hoss314 0 Posted March 15, 2011 I am down with that.....problem is I don't have a clue what size valves or springs to buy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted March 15, 2011 Check Racetech's site and/or call them. They were very helpful when I did the DR. Since you're starting with a far superior suspension already, your mods probably won't be as extensive as mine. I'd be glad to help if i can but there are others on here with KTM specific suspension knowledge. I do have some specialty tools that may be useful.....lemme know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaugh 1 Posted March 15, 2011 I am down with that.....problem is I don't have a clue what size valves or springs to buy "sucks offroad" means its way too stiff? I would try and figure out what you have spring wise and if the PO had it revalved or not. So you know what you are starting with. get a copy of the owners manual and go by their chart for respringing. It is more accurate than race techs recommendations. Some of race techs recs are ok but then others are way off. It depends on if they have good data for a particular bike. I'm just talking about springs, not their valving. For valving if its stock, leave it alone. WPs are decent from the factory for all around use. If he had it valved for less dive in sumo, you will be bouncing off rocks and will need to put it back. You can do a lot with the clickers for free once you have the right springs in there. the springs need to be setup correct for the rider's weight and life is good, usually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted March 16, 2011 Transformation in process! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted March 16, 2011 "sucks offroad" means its way too stiff? I would try and figure out what you have spring wise and if the PO had it revalved or not. So you know what you are starting with. get a copy of the owners manual and go by their chart for respringing. It is more accurate than race techs recommendations. Some of race techs recs are ok but then others are way off. It depends on if they have good data for a particular bike. I'm just talking about springs, not their valving. For valving if its stock, leave it alone. WPs are decent from the factory for all around use. If he had it valved for less dive in sumo, you will be bouncing off rocks and will need to put it back. You can do a lot with the clickers for free once you have the right springs in there. the springs need to be setup correct for the rider's weight and life is good, usually. p/o had told me that he had the front set up stiff....IT IS! rear is way too mushy and bottoms out. I may be a cheapskate but I realize that my time is the most expensive item on the list. By the time I beg others to borrow their tools that I may not have, drive all over town to grab them, track down parts and learn how to set them up correctly....I would have paid more than the $800 with my time including parts etc. As much as I hate to say it....the bullet may be bit. Suspension for me is kind of set it and leave it....if I learn about it more than I already know...I will have a tinker tantrum everytime I go ride. That means less riding...not cool! So I guess as far as knowledge of the suspension system more than I already know......it is better to keep the thought of less is more. Need to be in the position of "Run what you brung" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted March 23, 2011 Let the bike build begin! Got the suspension back from M&M Off Road Monday....turns out that KTM only makes 2 spring sizes for the 690. A firm stock and an extra firm. The valving that was used in the suspension from the p/o was set up for sumo riding. Changed valving, oil and seals. Still got me for $480....really gotta learn how to do the suspension as this is highway robbery! Last week I picked up the plastics.....all in black. Yesterday, I drove up to Oceanside to grab my fairing kit from North Coastal Motorsports / JustGasTanks.com. Met Ben up there and took a tour of his wharehouse. They had LOTS of Safari tanks in stock and sell numerous other products. Even saw that he is now a distributor for Seat Concepts. Sooo I open the box for the fairing kit.....HOLY CRAP! there is about 430 items that make up this fairing! I'm thinking that I am going to pull an all nighter to put it together. Emailed Rally Raid in the UK and received instructions this morning on the install.......guess you put it together on the bike instead of building it then installing. Here are all the parts after unpacking.....note, the bags are full of little parts All I got done last night before giving up and waiting on the instructions Stay Tuned....it's gonna be SEXY! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 288 Posted March 23, 2011 "I'm going to pull an all-nighter...the bags are all full...It's going to be Sexy" Whoa Tiger, keep it under control! Ha,,,Doesn't get much better. Much better than that over rated activity that last mere minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCHWINN 0 Posted March 23, 2011 We are waiting patiently for the outcome since there are only 3 of us that have 690s. I want to see it in person before I decide on one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted March 24, 2011 ok......I will give you a sneak peak. Made a bit of progress today....not done yet but gettin there! Picture looks as though the black on the fairing is brighter....not so much Also makes my garage look like a mess....yes it is! