KTM 450EXC Adventure Conversion

[Geoff ForshawMember]

I have been slowly converting my 2008 KTM 450 EXC to do some Adventure riding. I am still in the process of the conversion, however I thought that I would start a thread for those who may be interested. A few have questioned my thoughts on doing this, however I don’t have the coin to get a true Adv bike so this is the next best thing. I admit that it will require more regular maintenance than a true long hall Adv bike, however I have done quite a bit of testing and are very happy with the results to date. I am planning to do some long Adv rides a little later in the year as a few more dollars still needs to be spent to complete the Adv set-up. Having said that I don’t think an Adv set-up is ever complete so I think it may be on going.

For initial testing I have tried various gearing for both torque/power and rideability in mind as well as optimum fuel comsumption. Before I rebuilt the engine with a Wossner piston and some porting and cylinder head work from my friends at RAMS Head service I was looking at a final drive ratio of around 15/50 however I decided to run with 15/48. By using this gearing the spread of ratio’s are superb and with the engine mods cruises comfortably at 120km/h acheiving 22 to 25km/ltr.

Modifications to date;
13ltr Acerbis Fuel Tank
Bullet Proof Design Radiator Guards
Giant Loop tank bag
CPW Oil Cooler
Enduro Engineering Bash Plate
Bullet Proof Designs Swing Arm guard
TM Design Rear chain guide
270mm Artrax front brake rotor kit
Teknik fork foot valve shim kit
Teknik rear shock progressive rate spring
15/48 Supersprocks gearing
DID X-Ring Chain
Michelin Ultra Heavy duty tubes
Foam Rallye grips
MSC Steering Dampener
Motobatt 7A/hr Battery
KTM Thermo Fan Kit with On/Off Switch
Upgraded oil pump gears and shaft
Revloc Clutch
Front and rear “Tugger” lift straps

Essential items still to get;
Cush drive rear hub
Comfortable seat (I hate the plank!!)
Front Screen
Rear fuel tank
Giant Loop Bag on rear
Pivot Pegs
And lots MORE!!

I will keep you posted……..

Cheers,

The Left One!

[Nick JacksonMember]

It looks great already lefty , you’re dead right though mate after every ride their seems to be something learnt and an addition to make !!

Ill be watching this one with interest

Nick

[Dwayne OMember]

You forgot Heated Grips and a Latte cup holder :laugh:

Nice work Lefty, she is coming along nicely mate

[alanMember]

looks the goods lefty have fun

[Geoff ForshawMember]

Thanks Gents

Motobatt Battery installation. (2008 EXC)

I just thought that I would show a couple of pics for the installation of the new battery as it required a bit of a change. As the Motobatt is larger in capacity than the std battery from 5A/hr up to 7A/hr. If the battery cables were terminated on the top of the battery the seat wouln’t fit so I had to do a couple of mods so the terminals were now at the sides of the battery. At the same time I also ran a fused power supply to the front of the bike for futrure power requirements, this also allows me to plug directly in to the battery for charging.
Take a look

Power supply at Bars

Cheers,
Lefty

[Geoff ForshawMember]

Screen fitted

more to come as it happens………

[Geoff ForshawMember]

New seat from ACM (Australian Cumfy Motorcylce seats)

See The difference…….. I hope that it is Cumfy!!

Report to come later when tested.

Cheers,
Lefty

[MattMember]

Very nice seat

44

[Dwayne OMember]

Certainly looks the goods mate
Keep me in the loop please Lefty,,,
It looks very much like a Seat Concepts cover from the US (that get very good reviews too) :whistle:

I am happy with my Airhawk at the moment, but an upgrade is on the cards in the future for sure

[GregMember]

Looks good Lefty, wonder how the wider bit will go as I know some blokes find they rub the inside of their legs (Krusty was one that I think comes to mind, sometimes after 500 plus the Tenere does) :unsure: Has to be better than the Austrian railway sleeper :laugh: Did they supply it base and all?

Steve is the agent for Concept seats as of two weeks ago Eags. Have you seen one in the flesh they are sex The foam and the covers are amazing he has got one for HIS Kato, the XR and the WR. I am going to get one for the Tenere and the XR :woohoo:

TB

[Dwayne OMember]

Yep, I have seen them & sat on them (Seat Concepts)
Deano has one as does MickP

GIve us more thoughts after testing please Lefty ;)i

[Geoff ForshawMember]

I supplied the seat TB and they recovered it and shaped it. I told them my weight so they could match the correct foam density.

[ChrisMember]

absolute sacrilege doing that to a KTM !!! and that seat, with your weight there would be no need for foam at all :laugh:

[Dave O’RourkeMember]

Currently got a 640 Adventure and have been toying with the idea of a 450 ADV bike for a while. Will keep an eye on your build. Looks great.

[Geoff ForshawMember]

Well I have tested the seat on a 180km loop about 2weeks ago and I must give it a big two thumbs up. The seat was very comfortable and soft in the right places and also wide enough in the right area. so you don’t feel as though you are sitting in an Austrian Railway sleeper. :pinch:

Here is the link to ACM if anyone is interested.

Great Job ACM!
http://www.acmseats.com.au/home

Cheers,
Lefty

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