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Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: noisy toy on January 11, 2011, 09:47:51 pm

Title: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 11, 2011, 09:47:51 pm
Finally started my 550 project. The idea is to adapt IT465 suspension to the 550, plus a general tidy up.  A trip to Cape York later in the year if all goes well, then some VMX meets or Vinduro. Lots of advice from EVO550 and Tony T, so wish me luck! I will try to attach some pics.....  ???
OK I am crap at this. I have some "before" pics, but dont know how to attach. Can anyone help?
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: evo550 on January 11, 2011, 09:56:24 pm
Can't wait noisey, if you struggle with photo's, email em to me and I can put them up.
Best way I find is to put on photobucket, then just cut and paste.
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 11, 2011, 11:24:00 pm
550 on bench
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 11, 2011, 11:30:31 pm
email sent, Brenden. I tried but too blonde......... :-\
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: evo550 on January 12, 2011, 12:43:47 am
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/xt550project2011005.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/xt550project2011001.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/xt550project2011002.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/xt550project2011004.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/xt550project2011003.jpg)
That should keep you busy ;)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: Burgo68 on January 12, 2011, 09:33:59 pm
Check out Corbo's 550 / YZ

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/rtb1042/Canberra%20September%202010/IMG_0938.jpg)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: evo550 on January 12, 2011, 10:10:04 pm
That's nice, any other photo's ?
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 12, 2011, 11:17:10 pm
That looks nice! Thanks for putting up the pics evo550, i have a photobucket account now, just need to learn how to attach the pics. tried to copy but wont paste. I must be doing something wrong.... ???
I have pulled out the rear suspension and the engine, and offered the IT shock but the frame gussets need a massage, Also the hose for the canister fouls on the oil tank top seam. I dont really want to grind it. I removed the springs from both shocks, I might be able to adapt an Afco type coil-over. The 550 spring looks to be stiffer, I thought about extending one end of the shock to same length as IT and try that.Does the threaded bit come off the chrome shaft?
I pulled the head and barrel off, looks to have had a recent .75 rebore. A light hone and new rings will see it right. So far so good! ;D
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: evo550 on January 12, 2011, 11:35:52 pm
Noisy,
Yep, I had to take a bit of meat off the frame around the top shock mount, as for the shock hose, there is a small area on the underside of your fuel tank that will need some "massaging", that will give the hose the clearance you need.
What part of Brissy are you in ? If you want I could swing by and have a chat if you like.
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 12, 2011, 11:48:00 pm
evo, I am actually in Cairns! I will be coming down to Conondale in June so it would be good to catch up.
The hose clearance issue I have is actually the seam on the oil tank on the top edge of the frame spine. I could grind it back a bit, just not sure how far to go before i strike oil... ;D or maybe some heat and a tap?
Not sure about heating the frame but i suppose it wont need much. I try grinder first. I still like the idea of a coil-over setup like Afco though. Going back to my speedway days!
I think I will perservere with the 17 inch IT rear wheel, the hub has 4 bearings instead of 2 and a bigger axle shaft, and looks beefier. Plus it has new stainless spokes!
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: evo550 on January 13, 2011, 06:51:50 pm
That's odd, the only problem I had with the hose was the underside of the tank that had a small outward depression that I had to flatten.
What side of the frame are you mounting the shock res. I sat mine on the left, just on the clutch cable guide. I just remembered I also had to cut a resess in the front of the tank to allow the res to sit and still allow full lock......did I mention that earlier ? No ? Sorry bout that.
Cairns hey, sorry Bruce H'way cut, can't make it.
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: evo550 on January 13, 2011, 09:00:30 pm
........no on second thoughts, I also think I moved the front tank mounts down a few mill. to raise the tank to gain some clearence. Yep that's what me did.
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 12:03:29 am
Hi evo, yeah bugger about the highway cut. Might have to raise the intake a bit..... ;D
I went to local bike wreckers and compared a few different shocks. The IT 175 had a straight exit for the hose fitting where the 465 had a slight down-angle which caused the interference, but a 84 YZ 250 shock went straight in.(at least that is what the wreckers tag said it was..) It is a steel body and the main body attached at the swing-arm end instead of the top. It has no remote reservoir, so no need to grind the frame or anything, and is the exact length as the IT 465. It clears the air box ok and the tank went straight back on. I know the alloy bodied remote res shock is much better performing, but for my intended use this will work fine. Even the heavier progressive-rate 550 spring fit straight on to the YZ shock!  :o The shock itself was a bit light but it was old and perhaps worn. I will try try source a good shock, any out there?
I fitted the forks and front wheel then set it down to have a look. Holy crap it is much higher now! The engine will drop it a bit when i refit it,but it looks quite good. I took some pics which i will try to post tomorrow.  :)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: LWC82PE on January 14, 2011, 02:40:33 am
Looks like you will have enough front travel, looks like about 18 inches there ;D
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:05:48 pm
I have some new pics to post, and i have uploaded them to my photobucket account but i cant attach them here. I tried to copy but it wont paste. Can anyone advise me where i am going rong? Type slowly coz i cant read very fast... ;D
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: rohan on January 14, 2011, 10:15:19 pm
You need to hit the insert image button then get the direct URL address from photobucket site and insert the address.
So you are not inserting the photo rather you are inserting the photobucket address where the photo is stored.
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:23:21 pm
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1810.jpg[img]http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1807.jpg[img]http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1808.jpg)[/img][/img]
Well lets try this..... ???
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:25:37 pm
Bugger, no good. Seems to have copied ok but appears deleted on the post. Maybe i could just e-mail them to someone who knows what they are doing? :-[
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:26:46 pm
(http://<a href="http://s398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/?action-view&amp;current=IMG_1808.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1808.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: rohan on January 14, 2011, 10:27:44 pm
Still not quite there. Control C the image address then hit insert image then hit control V so the address is inserted between the (http://and the second)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: rohan on January 14, 2011, 10:29:54 pm
It is a poor system and took me a few goes before I sussed it. make sure the address is between the two img's. if it still doesnt work make sure you have the right address. You nearly have it
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:31:32 pm
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1808.jpg)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:33:11 pm
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1807.jpg)
by gosh i think thats it!
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: rohan on January 14, 2011, 10:34:27 pm
Woohoo!!! :)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:36:30 pm
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1810.jpg[img]http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1809.jpg)[/img]
Two at once?
Thanks for the tips Peter, I will be posting heaps more now!
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 10:38:47 pm
(http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/noisy-toy/IMG_1810.jpg)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: monaro308 on January 14, 2011, 10:55:10 pm
Noisy....just left click on the img code box and then right click onto the page you are typing on. ;)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 14, 2011, 11:06:28 pm
Thanks for all the help. Where is a good place to shop for gasket set, rings (.75) and cam chain? Not much on ebay stores and genuine is pretty dear. Maybe thumpertalk can help? I need to source a good yz250 rear shock too. ::) Will post some pics of engine and shocks and stuff like that tomorrow, for anyone interested. The head and barrel sandblasted up like new, maybe i could look at some mild port work or a cam while it is apart. Checked a tt600 header pipe too, much bigger i.d. Not sure if it will clear the oil tank drain though, will have to wait til engine is back in. :)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: crossedup2 on January 14, 2011, 11:24:28 pm
Hi Noisy

