Another zook 400 conversion.

[broke]

G'day All,

First post so I'd better introduce myself a little, Ross is my name. I've been riding dirtbikes off and on again when I can afford it for the last 10 or so years, mainly around the Avoca hill's and on our family farm north of Bendigo. Previous rides include ts185, klx 250, ktm 400 and after 4 years without a bike I've only just recently purchased a drz 400.

Never really ridden much on tar until I got this bike as I'm now returned to uni, living in melbourne commuting into everyday. I've put road tyres on the standard rims, as the knobbies didn't offer much grip at all in the wet :shock: but I am looking at converting to 17's for better tyre choice, handling and so I don't have to keep changing tyres when I want to go bush for the weekend.

As the nickname suggest I'm on a pretty tight budget so I'm looking at a set of road wheels, I've notice rgv's are quite popular but I couldn't find anyone in the previous posts who has actually put them on a drz? I measured a set of fzr 250 wheels at the wreckers the other day, they were correct spacing between rear disc and sprocket but axles sizes were wrong so I would need to change bearings. I've access to a lathe and a mate who is a fitter an turner so I will certainly be able to do a fair bit of modification myself. I guess what I'm after is general advice from people with more experience in converting then myself to see what I'm really in for.

Cheers Ross

P.s As Dennis Denuto said (The castle) it's all about the vibe, this forum seems to have "the vibe"

[Muzzard]

Welcome Ross.
There are a few options as you are aware.
The FZR wheels are a relatively easy swap as you have already identified the correct wheel hub width and bearings shouldn't be too much of a hassle to source.
The front will need an adapter to match either the 310 front disc off the FZR to the caliper which should be the FZR one as well.
You can have a disc made by Aussie Bike Discs that will fit the hub pattern of the FZR but with no offset to match a Nissin 2 pot caliper and 320 offset adapter.
Custom cut the rear disc as well to get the right diameter.
Very little machining, only the wheel spacers and caliper adapter bracket depending on which way you go there.
It is really an easy conversion Ross if you think about what you are doing and dont rush it.
We will still be here when you run into any hurdle and willing to help if we can mate ;)

[MarkeeMark]

Welcome mate!
Plenty of info here, like Muzz said go for it.

[shane]

hi mate
why dont you just put the 17's on you standard huds , that way everything still fits and you can up grad the front brake latter when you have extra funds .
muzz has some great rims and very good prices i think it would be a cheaper way to go .

[Wobbly]

Welcome Ross! :up: Fitting different axle sizes is fairly easy if there's only a few mm in it - check out the bearing ID and work out what your axle size is, then write down your bearing numbers and go to your local CBC - they'll be able to work out whether they can source a bearing with the same OD and the ID that you need. If you need to step down a bit then you can always get some spacers made up as carriers, which is what I managed to find to step down the 20mm axle on my front wheel to the tiny KDX 17mm front axle. Of course with FZR wheels its probably the other way around, needing to find a bearing with a larger ID to fit up to the 20mm DRZ axle.

Anyways, post away and we'll help as much as we can :)

[broke]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes,

At this stage I'm planning on still doing a fair bit of bush work thanks shane so I want to keep the standard hubs as is. Has anyone managed to crack/damage a set of road wheels on their motard yet? I don't want to go to the effort and expense then six months later have to fork out for proper rims anyway, might as well wait just save for a bit longer and get better rims to start with.

[Wobbly]

I haven't heard of anyone cracking cast rims around here, but it depends on how much abuse you intend on giving them, which probably comes down to how much time you see yourself jumping it in motard guise :?:

[broke]

Not heaps I spose but i guess you never know :)

[broke]

G'day again I was wondering if any had a ZX6r wheels or knew of the size between rear rotor and sprocket. There is a set on egay at the moment close by. Or alternatively if they definitely won't fit into the 400 let me know that as well.
Cheers Ross

[SMC690]

G'day again I was wondering if any had a ZX6r wheels or knew of the size between rear rotor and sprocket. There is a set on egay at the moment close by. Or alternatively if they definitely won't fit into the 400 let me know that as well.
Cheers Ross

PM Sibbo as he might be kind enought to get his tape measure out and check on one of his 3 ZX6's once he gets back from killing things in the country.

[broke]

The conversion has begun! I managed to pick up a fzr 250 rear wheel complete of ebay for $50 today, the tyre is about 80% a dunlop arrowmax. Now just to source a front and then it can begin in earnest :)

[SMC690]

the tyre is about 80% a dunlop arrowmax.


If you want to ride hard then swap that off for something like a GPR unless you like skin grafts. Not the grippiest tyre on the planet especially when giving it some...

[dangermouse1100]

Actually thats what i started with on the rear, wasn't that bad. But then again i was/am a beginner.

[Muzzard]

Actually thats what i started with on the rear, wasn't that bad. But then again I was/am a beginner.
And that didnt last too long either Dave.
A couple of my old take offs didn't either, I think a track day a piece :lol:

Good buy Ross,
Does it have the complete hub and sprocket as well as the tyre?
It will keep you in the shed for a while as soon as you lay hands on it no doubt ;)

[broke]

I went and picked it up last night, it's complete and the cush rubbers appear to be in good nick. One more week of exams and then back up to farm for a while where I can have a play with it. Hopefully by then i will have the front as well! :)

[Muzzard]

Even better Ross,
You scored well with good rubbers and all ;)
Look forward to the progress reports mate

[ktm450]

Hi Broke,
I have done a few motard conversions, you have probably read the write ups in here already, they will give you a quick overview.
http://www.vsmr.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1938
http://www.vsmr.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2130

Nothing is impossible, you just have to work harder to make some rims fit!! :acid:
I just finished a set of RGV rims to suit a 07 CRF450X, boy was that hard work :banghead:
Good luck with your conversion :)

[broke]

G'day KTM,

I had read about your conversion's already, it certainly gives me an idea of what can be achieved. I sat my rear wheel in the swing arm today, it seems to fit pretty well. The rear rotor is the correct diameter but is probably 1mm thicker then the drz's and I will need to change the bolts holding it on to countersunk ones to clear the caliper. Then find correct bearings if possible to use the drz axle, the fzr one is tiny, correct sprocket and and spacers and away we go! What could possibly go wrong :) :shock:

[ktm450]

Thats the spirit :D
I hope your mate has access to a big lathe that you can fit your rim up in, then you can fit the bearings you need to run your original axles. The front is much easier to find a suitable donor rim for, then just spin up a couple of spacers. Have fun!

[broke]

Not sure how we will go, the farm that has the one we normally use has just been sold so I will have to get in quick before settlement. Will find out next week.