moose53's Conversion

[SpeedBump]

Here is his Conversion...VERY clean looking machine. I like it! I will let him give all the details.

[SpeedBump]

more pics......

[Darius1502]

The chassis is a KTM 540. This is a 65 hp machine nearly stock.

[BigGreenMachine]

I'm in love!!!! Thats sick, props are in order!

[Bryan Raffa]

wow thats a sick set up! whats up with the rear sproket? look like that would fly right off.

[BigGreenMachine]

Still sizing this thing up. You used the KTM engine cradle and the rest is Tecate framework? Is that carrier billet? Whats up with the rear sprocket? Looks like a stock sprocket with another mud teeth sprocket over the outside. Brembo front caliper! Those tripple clamps look very neat and tidy, what forks are those? Lower link rear suspension!!! How much travel front and rear? Love the yellow on green colour.

WOW! I'm super impressed!

[Darius1502]

The KTM 540, 550 engine is legendary. I think posted some KTM 550 tests on the 'This vs. that' forum.

KTM 550's will outpull CR500's and KX 500's with ease.

Really great engines...can't imagine them in a trike chassis. So much more tractiion with two back tires...must be incredible!!

[1984kxtTECATE]

Id sell my sole to the devil for this one....drool

[Troll 2]

:beer Wow, very nice job!! Awsome.............................:w00t:

[Billy Golightly]

Awesome, Very nice!

[Kintore]

Sweet conversion! Man Id love to take a rip on that thing! :w00t:

[moose 53]

The 51 tooth sprocket is for woods riding so i can go slow enough to ride with friends without slipping the clutch all day,42 tooth sprocket is for sand!The front forks are KTM 540 dirt bike, so is the back shock.The frame is the same as the dirt bike except for the subframe for the back fender.The swingarm is welded alu, from 1/4in box and billit parts.Motor has been ported & polished with FMF gold series pipe.The way its set up it should be 100+mph.I have not been out of third gear much yet.

[Russell 350X]

That thing is crazy sick. That rear sprocket dont look to secure though.

[moose 53]

Rear sprocket has tight machined fit and seems to be just fine.A old timer told me that was how they used to adjust sprocket size.Thought i would try it and see how it works.This way all you have to do is take the tire off to change ratios.

[Yamaha Tri-Moto]

That thing is sick.

[Xowner]

wow those triples are nice !

[Air-cooled-R]

wow.. that's about all i can say on that bike. I bet it'll scream.

[moose 53]

Back shock travel is 11in,front shock travel is 9 in. I lost 2in when i adapted the 85 tecate front shock ends to the 91 ktm front shocks.Rear carrier is alu. billit with tapered roller bearings.

[moose 53]

Bike is finally back together!:Bounce Still have a few things to do with paint and decals.Things I changed are, 2 new brake lines , 3 new front brake line guides,cut down front shock ends to regain 2in I lost with old setup, 2 new front fork wipers and seals, new split nut for rear axle ( old nuts kept backing off ) ,2 new holeshot 22x11x10 tires,and seat and fender come off together now. http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00705.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00707.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00706.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00708.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00709.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00710.jpg

[Jason Hall]

That thing Is perfect man. You did an awesome job on that baby. That thing would wheelie to the end of the world I bet. I would never ride It, I would sit & stare at It forever :drool:

[3Razors]

There is an extreme amount of work hours put into that one! Very nice job!

[Darius1502]

Aweseome job!

You know...if you ever re-do the color scheme...consider the old KTM colors White plastic, blue seat, red frame.


That thing is awesome...with KTM 550's/540's you don't really even need to click out of 3 rd they are so fast!

Fastest open class machine ever built. I don't know about the 700cc ATK...but I know the KTM beats everything else.

That is a motorcross side car engine...nuff said!

Read this:
http://216.165.194.66/ktmtalk/photogallery/galleries/members/Article2.4.jpg

[moose 53]

[QUOTE=Darius1502]Aweseome job!

You know...if you ever re-do the color scheme...consider the old KTM colors White plastic, blue seat, red frame.


