It’s not often that a man gets a hop-up named after him. But the rabblerousers at Thunder Mountain Custom Cycles, TMCC, thought the hop-up they did on the Zebra Blackhawk 240 chopper, from TMCC, stayed true to the core values of myself, Special Agent Zebra. Said values being; I hate to wrench, I abuse motorcycles like editors, and I always want to get there first.
All hop-ups, if done with any planning, will serve a specific riding goal. I don’t spend money on parking-lot bragging rights. My goals for the Special Agent Zebra Package were; long rides, real fast. I ride an average of a thousand miles per story. Sometimes as many as six thousand, like on a round-trip from Miami to Sturgis. I have a schedule and mentality that don’t allow for loitering around bike shops, waiting on a rack to open up.
Before going further, I’ll address an unspoken taboo in the motorcycle industry, which goes something like this: If you don’t like to wrench (and you’ve got the nuts to say it at the beer table, or, God forbid, in print) you must be some sort of metro-sexual, tofu-farting skirt. My response is simple. You “custom” one-off TV bikers gotta provide your own tow ropes if you want me to haul your asses back to your trailer when your McDonalds Whopper Chopper shudders to a halt during filming in the Black Hills or the cozy furnace outside Laughlin known affectionately as Death Valley. And I charge by the yard. If you hijacked a back-shooting gunslinger’s name, I charge double.
So for all you hard-working bros out there who are too busy riding your motorcycles to watch TV shows about wrenching motorcycles, and who think $45,000 ought to buy you a great bike that actually runs, and further, who think $80,000 ought to buy you the bike and a trailer house to park the sonofabitch in front of, I recommend a TMCC 240 Blackhawk with the Special Agent Zebra package.
When I sent the Zebra 240 off to TMCC headquarters in Loveland, Colordado, for the engine hop-up it was powered by a stock Screamin’ Eagle 103 with a two-into one trumpet from Kerker.
First things first, what’s in the Special Agent Zebra Package? 260 cams so I can keep time with the Johnny-Cash thump in my iPod. The heads were CNC ported. Pistons were then made for the CNC-ported heads. Pushrods were adjusted to 2.5 turns from the bottom. Stronger barrel studs were installed. A race-tuner for the Electronic Fuel Injection, which enhances fuel delivery, was installed. High-performance head gaskets were used to reduce chances of a head gasket leak. Because everybody knows somewhere, sometime, I’ll wind up that fat-barreled fiend on a cold morning in the Rockies or somewhere on the Grand Canyon and throw the clutch to her without the appropriate warm-up. And who knows, I might be towing a TV chop to boot. Why this combo of stuff? According to the head-mechanic of TMCC, Larry the Wrench…
The high-performance gaskets will better handle the upped compression, obviously. High-tensile strength cylinder studs reduce the chances of cylinder stud stretch (“H’ya mule!”) and breaking.
“We put CNC heads on it to make it flow better. Better flow means more higher torque, that means more speed,” Larry told me. “The roller rocker arms I installed on your bike allow for a smoother up and down motion (ah, Jeanie…), which is easier on the bike (“H’ya mule!”) and on the valve springs. We went with forged rocker supports. If you have stronger rocker arms, you need a stronger support plate. Or something will go kablooie. Especially with the lead-wristed Zebra.
”I recommend the quick-install pushrods. If you want to put in a different set of cams, then you can use the pushrods again and again, which makes the job easier for the mechanic and easier on the pocketbook. HTCC pistons match the CNC heads, again, trying to make everything flow as well as possible. We feel this is a great combination and we’ve had real good luck with it. The cams we installed match the way you ride. If you’re gonna roll along at 130 for long distances, this is the right set up when applied to that tall Screamin’ Eagle 6 tranny. If you’re a bar-to-bar hole-shot guy, you’d want to go with something different.
“Up in Loveland, Colorado, at 5,000 feet, you don’t have compression problems. But since you’re (Special Agent Zebra) based at the Republic of Literature in Los Angeles and Fort Grammar in Miami, the compression releases are a must. The race tuner is because of the high-compression and cams.”
