well were into winter now and it's time to start the build process like most, so my so my bike will be done in time for riding season.

started out with a stroked yfz 450 (built to 502) and it was time for a routine top end build. At that time I ran across a good deal on a 05 R1 motor set and decided to rebuild my 502 and sell it.

Around the same time I met a friend who had a shop modify his frame for a R1 YFZ 450 and we decided that we liked the design of the frame modification but not the execution by the shop (how they ran the frame tubes and mounted them looked sloppy) and being mechanically inclined we decided we could do it better our self's!

stock frame stripped down:

you think you will have it done by the Raptor rally?

Mounted on my welding table and started chopping:
the plan is to continue the cut down from the top tube (in the front you can see the marks)all the way to split the frame into two, add 3" of length for more room in the engine bay weld it back together. Chop it again where the steering stem bearing is and add another 3" in length to the front of the frame. The thought process behind this to add more length to the front in order to prevent the front end from digging into the sand while launching due to the weight of the motor and provide more stability

Keep postin pics as you go. I have a 05 yfz roller one day I will drop the 05 gsxr 1000 motor I have in it. For now I am going to just keep talking about it........

once I cut the rest of the bottom tube free I will use 1" 4130 chromoloy tubing (cut half moons out of the frame below where this tube is pictured) I will also make 45 degree cuts on the ends of the tube and start building my bottom tubes for my engine bay[IMG][/IMG]

the plan is to have it done for the rally! I hope to have the motor in soon. I just need to get the rest of the engine bay cut out then I plan to use a cherry picker to lift the motor to the right height then cut and attach some angle iron to the side motor mounts of the engine so I have it held at the right height and I can move it around to get the sprockets aligned perfect (PBI is the place to go you can order from there web site and they will send them right to you)

right now I'm trying to decide what size rear sprocket to run with( front is 14) I see some guys are running 52 and some are running 54, my buddy is running a 54 and likes it so i'm leaning that way, any input from another liter bike swap rider?

Got the sprockets ordered from PBI, qualified for free shipping went with 14t front and a 54t rear

looks like a sick build so far man keep at it

nice build, I'm doing a zx10 on a 06 raptor. its fun as he(( honestly. in fact i wanted to see your build so far, now I'm about to get off my laptop and hit the garage to start with framing up and welding. good luck and keep us posted!