Do you recall what numbers the shock had on it. From the sound of it, given the frame layout, it sounds like a YZ 250/400 D/E shock. The shocks are pretty ordinary but certainly respond to a freshen up and new bump stop rubber. If you do get it serviced I have found that getting the gas pressure up to the maximum seems to help.

As it happens, I've been trying to suss out a heavier spring for my YZ250E. You may have helped immensely with my problem.

Any extra 550 springs out there (even to borrow for testing?)

Regards

Peter B

Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 15, 2011, 12:04:33 am
Thanks peter, i have been looking at 84 yz250 shocks and swingarms, and they  are the later monoshock,so the one i used must have been incorrectly labelled.I will go back and get the number off it and get back to you. I may have to bite the bullet and buy it then get it re-valved or something. Didnt White bros and people like that used to make them? There must be some lying around somewhere.
Cheers.
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: crossedup2 on January 15, 2011, 10:08:45 am
Noisy

There were a number of aftermarket shocks built for these YZ models. There were gas springs and all sorts of great options however, if you can find one you will pay. I've seen these unique shocks needing rebuilding for $400+ US and I cant say they would work much better, especially touring and trail riding.

There are also shock guys who can rebuild the shock with modern seal kits requiring machining and adding a remote reservoir etc. I was quoted $600 for this type of rebuild and I still may do this but without a stiffer spring (quoted $350+) I just couldn't justify it. Now I have a possible spring option I may think a bit harder over it.

Anyway, I'd first just try a service with a new bump rubber. Last one cost me about $100 in Sydney.

regards

Peter B
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: Burgo68 on January 15, 2011, 07:21:31 pm
Corbo's 550 in action


(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac294/Burgo68/Canberra/IMG_9974.jpg)


(http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/ac294/Burgo68/Canberra/IMG_9784.jpg)
Title: Re: xt550project
Post by: noisy toy on January 16, 2011, 10:54:34 pm
I like Corbos 550! Looks nice. I thought about repainting mine to the original "chappy red" but .... :-\
I had a play around with the rear suspension again. I tried a 7" afco type shock and a 9" with heim joint ends, but 7 is too short and 9 is too long....bugger. I made a short extension, about 1.5 inch long which i will weld onto the end of the original 550 shaft then weld the bush eye back on to that. This will give me the extra length and it will then be the same as the yz250 shock i tried. The 550 shock was a bit stiffer and seems to be in ok condition so i will run with that for now. The 465 swingarm is about 2 inches longer than the 550, so the extra leverage will probably make it softer than it was, not a good thing. But the extra travel may make it work ok, so i will try it first.Still trying to source some rings.
Does anyone know if the 550 gasket set is same as 600? I think the headgasket was the only difference....