That thing is awesome...with KTM 550's/540's you don't really even need to click out of 3 rd they are so fast!

Fastest open class machine ever built. I don't know about the 700cc ATK...but I know the KTM beats everything else.

That is a motorcross side car engine...nuff said![QUOTE]

Thanks , I always enjoy the extra information that you come up with.I guess you have to have a KTM 540/550 to know how crazy it really is to ride.I know what it means to almost lazily build revs until fear tells you to let off or shift . And I think I have only been in the bottom of 4th gear yet :Bounce

[Stu-Pedasso]

That' s bad ASS!

[tecatecrazy]

is that a stock tecate axle (84\85)? where did you get the two piece axle nut for it? custom made?

[moose 53]

is that a stock tecate axle (84\85)? where did you get the two piece axle nut for it? custom made?
Yes it is a stock 84/85 axle and yes I had to make the split axle nut.:Bounce

[G-Ram]

that's a trick rear sprocket setup you've got going on.

[gravelord]

is that a pain in the balls to start every time removing the fenders and such? man i wouldnt mind having one of them bikes even if it was a pain to start, that things NICE you did a great job... get some action picks for us over here!

[moose 53]

After I get a +2,+4 extended axle then I can get a sidewinder custom 51 tooth sprocket instead of the 2 piece sprocket ,but I need to ride it a little more to find just the right ratio.I wish starting it was only as bad as taking the seat and fenders off .It starts very dependably but with a old ankle injury it can be a challenge to kick it over cleanly.It does push start almost instantly.I have a compression release that will help a lot when I put it on :Bounce

[84honda200s]

all i can say is wow that is a great looking trike man.

[Darius1502]

After I get a +2,+4 extended axle then I can get a sidewinder custom 51 tooth sprocket instead of the 2 piece sprocket ,but I need to ride it a little more to find just the right ratio.I wish starting it was only as bad as taking the seat and fenders off .It starts very dependably but with a old ankle injury it can be a challenge to kick it over cleanly.It does push start almost instantly.I have a compression release that will help a lot when I put it on :Bounce

Let me know how and when you install that compression realease.

I am curious. Send me a PM with pictures when you do it!

Thanks!!

[Darius1502]

Another short write up from 1996. The 550 engine was reliatively unchanged over the years. They did change the porting some, switched ignitions, but thats about it.

http://216.165.194.66/ktmtalk/photogallery/galleries/members/Article_14.4.jpg

[NESC104]

WOW! That bike is amazing, great Job! With all that detailed work it looks like it was a production machine.

[hrc85250r]

if you are going with sidewinder, dont get any of their chains. with any amount of good torque they wear like crap and snaplinks like there is no tomorrow... i bought their most expensive one(said it is almost impossible to break with any recreational motor) last year and i snapped three links and it was completely worn in about 5 or 6 races. they suck, and i consider them to be dangerous...

[moose 53]

if you are going with sidewinder, dont get any of their chains. with any amount of good torque they wear like crap and snaplinks like there is no tomorrow... i bought their most expensive one(said it is almost impossible to break with any recreational motor) last year and i snapped three links and it was completely worn in about 5 or 6 races. they suck, and i consider them to be dangerous...
Thanks for the heads up . From your thread it would appear that you like to go fast.:Bounce

[BigGreenMachine]

Incredible machine! More trick bits then any Tecate here!

[moose 53]

A problem with the front brake line became vary apparent after I posted the last photos . The new brake line position will not clear the bottom brake line guide.The fix I came up with really works well.I was afraid that it would flex and need to be supported but I made the shaft .050in oversize and it is solid.The new position also protects the brake line better http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00711.jpg :Bounce

[OZQUAD44]

Very professional job, looks great.

Wonder why you when for a yellow theme rather than the KTM orange?

[moose 53]

Very professional job, looks great.

