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Biker test: Frantz
THE DUKE I as they should have released it in ‘95: now
the SUPERMOTO exists
I
wanted to preserve the plastics in their excellent condition
of origin which are painted, varnished and invoiced at more
450 euros (3000 francs) to replace them with enduro models
of 620 LC4 EGS much less expensive 115 euros (755 francs). In
case of fall, it is better for the wallet.
Many
hours were needed to adapt the
rear fender bought used from an EXC
2002, make the dashboard for the ATV speedometer and small dropouts
alu to support its sensors. Beside the meter, I have
kept only one witness, that of oil pressure.
I wanted to recall the origin of the motorcycle, so I
reproduce DUKE and KTM adhesives in self-adhesive boards.
The front fender also from an EXC 2002 is attached to the
triple tree. It was therefore necessary to adapt the fork protections
after manufacture of in-house fasteners and review the passage of the
front brake hose.
The fork crown is replaced by an enduro headlight plate.
Lighting if it is still not approved, that I have
taken care to keep in case of road test and meeting with
a blue car.
Of course I gained weight, over 8 kilos in total
including more than 4 kilos just with the original fork crown
!
Given its excellent condition at the time of purchase,
everything was done in the idea of being able to put it back
100% original which is more complicated hence
the sixty hours needed for this radical change.
Radical is the word because I also changed the ratio
final reduction. Originally in 17 * 38, I switched
in 16 * 40 with at 7500 rpm in 5th, almost 20 km / h less !
I revised and fixed the carburetion, made
multiple time trials to compare different
air box intake configurations.
The motorcycle now turns out to be a genuine
toy, a bicycle with 56 horses! She is even more lively, forgive
minus an excessively generous gas opening but that it is
Well. It rises by itself in 2nd, 3rd, and even in 4th but
on a bump, all without wringing the rubber.
In
this version, it is therefore even more exclusive with its incisive front,
light and therefore difficult to precise. Its engine if it
is requested, has only one desire, to raise the wheel
forward or slide back, beware of the brackets
surprises on dubious coating.
In harsh conditions, it is less physically tiring
(long term) because the steering is lighter but
requires more attention (I am not a VDB or Chambon) on the
motorcycle reactions.
Back to the test
An essay by Frantz.
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