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  #1  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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Making an Enduro.
I wonder what is involved in making a normal road bike into a more capable rough roader by fitting longer forks and a 21" wheel. Lets say someone picked a good, used Yamaha Diversion 600. I'd think you are best to seek out the same diameter of forks complete with calipers, wheel and axle. With forks only,there'd be the problem of brake disc offset to match the calipers. But can you also use new yokes? ie a complete front end? I suspect there'd be huge problems here with the length of the head stock and its diameter and matching of the steering head bearings. Does anyone know what front end would fit easily in? Finally, must the bike after modification, have been raised by the same amount at front and back? And extra finally, what is the legal situation of so much modification?


Lindsay.
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  #2  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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Hi,

The legal situation depends of the country the bike is registered in some people even to traveling the world on Yamaha R1 but real modifications are usuarly more expensive then to just bay a cheap enduro:

Yamaha R1 World Travel - YouTube

https://www.gaskrank.tv/tv/gelaende/...ende--8195.htm
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  #3  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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Skonte (hubber) built this Yamaha Diversion 10 (?) years ago:

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  #4  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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Chris Scott of AMH fame, has done something similar recently with a GS500
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...erlander-66506
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  #5  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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you should check the question of final price, is it worth it and for that money can you buy something more capable made by factory i would never do thing like that , even im one of those adventurist guys that want everything to be hand made, and special

with projects like that you will never find the fine balance between road and off road use of a bike, and there is always going to be something missing,

of course it is always easier to make offroader better on road then vice versa
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  #6  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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Lots of threads on such conversions of this ilk on Advrider forums, usually involving a 650 v-strom or DR650 or Versys 650.

Doesn't seem worth the hassle to me when you can take a stock V-strom 650 or Tenere XT660Z out of the crate with no mods that will do the job perfectly well.

Sorry - don't mean to piss on your bonfire - it may be something you just want to do, which is fine. In which case I'd do a complete front end swap myself if possible; yes, would also need to raise the rear or you'll end up with a chopper look and ride.
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  #7  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Linzi View Post
And extra finally, what is the legal situation of so much modification?


Lindsay.
If the eurocrats get their way then it will be illegal.
Even now, some UK insurance companies are taking an interest in the modifications made to bikes; some say that they don't permit more than 3 mods to a bike, and that includes accessories, such as luggage!



Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
Skonte (hubber) built this Yamaha Diversion 10 (?) years ago:
Nice to see Yamaha Diversions discussed; they don't get much of a look-in here in the HUBB, but I think that particular bike (hard to forget that colour scheme) was mentioned here quite a while ago - maybe in the context of XJ900 Diversions.
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Old 20 Nov 2012
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I would ask my self what I want to achieve before i started a project like this??

A road bike is likely to have a smoother ride but the engine is going to be designed for power rather than torque and also likely to be to heavy for a dirt biased bike.

if you are looking for a cheaper way to get a dirt bike you will be better off with a bike designed to be a dirt bike. Even if you're trying to make a road bike that is more dirt friendly I doubt you'd be able to make some thing as capable as an old transalp for less money and you could keep the spare cash for giving it a proper service and replacing worn parts, or just use it for petrol and surviving on the road.

However if you are looking for something that can be uniquely yours then go for it, I've often thought about making some of my favorite road bikes more dirt friendly.
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  #9  
Old 20 Nov 2012
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agree with the comment above, its a lot better to have a bike made for the dirt than modifying a road bike to dirt.
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  #10  
Old 21 Nov 2012
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Explanation.
Hi, I asked because I had been in discussion with someone who was toying with the idea of using an old, but useable Bandit 600 or a Diversion. I'd suggested just fitting knobblie tyres (without checking if any would fit!) and thus having traction. No real need for much more for what he wanted to do. The idea of an enduro modification then cropped up. It seems then to keep things cheap just rev up and go. I have to say that I get the impression that there are some handy and ambitious Norwegian bikers around. Good to see. Lindsay.
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  #11  
Old 21 Nov 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MagicMANX View Post
agree with the comment above, its a lot better to have a bike made for the dirt than modifying a road bike to dirt.
Hola, it is not always the most logic choice or the cheapest way that
can bring the most joy or satisfaction.
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