[Geezer]

Well, after another winter of having the Boss apart, I finally put a few hundred miles on her today.

Included some mods to bring on a higher boost level at lower rpm, I had to change my pants twice. :shock: The 502 revs like a two cycle when it hits boost and it gets down right scary. :shock:

Going to install an alcohol kit soon as this race gas is getting way too expensive at 4.33 per gallon.

Every Spring it seems my love affair with this bike starts all over. My
addiction continues. :lol:

Geez

 

[critter]

It was a beautiful weekend down here in south-east Texas. Since I have had an unusual amount of work related stress, Saturday I decided to do a mileage check on my Boss, so I drove west toward San Antonio. I have not been out the way lately and it has change rapidly. I-10 changes daily. The Boss was running great. I stayed out of the secondaries to run the mileage check, and found that I am running a solid 23 mpg. I was hoping to have higher mileage since I have leaned the carb, increased the op temp, and changed out the primary belt drive pulley, but it is what it is. Then I was tempted to get some secondary action and had a lot of fun around town and out on the back roads. Today we had a Run for the Rose with a 60 mile or so ride down to Bazoria county to raise money for cancer research. Dark clouds were overhead but it turned out great. The ride down was painfully slow with app. 250 bikes in line with the police escort. People really do get pissed off waiting for 250 bikes to pass so that they can enter the Interstate. The police all noticed the BH, but I was just idling her down the rode with all the other folks. Now on the way back, she needed some secondary action and since all the LEOs were back at the fairgrounds, we made nice time home. I passed a group of HDs on the interstate with a sport bike with the leopard skins on her. The youngster showed his respect for the Boss by pulling a wheel stand, and of course I reciprocated with some secondary action of my own, only out of respect of course. I do love the Boss and it was a beautiful weekend. Don't forget the sunblock around the watch band though, I think it is turning into second degree as we speak.
Regards,
Bill Critter
Seabrook, Texas

 

[snydog]

Gas Mileage on a beautiful day....

Found an easy way to improve gas mileage that you might be interested in hearing about. Just drop a couple of Fitch Fuel Catalysts into your gas tank and you should get a couple of extra mpgs right away. These things also have some other nice benefits like increased hp, no more need for Stabil when storing the Boss, and faster, easier starts for carb Bosses. The best I saved for last...no more need to run 93 octane. My 01 SB runs like a burgler on 89. These things last forever and cost $49.95 for two F5 drop in units. Guy at Fitch was very familiar with the Boss and suggested four units...he said you can't overtreat the gas. I put 2 in when I got the bike in 2001 and have averaged about 27mpg. I just bought 2 more and will let you know the results. Check out Fitchfuelcatalyst.com. Very cool product.

 

[buyarbi]

Took the boss out yesterdayfor the first ride after putting in new high flow air filter and top. Also installed the silver and green springs in the distributer. My gas line has been kinked near the shut off I guess since I got the bike last year so that got fixed. Last year going wot the bike would have to start working to go above 120 mph. Im thinking fuel starvation was the problem there. Now at 110 mph it is just starting to get into the groove and has no sign of starting to work. I have also had my idle rpm go up as someone else had happen after installing new springs or ghanging the fiter, can't remember which. Since ther is no red line on the tack what is reasonable to rev up to without doing a bussa. .
Bill

 

[Zenbiker]

Bill...I don't think anyone begins to be concerned at all until well over 6000 RPM. One issue of Boss Hoss Country magazine ran a spec sheet on the ZZ4 motor and I know the stated redline was well over this figure. Geezer or Neil Weber (where has Neil beeen?) will know, I'm sure, or Adrian, Mike or Tom Breedlove. By the way, you sure must have been fuel starved last year because at 120, it shouldn't even be breathing hard... ..Joe

 

[Geezer]

Bill:

Depending if you have the ZZ4 or the 385hp , the rated rpm's for each
are:
ZZ4-355hp at 5250 rpm. (limited by cam )
385 - 385hp at 5600 rpm. (higher because of hot cam)

No need to zing any higher as the cam and heads have hit the wall
regarding air flow. NOS is a great addition if you want more hp and
torque. Just stay under 150hp on the juice as the pistons won't handle
any more.

The weakest link in the ZZ small block series of engines are the "PM "or powder metal rods, which they say are good to approxmatly 450-500 hp.

Geez

 

[HAWK88]

Max RPMs

Geez;

My main question is how fast can a 355 HP ZZ4 be spun without hurting it, even if it's an unexpected turn up?

Probably a dumb question!

Ride Safe!

HAWK88
Jack Phillips

 

[Geezer]

Jack:

I don't think I can answer that question, as each engine will be different.

But if it were me, I would keep it under 5700-6000

Geez

P.S. Jack, did you zing it to the moon one time and now you are
worried?? :lol: :lol: If the rods didn't let go and the valves
aren't dancing on the pistions, you should be ok..

 

[HAWK88]

RPMs

Geez;

Yep, she's spun up well above 6 a couple times since I put the 230 back on. Got used to unlimited traction with the Dunlap, and our roads are a bit "greasy" sometimes.

Ride Safe!

HAWK88
Jack Phillips

 

[V8GRUMPY]

Hawk,

One thing to determine is what cam you actually have. Geezer is correct on the numbers for the GM 'hotcam', but from 2003 on (at least '03 & '04) the factory went to another company for cams and they ground one specific for the Boss. When I talked to them 9teh cam company), they said the motor would turn well over 6000....Mine pulls very hard to 6300, then starts to fall off some......I'v "floated" the valves twice in long burnouts, then put a shift light on to remind me to shut off.....I set the light @5500 for the 'early warning' :lol:

Tim

 

[buyarbi]

Joe I think I was quite fuel starved. Was on the board here every day and couldnt figure out why mine was the only bike or one of the only bikes that had a lame leg. The kink in the line was substantial , bent at 35 or 40 degrees. It most definitally is not even breathing hard at wot up to 120mph now. When I was checking the rpm out on the highway I briefly forgot about the car that had passed me at the intersection. Got a little close to her bumper for comfort after I hit the gas and looked up from the tach. I think I will go by ear for rpm or get bifocals. The bike gains speed faster than my eyes can focus.
Thanks for the info on rpm, I have the 350/385 engine . 5500 will make it sing that soulful prairie song and not lose its voice.

Bill

 

[HAWK88]

RPM Limiter

All;

Is there some RPM limiter, other than a complete new ignition system a "newby" bi-focaled olde pharte could install, just in case?

Ride Safe!

HAWK88
Jack Phillips

 

[V8GRUMPY]

Hawk,

Throw a shift light on it and you'll see it. "Raptor" makes an LED light that Don B & I use, very bright even in full daylight conditions. I have never failed to see it, and you don't have to be concentrating on anything but steering while you spraying for insects :lol:

They work better than a tach.

Tim