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baldbeemer 0 Posted March 24, 2011 THAT, my friend is pure bike porn. I'd like to see the build sheet when you're done. Wheels are turning in my brain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsfox 0 Posted March 25, 2011 You were right! ......It IS Sexy!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papa Smurf 0 Posted March 30, 2011 Nice looking bike so far, can not wait to see the finished bike. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted April 17, 2011 *UPDATE* I have been in a stand still for a couple of weeks now........ The console for the speedometer was missing from the kit. Emailed KTMtwins and they sent out the console within a couple of days. Unfortunately, the console did not work for my speedo. Emailed again and found out that Rally Raid had the wrong console set aside for their kit in the schematic. So, KTMtwins ordered the correct console and was going to send until I found out that the tank kit is a must in order to install the fairing kit There has been some emails flying back and forth with the hopes of getting the fairing kit installed before Bar 10. I leave on Wednesday (20th) and don't return until the following Wednesday night. This gives me about 36 hours to install the tank kit, spend some time with my kiddies and sleep before leaving for Bar 10. Sure hope KTMtwins comes through! I was under the impression that I was to receive the tank kit to finish the install before leaving on the 20th. Way too far into this to throw in the towel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted April 30, 2011 Flew into town late Wednesday night after dodging tornadoes in Tennessee...parts came in Thursday morning at 10:30...finished bike by midnight. Out in Primm now for it's first run. More to the story upon return... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoss314 0 Posted May 18, 2011 This has been a bit of a battle to get the bike done! All that is left to do is find some turn signals and clean up some mounting etc for the switches etc Many thanks to Ben at Just Gas Tanks and North Coast Motorsports Ben has expanded his inventory recently and is even selling Seat Concepts. Excellent customer service even as he was the middle man in this purchase. Also, major props for Ron at KTMTwins.com. They are the U.S. dealer for Rally Raid products. Ron was VERY receptive to any issues that I was having during my "build". Originally, I was going to purchase everything through Rally Raid in the U.K....until I got nervous about dropping that much dough over seas. I talked to Ben as he was the most local guy that had the kit listed on his website. After arguing with myself I decided to go for it. Originally, I was going to buy the entire kit with tanks and fairing, but soon changed my mind with the costs and time involved. After installing the fairing (as much as I could) I found that the tank kit was a necessity. Reached out to Ron who was unaware of the need for the tanks. Ron was VERY fair to make things right. He has a love for motorcycles and is unfortunately short handed....but he gets it done! I was gone in Tennessee for one week....returned on Wednesday night before the CORE Primm/Bar10 trip. Received the tank kit via next day air on Thursday to finish the bike. After a day of completing laundry from trip, time with kids, installing tank kit, finishing Rally kit, and packing for ride trip. It was done (as done as it was going to get) and in bed by midnight. Then off to Primm next day! Bike ran great, no get off's, and no parts fell off . Only issue I had was about 1/4 of a mile from the ranch the bike stalled like it was out of gas. Shut it off, looked around and saw nothing wrong with it. Cranked it over and it started. So, I decided to keep going to the view point 9 miles down the road. It did cough and sputter a few times but that went away the next day. So here are a few bike porn pics of the sexy blacked out babe! Sorry, no boosting the contrast of de-focused corners. Just raw porn! for you Bags....havent made up my mind how this area will be finished I think you get the idea.....Awesome kit....great customer service and now I have a comfy bike for less technical rides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsfox 0 Posted May 18, 2011 VERY nice!!! .... I'm thinking a 690 is the adventure bike for me....(when I get to that point and get rid of a couple bikes.).... it's probably one of the only ones light enough for me to handle ...I'll be looking for advice as always Great to have experts like you around.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 288 Posted May 18, 2011 Delightful Mike, great work! That is a face any 990 rider has to love. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
