SpaceCowboy

A few of you know my 2009 400 xcw that I’ve been ragging on for a while. Keeping alive with rotella and clean air filters. Drinks oil like a two stroke: A few weeks ago I picked up a salvaged 2017 450 exc that had been t boned, then stripped of the wheels, brakes, triples, some other stuff any guesses what the plan is?

I still would like to get some lug protectors on these things, but been riding since without issue (so far). Bike's been great. Oil changes, air filters, and one battery jump after I left the key on overnight. Removed the kick stand after bending it on a tip over. Plastic melts just behind the frame spar on the exhaust and sometimes gets on my boot.

This is a super fun race/ride! I haven't been in a couple years, but I'm for sure trying to snag a ticket this year. Thanks for the heads up.

If you're still looking, saw this on craigslist: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mpo/d/vista-ktm-desert-tank-seat/7651893281.html

Brake fluid all around. I like the idea of the fork oil for the mineral oil bikes, I've had a few katooms I coul've used that. I've been eyeing plastic or aluminum lug protectors, but the gobblers stick out ~1/2" from the bottom of the fork and I don't think any lug protectors will work for that. The gobblers are pretty solid aluminum and I figure S101 would have heard about any problems with damage if there were any. They might get beat up, but I doubt I'll actually break them. I'll keep ya'll posted either way. 2 days of rocky big bear and they're still working and adjusting just fine. Should know more this coming weekend. Anyone know of a lug protector that will work?

new rear tire, license plate holder, hand guards. Bike worked great on its first outing. 2 days in big bear. My brother was in town, so he rode this one for the weekend while I rode my 400. I can’t wait to try this 450 out on an extended ride for myself. At first the fan wasn’t hooked up. I thought it wouldn’t matter, as I’ve had tons of dirt bikes without fans. But we boiled over 3 times within 20 mins before plugging in the fan. Then it stayed right at 200 degrees the entire weekend. I guess the fan is really important on these

new clutch blood for the second time after swapping master cylinders again. Also new brake blood front and rear. I’m getting good at this bleeding thing. New oil, air filter, used plastics from OfferUp

suspension 101 all the way around

I might be able to get away for a day ride. Late august it’s possible we start getting some rain up there

Got everything together and noticed my forks seals are leaking. I guess another trip to George at Suspension 101 is in order. And while we’re there, might as well try out the gobblers. Dropped off the forks this morning. I’ll keep y’all posted. Never had a bike with both the front and rear freshly setup for me. Super stoked.

Suspension 101 was able to salvage the shock! And while we were in there… no point in rebuilding it to stock specs. Might as well do the personalized revalve… and might as well get the special anodizing coating… existing spring was swapped by the PO and is one rate stiff for my weight, but I ride with a heavy pack, so we’ll save $ and try it out. I’ve since lost a few lbs so that might have been a mistake. Anyway, here is the pretty new shock installed also notice the new header. Looks like I’ll also need an exhaust/engine mount and here’s my list of what’s still needed: Ktm 450 need: Rear and front wheel seals, bearings, spacers Sprocket bolts Disks bolts Triple clamp top bolt Grips Engine/exhaust mount Gas tank rubbers Fork guards Sub frame bolt Shifter

got real busy. Continue - Shock looked not good: seal head knocked free, reservoir not straight, inside of shock body gauged. More to come

When's the next test? Eagerly awaiting the results with a jetting adjust

Thanks! I love working on these things, reading about these things, riding these things. Can’t beat a bike revival craigslist, OfferUp, and fb market place for me. This one came from OfferUp. I love these projects so much I’m always perusing. Mostly window shopping. I don’t need or want any more projects, but when something irresistible pops up I can’t myself. I’ve got two options when this 450 is complete: 1. sell the 450, use the proceeds to rebuild my old 400 into a respectable machine 2. Keep the new 450, sell the remnants of the 400 to recoup some of my money 3. rebuild the 400 into a respectable machine, keep both… But wait, there’s more. I also have my brothers 2005 crf450x sitting at a family friends house across town with a blown engine. it’s been there for years, so no rush, but I’d really like to get that rebuilt too See what I mean when I say I don’t need more projects? For now I’ll focus on getting this new 450 up to snuff, then figure things out from there

Now that I know it rides great, time to replace the subframe and exhaust and shock. All got bent in the crash. All are expensive.

Damn this bike sucks, there’s no power. Got back to the shed underwhelmed. I realized I didn’t tighten the throttle tube on the handle bars, so when I twisted the go tube, it was spinning on the bars and not actuating the go cables. Tightened those two 8mm and tried again. GODDAMN we have power. This bike runs great. Starts right up and did I mention the power? Kinda sketchy riding all that power around with no rear brake. also, apparently if the shock has no goo inside, then shock has no damping. at all. really sketchy riding a rocket ship around with no rear brake and a pogo rear end.

Back wheel, spacers, axle and brake caliper swap over. Brake pedal is different bike is complete and ready for test ride (minus rear brake) clutch master swapped over and works great. Shifter fits but isn’t perfect

Progress Close up of the damage from the t bone. Subframe and exhaust bent in, touching the spring. Shock body broke leaking all the goo out. New(used) subframe and exhaust on the way. Hoping to rebuild shock, replacements are tough to find (expensive) for the pdf katoom:

My brain don't work good enough to balance on two wheels and pedal at the same time. My brain do work good enough to never ride a 3 wheeler. The uber thing dont sound too bad, at least I'd be making money instead of always spending on dirt bikes. WINNER WINNER hoping to end up with at least one running motorcycle. May end up with a couple of boat anchors... Only one way to find out

2005 ktm 250 exc two stroke with no spark. The mechanic said it needs a cdi but they’re not available new so he sent me home and told me to go on eBay. So far, 2 separate cdis from eBay don’t work. I’m wondering if it’s a connector issue or something else. Does someone have a running 2005 ktm 250 that I can swap a cdi into to test mine? furthermore, I know some of you are better mechanics than I am. Anyone have time to help trouble shoot? I’ll pay fair market rates, plus beer if wanted

This has been a drawn out saga. I checked and cleaned the ground, cleaned and lubed all wire connections that I could find. Tried 2 CDIs from Ebay. It would fire one time for probably every 20 kicks. Sometimes stay running, sometimes not. I have a multimeter and checked resistance of all of the components but everything measured within spec (according to the internet). Finally gave up and took it to Outrider in Bonsall. They tested all components and confirmed everything was in spec. They were stumped, but agreed to continue messing with it over the next few weeks. Turns out the wires inside the main harness plug into the ECU were loose. He pulled the plug off and squeezed each wire connector just a little tighter with pliers. That did the trick. Bike fires first kick hot or cold, runs crisp. They were great about the entire process. Talked me through everything they were trying and were honest when their knowledge ran out, but kept troubleshooting at my request. Ended up charging me 2.5 hours of time. Fantastic people over there. I appreciate all the input guys. One more thing to check in the future.

I’m in with a tw200! When we thinking?

Anyone want to explore Thomas mountain this weekend? I've got a tw200 I'd like to truck out there, put around for a day. All skill levels welcome. This won't be ripping around on a full suspension enduro, much more mellow than that. Additionally, has anyone ridden around out there? Can you provide some feedback on the riding? I saw a couple posts on here from a few years back, but I don't know what we're looking at now. Thanks, SC

Great info, thank you both!

The ruttier, the better