And provided, as we found out at Peterson Harley-Davidson South, that they have a Dyno with the extender package, since on the first try we discovered the Blackhawk was too long for their stock Dyno. So we shipped it to Peterson Harley-Davidson North (both in Miami). Peterson Harley-Davidson North was good enough to tune the Blackhawk 240 for sea level. Thank-you Dirk, thank-you, Drew.
So what are the steps to get it all in? Step one, get the right parts. On their first attempt TMCC was shipped the wrong stuff, twice, setting us back a month, due to the untimely intervention of Sturgis. Step two, disconnect the battery. Lift the tank cover. Remove the lifter covers, rockers, breathers, heads, cylinders, piston and cam cover. Then remove the cam chain, the cam plate and remove the cams from the plate.
Now you’re ready to install the new parts. Install the new cam bearings into the engine case and new cam bearings into the cam plate. Next new cams are installed. Then, put a Voodoo doll of a State Trooper, chalk full of pins, in each cylinder. Let them sit the length of another beer, remove and burn. Now comes the cam plate (cam included). Install the cam cover. Put in the new pistons and rings next. Install the new cylinder heads, rocker supports and don’t forget the rocker covers. Install the intake throttle body. Put the tank and battery back on and in. Larry said to remind readers that the Best Machinist in the World had to machine out some of the rocker caver to make the rockers clear. Don’t forget.
What’s all that mean in civilian terms? Zebra’s getting’ whiplash. I asked Larry what the break-in period was on the new parts.
“Kick the tires, light the fire,” Larry replied.
The Key West Poker Run was coming up, so I figured that would be a good time to handle the test ride.
The first thing I noticed is that the Special Agent Zebra Package makes the 240 Blackhawk a tad snorty in the low end of the gears. This goes away the instant you start rolling right wrist. After that it’s sexy go-go. Get the rpm’s up high and you feel it really pour on some stout. If you’re gonna blow by a slow-mover, drop a gear and step into the higher revolutions to get the most out of the Special Agent Zebra package. The one time the Z-package might be less than optimal is when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper and must idle in first. Then you’ll get a little snort that you can’t get rid of, due to super-low speeds. But shit, don’t blame the bike, blame the Car People. Damned savages.
I found the rev limiter the first shot out of the gate (they know me so well in Colorado). After that I knew where it would engage by the sound of the song and simply shifted up just prior to a full Governor’s pardon. A first-gear wheelie is available, so polish the undercarriage, and it’ll get out from under you in second if you aren’t on top of things or you encounter some of the ever-present Florida sand.
I brought the Zebra’ed Blackhawk up near 130 and it was still gaining speed when I ran out of room and had to back off. The Keys aren’t exactly the Daytona Speedway. And the Seven Mile Bridge is only 7 miles long.
You do have to remember to activate (push down) the compression releases or it’s a sluggish start-up. As Big Fish Pheffer, General Manager of TMCC pointed out, the high-torque starter motor costs around $525 (chrome), so pushing the compression releases prior to firing up is a habit to get into quickly. But with the releases activated, you get one roll, two big hisses (compression releases closing) and boom, you’re ready to joust with the cops.
How much is the Special Agent Zebra package? Mitch “Big Fish” Pheffer (Google Hurricane Roxanne to know more about the nickname, he was there) told me the Special Agent Zebra package would run around $4,300 to $4,700 (depending on the prices you get from the folks you go to), parts and labor. Not cheap. But still about half what you’d pay for a TV chopper with fries.
Special Agent Zebra
Undercover
The Republic of Literature, Miami
Now you’re ready to install the new parts. Install the new cam bearings into the engine case and new cam bearings into the cam plate. Next new cams are installed. Then, put a Voodoo doll of a State Trooper, chalk full of pins, in each cylinder. Let them sit the length of another beer, remove and burn. Now comes the cam plate (cam included). Install the cam cover. Put in the new pistons and rings next. Install the new cylinder heads, rocker supports and don’t forget the rocker covers. Install the intake throttle body. Put the tank and battery back on and in. Larry said to remind readers that the Best Machinist in the World had to machine out some of the rocker caver to make the rockers clear. Don’t forget.
