MY FSE 450 to SM conversion

[cal_tony]

I had previously mentioned that I was working on setting up my FSE with SM wheels. The conversion for now is finished. and I have attached some photos showing the finished product.

The front wheel is a late model KTM 17" wheel. The current rotor is from a KTM enduro. I had installed a Braking STX54D 320mm wave rotor. It worked just slightly better than the enduro rotor and with a weight of over 3 lbs and the enduros rotors weight of less than 1 lb, I opted to put the enduro rotor back on.

The rear wheel is from my DRZ sm and it is fitted with a 150-60-17 Conti-force tire. It just barely fits, but it does fit. The rear sprocket is 36t and it really extends the streetability. With this setup the bike cruises at 75-80mph without any overrevving.

It may seem like I'm conflicted by having a silver front and black rear wheel, but I'm not conflicted at all. The DRZ wheel only comes in black and I did already have the wheel, but every time I look at both wheels, I'm just reminded how much better the bike looks with silver wheels. I'll just never understand the acceptance of black wire wheels.

Finally, I want to make a comment about the bikes ability to transform to a SM. Evidently the rake on the older bikes may make it a little slow for close dirt work but for 50-95 mph canyon use it is rock solid. Compared to my DRZ sm, it is much easier to ride fast.

Tony

 

[slocalspode]

Thanks for the pictures Tony. "I like!"
I also just finished my EC/SM conversion.
I should have post'able pictures in a few
days.
So far I have rode it ~40 miles around town.
It is SWEET.. I love the way it handles with
the big street tires. I also picked the Conti-Attack SM
tires. They still have the mold release on them so
I am a bit timid about getting it leaned over. I need
a good day in the mountains to scrub them in.
Cheers!.
Jeff So. Cal.

 

[slocalspode]

OK, I could'nt wait. Here is a pre-view.

 

[cal_tony]

Jeff,
I like the look of your bike. Shows lots of attention to detail.

re. new tires. I just scrub in my new tires on some hard pack dirt. After a few minutes on dirt, they are good to go. Takes the worry out of going down on pavement.

Tony

 

[slocalspode]

Dirt?!?!? what's that? There ain't much hard pack
dirt around where I live. Plus..that would get my
bike dirty... doh!
I did get the IronMan 14tooth counter sprocket
to fit. Took some time with a dremel and a sanding
drum to the clutch master cylinder to get it to fit.
I figure the chain will finish cutting it's own groove
in short order. Other than getting the 14 tooth to fit.
My biggest issue is with the Fredette lower chain guide.
I have only 1/16 of an inch or so between the mounting
bolts and the edge of the rear rim!! Yikes! If the chain
stretches and I have to move the tire back. I'll be in
trouble. I may have to cut out a link.
Enjoy your ride. I'll be sure to drop you a note if I
ever plan to pass near your hood.
Thanks, Jeff

 

[mike989]

[QUOTE=slocalspode;26104
I did get the IronMan 14tooth counter sprocket
to fit. Took some time with a dremel and a sanding
drum to the clutch master cylinder to get it to fit.
I figure the chain will finish cutting it's own groove
in short order.


slocal,
Can you post a close up photo of this area? I'd like to see how much material was removed.
Thanks.

 

[rpduc]

NICE clean looking machines.

Jeff, especially that rear end. Rear fender, tail light, plate, blinks all integrate cleanly with very nice lines. Hell, nicer than most roadbikes. Is that some aftermarket part?

I'm sure it came up somewhere. I've been kinda keeping an eye on your interchanges but musta missed it. How the heck did you plate that 2T in Calif.?

You guys are inspiring me to get to work on my HVA 610.

 

[Rick]

You both have very nice looking bikes!!! Now for a Ortega Hwy shoot out

 

[slocalspode]

Thanks for the compliments. I did not want
to thread jack Tony's post. I will make a post
of my own sometime after this weekend when
I can get some better pictures.

Mike989:
"Can you post a close up photo of this area?"
Yes I will try and take some close ups of several
areas of the bike. I might need to do a little detail
cleaning first if I get too close.
By my guesstimation, I removed more or less about
.030".

rpduc:
" especially that rear end "
I believe the rear fender is by UFO as is the front head
light. I think it is called "Plast" or something like that.

I have had the Ca. plate since around 2001 or 2002.
Before the experation date to get bikes converted in Ca.
*hint* It was plated in another state first. Made things
at the DMV much easier. It does have (most) all of the
road legal requirements already on it. I need to fit a horn.
Cheers, Jeff

 

[cal_tony]

Jeff.

Don't worry about hijacking this thread. You were the one who asked me to post pictures of my Conversion so I did, so consider the thread yours.

After a closer look I noticed you don't have your skateboard wheels on the front and rear axles. Take it from me, they come in handy. If you don't have any spare skateboard wheels laying around, Just buy a board from Walmart for $8.95 and use some 1/4" threaded rod with nylock nuts.

Tony

 

[slocalspode]

That would be nice. I would like to fit some kind of
axle sliders to it. As is. My axles do not lend them
selfs to an easy fix. They are not hollow through like most
of the newer bikes axles. The rear has a welded
rod on one end as an axle pull. The front has the
threaded clamp bolt on one end and a smooth round hole
on the other. With a little work, I am sure I can figure something
out.
Peg sliders also come to mind and may become an addition
one of these days.
I am old, fat, and slow. So I don't push the limits very often.
My need for bike protection is rather low.....with that said...
I knock on wood.
This is a project in evolution and upgrades will find there
way onboard over time.
Thanks, Jeff

 

[cal_tony]

Jeff.

My rear axle also had the welded rod. I'm not sure what site it was where someone posted how they ground down the welded end of the rod and just banged it out with a drift. So that's what I did also. Didn't take long. The original poster just welded the rod at the other end after he pulled it past the open hole. I never liked the rod in the first place so I just haven't put it back in. If I do anything about the rod I'll just tap the one end of the axle and use a bolt. For now, the upside of the axle is marked with a red magic marker so I can be sure it's not rotating at all.

My front axle has a hole on one end and the other end has a threaded cap that uses a a thru hole for an allen wrench. So no problem there.

Tony