Christini AWD 450 DS Thread

So before I swapped the Stock tank setup back on, a FCR carb from my buddies 450R was installed.



During that time collecting parts, the second future attempt of larger tanks showed up. A 6 gallon Acerbis tank. Test fit it to the 450R as shown on the LEFT bike so get some pics. It has more gas forward, but also much lower. The stock 2.5 gallons will be BELOW the seat. With some light luggage on the back during out trips, I think this will be a good balance. The front forks feel like they have heavy enough springs to handle this extra weight. I'll be reporting back with bike weights from the scales we have here as we go along.



As Pete has stated, this new carb setup really woke the bike up. So after a few test laps and some jetting changes we headed for the dyno.





We were still running a bit rich, but with the air box door open to lean it out a little. Power went up as did the RPMs. We saw about 10,500-11,000 rpms. The bike made 44HP. For comparison, one the Honda 450R with open pipe, fatter jets made about 50HP. The Christini bike has lower compression and smaller valves for longer overall life and we have not run a 450X on the dyno to compare.

I have an O2 bung welded into the header and an Air/Fuel Ratio gauge ready to test fit this weekend when it arrives.

ICE will be here soon and it will be getting set up for some local racing.

So far this has turned into a fun bike to start our build with.

Thanks for the post. Looks like it would be nice if Acerbis, Clarke, or IMS would produce what the Christini's need for long range tanks. I've had plastic tank failure in the middle of a ride before, and have wondered if welding plastic could really be strong enough.

It depends on volume and demand. New molds are big bucks, and on small run bikes I bet they would be pricing, per tank.

I've plastic welded up my Aqulaine tanks for my custom AWD 950 build and it's going strong 40,000 miles later. I've got a new plan for the second time around on the 6 gallon.

Now that I have one that fits, a future mold could be made from that. If anyone is interested Contact Christini and push for a larger tank option.

Tell them you saw Craig's bike.

I'm Excited to try it out tomorrow

How big is the stock tank?

How about the charging system-- Any spare Watts for running all the gizmos and gadgets we love bolting onto our bikes?

2.6 gallons - Not sure what we are getting MPG wise yet with the new setup.

This is larger than the stock 450X tank (1.9G). All these 450 size bikes come with Peanut tanks these day. Aftermarket to fix that.

Looking into that soon, but info I have is it's the same specs as the Honda 450X. Trail Tech upgrades might work for more power if need be.
- Heated grips, GPS, Rally type tower system.

Specs from the site:

DOT Approved Street Legal
Street Legal Kit (lights, horn, turn indicators, mirrors)
Digital Computer with Speedometer and Odometer
Twin Spar Aluminum Frame
450cc SOHC Liquid Cooled Four Stroke
5 Speed Wide Ratio Transmission
Electric and Kick Start
Paoli Open Chamber Forks
Suspension: 305mm (12&#8243 Front and Rear
Adjustable Single Shock with Linkage
Ground Clearance: 356mm (14&#8243
Front Tire: 21″ Kings Tube Type DOT
Rear Tire: 18″ Kings Tube Type DOT
Brakes: Single Disc 240mm (9.4&#8243
Tank Capacity: 9.8 Liter (2.6 Gallon)
Seat Height: 953mm (37.5&#8243
Wheel Base: 1478mm (58.2&#8243
Dry Weight: 127kg (280 lbs)
AWD Drive Ratio: 0.63:1 (10:16 tooth)
Final Drive Ratio: 0.27:1 (13:48 tooth)
AWD Engagement Switch
1 Year AWD Warranty

Thanks for the reply. I think I would be hoping to maintain my jack of trades status I currently think I have with the 630. I try to avoid highways whenever possible. I only touch them if I must. I hope you are successful in figuring out something for the extra capacity. Small-medium adventure bike is what I wanted with the 630 (and I think I got it in marrying her) but I am always fighting 'the itch' and looking for anything that could prove to be better for the mission. AWD for when things get scary for my newbness... yes please?

Would you like to put a AWD into my 630 for me CJ? haha

I sure would!

One of the last rides I attended I saw a 630 and was thinking the same thing. I think it could be done, just time and money.

I'm hoping in a few seasons be in a place to start offering these custom builds, or small runs.

