XL600 Super Tracker

that thing is looking great!

Very nice.
looking to do something similar, but I have some questions.
How did you choose the CRF swingarm? was it to get the disk brake? Did it fit the frame without any modifications? What swingarm bolt did you use?
Can you post some more/better pictures on how you did the upper shock mount?
How is the bottom shock linkage set up?

I am in the planning stages now - I don't even have a bike yet.

thanks,
Eddie

bad ass!

Bike looks mean! nice work.

Sorry guys, haven't been on here to update or reply in a few months.

I chose the CRF swingarm because it was aluminum, had a disc, was from a Honda, clean and the right price. I actually looked at a bunch of different swingarms on ebay, contacted the sellers and asked what the width was at the pivot. Turns out many many models are between 7-8 inches (CR, YZ, Aprilia SXV etc.) I wanted the SXV, but didn't want the extra price tag or weight.

I have a stainless washer between the swingarm bearing and frame, on both sides. The pivot bolt is from an 06' CR. I drilled out the left side of the frame pivot hole, to take the larger CR bolt; it tapers down at the threads, so the right side fits. I used a hardened nut from a clutch basket, slid it on the pivot bolt, and welded it to the back of the head. CR bolts don't have a hex head, they fit in a groove and keep themselves from turning. So I actually needed a hex, or could have welded tabs to keep it from spinning.
You can kind of see it here.



The top shock mount was made from square tube, with a 1" hole drilled in it, and a piece of 1" 4130 CrMo pipe going through the holes. Notched the bottom of the square out a little in back, for the shock to fit inside. I also gusseted pipe. The weakest part would have been the factory, paper thin, tubing, where new pipe is twisting it like a lever, between new pipe and original mounting point. So, I add another rectangle tube from new mount up to original, with a pipe spacer, up in the hole.
I built the bike, using a 1982 CR250 rear shock. It had an after market resevoir (the sweet finned one above). But, the bladder was blown out (almost wiped out riding a blown shock on a REALLY FUN bike...), and I didn't know who made it. It's the same length as the stock XL600 shock. I then started digging and digging through forums and on Racetech, finding another shock. Turns out that the Suzuki LTZ400, 4 wheeler, has the same spring rate as a 1982 CR250 (both Showa). They are the same length and have the same diameters. The LTZ shock has a fixed reservoir that is turned perpendicular and on the piggyback.

The two holes in the gusset are for the header tab/hanger.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29231856@N06/8104483236/" title="IMAG0491 by TR_JONES, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8104483236_605b8efa40_b.jpg" width="1024" height="577" alt="IMAG0491"></a>

The tread pattern on your front tire is backwards. Should be opposite of the rear.

I was thinking of doing something similar to your headlights; what did you use?

It's an 18" rear tire that is on the front. It's mounted per the arrow.

I used these 2" square LED's. I recommend one 20 degree and one 60 degree beam. The didn't offer the 60's when I ordered mine, and I had a 120 and a 20. the 120 was too wide and didn't reach far enough, so I called them and they sent another 20 lens. They are well made and very bright for the price.

That's my point. You need to turn it around.

+1 on rotation...tires that are intended to be be run front or rear (like Dunlop K81, Avon Roadrider, etc.) have rotation arrows in opposite directions for front and rear mounting...the major forces on the rear tire (drive) and front tire (braking) are in opposite directions

see http://www.avonmoto.com/download/Tires101forConsumers.pdf

You can tell by the tread pattern. The V on the back always points in the direction of drive. In the front , braking forces are opposite. Even on a sport tire. Look at the sipes.

Thanks for the link Victor. I learned some things today. This is the only bike that I've ever run a rear tire on the front. I knew about the tread splice, but didn't know (and hadn't thought) about the opposite forces. I thought it was more important to keep the arrow/tire rotating the same way because of the way it was wrapped in the manufacturing.