Wonder why you when for a yellow theme rather than the KTM orange?
Very simple, I love Green and Yellow goes with it.:Bounce :w00t:

[moose 53]

Here is the front brake line installed.:Bounce http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00712.jpg

[moose 53]

Ran the bike today,in the small lot next to my shop.Changed the main jet from 195 to 188 and the pilot from 45 to 40 ( Delorto carb ). The lot is way to small to really open it up, but jet change sure cleaned the motor up. I have a exhaust temperature gauge to make sure i don't run it to lean. It is now dirty again.:Bounce http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/Dec032006.jpg

[BigGreenMachine]

That thing looks mean!

[moose 53]

Got my 85-86 t3 hubs and fender brace on today . The new hubs are 2-1/2 lbs lighter then the 84 hubs and spacers ! Getting closer to finishing this project,just a few more things to do.:Bounce http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00769.jpg

[BigGreenMachine]

Greatness is in the details. Keep the progress pics coming.

[84honda200s]

more pics......




wow wow wow i like that thing. great job man

[Darius1502]

Tell me about that exhaust temp gauge?

How does it get the exhaust temperature?

What parameters are you looking for? (temperature range?)

[moose 53]

The exhaust temp Gage uses a pyrometer in the head pipe to keep track of the exhaust temp, works very well.They say that things start coming apart at 1200deg so as long as you keep the exhaust temp below 1100deg its safe.Sure takes the guess work out of tuning your bike ,you can see what every little change does

[MTS]

The exhaust temp Gage uses a pyrometer in the head pipe to keep track of the exhaust temp, works very well.They say that things start coming apart at 1200deg so as long as you keep the exhaust temp below 1100deg its safe.Sure takes the guess work out of tuning your bike ,you can see what every little change does
1400 deg Piston starts melting.....Keep it under that and Your Good.......Ran one on a Cr500...makes it much less of a pain in the ass to jet.......dont gota worry bout goin to lean and burnin stuff up.........:beer :w00t: Nice Conversion, i really like it, must Be an arm ripper....:beer

[dufrain]

I had a 94-95 ktm 550 and it was super hard to keep the front end down ,man I bet this one Is wild.I really like it .
If you ever do repaint it and want Ktm colors ,after the red frame bikes there was the purple frame with white plastic and then the Orange and black like the new ones.I think Darius changed his 550 over to the orange.The Orange would really look killer on there to.I wonder If there would ever be a way to switch over to twin radiators by the tank to lower the center of gravity a little .

[dufrain]

Man thats a great line in the article above "The 550 has more on-tap, raging power than is humanly usable and, in the right context, is more fun than any sane person should be allowed to have."

[vegas250rr]

its a nice conversion, but I have to say I have NOOOOO love for that little front tire

[moose 53]

its a nice conversion, but I have to say I have NOOOOO love for that little front tire I have never had anyone call a 84-85 tecate front tire little before , would like to hear any problems you have had with them:confused:

[BigGreenMachine]

I have never had anyone call a 84-85 tecate front tire little before , would like to hear any problems you have had with them:confused:

Agreed! I don't see anything small about them, I think its just the angle of your pics Robin. Mind filling me in on the exhaust temp guage? I want a setup like that for my 500.

[dufrain]

When I had my early tecate I didnt like the way the fat front tire steered nearly as well as the later narrow tires on the Hondas and later tecate.It seemed like they pushed like on my 82 250r.Id say if you put the 11 inch style on there or maybe a custom 10inch douglas wheel so you could use a holeshot or something, it would be a definate upgrade. Sure Is a cool 3 wheeler.I bet the local guys on a 450r or yzf hate it. ;)

[maggiesboy]

that thing looks great! Keep the pics coming too!

[moose 53]

When I had my early tecate I didnt like the way the fat front tire steered nearly as well as the later narrow tires on the Hondas and later tecate.It seemed like they pushed like on my 82 250r.Id say if you put the 11 inch style on there or maybe a custom 10inch douglas wheel so you could use a holeshot or something, it would be a definate upgrade. Sure Is a cool 3 wheeler.I bet the local guys on a 450r or yzf hate it. ;) I do have a 86 front tire and rim, it would be easy enough to switch it out and try it. The advantages of the 85 tire is that it doesn't sink in soft sand or snow as bad as the 86 tire does .I had my 350x launch me over the handle bars when its front tire got stuck in the snow.

