Atc250es-x

[djm0242]

Well once again I found myself wrestling with the removal of my front tire to replace and or diagnose the lack of stopping power from my front brakes. The last time I did this about a year and half ago I managed to damage the threads in the lower aluminum fork tube and had to locate a new one as well as replace the axle. So faced with this I decided to do a little upgrade. I wanted it to look great and work well whilst maintaining the things I love about my BR. I love my front rack and basket. I love the looks of the 250ES. So after getting a little info from some guys on this site and watching some vids on YouTube I decided on the 86' 350x front end. The biggest issue was learning how to install a new bearing conversion kit from All Balls. Which was a piece of cake. I really didn't want to reuse the 30 year old loose ball bearings. I knew I'd lose half of them during disassembly anyway. The next item was rebuilding the forks- again very easy. I've rebuilt many forks these were no different. So I still have some final adjustments to make but thought you might like the results of my project so far.

[djm0242]

[djm0242]

almost forgot the front straight on.

[Jmoozy27]

Nice build!!! I guess I will play the devils advocate here but the front tire looks noticeably smaller than the rest. Did you do that due to the length of the forks? How does it ride?

[djm0242]

In short it's amazing! It's a 24" tire the back are 26" I still have my other matching front rim but the offset and bolt pattern will require a custom adapter to reduce 170 down to 110 and I'd need another tire that's 8" instead of 10" wide. I'll continue to toy around with that idea but the front rim that matches the rears is so much heavier than that stock 86 aluminum that's on there now. I also didn't want some crazy geometry with a taller tire. ithose forks are incredible for ride quality.

[kebby28]

I've been thinking of a solution for the front tire for years now and I think the best bet for me would be to try and buy one of those 10" rims that people were buying in bulk on here in the past. That would give a better selection of an 8" wide tire that could be taller to match my 26" rears... But, then my front end would sit higher and I already slid the forks up an 1 1/2"...

[djm0242]

Yeah it's just such a strange size wheel pattern. 4/170 I think . My bike was a monster with all the heavy stuff. I may just go with smaller rear wheels and tires. I could shave 50lbs off the weight maybe more by the time I lose the adapters too. Thanks again Kebby, a appreciate your help sir!

[djm0242]

So tell me what you think, these are 22x10-9 on stock wheels. I weighed my ss212's they are 14" wheels with 8plys. They were 44lbs! The stock wheels with tires here are Ambush 22"s. They weigh 24lbs each. If I go with these there will be an instant 60lb weight reduction!

[atcmatt]

Will top out pretty quick with 22's on the rear. Im always looking for another gear on my 250es with 25's on it!

[Jmoozy27]

I went with 26" bearclaws for the back and 25" mud lite for the front w/ a 200x front end and it fit well. It sits level and rides good.

[djm0242]

Looks great sir. I was going to use the 200x forks as well. The heavy rake and the front caliper being on the opposite side was the reason I went with the 350x instead and the other factor was the larger diameter tubes. The 86 350x caliper that I used was designed for easier, faster pad swaps when they wear out. It takes like 10 minutes to change them and I no longer have to pull the front wheel off. I will miss my huge wheels and tires. It was unstoppable.. In more than one way! I'm going to sell my 14's.

[Jmoozy27]

My BR actually came with the 200x front end when I got it. But it looked nothing like in the pic. I couldn't even tell what it was. At first I thought it was an sx. But countless hours later and slot of lessons learned it came out pretty good. I just wish there would be a solid rear suspension upgrade for the es/sx. I hear the 300ex is a direct swap and a decent one. I will eventually delve into this when I get back into my BR. I have just had the need for speed lately.

[djm0242]

I hear ya... My bike had no tank, no plastics, the rear brake was locking the flat tires in place. The rear brake arm actuator was held back by what appeared to be a screen door spring. All the bearings were bad on the rear axle and the engine was locked up by the air box that had lid removed. It was like a pot holding water and of course the intake valve was open so the cylinder had a huge rust ring holding the piston in place. I got the bike for $100. Had it running three days later. Marvel is great stuff. I never had to do a ring job on it. I think the 300ex is a chain driven bike. I wonder how the axle can be used. I'll check it out.

[Jmoozy27]

Not the axle, the rear shock, I was mentioning a suspension upgrade. Anyway, that's a cool story, I've only marvel mystery oil for industrial applications. Mine had bad rear bearings as well, those 200x shocks needed an absolute rebuild, they didn't even have the right springs. That's why I got the progressive springs. This is what it looked like before.

[djm0242]

Oh man! You are right.. Total make over.. It's a shame what people do to their poor bikes.