WP4860's on my XChallenge-First impressions

The only problem with using KTM triples is that the space between them is less than the OE triples and as a consequence you lose a considerable amount of steering lock. This is not a problem for fast open trails but is an issue for more technical and slower sections. Many people have warned me off this conversion due to this.

The latest thinking is to use the OE forks with shiver internals as these are a less sticky fork than the 43mm WP's. The problem with the 43mm WP forks is that some work great and others don't. Very much dependent on how everything is clamped up. The Marzocchi's don't seem to suffer this problem.

I have some WP4357MXMA which I will have available very soon. Revalved and sprung for an XC. They have done about 20,000kms overland but are externally excellent condition. They will need a service but will bolt straight into the XC triples and I have the correct brake caliper bracket too.

The stickyness of WP's can be significantly reduced by using SKF's new stiction free fork seals. They aren't cheap, but do make a huge difference on the initial movement of the fork.
 
YOu can try all sorts but the fact remains the marzocchi shivers are better forks in my opinion.
 
My Dakar has a YZ front end and yokes which doesn't incorporate a steering lock. I now also have a GPR V4 steering damper from a WR450 that I wanted to fit.

A bit of 3D design work and a contact with some 6082T6 and a CNC milling machine.

top%20yoke%206_1_zpsr5bkvs1x.jpg


top%20yoke%206_2_zpszbu8fnwn.jpg


3A6D738E-30B4-4569-9070-20B746D7822C_zpsdrzghytg.jpg


C9F3EA28-F073-431E-A4AD-7BB1B1D1923C_zpsrrhsktw1.jpg


Cost of materials and machining was £120. The design cost was just my time.

Hi,
Great work, these look very very good indeed.
Could you make a 3D design of the stock triple clamps?
I have stripped threads on mine and been looking for some time for someone who could fabricate CNC machined ones.
It would be much easier if I had the 3D design.
 
Love my Marzoccho Shivers with custom Hyperpro rebuild by Bas at Hyperpro. Completely changes my bike
 
Love my Marzoccho Shivers with custom Hyperpro rebuild by Bas at Hyperpro. Completely changes my bike

I remembered the smile on your face when you came back in after that first test ride Peter :D

i-DmVtcB5-L.jpg


How's the fridge for Lefe?

:beerjug:
 
Is there another issue of the spacing between the forks being less than the originals cutting down on the cut on the steering?
I sent my front forks out to HotRod Welding to be machined to allow 45mm Marzocchi Shivers to bit in original tubes. Machining allows adjustment at bottom of forks. Bas at Hyperpro then fitted the Shivers, new seals, progressive springs, oil etc for a lot less than £1000!

You purchased the forks and had all that work done by the names mentioned for less than a grand.....really? So I guess you are still running a standard front wheel of cheese?
 
YOu can try all sorts but the fact remains the marzocchi shivers are better forks in my opinion.

The difference I can not tell between, I have bikes here with both forks on, and set-up very similar to my style of plodding..... both perform as well as each other.
Owners tend to fit whatever can be sourced for their budget, the 690eR forks are fairly easy to obtain and give excellent results per buck.

Whilst I'm on.....anyone had any joy sourcing a rear wheel without a cush-drive?
 
Whilst I'm on.....anyone had any joy sourcing a rear wheel without a cush-drive?

Still not found an Aprilia SXV hub? Have you spoken to Talon at all?

I'm still waiting for cush drive rubbers to turn up :(
 
You purchased the forks and had all that work done by the names mentioned for less than a grand.....really? So I guess you are still running a standard front wheel of cheese?

Yes and yes. I bought a second hand pair of X Challenge forks off one of the guys on here. Posted them to Eric at HotRod welding. Eric stripped the forks down, had the bottom lathed so as to allow adjustment top and bottom for the Shivers. A few weeks later I rode the bike over to Holland and met Bas. He already had my forks and set about setting up and fitting front forks. Whilst there Bas (having much experience of these little bikes) made many small tweaks and improvements. Also had larger foot rests fitted and a rear shock built to match. Yes my bill was circa €1000! And given the great exchange rate at the time was very reasonable.

I use the standard X Country wheels for road and easy lane use. I later purchased a set of new take off X Challenge rims, which have worked fine up to now. I've a good few thousand miles done off road, good speed on trails and single track in Spain. And more gnarly terrain in Ireland North and South. For now the wheels will do, when my "cheese" rims fail I'll replace the rims and spokes with more focuses rims. Until then my little 650 continues to surprise me. So 6000 miles later I'm very happy. Much more happy than with my old X Challenge. Even managed joint 2nd on it at the Paddy Dakar this year. Maybe my fat ass places more weight on the back of the bike saving the front wheel or my optician is better than others. But in answer to your "really" question the answer is YES SIR. It can be done for under £1k sterling.
 