[vegas250rr]

I agree that it might just be an optical illusion but it looks like the back tires are the same size if not larger than the front... I dont know it just looks kinda redneck hotrodish to me.... NOT THE BIKE, cause the Bike is bad ass... but the stance. I guess I am just used to looking at my 250R. and how its sitting, maybe the forks are longer or the rake is different. but there is definately something.

[moose 53]

Agreed! I don't see anything small about them, I think its just the angle of your pics Robin. Mind filling me in on the exhaust temp guage? I want a setup like that for my 500. The Engine Monitor I use (OPTAK EM-x Series ) is made by J.R.Electronics in Kirkland,WA. I got it in 1995 for $ 496.00,used it on my Banshee and now on my KTM tecate.Depending on where you mount the pyrometer you have different ranges ,in the next gas charge (1100 safe,1250 at risk) past the next gas charge (1250 safe,1400 at risk) .Looked on Google and did not find my engine monitor,but found other atv engine monitors for about the same price I paid for mine in 1995. Messed up on the 86 t3 front tire, it is not the same bolt pattern as the rear

[moose 53]

I agree that it might just be an optical illusion but it looks like the back tires are the same size if not larger than the front... I dont know it just looks kinda redneck hotrodish to me.... NOT THE BIKE, cause the Bike is bad ass... but the stance. I guess I am just used to looking at my 250R. and how its sitting, maybe the forks are longer or the rake is different. but there is definately something.
The tires are all 22in, the forks are dirt bike forks so they are a little longer and the rake is the dirt bike rake so it is a little different . Also with 11in of travel the back tends to stick up a bit until you sit on it .It is a trade off when you use a dirt bike as a base for conversion to a three wheeler.Haven't ridden it enough to really tell the good points and bad points yet ,except that it tends to ride like a dirt bike.

[moose 53]

Made more changes.Repainted the gas tank because I wet sanded the final color coat before I painted the clear coat and it lightened the green color ,didn't match. Put the decals on the fender ,need to finish the decals for the tank.Mounted the 22x11x10 10 paddle haller extremes on 85t3 alu rims. Hope to go riding at south jetty sand dunes in Florence Oregon Thursday.:Bounce http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00775.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00776.jpg

[3leggeddog]

SIICK,dude that thing is wicked.i love it,nice work!!!!!

[moose 53]

Got the tank and fenders done !All thats left now are lights( motor has a 130 watt stator) ,compression release ,Trail Tech Vapor speedometer tach combo,and extended axle.:Bounce :w00t: http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00781.jpg http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k10/moose53_2006/DSC00780.jpg

[Black86tri-z]

is this bike still around?

[The Goat]

he prolly went over the top of a bluff at 100+ and still hasn't landed... damn that thing is sick.

[moose 53]

Yes I just got it back together and running . Blew the motor up last spring 2007 ( ran it out of oil on a snow trip and took the bottom end out ). Found all the parts on Ebay for about $400 , it just took a while to find them. Should just about have all the bugs worked out now. :Bounce

[hadar]

I'd like to see that trike in action. Hell, I'd beg to just hear it. The fabrication is top notch.:drool:

[scooterroo]

sweet, the thing is a beast!!!!!

[moose 53]

I am organizing the information on the KTM540 Tecate . Here is the link to the removable seat and fenders, necessary for left hand kick start. http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=60390 :Bounce

[Erics350x]

Id sell my sole to the devil for this one....drool

Just got of the phone with him. He said, it's a deal, you can pick it up on Friday the 13th at
666 Hades Ave
Hell, MI 66666

[The Goat]

idk why but i thought hell was in ohio? seriously...the town of hell i mean.

[Erics350x]

Hell Michigan 48169

[The Goat]

my bad, i was remembering from more than a few years ago...hell 14 years ago. They had it on an old video game.

I'm just trying to imagine what riding this bike feels like....has to be astounding...and hard.

[fabiodriven]

I just saw this thing and I gotta say, HOLY CRAP! Best build ever!:beer