Ducati Monster Forum

Me swearing off track days lasted about as long as my average New Year's resolution.  So! since it's already late March, I'm converting Alan's 2005 KTM 450 MXC into a SuperMoto.  (No, I didn't come up with this idea all by myself, and yes, Alan DOES know I've... confiscated his bike.)  

The KTM has been sitting out in the shed unridden for 6 years which, by default, makes it a natural candidate for track day use (in my book anyway).  Unfortunately this will initially involve the permanent relocation/expiration of many colorful flying, creeping, stinging and biting forms of Wild Life.  But what's any new project without the certainty of life-threatening injury?

I'll post progress pix from dirt bike to SuMo for anyone who gives a hoot   [beer]  

Hoot! [thumbsup]

"Legalize" that Katy Em!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Street-Legal-Kit-KTM-EXC-250-400-450-420-525-/271031165554#vi-content (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Street-Legal-Kit-KTM-EXC-250-400-450-420-525-/271031165554#vi-content)

At $149, it's cheaper than replacing the front tire, which you probably won't use much anyway!  [evil]

Double Hoot!   [clap]

I rode a DR650 for ten years and loved it.  [Dolph]

Hey, you get to pick out more riding gear [thumbsup]

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/IMG_0583.jpg)

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/IMG_0600.jpg)


Well, after spending most of the day deconstructing the KTM, I'll probably spend the better part of another day cleaning everything that came off it  :o

It's going to be a track day-only bike with racing slicks - in place of my 999... You will notice the relative lack of bodywork on this one  ;D   so I think my regular leathers will work just fine.  The next thing on the dirt to track conversion list will be spoked, light weight wheels and slicks that are the same size (17" diameter, I think), different sprockets and chain.  The whole thing comes in a kit like this:

http://www.motostrano.com/Supermoto-Conversion-Kit-Bare-Bones-p/kit-bones.htm (http://www.motostrano.com/Supermoto-Conversion-Kit-Bare-Bones-p/kit-bones.htm)

Smaller wheels will lower the seat height.  Yea!  Then all the suspension will need to readjusted...

This could be fun  [evil]

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/IMG_0966.jpg)

The kit looks good (and expensive!) Will that triple tree width accommodate the new front tire? Looks pretty narrow. ???

Motostrano puts together each kit for your specific bike so I would think hope so but it is worth a phone call just to make sure   [beer]

Also!

There is some chick who runs a fastener distribuition shindig who're (NOT "whore")
called "Tasteynuts" who has the best fit/finish/whatevah you wasnt.

Google it.

May be an extra space or an extra "Z" needed in ther somewhere, but you can't go wrong!!!   [thumbsup]

Well, alrighty then.  All of the Motostrano kit is on the KTM and it looks like this:

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/DSC_0020.jpg)
17" rims front and rear

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/DSC_0004-1.jpg)
New wave rotor that works with existing Brembo caliper and pads.  New rear sprocket and chain.  ContiAttack 160/60/17

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/DSC_0011.jpg)(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/DSC_0012.jpg)
New front wave rotor with brake caliper relocation bracket for the existing Brembo caliper and pads.  ContiAttack 160/70/17. New front fender.

I'm in the process of making a decal set since I've discovered Orange to be really disgusting  [laugh]

Oh, BTW, it still leaks a bit of oil... BFH  [bang]

Looks great but leaking oil?  Think RPM is sabotaging you?

I think they're taking this no Triumph thing really hard.

Awesome looking bike Lisa!  Let me know when you decide to go to the track and I will join you if at all possible.  In return, I will let you know when I am going so hopefully you can join as well.   We can start to figure out the new track bikes together. 8)  Just don't lap me right off the bat please. [Dolph]

Swanny

Sounds like a plan  [thumbsup] 

Well, as far as I can tell, this project is finished so here's the last of the pix:

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/DSC_0024.jpg)


I'm heading to Cresson on Sunday.  Hopefully I'll have better...luck than my last few outings  [bang]  [laugh]

Looks awesome Lisa!  Are you doing the AMS track day on Sunday?  My parents are leaving that morning so I might try to go as well.

Swanny

Why yes I am!  Sophie is bringing her 450 so I plan to watch and learn  [Dolph]  It would be cool if you could go too.  It sounds like Alan is going to come out and watch so that'll be good too.

If you can keep up with her to watch I'll be impressed, I struggle on the 848.

See you Sunday.

Ha! Yeah, she said she wasn't going to get out of second gear so I'd have a prayer of a chance.  Still, I fully expect her to fly by me on lap three.  Moving chicane - that's me  :D

See you there  [beer]

Damn I wish I had some money to spend on track days right now. I'm jonesing.

