area as well. Since Spring Creek closed there aren't a lot of close, really good riding areas in and around the city. I see you're in Splendora, so you're closer to a lot better riding than I am. I know of at least two or three other site members in Houston as well (maybe they'll reply). I typically go up to General Sam's every other weekend. I'm down to ride whenever. Send me a PM and we'll set something up.

I've been reading Dirt Wheels since 1989, and sure, while they do (and say) some pretty lame stuff now and again, overall they're a pretty good magazine. And while we all love Banshees, they are pretty old school, and not really great at doing many things other than going straight. Not to say they can't be modded to perform better in different circumstances (I'm currently building one up for motocross), but there are a lot better options out there for just about every application I can think of. Most of us ride Banshees not necesarily because they are the coolest (even though they are), or because they're the best at any one thing, or because (insert whatever else). We ride them because we love them, for countless reasons. No need to hate on Dirt Wheels. As much as ATVing has grown over the last 10 years (due in no small part to major manufacturer support - i.e. the release of application-specific and technologically advanced quads), I'm surprised more niche-focused magazines haven't been released. I mean, just look how many car magazines are out there. However, it's expensive to publish anything, and most of the money (at least in motorsports) comes from the manufacturers themselves. And when Honda (or Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, et. al.) is paying your meal ticket, it's a given that you're going to feature (i.e. help sell) some of their newest product. Capitalism at work, my friends.

Bought a set of pipes from John, and they arrived quickly and in better condition than I thought. Great price, great condition, and an easy transaction. Would definitely buy from him again. Thanks!

I'd be interested in the shocks/a-arms as well, depending on what you've got.

DEFINITELY interested in the second set of PC's shown (third pic from bottom). Will give you a call this evening.

Cool, thanks.

Which means they would have to be revalved, right? Any idea what something like that costs?

I have another question: If I go ahead and buy the suspension for the stock a-arms, then upgrade to +2 +1 at a later date, will the shocks still suffice, or will I have tto have them revalved or replaced altogether?

Interesting. I saw the Floats in a different a-arm package on Ebay for about the same price. What model Floats do you have? What type of riding do you do? Impressions on quality?

Well, that would certainly save some coin. You really don't think the rezzies would be necessary on the track?

I took my 2001 'Shee out riding for the first time last weekend (after almost a month of getting her ready), and I quickly learned the stock suspension REALLY sucks. So I've got about $1K to spend on suspension, and want to maximize what I get for my money. I realize that's not a lot of money, especially when talking about suspension, but what can I say? I'm on a budget... At any rate, she will be used for aggressive trail riding and occassional MX. After reading through a bunch of threads, it appears my money would be better spent on Elkas rather than Works, so I'm looking to move in that direction. While I'm at it, I'd like to upgrade to +2 +1 a-arms as well. I saw a couple packages available on EBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elka-Shocks-Lone-Star-A-arms-Banshee-350-Suspension-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b26a99efQQitemZ140432284143QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories and http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Elka-Shocks-Laeger-Long-Travel-a-arms-Yamaha-Banshee-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5888c9f0c5QQitemZ380252057797QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Based on the type of riding I'm looking to do, I have a few questions: Should I go with long travel? Why or why not? Does anyone have experience with either Lone Star or Laeger a-arms? Any suggestions for any other companies? Is the stock rear shock rebuildable? If so, is this even a good option? Is the additional money spent to upgrade from Stage 2 to Stage 3 worth based on my riding style? Anything anyone else can think of that I may not? Thanks!

I'm looking to replace my clutch/brake levers with some ASVs soon, but I want to seperate the front brake lever and reservior. However, I've searched quite a bit online and cannot locate an aftermarket one for the banshee that is independent from the brake lever. Are reservoirs fairly universal? Does anyone have any recommendations based on experience?

Yeah, I found that one out the hard way. Rookie mistake...I'm sure I'll make many more.

The main problem was that I installed the slides backwards. I also ended up filing a little bit more off the body, and the idle screws do their job a lot better now. She started up on the second kick after everything was adjusted properly. Thanks for everyone's help!

OK, thanks. I'll file down some more and will check the slides tonight. Hopefully that will do it, because I'm itching to ride!

Since the part of the body that was tapped has a slight angle to it, I filed down enough so that the screw sits flat against the carb. Should I file down more than this? I don't understand the second part; I can put either slide in either carb but if they are not in the correct carb then they will be installed backwards? Then the slides can't go in either - they have to go back in the one they came out of?