Dan's 1VJ resto mod

[jibber]

[Flowreen]

Hey Dan,

my name is florin and im from germany. I have to ask some questions because im on a similar modification regarding front forks. I try to put a pair of WR426F forks on my XT600Z Tenere and im concerning about the resulting rake (or swag, i ope its the correct word). I checked different measures but im not sure about. So, hopefully you can help me out with my questions:

+ did you checked the ofset from the Triple Clamps you used?
+ do you know the stem angle or the XT
+ what resulting rake do you get?
+ and do you have any issues with the fuel tank?

thanks in advance
florin

[cadno]

There's nothing in it really.
There's no difference in offset, I used a late 90s early 2000s type fork and triple clamps they're basically the same. I pushed the YZ stem out and pushed the XT stem in, same diameter just different length as the YZ headstock is deeper.
The stem sits at 90 to the clamp exactly as does the XT original.
Because of the extra length of travel the front sits slightly higher but because I have a Wilbers full adjustable rear shock I've compensated for that for the bike to sit level. The wheelbase is probably a few mm longer but these are old and slow steering bikes.
There is an issue with the forks contacting the very wide fuel tank. In that the clamps off the YZ are wider and the steering angle greater so you'll need to create lock stops on the frame on the lower headstock.
We haven't sorted that frame mod yet as the bike is up on the stand. I'll get some cardboard and cut a template to make a ring around the rear of the headstock which will limit the travel but utilise the YZ lower clamp stops.
The other thing that you may or may not have thought about is that you'll need an alternative to the key or another place to mount the ignition lock as an MX bike doesn't come with that mounting.
I went full Motogadget set up so we did away with the conventional key.

[cadno]

Small step further forward on this bike.
Rather nice fully rebuilt carbs....

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[Flowreen]

Hey Dan,

thanks for reply. So you're Forks and triple are from a 2000th model? Do you know if the YZ and WR's have the same trimple clamps and forks? i suggest yes. But see here regarding Rake and Steer Angle:

YZ250:
Steer Angle: 62,5 Degrees
Rake: 116mm

WR426:
Steer Angle: 62,2 Degrees
Rake: 123mm

XT600:
Steer Angle: 62,7 Degrees
Ranke: 109mm

So there has to be differences at least. Also there should be a different offset between Fork center and clamping area of the front axle. I wonder if you did any checks, im not sure for now. Do you know the offset of the triple trees of that models?

Thanks mate
Florin

[cadno]

I'm sure you're over thinking it mein kumpel.
Whatever you do is going to be much better than what is basically late 70s suspension.

[Flowreen]

i agree, but thats how i am. I know thats way better then the original, but i also want to know the specs :))

[Flowreen]

dan: how did you fitted the tripple clamps of the YZ to the XT. My fork arrived today and the steering head of the XT is 2cm smaller than the one of the WR:

WR: 19cm
XT: 17cm

This issue i saw is that i cannot make the mounting area smaller because of the mounting areas for the Forks. There are disignated areas whre you can clamp the forks. I have to extend it lenght around 1cm.

Any suggestions? How did you with the YZ?
Greetz
Florin

[cadno]

Do you mean the steering stem? That attaches the top clamp to the lower clamp, and where the steering stem bearings mount?
If so push the steering stem of the XT out of the lower clamp with a press, and the same for the YZ. Then push the steering stem of the XT back into the YZ lower clamp. My YZ steering stem was exactly the same diameter as the XY but 3 or 4cm longer.

[Flowreen]

yes, thats what i mean, the steering stem. This will not work for my forks because the space between the upper triple and lower triple is to short. There is no clamping area if i bring them to near to it. The fork have clamping areas and the 17mm are to short.