Reed Question

[Puma]

Looking for some advise. I am getting ready to order my Toomey kit for the Blaster. The engine is totally stock and this is the first mod. The bike is a 2000 and I have never checked the reeds and have no history from previous owners so I am assuming they are stock. Since I will have to pull the carb off to change the jets, figured I will change the reeds while I am there. I did a search here and reeds seem like a highly debated topic from the threads I have read. The quad runs great right now so no complaints.

Here is my dilema. My first thought, whats another $20 since I have the carb off. The more I research, the boyesen $20 seem like nothing more than stock, then there is the mid priced $30 set (dual stage IIRC) then the better $50 pro series (carbon fiber dual stage). Or go full bore and get the V-force3's. Down the road I plan on doing more to the quad (new topend, porting, possibly big bore, ect..) so maybe the Vforce is the better choice since the cage will flow more I would hate to waste $50 in reeds then throw them away later. And more I read, looks like since I will have the reed cage out, I should do a leakdown test (more money). So my $20 "while I got it apart" snowballed into a $200 mod.

So what do you guys think, Put the cheap reeds in while its apart? Cheap ones are a waste, go for the Pro Series? Or quit over thinking this and just slap the pipe kit on and save up for the Vforce3's?

 

[aaronsoccer4]

you could also look into vito's carbon fiber reeds for 19.99, same as boyessen pro series they are dual stage

 

[Budget_Blaster]

I run VF3's and like them.

Ive ran all the the others and the VF3's are the best ive ran.

My only complaint is their prices.

 

[Larry's Shee]

Considering reeds are a wear/maintenance item, right now is a good time. It will give peace of mind. Unless you are going big real soon I wouldn't bother with V3, just get some dual stage. I'm rocking Vito's on both the Blasturd and son's Banshee and more than satisfied with them. You could "port" your cage while you have it apart.

 

[slickerthanyou]

Looking for some advise. I am getting ready to order my Toomey kit for the Blaster. The engine is totally stock and this is the first mod. The bike is a 2000 and I have never checked the reeds and have no history from previous owners so I am assuming they are stock. Since I will have to pull the carb off to change the jets, figured I will change the reeds while I am there. I did a search here and reeds seem like a highly debated topic from the threads I have read. The quad runs great right now so no complaints.

Here is my dilema. My first thought, whats another $20 since I have the carb off. The more I research, the boyesen $20 seem like nothing more than stock, then there is the mid priced $30 set (dual stage IIRC) then the better $50 pro series (carbon fiber dual stage). Or go full bore and get the V-force3's. Down the road I plan on doing more to the quad (new topend, porting, possibly big bore, ect..) so maybe the Vforce is the better choice since the cage will flow more I would hate to waste $50 in reeds then throw them away later. And more I read, looks like since I will have the reed cage out, I should do a leakdown test (more money). So my $20 "while I got it apart" snowballed into a $200 mod.

So what do you guys think, Put the cheap reeds in while its apart? Cheap ones are a waste, go for the Pro Series? Or quit over thinking this and just slap the pipe kit on and save up for the Vforce3's?

If the stockers are still good why spend money other than feeling a crisper throttle? You should check them- and when your putting it all back together,with new gaskets use a film of Copper or red RTV. You said you plan on doing more mods to the motor so it only makes sense to upgrade the intake/carb. You can find used VF3's for around 80 on here ocasionally from a part out, keep an eye out. One word of advice when you buy used make sure it includes the plastic cone insert( i'm not sure what the proper term is for that), but it directs the air into the cage as well as helps hold the inner cage tight! An yes always when you take the cylinder or any part of it off leak test it will save in the long run!

 

[Puma]

Thanks for the responses everyone, keep them coming!

I am leaning towards leaving it alone and saving for the Vforce3's. My budget for the bike is blown on the Toomey kit. I dont mind waiting and saving for the better ones. Besides, the pipe kit should keep me happy for a few, lol!

This is my first 2 stroke so I have nothing to compare the throttle response too, but it seems pretty responsive to me right now. If the stock reeds were worn, would there be any symptoms?

 

[EvilElvis]

throw em in much better throttle rersponse BLASTER CARBON FLEX 2-...

 

[Puma]

Thanks for the link Elvis, I keep forgetting they are in MI, web site says north of detroit, I am just 20 minutes west of the D, I could just take a ride up there.

 

[Larry's Shee]

When you have carb off look in there with a good light, if the reeds are laying tight and you don't see any frayed edges or major discoloration leave 'em be for now. Just be sure to jet for your pipe.

 

[Larry's Shee]

FYI, Vito's is not in Oxford anymore and do not have a "store front" due to the $hit economy he downsized back to his garage.

 

[Puma]

Thanks for tips Larry! That sucks for Vito's, I do feel his pain. If the economy didnt suck so bad, I would have a much bigger quad budget, lol!

 

[Larry's Shee]

I hear that. Got so many good ideas swimming in my head that it hurts . I was over there when they were packing up to move cause it took Paul for ever to find what I needed. I do know that they will do COD on orders if you have to go that way.

 

['00 WO-YA!]

Thanks for tips Larry! That sucks for Vito's, I do feel his pain. If the economy didnt suck so bad, I would have a much bigger quad budget, lol!

Omg dude, wouldn't we all! It hits us guys where it hurts most, right in our toys! One lil piece of advice, if you decide to replace the reeds be careful when you tighten them down. I've actually seen before where guys have overtightened & distorted the material causing the petal to pull off the seat a lil.

 

[Puma]

Thanks for the advice, I also read in the other threads to use some loctite in the screws.

 

[Larry's Shee]

be sure to use blue loctite on the screws after you clean cage and screws with brake clean

 

[Paulie B]

Swappin in reed pedals on stock cages is kinda a waste perfrmace wise but you will get piece of mind if they are carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber ones should outlast the stock reeds by a large margin.

 

[Racer51]

You should be fine I figured that boyesen PRS reeds offer more bottom which is what I would need with the top end toomey pipes which is why I put the VF3's on the other that has the FMF Fatty to even it out. See what I mean
top/mid end pipe, low end reeds|top end reeds, low/mid end pipe
But for me the first time I cracked the throttle with the PSR in I'm like O yea I'm gonna do some damage with these bad boys. If you want low prices go to Chapparral they sell them for $45 shipped, when everone else sells them for that then adds 10 bucks shipping. If you want VF3's for cheep E-bay sells them new for like $115 free shipping on some of them.