Hi Micky
My good lady always keeps a couple of Leffe in the fridge, she's good to me! Yes I remember the difference well. In fact landing off a 70mph off road jump this past Autumn brought than stupid grin back, nearly fell off laughing how smooth it landed without fuss, even with Magadan luggage on board. Bas' work was worth every penny. The harder I push the bike and my luck the more I'm surprised by it.
 
Last edited:
It can be done for under £1k sterling.

Peter, yes it can, as mine came in at approx £500, having done all the enginering myself. The forks were £200, the 950SE bracket was £50-ish and the new front wheel was £250-ish.
I also fitted an Ohlins rear shock during the build, and all-in-all the bike turned out to be one of the best bikes I have used on sand tracks.
If I was to do the conversion again, I have a few things I would do different.....but that is for another thread, not this one.
The only thing I would like to do next to the bike is improve fuelling, as it seems to be very lean just off tick-over and gives a little hesitation if using it on tighter single track trails.
Oh, and the rear cush-drive as I mentioned must go!
 
Sounds like a trip to Hilltop in Leicester. I had my bike set up there, one of the best mods to the bike. I also had thought of Ohlins rear but were expensive for me. The custom fit and service I got at Hyperpro was very impressive. Some time in the future I intend to modify an 800gs Hilltop, Hyperpro and HotRod Welding will be first mods on my list. It's good everyone has different approaches and views otherwise the world would be a duller place.
 
The only thing I would like to do next to the bike is improve fuelling, as it seems to be very lean just off tick-over and gives a little hesitation if using it on tighter single track trails.
Oh, and the rear cush-drive as I mentioned must go!

Had my Xcountry to Hilltop a couple of years ago, marvellous, really sorts the fuelling. Yes, they're very weak as standard .... Geoff really made the 'bike an absolute delight to ride. Pulls like a steam train from low revs, and doesn't use any more fuel :thumb

:beerjug:
 
Presumably you need a power commander or some sort though, as I don't recall anyone mentioning that our ECUs were open to play with. I should have got mine done really.
 
Sounds like a trip to Hilltop in Leicester. I had my bike set up there, one of the best mods to the bike.

Had my Xcountry to Hilltop a couple of years ago, marvellous, really sorts the fuelling. Yes, they're very weak as standard .... Geoff really made the 'bike an absolute delight to ride. Pulls like a steam train from low revs, and doesn't use any more fuel

It is the low to mid range of the throttle that feels weak. as I said, just the area of throttle you would use if riding a technical section or single track. The full throttle appears to be fine, and fuel consumption is excellent.
I'll give the bloke at Hilltop a call. What sort of prices are we looking at for his services?
 
It is the low to mid range of the throttle that feels weak. as I said, just the area of throttle you would use if riding a technical section or single track. The full throttle appears to be fine, and fuel consumption is excellent.
I'll give the bloke at Hilltop a call. What sort of prices are we looking at for his services?

You should be able to get it done at Chester Motorrad, I had the XC, that Ange briefly, done there for free, certainly improved the vagueness at low revs.
 
Presumably you need a power commander or some sort though, as I don't recall anyone mentioning that our ECUs were open to play with. I should have got mine done really.

No Power Commander required ... just a remap by Geoff at Hilltop. Worth every penny :thumb

It is the low to mid range of the throttle that feels weak. as I said, just the area of throttle you would use if riding a technical section or single track. The full throttle appears to be fine, and fuel consumption is excellent.
I'll give the bloke at Hilltop a call. What sort of prices are we looking at for his services?

After the Hilltop Remap the Xcountry just pulls like a steam train all the way through. OK, sounds daft, but believe me it becomes soooo smooooth. None of the chunkiness of a big single pop pop popping along the roads'n tracks. Will bimble along in a thirty limit in fourth gear and yet have instant acceleration, no struggling for breath. As for price you'll have to ring Geoff ... we got a deal for four of us in the day :thumb

You should be able to get it done at Chester Motorrad, I had the XC, that Ange briefly, done there for free, certainly improved the vagueness at low revs.

I guess that was just the BMW Software update though Tim ... not a complete remap, rolling road, sniffer up the exhaust etc.

:beerjug:
 


Back
Top Bottom