SM to Dirt( well ice )

hey 652berg,

21" and 18" wheels will drop right in. the swingarms are is basically the same, so no worries there. your issue will be that the Beringer caliper will not fit with the 21" wheel (hits the spokes). your best bet is to find a set of FE suspension and front brake ***'y. for the ice you want the extra ground clearance of the FE because of the exteme lean angles. If you do decide to got down that road I have a complete, just serviced FE rear shock and spring I could part with ($400). PM me if you're interested.

alternatively you should be able to disassemble and rework the FS suspension to get the additional travel, but that still leaves you with the radial front brake mount on the left fork leg.

Nizzo

Nizzo, you finally get to flex some muscle on the forum!!!

652.. Nizzo is a god on the ice..and with the wrench..worth a pm or two

you bet, KTM forks will work.

ride height on the ice has more to do with peg clearance, than rider height. Raised pegs would certainly help. But we find that on the rougher courses often times not only will the pegs drag, but we will actually fold up the pegs and case the frame due to lean angle...not fun cause the whole backend quickly unloads for a moment. So a lower ride height would result in the frame hitting the ice at less extreme lean angles.

Now all this is can be a moot point depending on your tires of choice...some tires like to be backed in (less lean angle), while some promote more of a carving or moto style.

If you're aiming to keep ice as affordable as possible then I would prep the bike as follows:
-stay with the SM suspension
-purchase the left lower fork clamp from an FE (under $300 Cdn new) and install on your fork
-find a complete FE front brake system (used I would think about $200)
-and run the 18/21 combo, with FE front rotor (the SM rotor is too wide for the FE caliper)

The 18/21 wheels will still give you way better ground clearance than the 17's (not to mention who makes competitive 17's for the ice?). ...not sure but you may also find the SM valving a little harsh late in the day as the ice get rough.

anyways, just my $0.02...hope it helps.
Nizzo

PS. I see you're from the 'Peg. I grew up there. Is there much of an ice racing series in Manitoba? ...Oval or two way endurance?

nizzo said:

hey 652berg,

21" and 18" wheels will drop right in. the swingarms are is basically the same, so no worries there. your issue will be that the Beringer caliper will not fit with the 21" wheel (hits the spokes). your best bet is to find a set of FE suspension and front brake ***'y. for the ice you want the extra ground clearance of the FE because of the exteme lean angles. If you do decide to got down that road I have a complete, just serviced FE rear shock and spring I could part with ($400). PM me if you're interested.

alternatively you should be able to disassemble and rework the FS suspension to get the additional travel, but that still leaves you with the radial front brake mount on the left fork leg.

Nizzo

Click to expand...

Or you could fabricate two 5mm spacers. (ca 0.19inches) (if you'r somewhere in the ball park of 13/64" you'd be okay)
One spacer for the wheel and one for the brake disc, the front wheel will be slightly off center but it works.


/Nick

125's vs.your 550, mmm....I wish I could be there to watch you smoke 'em. Have fun out there!
Nizzo