Athena 434 Skirt Problems

terse · 06-25-2006, 01:53 AM

I want everyone to check there Athena jugs BEFORE tightening the jug and head down!! Do not "ass"sume it is cosher.

This is the 2nd one I have had that looked this way.

This picture shows how far the gap is on one side only. The other side seems to fit flush.

Here is the other side.

Please before installing the new piston on the rod, and without the base gasket on the cases... place the Athena down onto the cases and check that it is flat. This one is not, but will be by the time I am finished with it.

Here is the section that needs to be grinded down. This is not exact but only to give you an idea of the extent of grinding one will need to do. This will need to be grinded on all 4 corners.

Some people have called Athena and gotten a new Jug sent to them. I have not gone that route.

drnez · 06-25-2006, 09:59 AM

Thanks tersejr. The mods should make this sticky!

ebayollis · 06-25-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tersejr@Jun 25 2006, 01:53 AM
I want everyone to check there Athena jugs BEFORE tightening the jug and head down!! Do not "ass"sume it is cosher.

This is the 2nd one I have had that looked this way.

This picture shows how far the gap is on one side only. The other side seems to fit flush.

Here is the other side.

Please before installing the new piston on the rod, and without the base gasket on the cases... place the Athena down onto the cases and check that it is flat. This one is not, but will be by the time I am finished with it.

Here is the section that needs to be grinded down. This is not exact but only to give you an idea of the extent of grinding one will need to do. This will need to be grinded on all 4 corners.

Some people have called Athena and gotten a new Jug sent to them. I have not gone that route.
<div align='right'>

[/quote]

Great right up, maybe this thread should become sticky?

mana_z400 · 06-25-2006, 10:07 AM

thanks man for the information

terse · 06-25-2006, 01:47 PM

I Know there is some confusion when we try to explain how and where the jug hits.

Here is the inside of the cases that the Athena skirt hits.

06orangekfx400 · 06-29-2006, 01:45 PM

ouch so i guess this isn't really a "bolt on" huh

drnez · 06-29-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 06orangekfx400@Jun 29 2006, 12:45 PM
ouch so i guess this isn't really a "bolt on" huh
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[/quote]

Its about as close to a bolt on as you can get. When I installed mine, I did as suggested, and dry fit it without the base gasket. It looked fine. After I rode on it for a little while I started hearing some noises coming from the lower end, So I'm guessing its probably hitting the skirt. I havent had time to pull it apart yet and check, just a little grinding will fix it up right.

terse · 06-29-2006, 02:22 PM

I am unsure if the cases expend more then the skirt or the Athena metal skirt expands more then the cases, but I have heard this before that the Athena was not this bad or it didn't look this bad when I installed it the first time. Maybe after they heat up they expand and the clearences get to tight? Doesn't sound right... but this one is can be seen ver very obveous that it is off.

"Bolt on" is relitive. I think it is bolt on, but needs to be "fitted" to each application.

drnez · 07-01-2006, 08:48 PM

Engine building isnt a novice sport.

I'm no professional myself, but being somewhat mechanically inclined helps out a lot.

Byte · 07-02-2006, 01:14 PM

I know I would be pissed if I bought a kit and had to do this to install it.

drnez · 07-02-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Byte@Jul 2 2006, 12:14 PM
I know I would be pissed if I bought a kit and had to do this to install it.
<div align='right'>

[/quote]

Then have a professional do it and pay twice as much, its a trade off really. I think the number of problems related to the sleeve kit's outweigh those of the athena. But as someone allready said, its all about the install. If you dont feel confident about the install, then hire a professional builder. Personally I think it isnt very difficult to grind down the base of the jug to make it fit right, or have athena send you a new one.

Fakie · 07-03-2006, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drnez@Jul 2 2006, 05:19 PM
Then have a professional do it and pay twice as much, its a trade off really. I think the number of problems related to the sleeve kit's outweigh those of the athena. But as someone allready said, its all about the install. If you dont feel confident about the install, then hire a professional builder. Personally I think it isnt very difficult to grind down the base of the jug to make it fit right, or have athena send you a new one.
<div align='right'>

[/quote]

I agree

if your putting in a bore kit, doing a little grinding really isnt that hard.

