Hi all...I picked up a basket case '83 XT550 a couple of months ago and am just about done my rebuild/upgrades in the basement. For those looking for suspension upgrades, I picked up forks from an '81 YZ 125 which are essentially a bolt on upgrade. They fit right into the XT triple clamps (38mm) and the XT front wheel bolts right in...oh...with one slight modification. On the YZ the axle screws into the left fork leg, on the XT it runs straight through and has a castled nut on it. I just drilled out the threaded portion of the fork leg and Bob's your uncle. Matched up the back end with a rebuilt shock from an '81 YZ465. Still waiting on my new (heavier) fork springs and fork bushings to come in from Race Tech. Engine was rebored with new piston/rings and starts up with minimal effort. Seems to run fine when I took it for a spin before doing my suspension upgrades. I've also made a custom windshield/fairing for it, complete with GPS mount and Lexan headlight guard. I'll post some more pics when she's finished and running.
I would suggest visiting ebay, and ordering a 5 3/4" headlight from a harley and a 50/55w halogen bulb. You'll be alot happier with the light output. That OEM headlight does little more than let oncoming traffic know your there.
Very nice XT and mods! We need moar pictures! Also, some pics of the YZ fork swap, namely the drilled part you talk about would be fantastic. Great work!
Do you think any off roading is in the cards for this bike? If not, and if you think the switch to a 90/90R21 street tire was a major improvement... let me just say, for the price of lacing a stock replacement rim, plus a $100 for new stainless Buchanan spokes you could put a 120 (3.5") front rim and a 150 (4.25") rear via Excel or other aftermarket brand. It will change the attitude of the bike, no doubt, but if you are okay with that or if in fact you welcome a more aggressive stance and lower seat height and steeper seat angle, then you have an option in that. Just sayin. :)
Tell me more Well, maybe not, because then I'll spend more money, and I am attempting (keyword there) to save money towards a modern bike. My main goals for this bike is to get it reliable, better rear shock and have something a little unique to take on my sportbike rides I think I have about another $150 until the bike is where I'll just ride it. I sort of want to keep the stockers as well because eventually when I get a dedicated road bike again I'll want a dirt machine again
The 550 only has a 180w stator. You better consider replacing all the other other lights with LED's to try and save some power for reserve.
Turn signals have been turfed. If they eventually get replaced I'll go LED. Tach/Speedo gone as well so no lights there either. Headlight and tail light are pretty much it. I'll also tap into the "grid" for my GPS, but there is no significant power draw there.
Yep. Sounds like dirt is definitely somewhere off in the future!! And unique is the understatement of the century . The nice thing about the super motard type wheel setup is you lower the front axle by two inches (21" minus 17", divided by 2) which reduces the rake angle making your steering more responsive, and further reduces trail making it easier to actually turn the bars. But in this case it looks like you're on the right path keeping stock rim sizes. On a loosely related note, I have a pair of chromed (90-95 XT600E used steel rims instead of Alu) 90/90R21 and 120/90R17 rims that I'll be de-lacing from their hubs. I'd love to use ADVRider to try and find a home for them instead of sending them to a metal recycler or waste heap. Is it possible to tell if rims are straight just using a decent table or a fresh sheet of apple plywood as a straight edge? Maybe I need to post a question like that in the Ask Woody thread :) -justin
So I have the petcock sitting in a cup of seafoam. I pulled it and it looked flawless, not even a single rust chip *phew!* and no dirt in the screen. However, the 'faceplate' that holds the petcock in was a little loose. Not terribly loose to the point that I think it is the cuplrit, but still loose. I'm hoping that soaking it will clean/cure any problem and that tightening the faceplate down will also help. A petcock is only $30 shipped but I'm a cheap man!
Yay or nay? My front fender is bent and cracked and will one day tear off on the highway. Looking for strong replacement that is shorter and sturdier, a SuMo fender too much for this antiquated Thumper?
Is ther a fender sort of in between a SuMo and an MX fender? I think the massive wing on the front is too much but I agree a dedicated SuMo size fender is too small.
I'm with this idea; somewhere in the 'tween of those two is the place to be. If you still have the big 21" front tire then you'll want more fender than the UFO and SuMo-style fenders provide.
How about a Yamaha DT FF. I have a mid eighties on mine and I like the look. Cheap and plentiful. See my pic bottom of pg6.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dAGR20qs39LEcKo6DQp05Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_My9av4AqK90/S0aOk-qRwuI/AAAAAAAAEMY/yrHCsZjXzf4/s800/PHTO0003.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/ZeCatfish/MiscBikes?feat=embedwebsite">Misc Bikes</a></td></tr></table> There is fender my bike had when I got it. The PO just found a low fender off something and drilled the holes to fit. That fender above would be fine if you had a more modern looking headlight/numberplate on it. I still have that finder laying around the shop someplace.
Not the greatest photo but this is a stock '92 front fender with about 7" trimmed from the front. It's super easy if you trace your line and use a fine toothed jigsaw or Fiskars. Sandpaper to smooth out the end and aluminum etching primer believe it or not seems to adhere nicely.