What’s all that mean in civilian terms? Zebra’s getting’ whiplash. I asked Larry what the break-in period was on the new parts.
“Kick the tires, light the fire,” Larry replied.
The Key West Poker Run was coming up, so I figured that would be a good time to handle the test ride.
The first thing I noticed is that the Special Agent Zebra Package makes the 240 Blackhawk a tad snorty in the low end of the gears. This goes away the instant you start rolling right wrist. After that it’s sexy go-go. Get the rpm’s up high and you feel it really pour on some stout. If you’re gonna blow by a slow-mover, drop a gear and step into the higher revolutions to get the most out of the Special Agent Zebra package. The one time the Z-package might be less than optimal is when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper and must idle in first. Then you’ll get a little snort that you can’t get rid of, due to super-low speeds. But shit, don’t blame the bike, blame the Car People. Damned savages.
I found the rev limiter the first shot out of the gate (they know me so well in Colorado). After that I knew where it would engage by the sound of the song and simply shifted up just prior to a full Governor’s pardon. A first-gear wheelie is available, so polish the undercarriage, and it’ll get out from under you in second if you aren’t on top of things or you encounter some of the ever-present Florida sand.
I brought the Zebra’ed Blackhawk up near 130 and it was still gaining speed when I ran out of room and had to back off. The Keys aren’t exactly the Daytona Speedway. And the Seven Mile Bridge is only 7 miles long.
You do have to remember to activate (push down) the compression releases or it’s a sluggish start-up. As Big Fish Pheffer, General Manager of TMCC pointed out, the high-torque starter motor costs around $525 (chrome), so pushing the compression releases prior to firing up is a habit to get into quickly. But with the releases activated, you get one roll, two big hisses (compression releases closing) and boom, you’re ready to joust with the cops.
How much is the Special Agent Zebra package? Mitch “Big Fish” Pheffer (Google Hurricane Roxanne to know more about the nickname, he was there) told me the Special Agent Zebra package would run around $4,300 to $4,700 (depending on the prices you get from the folks you go to), parts and labor. Not cheap. But still about half what you’d pay for a TV chopper with fries.
Special Agent Zebra
Undercover
The Republic of Literature, Miami
Now you’re ready to install the new parts. Install the new cam bearings into the engine case and new cam bearings into the cam plate. Next new cams are installed. Then, put a Voodoo doll of a State Trooper, chalk full of pins, in each cylinder. Let them sit the length of another beer, remove and burn. Now comes the cam plate (cam included). Install the cam cover. Put in the new pistons and rings next. Install the new cylinder heads, rocker supports and don’t forget the rocker covers. Install the intake throttle body. Put the tank and battery back on and in. Larry said to remind readers that the Best Machinist in the World had to machine out some of the rocker caver to make the rockers clear. Don’t forget.
What’s all that mean in civilian terms? Zebra’s getting’ whiplash. I asked Larry what the break-in period was on the new parts.
“Kick the tires, light the fire,” Larry replied.
The Key West Poker Run was coming up, so I figured that would be a good time to handle the test ride.
The first thing I noticed is that the Special Agent Zebra Package makes the 240 Blackhawk a tad snorty in the low end of the gears. This goes away the instant you start rolling right wrist. After that it’s sexy go-go. Get the rpm’s up high and you feel it really pour on some stout. If you’re gonna blow by a slow-mover, drop a gear and step into the higher revolutions to get the most out of the Special Agent Zebra package. The one time the Z-package might be less than optimal is when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper and must idle in first. Then you’ll get a little snort that you can’t get rid of, due to super-low speeds. But shit, don’t blame the bike, blame the Car People. Damned savages.
