Rally Raid CB500X Adventure Stage 3 Conversion

[McculloughMade]

Hi Rojah,  any chance you could post a pic of your bike before you get the spoked wheels? Im thinking of getting the stage 2 only and was wondering what it might look like.  Im hoping it will look like a super moto which would be fine with me. 
thnx in advance,
Mitch

[Matt F.]

Originally Posted by Chris S

Same with me with that left engine bolt. The alignment was about 5mm forward and messing up that thread would have been bad news. But there's enough flex to lever the bar back off the header pipe and do it up quick. That pivoting pin at the back was a tight squeeze; I think there was rust inside the centre stand mount tube. I cleaned it out and greased it but I think that pin may be in there for good. Everything else lined up fine and there was no resonance once running, as I've found with more slabby bash plates.

Could you finger tighten it like this?  The right side was fine, I still had issues with the left, so at some point I just made my best, most concerted guess and said a prayer.

I've been lucky enough and have limited experience enough to have never cross threaded anything of significance.  Am I correct in thinking that I would not have gotten to the 40nm torque spec if I'd botched it?  Once tightened it looks like it's in straight anyway....

All in all, I'm very happy with the engine guard.  Hell, I think it even looks better, but I guess that's not really the point.

[Dukie]

it wont look at all bad, it's only raised 2 inches with the stage 2 +3 kits so i cant see it being an issue for apperance.
having seen the full ocnversion in the flesh the build quality is exceptional

[Dukie]

piglet said this "

With regard to the front engine mounts - it seems to be a trait with the CB500 frame that when you undo those front bolts, the frame springs forward about a 1/4 inch or so - indeed other people have also commented on this when fitting upper engine guards etc. in the main CB500X thread.

I found the most satisfactory solution is to use a tyre lever or something similar against the header pipes, to apply enough pressure to the front of the engine mount tube to push it back into line - and it can certainly help to have an extra pair of hands around while you insert the bolt.

It is particularly noticeable on the left hand side as you say."

[Matt F.]

Yep, that was in response to me, I think....on the ADV site, right?

[theloop]

Originally Posted by Dukie

it wont look at all bad, it's only raised 2 inches with the stage 2 +3 kits so i cant see it being an issue for apperance.
having seen the full ocnversion in the flesh the build quality is exceptional

If the only difference in the stage 2 and 3 kit are the spoke wheels, wouldn't a bike with a stage 2 kit sit one inch lower in the front than a bike with the stage 3 kit?  Since one would have a 17 inch wheel, and the other would have a 19 inch wheel.

[visualizerent]

Here's a fun comparison video I shot yesterday of my Rally Raid stage 3 conversion vs the stock CB500X and the V-Strom 650 Adventure...enjoy!

Juan
Nevada City, CA.

[easy_rider_77]

Originally Posted by Rojah

Hi there,

I had the Rally Raid Stage 2 Adventure Kit fitted this week (the Stage 3 wheels are currently out of stock and will be fitted next month).

The kit was fitted by Martin Whittering at Torque Racing near Royston

www.torqueracing.net

What a set up and workshop, shop and training facility catering for off road riding. I arrived at 9.00am and by 4.00pm the kit had been fitted by Martin without issue. Donna dropped me off at the local station so that I could spend some time in Cambridge, and collected me from the station when the bike was ready.

I was much happier in the knowledge that Martin's skills in setting up suspension was infinitely superior to mine, and that Torque Racing had been recommended to me by Rally Raid in the first place.

Anyway my first impressions. The bike looked huge, so tall! I am only 5 foot 6 inches with a 29 inch inside leg. Absolutely no problem at all, OK I can't get both feet flat on the ground, but as the suspension springing is slightly softer than standard, there is some sag or give in the ride height anyway. Yes, it's ball of the feet job, if you put both feet down simultaneously, but I tend to put my dominant right leg down first, keeping my left foot on the footrest, and shuffling slightly to the right of the seat. It is quite natural.

But to ride the bike, I would say that it has been totally transformed. The whole plot glides over bumps, it doesn't crash or judder like the stock suspension. OK, as the bike's 2" taller, then it's a little more perched when going around the twisties, and cornering speeds feel a few mph slower but that will be me not being familiar with the new set up.

There is a bit more front fork dive when braking, bit the feel of what the front tyre is actually doing seems better. Potholes and mid corner bumps are just shrugged off.

The handlebar position is slightly more upright, so the bike feels bigger than it really is, a true long distance adventure bike.

I rode it 200 miles back "up north"' taking 3 hours, and it was happy to ride at 85mph with the flow of traffic where permitting.

So I am a very happy bunny with the kit, and I can't wait to get the wire wheels next month.

Also I cannot recommend Martin and the team at Torue Racing highly enough, it was a pleasure using such a professional outfit.

More later & regards

Rojah

Any chance you can post a pic of your bike with the Stage II kit installed?  This is what I am considering.

[Dukie]

nice video. i found with my 29" inside leg the rally raid stage 3 kit too high but if i was off roading/dirt riding i would do it. Superb kit and hats off to rally raid.
i'm still close to getting the stage 1 kit but havent decided if i kepe the x
 

[JMo]

Hello everyone!

Yes, it is I - Jenny (Piglet is also around, although not in my user name on this forum ;o)

I do apologise for only dipping in here on CB500X.com, and now that my US trip is over, plan to spend a lot more time here answering your questions with regard to the Rally-Raid Products CB500X Adventure kit, plus the associated parts and accessories that are also appropriate for the CB500F and CBR500R too... In fact in that regard, we'll have some very interesting and exciting news soon!

So since Juan has already started off this CB500X Adventure thread in fine style and with an appropriate title, please do continue to post questions here and I'll check in regularly to see how I can help and advise.

I have also been compending my original US trip blog into a more cohesive ride-report, and will be posting it on here on CB500X.com together with some alternative and additional photographs... I trust it will really help to show you all just how capable the CB-X is now as a genuine all-road and all-terrain travel bike...

More soon!

Jenny xx