Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Son of a Freak (long)

Success! Here’s a pictorial timeline representation of what I did. I plan to put together an Adobe Acrobat document with more detail that can be used as a general guide.

Goals to satisfy were as follows:

1. Build a freak alternative costing far less than +$300
2. Increase performance
3. Use the airbox, keeping all sidecovers and both “graters”
4. Enable easier access to carbs for rejetting
5. Add yet another cool chrome doo-dad (crankcase breather)

Goals achieved (based on above):

1. Total cost was about $115. I could have saved another $25 if I used my own airbox. I chose not to in case I needed to “fallback” or what I put together vibrates apart in the future (unlikely).
2. Sorry, I can’t quantify the performance increase. This would entail a pre- and post- dyno-run to measure gains. I can only provide an opinion as I’m too “thrifty” to pay for dyno runs at this point in my life. I was running a drilled airbox, no snorkel, with drilled K&N drop-in filter, 132 mains, and 142 pilots with Thunderbike pipes. So, I was about as wide-open air-wise as one could get without the freak/freak-like setup. After the “Ghetto Feak” modification and subsequent rejetting to 147.5 mains. I noted a significant increase in decel popping which is a good thing as this signifies a larger amount of air received (the whole intent). I had to open my HD thumbscrews another ¾ turn to enrich things. There is a definite increase in mid-range power with this setup. Not mind numbing considering my previous setup, but quite noticeable.
3. I was able to keep the top of the airbox pretty much intact and use the existing grater/side-cover mount points (top ones). I did have to fabricate two pieces to mount the bottom points. It was actually pretty easy when you take my approach. The pods can be removed from each side (not through the airbox), but the braces I fabricated must be removed first as they are mounted outside the pods. Five minutes to remove/install braces. Additionally, the smaller RC-2340 pods must be used due to their smaller foot print.
4. I was actually able to change mains for the first time without dropping the carbs. I have easier access to the allen head bolts securing the carb bowls with the pods removed and what I chopped away in the aforementioned pictures. Wahoo!
5. Picked up a cool HD crankcase breather. I fabricated a rubber plug allowing our ½ inch breather hose to connect to the 3/8 crankcase breather. Nice shiny bit held securely to the piece with a conventional screw-type o-ring.

Conclusions:
It was worth the time and relative inexpensive cost for the gains noted above.





Regards,

Tom

How quick first gear ends now huh?
Looks nice!
It's Beerthirty now, enjoy!

Very impressed. I do hope you realise the consequences of your actions though... you've just created a worldwide shortage of used airboxes, and a glut of used aftermarket drop-in filters. Consider me combing ebay for a used one.

Good job man and thanks for sharing the journey and taking the time and energy to capture all the pics.

You mention being "...about as wide-open air-wise as one could get without the freak/freak-like setup. After the “Ghetto Freak” modification and subsequent rejetting to 147.5 mains..." I would have thought this set-up is just as open as the 'real' Freak ? Can you help me understand why it is not and why, therefore, you wouldn't jet up to a 155 or something ??

To answer my own question..."Smaller Pods". Right ?

great job! i really like the looks...one of my concerns with the freak has always been not being able to keep the "cheese graters"...i like 'em even though some don't. i'll be anxiously awaiting your complete documentation...thanks again for this!

Quote:

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I now believe (probably incorrectly) I've take the 790 as far as it will go without radical changes. "Radical" is subjective, but to me it means: big bore, cam change, carb change, nitrous, port/polishing etc. I'm currently unwilling to go "radical" (famous last words).

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Yea, sure. Wait about two to three months and you'll be starting to drool and then you will grab ahold of the big tools.

The "Cheese Graters" Faux Air Filter Covers fit back on with The Freak. Just bought The Freak and they go right back on.

Scrap those Cheese Graters Show them balls off

The Freak absolutely allows the re-use of the cheese graters. Without more than a cursory look, you cannot tell if there is a Freak or not. btw, the Freak allows for all stock covers to be re-installed. I kinda like the sleeper look!

Freaked:

Not to be a wet blanket and although I applaud the ingenuity of all you guys coming up with a Freak alternative, I wonder just how much you are really saving considering the time you have to put into them. Is your time not worth money?

After all, you do still have to go through all the steps needed to do a Freak and then the time to mod an airbox, deal with a carb brace, etc.

POLAK POTRAFI

Knowing what I know now I might have attempted this myself. But at the time I got my freak, I was all about something coming ready made with clear instructions!! So I guess it is a matter of preference, got some extra cash and don't have the time? Pay the man. LOVE a good project and have some time? Roll your own.

First off, I've been following these freakish threads with interest, as I'm considering something similar. I applaud the ingenuity and efforts involved, however, the end product doesn't appeal to me. There's something about a hacked-up airbox.....

I'm thinking about fabricating something modular, perhaps a skeletal framework with all the necessary mounting points and a fabricated box for storage to fit inside, under the seat. I have a spare airbox to take measurements from, but until "Santa" brings me my filters and some other items I can't begin any planning.
I'm not in any hurry, and I don't even know if I'll be successful, but if I am, the entire thing will be made of metal, and it will probably be chrome....

No doubt on the chrome

It really isn't that complex. Just remember, the airbox has a lot of contours to it that aren't really crucial to fitting in the bike, so if you can look past those, you can probably make something with relatively few bends. And if you make something that attaches to the rear fender, make sure it connects to the front frame work too, cause that will bounce around. Take pics too!! I'm thinking of bending up something on my own just to see if I can, because right now I am not running the left side cover, so I could simplify the stuff I think.

My version of 'Son of Freak', Ghetto Freak' or my favorite, 'Freakenstein'. Left the chiz graters off intentionally...like the open look.

Dadgummit!! Looks like my lack of photo posting know-how has sufaced again. Sorry about the thumbnail sized pics. Back to school for me....

One more time...

Cabrini Green - Chicago, Illinois

Here's my first draft (and quite possibly final) "talking paper". Bandwidth challenged: Beware it's a little over 2Mb in size, as it's chock-full-o pictures.

Your "talking paper" obviously took a lot of work to put together so thanks for doing that and sharing both it, and your experiances, pain and pleasure as you went through this. Great job man !

Dude nice job! I haven't read thru the whole thing but I think I will eventually. Maybe some night I can't sleep

My only suggestion so far is that in the beginning of the document, where you list materials, maybe suggest people use stainless hardware. Coincidentally, I find it easier to find stainless stuff at the local guy hardware store rather than the big guy.

Quite a labor of love (and "frugality"). Well done!

Benny, put this in the "Tech Vault" eh? I'm tired....

Oh poor baby...