I am signed up.  I will probably get there around 8:30 or 9 so I can get unloaded and setup. [Dolph]  Looking forward to riding but also nervous.  First time on the track or bike in 3 years or so. :-\

Swanny

Not sure I'm going to make the track day this Sunday at Cresson.  The bike has a multitude of problems the first one is once the bike is warmed up, it won't shift out of the gear it's in.  Looked in the manual on how to bleed the hydraulic clutch... The clutch circuit was bone dry.  No fluid even in the reservoir.

Believe it.

Added fluid, bled the system.  Still not working.

Front brakes are squishy - probably should check for fluid there too...  And, while we're at it, might want to check to see if there's any make the beast with two backsing oil in the motor.

Then there's the massive backfire anytime you let off the gas.  At least we know there's gas in it  :ts:  The gas tank was thoroughly cleaned because it had sat so long with some fuel in it (varnish actually   [bang]  ), so there's no telling what's up with that.

We'll check the spark plug next.

Highly doubtful about the track day tomorrow  :P

(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/n2f/DSC_0032.jpg)

We'll try again in the Fall   :'(

Bummer.  I will let you know how it goes.  Would have enjoyed riding with you but we will in the fall.

Why not bring the 999 and take it easy?

Very tempting. However, it is the 60 million dollar 999   [bang]

I envy you tomorrow - have a great time, Swanny  [thumbsup]

Well with the rain, I didn't go either.  I emailed AMS early in the morning to see if the track day was still on since it was raining at the house and really raining in Cresson according to radar.  Never heard back so not sure....Hopefully they will give me credit towards another day.  Guess I will see once they reply to my email.

Yeah, that's happened to me.  They're good for it  [thumbsup]

No-one rode, We were hoping to ride in the morning so I met Marty out there around 8, it was already pi**ing down so we went for breakfast at Cracker Barrel, I had never been before so I had a little excitement for the day..  [bacon] [bacon]

I've ridden cresson in the rain with LSTD. And there isn't anything more awesome than dragging a knee in the rain. Having said that, I have done it and would rather not do it again as there were more than a couple sketchy moments. Lol

Nick you ganna make it on the 27th?

I want to, but it falls on Becky's birthday. So it's ultimately her call.

work it!

Anyone going to the AMS track day this Sunday?

Swanny

Nope  :(

SMS over in Denton have my KTM and are making progress on getting it track ready.  So, one day soon... I hope  [bang]

Bummer Lisa!  I am going to give it a go to see how I do on the 848.

SMS....is that Brian Storrie? Guy is wicked fast on a dirt bike.  He used to race in the PRO class of TORO and TCCRA back when I rode (I wouldn't consider myself as racing since I was so slow) dirt bikes. I bet they will get your bike all fixed up and running properly.

Swanny

Yep, that's who that is.  AND my bike is ready (it was actually finished on TUESDAY  :o  ).   They were really nice folks and literally ten minutes from the house. 

I'm going to get Sam to help me pick it up today.  Then I'll run the bike around the block a few times and try not to get arrested... Maybe I will be ready by Sunday  [evil]  It also had front brake issues when we dropped it off so hopefully that'll have been sorted out as well.

Swanny - can you help me out with suspension set-up?  Alan and I can get the static sag and such figured but I know the rider settings on there now are for a 200+ pound rider on dirt ...so... prolly won't be razor sharp around Cresson (see what I did there?  Blaming the bike already  [bang]  [laugh]  ).

I have the factory setting information.

Awesome!  I hope to see you there.  Doubt you can adjust a whole lot on the suspension without new springs but we can take a look.   It might be okay since it is sprung for a heavier person and you will want it stiffer for riding on the track vs. dirt.

Swanny

Cool.  I'll know more tomorrow if I'll be at the track day on Sunday.

I will not be at the track day on Sunday only because SMS knows what they're doing; they sorted the clutch issue (blocked pressure release hose) and also found that one of the jets in the carb was the wrong size (which explained the rough running issue).

When we went to pick up the bike this morning, I got to talking with them about what needed to happen to get the suspension more SuMo than off-road.  They recommended new fork springs and valving and probably a different rear spring.  They are a RaceTech dealer so they are doing all that work this week - should have it track ready by next Saturday  [thumbsup]

Dammit, I can't wait!

Sorry you weren't able to make it Lisa.  Overall it was a good day.  I did 3 sessions and that was enough for the first time back.  Talking to other folks, there were 2 to 3 times the normal amount of folks there.  Weather was great but that lead to a slick track.  I think there were 2 or 3 crashes in the first couple of sessions.

I survived without any issues.  I was the slowest person out there but I gained speed with each session.  I have to travel a lot in August and the first part of September so I won't be able to make another one until the back half of September.  Hopefully your bike will be sorted out by then.  Sophie was out there on her motard and she can fly on that thing! 

Swanny

Awesome - glad to hear you had fun!  Couldn't believe the weather yesterday... don't think I ever saw it get above 92  :o  No wonder the track was packed.

My bike *should* be ready by September for sure.  Looking forward to it  [thumbsup]