Modifications made to my new Viva VX200SX!

[SamM]

Cool, where do you find 10mm washers? We don't have metric anything here! Metric wrenches, that's it.

[SamM]

Urethane spacers would be nice too!

[TheOtherRide]

Did you try Ace Hardware? They seem to have the best metric selection here, anyway.

[red2003]

Sam, I found the washers and nylon spacers right at the local Aubachon Hardware store.

[SamM]

Well, it's a roller again. Just temporarily though. I spent all of lastnight working on the bike. The rear mount was moved back but is now very close to the rear tire. It's not going to hit and this bike will mostly be used to commute to work on. It won't be an issue and I can still move the tire back about a half an inch. I need to clean up the mount with a grinder, so it all must come apart again. You can see another hole above where I mounted the dogbone. If I get a shorter bolt I may be able to use it but the other hole is not necessary. The mount is set up for the longer R1 shock. I'll mount that shock up after I get the proper spacers.

Anyway here it is! Yeah, it looks like crap I know! Any thoughts? How bad did I do? At least the suspension moves now! I may cut the mount back some to get more tire clearance.







In these next pictures, you can see how I rerouted the KTM brakeline. I used a Buell brakeline bracket to replace the stock bracket on the fork clamp. It holds the brakeline much better and much tighter than the stock bracket did.

[red2003]

Sam, after all your hard work, I am afraid you're gonna be real disappointed with that shock setup. Once you get the shock back out, lift up on the swing arm with the linkage still attached. You're gonna top out that scissor with only a few inches of wheel travel . The trouble is as the swingarm moves up, the linkage is pulled apart and the way it is set up stock the linkage is just too short. Not trying to rain on your parade, but I know how hard you have worked on this and I want it to be satisfying for you in the end. Let me know if I can help out any.

[SamM]

red2003,
You're exactly right! I'm not satisfied at all, but I want to ride! Honestly, I'll probably rebuild the complete bike next winter. This is just a temporary fix, so I can ride it this summer. I just wanted it beefy enough so I don't have to worry about it folding up on me during my ride to work. I'd like to move the mount back under the swingarm where it originally was. It's going to take me some time to find the spacers and bolts I need to make the R1 shock work. I understand what you did with your mount and linkage and I appreciate you sharing that info. I may contact you later for some help! Once I find the proper spacers I may have another go at it.

I found time to mount some new turnsignals and a new reflector (under the plate) on the rear of the bike too. The front turnsignals will need new brackets to move them out where they can be seen. I'm ordering those today along with some other things I need.

[red2003]

Best of luck Sam. You have earned a ride on that bad boy! Go tear it up. The road I mean, not the bike .

[SamM]

Thanks! This has turned out to be more than I expected. The lack of metric bolts in my area and the little odds and ends, like spacers has worn me out. I looked high and low for a month.

I just need a break for now!

[fatboy250]

SamM,
Is there anyway to post the pics in your gallery?

From the ones I can see, it really looks good. I really do like the blue wheels. I think they would look kinda nice on the Roketard.

Jason

[IronFist]

I'm confused. (I know nothing new :? ) Can't you get a Canadian or British Chinarider to pick you up the nuts and bolt you need? And maybe a fancy set of metric sockets and wrenches? Crappy metric bolts are everywhere up here, the higher grade bolts are harder to find, but you can get them, just not at a local hardware store. Just an idea, you don't have to reply. N2r.

[frostbite]

For my metric fasteners I go here:

www.fastenal.com

They have retail outlets all over US and Canada.

I even purchased one of these handy units

[img]/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=216&g 2_serialNumber=2[/img]

[AZ200cc]

Also for nuts bolts and etc check out Dorman..Most auto parts stores stock this brand And You can get parts numbers right from the website.
It can be a pain to sift through but it might help. You don't have to be a member to search the site either.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-b...73&vtime=49873

[pumpkin]

sam and i have both tried fasnal they have a store here in town ,but when my engine mount bolt broke they said we only sell pack of 50 or 100 . i would of had to bought 100 bolts to get the one i wanted. anyway thier selection of in stock metric fasners leaves alot to be desired, but yes in a day or so and if you want 100 they can get just about anything.

[frostbite]

they said we only sell pack of 50 or 100

You must have a lousy vendor. I purchase single stainless steel metric bolts/nuts from my local Fastenal with no problems.