YZ426F "Dual Sport"

SpinCycle · 02-03-2012, 09:12 AM

Latest update, we have lights and it is charging and all is well with the electrics. I took in on a shake down ride to see if anything melted down or if anything came apart. It hasn't been ridden hardly at all since last summer. It's all good ..so far. It's been a fairly difficult project to convert a full on MX dirt bike into something that can pass as a road legal dual sport, So here's a list of all the mods that I had to do to get to this point.
First off I started with a *very* nice YZ426F. All original, very well taken care of by the previous owner. So I started by buying a "Dual Sport" kit from Pro-Cycle over in Springfield, it was fairly complete with headlight, taillight, turn signals, a simple wiring harness made in their shop. Then I had to figure a way to power it because the YZ had no charging system, luckily the WR426F came with a headlight and taillight and... a charging system. Same motor, just had to change the stator and flywheel for the WR parts. Not cheap though! It was all plug..and NO play! After installing the stator the bike wouldn't start and had no spark at the plug. Alot of checking online and I discovered that other people doing this same swap had to also switch to the WR CDI for the ignition. I also found info that the YZ CDI could be modified to work with the WR charging system..but nobody could remember how to do it. Awesome. Finally got some real direction from RickyStator.com and the bike fired! I needed a speedo so I bought a Trail Tech Vapor, easy install and works fine. The factory dirt bike gearing had to be changed and I just went up one tooth in the front, it's still kinda low for the street but may be alot of gear for the trail. The ultimate solution would be the WR gearbox, WR means Wide Ratio. MX bikes don't have kickstands, Trail Tech also makes kickstands for dirt bikes. Go figure. So I still have a couple hurdles, the rear wheel on MX bikes are 19" and wheels on every dual sport out there are 18". I haven't found a DOT legal DS tire that will fit the 19" wheel so I may have to have Pro-Cycle lace an 18" hoop on the factory YZ hub in order to find acceptable tires. Wiley thinks I should just pop for Supermoto wheels and yes that would solve the problem and lower the bike a tad but it has a cost! I changed the fuel tank out for a larger Clarke tank, I think the factory one was 1.3gal and no reserve on the petcock. The Clarke tank gives something like 3.5gal and I sourced a WR petcock that does have a reserve. The exaust had to be changed, it had an FMF Power Core 4 on it and you could hear it for 3 blocks! No kidding it was freeking loud! Like "Harley dudes stare" loud! Another $300 for an FMF Q4 and now it sounds like a KLR or something fairly quiet. Impressive but it may have lost a touch of snap off the throttle.
OK, so was it worth it? Thats hard to answer. You could buy a DRZ400 or something like that and have a ready made bike that would be way better on the street than the YZ but off road the YZ wins easily. It only weighs 250# and is as tough as it gets. The DRZ is over 300# but does have electric start. Not a huge issue, the YZ fires on one or two kicks. Not too many YZs running around on the street so it is exclusive. It's a blast to ride! It's hard not to go wheelie crazy..so I don't know, maybe. I guess if you have a dirt bike and the state hands you a plate for it then YEP! It's worth it

I'll get some pics up and maybe Wiley will let me do a GoPro video with his camera..

sunofnun · 02-03-2012, 09:28 AM

Damn that's doing it the hard way!!!!!!

Have you got all the street parts wired yet? Have you asked the state about the new plating laws?
I bet that's a blast on the fire roads too!!!!

Watch thumpertalk and smj for wheels.
The WR has an 18 rear.. should be easy to pick up for cheap.

james1300 · 02-03-2012, 09:28 AM

Awsome! Have you considered a 17" rear?

SpinCycle · 02-03-2012, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by sunofnun

Damn that's doing it the hard way!!!!!!

Have you got all the street parts wired yet? Have you asked the state about the new plating laws?
I bet that's a blast on the fire roads too!!!!

Watch thumpertalk and smj for wheels.
The WR has an 18 rear.. should be easy to pick up for cheap.

I didn't take a pic of it for obvious reasons but there is an Oregon plate on there and yes a ligit registration.

Yea, everything is working.
I have been after a WR wheel for a few months now..no luck.

slo rider · 02-03-2012, 10:09 AM

Looks clean.....and oddly like a WR.

Is it that hard to get a plate in Oregon, or were you just trying to make it as legit as possible?

Rippn · 02-03-2012, 11:06 AM

SCHWEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SALUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
FREE and clean, Ripp'n

jnicola · 02-03-2012, 11:09 AM

Cool stuff. My WR400 is plated already, just need to sort out the street legal thing. Should be a bit easier since I already have the plate though and the headlight/tail light setup.

JTR · 02-03-2012, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by james1300

Awsome! Have you considered a 17" rear?

Why would he want to do that? (serious question) (I'd think it'd limit tire selection too..)

What am I missin'?

JIMMYRAY31B · 02-03-2012, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by JTR

Why would he want to do that? (serious question) (I'd think it'd limit tire selection too..)

What am I missin'?

Supermoto

JTR · 02-03-2012, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by JIMMYRAY31B

Supermoto

had a

moment and didnt read thru that, but NOW I get it

SpinCycle · 02-03-2012, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by jnicola

Cool stuff. My WR400 is plated already, just need to sort out the street legal thing. Should be a bit easier since I already have the plate though and the headlight/tail light setup.

Yea, much easier and cheaper to start with a WR...

RCJIM · 02-06-2012, 04:13 PM

yours looks a little nicer than mine

dacon · 02-06-2012, 04:52 PM

They sure are fun. I realized I am not mature enough to have a super moto at my disposal. Still regret selling :(

DasBroose · 02-16-2012, 08:54 AM

Nice project. I have a similar dream for a YZ450F.


