Research for a Dual Sport Conversion
Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:11 pm
I am no where near ready to start a project that I have had in my mind for a few months now. I have self-titled the project, project ADVeca. Right now I am researching and considering what options are out there, what parts are available within a reasonable budget, what I will have to fabricate, and what is just not feasible...
Right now I am looking at suspension options...I have in mind that I would like to give the bike a new view on life... a taller one. I am wanting to give the bike an all around suspension lift. I have been mulling over the options for a week now and have come up with basically nothing but ideas... The rear of the bike will be a simple mono-shock replacement to restore proper rake to the front of the bike after figuring out what to do with the front suspension.
For the front suspension I have come up with what I think are my 3 best options:
1) Wheel replacement: Just replace the Seca 17" wheel with a 19" or 21" wheel.
This would be the easiest of the three that will accomplish my goal. The 19" wheel from a Suzuki Vstrom has added benefits of a Duel Rotor and being a solid wheel matches quite nicely with the stock Seca rear wheel. But if the hub width is too wide to fit between the forks it won't work. 21" wheels are available all over the place and are spoke wheels but the max rim width I have found is 1.65" and thats not much rubber and will possibly look wierd.
Problems: Hub and Rim widths, Availability of parts I have been looking and just cant find what im looking for within a reasonable budget (under $350)
2) Longer fork tubes: This gives a wide variety of options for wheels including possibly keeping the stock Seca wheel. The only thing I would have to match up with this option is fork tube diameter.
Problems: If i go with this option it might go over the front end budget of $500 but it might end up fitting better.
3) Stock Setup with dirt or Dual Sport (DS) tires
Problems: I don't get the advantage of Higher ground clearance
With options 1 or 2 I get the best possible set up and a larger wheel would resist kickout from ruts or large rocks. And also I was thinking of adding a steering dampener to the mix. I have yet to engineer any plans for the steering dampener, but that is not as important as the suspension upgrade.
If any one has ideas, inputs, part availability options or really anything I am open to suggestions :help: Keep in mind that the project is still in the infant planning stage.
Right now I am looking at suspension options...I have in mind that I would like to give the bike a new view on life... a taller one. I am wanting to give the bike an all around suspension lift. I have been mulling over the options for a week now and have come up with basically nothing but ideas... The rear of the bike will be a simple mono-shock replacement to restore proper rake to the front of the bike after figuring out what to do with the front suspension.
For the front suspension I have come up with what I think are my 3 best options:
1) Wheel replacement: Just replace the Seca 17" wheel with a 19" or 21" wheel.
This would be the easiest of the three that will accomplish my goal. The 19" wheel from a Suzuki Vstrom has added benefits of a Duel Rotor and being a solid wheel matches quite nicely with the stock Seca rear wheel. But if the hub width is too wide to fit between the forks it won't work. 21" wheels are available all over the place and are spoke wheels but the max rim width I have found is 1.65" and thats not much rubber and will possibly look wierd.
Problems: Hub and Rim widths, Availability of parts I have been looking and just cant find what im looking for within a reasonable budget (under $350)
2) Longer fork tubes: This gives a wide variety of options for wheels including possibly keeping the stock Seca wheel. The only thing I would have to match up with this option is fork tube diameter.
Problems: If i go with this option it might go over the front end budget of $500 but it might end up fitting better.
3) Stock Setup with dirt or Dual Sport (DS) tires

Problems: I don't get the advantage of Higher ground clearance
With options 1 or 2 I get the best possible set up and a larger wheel would resist kickout from ruts or large rocks. And also I was thinking of adding a steering dampener to the mix. I have yet to engineer any plans for the steering dampener, but that is not as important as the suspension upgrade.
If any one has ideas, inputs, part availability options or really anything I am open to suggestions :help: Keep in mind that the project is still in the infant planning stage.