I found the rev limiter the first shot out of the gate (they know me so well in Colorado). After that I knew where it would engage by the sound of the song and simply shifted up just prior to a full Governor’s pardon. A first-gear wheelie is available, so polish the undercarriage, and it’ll get out from under you in second if you aren’t on top of things or you encounter some of the ever-present Florida sand.
I brought the Zebra’ed Blackhawk up near 130 and it was still gaining speed when I ran out of room and had to back off. The Keys aren’t exactly the Daytona Speedway. And the Seven Mile Bridge is only 7 miles long.
You do have to remember to activate (push down) the compression releases or it’s a sluggish start-up. As Big Fish Pheffer, General Manager of TMCC pointed out, the high-torque starter motor costs around $525 (chrome), so pushing the compression releases prior to firing up is a habit to get into quickly. But with the releases activated, you get one roll, two big hisses (compression releases closing) and boom, you’re ready to joust with the cops.
How much is the Special Agent Zebra package? Mitch “Big Fish” Pheffer (Google Hurricane Roxanne to know more about the nickname, he was there) told me the Special Agent Zebra package would run around $4,300 to $4,700 (depending on the prices you get from the folks you go to), parts and labor. Not cheap. But still about half what you’d pay for a TV chopper with fries.
Special Agent Zebra
Undercover
The Republic of Literature, Miami
Now you’re ready to install the new parts. Install the new cam bearings into the engine case and new cam bearings into the cam plate. Next new cams are installed. Then, put a Voodoo doll of a State Trooper, chalk full of pins, in each cylinder. Let them sit the length of another beer, remove and burn. Now comes the cam plate (cam included). Install the cam cover. Put in the new pistons and rings next. Install the new cylinder heads, rocker supports and don’t forget the rocker covers. Install the intake throttle body. Put the tank and battery back on and in. Larry said to remind readers that the Best Machinist in the World had to machine out some of the rocker caver to make the rockers clear. Don’t forget.
What’s all that mean in civilian terms? Zebra’s getting’ whiplash. I asked Larry what the break-in period was on the new parts.
“Kick the tires, light the fire,” Larry replied.
The Key West Poker Run was coming up, so I figured that would be a good time to handle the test ride.
The first thing I noticed is that the Special Agent Zebra Package makes the 240 Blackhawk a tad snorty in the low end of the gears. This goes away the instant you start rolling right wrist. After that it’s sexy go-go. Get the rpm’s up high and you feel it really pour on some stout. If you’re gonna blow by a slow-mover, drop a gear and step into the higher revolutions to get the most out of the Special Agent Zebra package. The one time the Z-package might be less than optimal is when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper and must idle in first. Then you’ll get a little snort that you can’t get rid of, due to super-low speeds. But shit, don’t blame the bike, blame the Car People. Damned savages.
I found the rev limiter the first shot out of the gate (they know me so well in Colorado). After that I knew where it would engage by the sound of the song and simply shifted up just prior to a full Governor’s pardon. A first-gear wheelie is available, so polish the undercarriage, and it’ll get out from under you in second if you aren’t on top of things or you encounter some of the ever-present Florida sand.
I brought the Zebra’ed Blackhawk up near 130 and it was still gaining speed when I ran out of room and had to back off. The Keys aren’t exactly the Daytona Speedway. And the Seven Mile Bridge is only 7 miles long.
You do have to remember to activate (push down) the compression releases or it’s a sluggish start-up. As Big Fish Pheffer, General Manager of TMCC pointed out, the high-torque starter motor costs around $525 (chrome), so pushing the compression releases prior to firing up is a habit to get into quickly. But with the releases activated, you get one roll, two big hisses (compression releases closing) and boom, you’re ready to joust with the cops.
How much is the Special Agent Zebra package? Mitch “Big Fish” Pheffer (Google Hurricane Roxanne to know more about the nickname, he was there) told me the Special Agent Zebra package would run around $4,300 to $4,700 (depending on the prices you get from the folks you go to), parts and labor. Not cheap. But still about half what you’d pay for a TV chopper with fries.
Special Agent Zebra
Undercover
The Republic of Literature, Miami