02-03-2012, 09:12 AM	#1
SpinCycle Peg Dragger Joined: Dec 2007 From: Eugene, OR I Ride: A bunch of Clown bikes..	YZ426F "Dual Sport" Latest update, we have lights and it is charging and all is well with the electrics. I took in on a shake down ride to see if anything melted down or if anything came apart. It hasn't been ridden hardly at all since last summer. It's all good ..so far. It's been a fairly difficult project to convert a full on MX dirt bike into something that can pass as a road legal dual sport, So here's a list of all the mods that I had to do to get to this point. First off I started with a very nice YZ426F. All original, very well taken care of by the previous owner. So I started by buying a "Dual Sport" kit from Pro-Cycle over in Springfield, it was fairly complete with headlight, taillight, turn signals, a simple wiring harness made in their shop. Then I had to figure a way to power it because the YZ had no charging system, luckily the WR426F came with a headlight and taillight and... a charging system. Same motor, just had to change the stator and flywheel for the WR parts. Not cheap though! It was all plug..and NO play! After installing the stator the bike wouldn't start and had no spark at the plug. Alot of checking online and I discovered that other people doing this same swap had to also switch to the WR CDI for the ignition. I also found info that the YZ CDI could be modified to work with the WR charging system..but nobody could remember how to do it. Awesome. Finally got some real direction from RickyStator.com and the bike fired! I needed a speedo so I bought a Trail Tech Vapor, easy install and works fine. The factory dirt bike gearing had to be changed and I just went up one tooth in the front, it's still kinda low for the street but may be alot of gear for the trail. The ultimate solution would be the WR gearbox, WR means Wide Ratio. MX bikes don't have kickstands, Trail Tech also makes kickstands for dirt bikes. Go figure. So I still have a couple hurdles, the rear wheel on MX bikes are 19" and wheels on every dual sport out there are 18". I haven't found a DOT legal DS tire that will fit the 19" wheel so I may have to have Pro-Cycle lace an 18" hoop on the factory YZ hub in order to find acceptable tires. Wiley thinks I should just pop for Supermoto wheels and yes that would solve the problem and lower the bike a tad but it has a cost! I changed the fuel tank out for a larger Clarke tank, I think the factory one was 1.3gal and no reserve on the petcock. The Clarke tank gives something like 3.5gal and I sourced a WR petcock that does have a reserve. The exaust had to be changed, it had an FMF Power Core 4 on it and you could hear it for 3 blocks! No kidding it was freeking loud! Like "Harley dudes stare" loud! Another $300 for an FMF Q4 and now it sounds like a KLR or something fairly quiet. Impressive but it may have lost a touch of snap off the throttle. OK, so was it worth it? Thats hard to answer. You could buy a DRZ400 or something like that and have a ready made bike that would be way better on the street than the YZ but off road the YZ wins easily. It only weighs 250# and is as tough as it gets. The DRZ is over 300# but does have electric start. Not a huge issue, the YZ fires on one or two kicks. Not too many YZs running around on the street so it is exclusive. It's a blast to ride! It's hard not to go wheelie crazy..so I don't know, maybe. I guess if you have a dirt bike and the state hands you a plate for it then YEP! It's worth it I'll get some pics up and maybe Wiley will let me do a GoPro video with his camera.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-03-2012, 09:28 AM	#2
sunofnun Retired Joined: Feb 2005 From: lynnhood I Ride: KTM 625 smc \| TL1000S/R \| wr450 \| CB350 \| CRF50/88 \| TTR50 \| your mom	Damn that's doing it the hard way!!!!!! Have you got all the street parts wired yet? Have you asked the state about the new plating laws? I bet that's a blast on the fire roads too!!!! Watch thumpertalk and smj for wheels. The WR has an 18 rear.. should be easy to pick up for cheap. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by sunofnun; 02-03-2012 at 09:30 AM..


02-03-2012, 09:28 AM	#3
james1300 Track School Dazed Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can	Awsome! Have you considered a 17" rear? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-03-2012, 10:09 AM	#5
slo rider Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2006 From: Granite Falls, Wa I Ride: 06 KTM 250SXF, 09 Husky WR125, 04 KTM 950	Looks clean.....and oddly like a WR. Is it that hard to get a plate in Oregon, or were you just trying to make it as legit as possible? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-03-2012, 11:06 AM	#6
Rippn Human Race Qualifier FREE and clean Joined: Apr 2007 From: soap lake wa. I Ride: 00kaw12r, 97 tls1000, 96gsxr1260 turbo freakshow, kz1300gt, 88gsxr1100, 86gsxr750, 82gsx1100ez, 79kz1300, 75 ducati750gts, 72 gt550 cafe	SCHWEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SALUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! FREE and clean, Ripp'n __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-03-2012, 11:09 AM	#7
jnicola Shredical Joined: Aug 2009 From: Mt Hood OR Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 01 Yamaha YZ250 / 99 Yamaha WR400F (DIRT)	Cool stuff. My WR400 is plated already, just need to sort out the street legal thing. Should be a bit easier since I already have the plate though and the headlight/tail light setup. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-06-2012, 04:13 PM	#12
RCJIM Licensed Joined: Sep 2008 From: Lake Tapps,WA I Ride: with my little tiny hairy bean bag....out	yours looks a little nicer than mine __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-06-2012, 04:52 PM	#13
dacon Training Wheels Joined: Nov 2011 From: Vancouver, B.C	They sure are fun. I realized I am not mature enough to have a super moto at my disposal. Still regret selling :( __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by dacon; 02-06-2012 at 08:44 PM..


02-16-2012, 08:54 AM	#14
DasBroose Streetfighter Joined: May 2008 From: The DubSea I Ride: when I think nobody's looking.	Nice project. I have a similar dream for a YZ450F. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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