My short list of AWD conversions:

KTM 950 SE (for Baja 1000 -2014)
KTM 690 E
TE630
BMW 800
TRIUMPH 800
KTM 1190 ADV

So many great possibilities, so little time.

Can anyone speak to what the cruising and top speeds for the street are?

An AWD KTM 690 E would be awesome. How much time and money do you think would it take?

edit: cjracer, I just read your 950 conversion thread, so I know there is no real concrete answer. Lots and lots of time and a lot of money for sure though.

TALKED TO THEM TODAY,, TOP SPEED STOCK IS AROUND 75mph..

Hey Craig, What about bolting on the 19 litre tank from Honda Europe! 28 litres total.

That tank looks pretty good. Is there a screen or something on the airbox vent though? Seems like the air filter would get dirty pretty quick if not. Deep water crossing might be a problem too.

I've thought about that too. It looks like a great product.

For me though here are the reasons why I won't be going that route?

1) Price - $1800 (26L = 6.8 gallons)
http://www.rallymanagementservices.com/products/26l-plastic-rear-tank
For this project bike that is too expensive for me.

2) This bike is being built into a mini ADV bike. I need the rear open and available to mount some soft luggage for gear (Wolfman/ Giant loop) something to hold my tent and stuff. Having the rear tank is a pain to always unload to fill up. (Like the setup on the KTM 690)

3) I plan to build a small tool box tube for the rear so I can hold my spare tubes and tools. This will fit on the left side. I won't be able to do that otherwise.

4) I picked up a 6 gallon acerbis tank for $150 to test out. This will keep the weight forward, but balance out the bike with gear on the rear. Use a single fill point for ease of fuel line routing and when not topped off the gas weight will be lower than Oem location.

This setup will be plenty small to fit through the trails and the extra front end weight should help keep the front end down and pulling. AWD only helps if the front wheel is on the ground when you need it.

On a side note. I'm trying to figure out a Rally front end to work with this tank and frame setup for wind protection and navagation tower.

Working on KTM 950/990s so much this new 450 is a nice change of mind set and I look forward to seeing what we can make of it as we move forward.

Had an issue with one of the front drive shafts, linear bearing let loose. It was related to the unusual incident where the snap ring came off and allowed the linear bearing to fall down the shaft during a ride a few weeks ago. It allowed some dirt and water into the system, which I hadn't realized. But it is all fixed and Christini was great with info and quick parts replacement! I also found the system is not as complex as it looks initially and is really very easy to work on.

Good to hear they took great care of you.

I think that is the biggest fear factor for new AWD owners. They think it's too crazy for them to work on and service.

If you can change your own oil, you can work on this AWD system.

Great group of guys there.

I have to agree with both of you. I had a similar experience with the gearbox behind the sidebar,,,parts mailed the day I called. I was also amazed how simple it is to work on,,, no fears tearing into it now. The PDF manual is nice for seeing where everything is.



I'm really getting the bug to get a DualSport Christini from watching this thread. Love my KX,,, will always hang onto it but want a trail worthy street legal bike.

Anyone else have any dyno charts for your bike?

We swapped on a FCR40 and an open pipe setup off of a Honda 450R race bike.

It was very rich to start and we need to tweak it a bit more, but it's now to cold for anymore runs on the Dyno setup in the unheated barn.

This is where we are at so far.



Considering this engine has less compression and smaller valves than a 450R, we are on right track. Nice boost from stock and good fun around the trails.

I've welded in an O2 sensor bung to start dialing in jetting while not on the Dyno. This will continue as long as the snow holds off.

Haven't had mine on the dyno yet, but that is about what it feels like. I have a CRF FCR40, with lean JD needle and smaller jet (155?), on it and a slip on, but waiting for a cam to do dyno work. What main are you running and how was the A/F ratio?

how are the christini bikes holding up on street use, so far?

Smallest main I had on hand was a 165. I don't work on 450s, so this is new to me and slowly getting a collection of tuning jets.

It was very rich, didn't have the A/F meter on at the time. When we opened the air box door we got 3 HP and it reved another 2,000 RPMS. Im guessing MJ should be around 160-165 depending on how much air I can get in there.

I'm going to work on the air box snorkel and a small door vent mod to get more air in.

It's a work in progress... Learning as I go.


Pete, are you still running the header pipe with the CAT inside?