Hi all. As the Title says basically. I'm new to the whole 500 camp, so its all new to me still, coming off a 450 prier. I wanted a bike that would pull like a freight train. Still ride single track and place race etc etc (No Dual sporting!). I love the bike and all. But Man, its a heavy mother on the trails. Sand in particular. She don't like Ruts all that much either And picking it up (something I seem to be doing to much of) isn't alot of fun. So I was thinking. What are you bigbore junkies doing to shed the Mass on these beasts? I have a few idea's. Mostly along the lines of running it as a TXC with efi. Maybe a few speed holes here and their.. Interested to here what guys may have done already. Dan
take everything off you don't need- DOT lighting stuff, brackets, horn... get a lifpo battery- and save about 3-4 lbs up high.
Sell it and get a tc450. More what you are looking for. No counter balancer, carb, no lights, 39lbs lighter I bet.
1 big one----OEM TE muffler....@ 8lbs high and way off cg, go lite makes a big difference in handling, after throwing on a 1/2 the weight Ti muffler(TC pipe on my 310) I needed to redo sag, with that weight difference. and it was very noticable while riding. and a Li battery (earth-x) 2 big steps right there.
Just found this thread ! Am a machinist and have my own shop so my '08 TE450 ( with 510 kit ) is going on a diet. I want to moto it. Only thing is it has to keep the plate, reason I bought it in first place. ( suit up from home and head out like the old days before urban sprawl ) I'll be updating later with my mods. Spend the last couple days getting familiar with it. 1/ It came with new Motoz H/T tires, going to exchange those for smaller lighter meat. 2/ It has the arrow, will just add the spark scree is all. 3/ Removed the auto stand pin ( heheh ) and drilled some speed holes on the hardware. 4/ Will be drilling out all non critical bolts 5/ 13/50 gearing on steel sprockets ( the rear will look like the factory sprocket when I'm done ( thinned web and drilled out speed holes. Lightest possible chain. A member her posted something a while back for his 310. I'll link it later. 6/ Lighter battery on way in. 7/ Polisport halo front lamp ( H4 ) 8/ Will remove bar risers I think. So far so good, this is just the beginning ! Will post on TT as well.
9/ Will be using a small cutting disc to remove the stem / steering lock. Will maker a plug for now but will weld shut and blend whenever I decide to re powder coat the frame later.
