XT 550

[fatboyracing]

Hi Guys,
Just purchased 84 XT550 for $200.00 it is all there has spark and compression havent tried to get it going yet though it might make a fun big bore racer,lightened down of course it still has lights and all the other crap that a road trail has I recond that the bash plate on the frame weights 2 kg its huge and the tank looks like about 18 lt.I think one of the first things after i get it going will be to find a nice little tank maybe YZ . Any one had any experiance with these things ideas etc would be most appreciated.

Cheers
fatboy

[TT]

evo550 is the guy you need to talk to. 
I've had a couple of 550's but nowhere near the experience with modifying them that he has.
btw I've got a workshop manual here for one. It's falling apart but if you want it, pm me your postal address.
I've also got a CDI and a couple of other bits here you're welcome to.

[fatboyracing]

Hi Tony,
That would be great any thing to help me with this project .
Pm sent

Cheers
Fatboy

[Rossvickicampbell]

look out FBR - once you go to the dark side there is no turning back 

Rossco

[crash n bern]

All the lights and junk.  Don't throw them away.  They'll pull good money.  Interesting to see how you go,I've got one of these sitting in the shed aswell.

[fatboyracing]

I would also like to change the guards for something smaller they are the biggest guards I have ever seen on a bike.Why Yamaha made them so big is behond me.  Just changing the guards,tank and removing lights& bash plates etc I think I can lighten it down about 10kg.

Cheers
Fatboy

[evo550]

Have a look through these FBR.
Did you call me today?
http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o82/evo550/?action=view&current=xt550yellow.jpg&newest=1

[fatboyracing]

Those bikes look shit hot I really like the yellow 550 what are the side covers off they look like they belong great job,I am going to start mine soon If it comes up half as good as yours I will be happy. How does it ride ? a guy told me that they handle and steer terrible I am interested in knowing what you think and any place to improve.

Cheers
Fatboy

[TT]

Here's Eddy Hau's as well.

[Marc.com]

How does it ride ? a guy told me that they handle and steer terrible I am interested in knowing what you think and any place to improve.
Cheers
Fatboy

The yellow bike is cool, 4 stroke YZ465. The 550 was trail bike with a lot of weight and budget suspension. Good start would be YZ front end and decent shock. Also reducing the body work down to YZ proportions will make it feel skinnier, skinny bike is a fast bike.

Biggest thing against the 550 is the TT600 arrived a year later and totally out classed it.

[evo550]

The yellow and white bikes are one of the same, the white one being version 2. I personally prefered the yellow one......just can't help but tinker.
The basic, non cosmetic changes where YZ 465 front end and IT swingarm and yz shock.
These parts are pretty much a straight swap although they do create some issues once fitted, that I never quite did get resolved.
I would have to say it is the best vintage MX'er I have ever owned and seriously consider buying another evey time one comes up on ebay......but ya' gotta love fourstrokes(of the vintage kind)
Happy to help out with any tips if your considering a conversion.
Fat boy did you call me the other day about it?

[fatboyracing]

Hi Evo550,
No I didnt call you the other day, I am seriously thinking of starting my bike in a couple of weeks I do have about 4x ITs around behind my shed what sort of problems did you have when fitted. I did consider changing the forks for IT as I have them laying there ready to go. Didnt think about swing arm whats the difference in them. Side covers and tank seem to be the biggest problem I have at the moment.
Sounds like you enjoyed racing yours hopefully mine will be as good.

Cheers
Fatboy

[evo550]

P.M. me you Ph number and I'll give you a call. It'll be a bit easier to explain over the phone.
Strange, I had a phone call from someone else about my XT's about 3 days ago, thought it may have been you.

[Marc.com]

I like the yellow one. If you have later IT front end like 490 that would be a good. I swapped all my TT600 stuff straight to YZ490.... fixed the forks as both ends are too soft stock.

If I was doing the job, I would fit YZF450 rear sub frame, that allows for all YZF seat and guards. Use a YZ490 tank and it would look trick as.

[TT]

Use a YZ490 tank and it would look trick as.

The problem with this particular model is the width of the frame backbone. As far as I know, it's the only bike that has oil in the frame and the shock running up through the middle.
I searched for another tank that would fit mine for a long time and the only thing I found was a 32 litre Acerbis one. 
Clarke do a new plastic one the same size as stock though.