xt550project

[noisy toy]

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?

[evo550]

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.

[noisy toy]

550 on bench

[noisy toy]

email sent, Brenden. I tried but too blonde.........

[evo550]

That should keep you busy

[Burgo68]

Check out Corbo's 550 / YZ

[evo550]

That's nice, any other photo's ?

[noisy toy]

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!

[evo550]

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.

[noisy toy]

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... 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!

[evo550]

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.

[evo550]

........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.

[noisy toy]

Hi evo, yeah bugger about the highway cut. Might have to raise the intake a bit.....
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!  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. 

[LWC82PE]

Looks like you will have enough front travel, looks like about 18 inches there

[noisy toy]

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...