1st Banshee - Needs Fixing for Desert

[prossett]

Was just given a 2001 Banshee - beauty, belonged to a pro desert racer, he rides sponsored machines and it's been cluttering up his garage for years. knows I like to fix stuff and so he dropped it off. it's great to have good friends and pass on the favour one day. His name is Sebastian Husseini - google him to check him out if u like! Won the last UAE Desert Challenge, and UAE BAJA so he's riding hot at the moment in this sandy part of the world, with KTM team.

 

anyways, engine is in a box, dismantled - crankshaft bearing seizure, kaboom! at minimum needs new crankshaft, new pistons, maybe can re-bore cylinder sleeves.

 

my question for u pros is do i rebuild stock or go with aftermarket parts? this is my 1st quad, but i'm plenty experienced working on project 4x4s.

 

my aim is for a long-distance desert expedition quad, camping 2-nights out, over pure sand dunes (live on the edge of the Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter - awesome dunes you wouldn't believe!) so reliability is top priority. absolutely without any doubt it is number one on my list.

 

Now, forgetting power gains which i'm not interested in, which aftermarket parts would be more reliable than stock Yamaha parts for an engine rebuild?

 

some pics:

 

The engine

 

 

scored cylinder:

 

a little rust (really dry out here, so rust is not an issue)

 

good solid quad, with already some mods, like long-range gas tank, twist throttle instead of thumb control, not sure what else... looks like he cut the front fenders?

 

any advice appreciated guys

[prossett]

Here's what the dunes look like

 

[prossett]

Thanks good advice, especially the radiator. I can get that here, I'm sure. Also I'd want a temp gauge.

 

Yeah, the cylinder sleeve looks pretty bad. I'm taking in to a turner tonight to see what they say, but I'm pretty sure you're right and it's toast.

 

What brand welded crankshaft would you suggest? And keep it stock specs?

 

As for pistons, what brand are desert-proof?

[sa3ood_banshee]

Thanks good advice, especially the radiator. I can get that here, I'm sure. Also I'd want a temp gauge.

 

Yeah, the cylinder sleeve looks pretty bad. I'm taking in to a turner tonight to see what they say, but I'm pretty sure you're right and it's toast.

 

What brand welded crankshaft would you suggest? And keep it stock specs?

 

As for pistons, what brand are desert-proof?

 

heyy were in uae are u livving,and wat garage are u doin ur build at???

 

 

sa3ood

[prossett]

I'm in Al Ain, garage is called "Banshee" :biggrin: but I like to do the work myself at home. Except welding and turning and painting and other stuff that needs specialized equipment.

 

The dude said the cylinder can be turned, but couldn't tell me down to how much - could be a whisker left when he's done... so I'll double-check with a turning shop to see how much they will have to remove.