KawasakiTrax Community
Tech Information => General Help => Topic started by: skeet180 on January 06, 2015, 09:49:42 PM
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I have just bought a 1979 Invader 340. It is completely stock. I also have a 1981 Invader LTD and a Invader LTD 4/6 parts sled. I want to do radar runs with the 340 Invader. I'm not sure what to do with clutching I have the clutch off of the 4/6( the 340 has the stock clutch on it right now) I also have the stock dual exhaust from the 4/6 . I would like to know what to do with the suspension too. The guy I bought the 340 from said the motor was just rebuilt with 15 miles on it. Is there any of the parts that I have( from the parts sled 4/6) be useful? I would like to put a spring and weights into the clutch. I want it to hit hard off the line. I know I will have to adjust the rear skid also. I Would like to know what jetting I would need to do to use the dual exhaust, and if it is worth using the pipes. Thanks in advance! HELP!!!
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You will get some guys to chime in on your project... Radar runs? 1000ft? I believe the 4/6 runs a 1.86 ratio (gearing) and your 340 gears should be in the 2.00 range. I would swap the complete setup from your 4/6 into the Invader. (Chain, top and bottom gears and tension spring). You want to gear as tall as possible (within reason) for a radar run. You are looking for mph... you want to be as close to a 1:1 ratio (with your primary and secondary clutches) as you can. When you get into overdrive you lose efficiency.
Move your front ski spring mount location to the first hole (closest to you). This will put less pressure on the skis and more on the track for better traction (not suggested for trail use). You also want light spring preload in your rear suspension. Loosen the spring tension (not tighten).
Also, clutching and engagement is preference, but you don't want high engagement and clutches to "hit hard" for radar run purposes. With high engagement and less than ideal traction (studs) you will be spinning more than accelerating (not a good thing). If you a running on radar stick with your stock spring/weights. If you are "drag racing" you can play with your calibration. IMO. Hope this helps. Tory
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Leave you stock pipe on the 340... twin pipes are a waste of time (IMO) heavy and don't contribute to a performance improvement on that sled. The 4/6 gears are 1.86 ratio and the 81' LTD gears should be 1.76(I believe). Either of these two setup would be o.k. to use for radar run purposes.
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Thanks Troy for the help! Yes 1000' I should have stated that. I just want to be competitive and do the sled justice. You don't see hardly any Kawasaki's in my part of the country.
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Nope... none around here either. I never enjoyed having the same thing as everyone else though! Good luck! Tory
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The 4/6 top end will bolt right on to the 340 crankcase. If the top end is good, this would be your best bet. I would swap everything. Pipes, cylinders, heads, cdi, coils, clutches, gears, and carbs.
I don't have too much experience with radar runs, but I would be careful going too high on the gearing. Just because you have it geared high, doesn't mean the little 340 has the HP to take advantage of it!
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If you bolt on the 4/6 top end, it would become a 440, and be in a different class than the 340(??) Try just running it in stock condition and see where you want to go from there. Balancing the carbs makes a big difference on the 340 motor.
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... If you want to run better mph in 1000 ft you need to gear taller than 2:05 to 1. The torque curves for the 340 and 440 Invaders are not much different. If you were running 500 ft that would be a different story... in that case I would stick with the stock gearing. Try both and you will see the difference for yourself! Good luck!
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IMO you might as well get yourself a 4/6 and run in 440 class if you're gonna swap everything over... not trying to ruffle feathers... just my honest opinion.
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Thanks for every ones help. How do I balance the carbs?
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One more thing. Troy or anyone what kind of speed should I see @ 1000'? From what I see I would think 65-70mph is possible. I do realize there are a lot of factors involved. Thanks again!!!
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imo....clean carbs and clutches,take a little weight of the primary ramps[washers] and give it a run, i dont think you will be able to top out the stock gearing in 1000 ft, just imo
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Kawhead- Do you think I would have a better chance hitting top speed with the gears from a 4/6?
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... Olav Aaen's "Clutch Tuning Handbook" covers gearing, 1:1 efficiency, etc in detail. That might be a good investment for you... I have learned a lot from it! Less than 20 bucks. Good luck.
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IMO you might as well get yourself a 4/6 and run in 440 class if you're gonna swap everything over... not trying to ruffle feathers... just my honest opinion.
He already has a 4/6. But it's a parts sled. If you want to make that Invader go fast, that 4/6 setup will do it! :)
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Yup, 4/6 set up would help!
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Will I lose a lot on the low end?
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Everything is a balance. It depends on the use of the sled. More trail riding... leave it alone... maybe change primary clutch spring, weights. Radar runs are a bit different setup. You will not lose" A LOT "of bottom end response. IMO if you want to gain a few mph in 1000ft. change your gearing. If you are happy with 65mph in 1000ft and let's say the slightly taller gearing yields 67 mph... you have to decide if it's worth it to you! A gear change will not get you 5 mph in 1000ft. Changing gear ratios is not difficult. If you like to test and tune... bring a few options to the radar runs. Tory
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I don't plan on doing much trail riding with it. It's really not much of a trail sled imo. So switching the gear set sounds good to me.
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It will be a great experience for me. I also might do some grass drags. And I know I will be changing the clutch and gears for that.
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as i recall 340 vaders were geared for 70/75....imo thats pretty tough in 1000 ft....imo gearing down is better