Byte · 07-05-2006, 11:13 PM

Is this what Advantage "fit tests" to check on their Athenas?

I understand what your saying. Its just that a bolt on shop be a "bolt on". I've done a ton of work on quads. More than I've actually wanted to, trust me...

terse · 07-05-2006, 11:18 PM

I would assume so.

IMO a bolt should be a bolt on, but this is not always the case. I have heard that Athena has been replacing the bad ones. The problem stems from that most people do not know they have a problem until after it breaks and causes damage. My advise is to check every single one no matter who you get them from.

Byte · 07-05-2006, 11:25 PM

Very good thread indeed! Thanks!

06-25-2006, 01:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
terse :::LT500 Rider::: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,354	I want everyone to check there Athena jugs BEFORE tightening the jug and head down!! Do not "ass"sume it is cosher. This is the 2nd one I have had that looked this way. This picture shows how far the gap is on one side only. The other side seems to fit flush. Here is the other side. Please before installing the new piston on the rod, and without the base gasket on the cases... place the Athena down onto the cases and check that it is flat. This one is not, but will be by the time I am finished with it. Here is the section that needs to be grinded down. This is not exact but only to give you an idea of the extent of grinding one will need to do. This will need to be grinded on all 4 corners. Some people have called Athena and gotten a new Jug sent to them. I have not gone that route. __________________ Ol Skool "LittleMissE Mod"

06-25-2006, 09:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
drnez :::Official Spammer::: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,925	Thanks tersejr. The mods should make this sticky! __________________ Building another KFX. Let the money pit begin!

06-25-2006, 10:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
mana_z400 :::LT500 Rider::: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dubai - United Arab Emirates Posts: 1,652	thanks man for the information __________________ 05 Z470 Mods: 1 or 2 Augest 2010 POTM

06-25-2006, 01:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
terse :::LT500 Rider::: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,354	I Know there is some confusion when we try to explain how and where the jug hits. Here is the inside of the cases that the Athena skirt hits. __________________ Ol Skool "LittleMissE Mod"

06-29-2006, 01:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
06orangekfx400 :::Mini LT50 Rider::: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 92	ouch so i guess this isn't really a "bolt on" huh __________________ 06 KFX 400 ORANGE Tag T2 Fatbar Kit Spider Grips Kenda claw Xcr's

06-29-2006, 02:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
terse :::LT500 Rider::: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,354	I am unsure if the cases expend more then the skirt or the Athena metal skirt expands more then the cases, but I have heard this before that the Athena was not this bad or it didn't look this bad when I installed it the first time. Maybe after they heat up they expand and the clearences get to tight? Doesn't sound right... but this one is can be seen ver very obveous that it is off. "Bolt on" is relitive. I think it is bolt on, but needs to be "fitted" to each application. __________________ Ol Skool "LittleMissE Mod"

07-01-2006, 08:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
drnez :::Official Spammer::: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,925	Engine building isnt a novice sport. I'm no professional myself, but being somewhat mechanically inclined helps out a lot. __________________ Building another KFX. Let the money pit begin!

07-02-2006, 01:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Byte :::Eiger Rider::: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tidewater, VA Posts: 592	I know I would be pissed if I bought a kit and had to do this to install it. __________________ Work hard, ride hard!

07-05-2006, 11:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
Byte :::Eiger Rider::: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tidewater, VA Posts: 592	Is this what Advantage "fit tests" to check on their Athenas? I understand what your saying. Its just that a bolt on shop be a "bolt on". I've done a ton of work on quads. More than I've actually wanted to, trust me... __________________ Work hard, ride hard!

07-05-2006, 11:18 PM	#14 (permalink)
terse :::LT500 Rider::: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,354	I would assume so. IMO a bolt should be a bolt on, but this is not always the case. I have heard that Athena has been replacing the bad ones. The problem stems from that most people do not know they have a problem until after it breaks and causes damage. My advise is to check every single one no matter who you get them from. __________________ Ol Skool "LittleMissE Mod"

07-05-2006, 11:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
Byte :::Eiger Rider::: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tidewater, VA Posts: 592	Very good thread indeed! Thanks! __________________ Work hard, ride hard!

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