Yamaha forks on a BMW F650GS Dakar

[johno]

I dont believe the ABS is all that big a problem.
I think it wouldnt be all that hard to make a bracket to hold the sensor.
Use the lower fork shield bolt holes to fit something.

[farkleface]

I have a 2001 dakar with the old style forks and am very interested in doing this conversion. How did you mount the ignition to the fork? Do you only use the yz caliper with the rest of the stock break setup? Is the yz wheel as strong as the bmw? Do you have to do anything with the handlebar mounts? I am new to this and this is my first post, so hopefully these questions arent too stupid.

[skibum_1260]

Originally Posted by farkleface

I have a 2001 dakar with the old style forks and am very interested in doing this conversion. How did you mount the ignition to the fork? Do you only use the yz caliper with the rest of the stock break setup? Is the yz wheel as strong as the bmw? Do you have to do anything with the handlebar mounts? I am new to this and this is my first post, so hopefully these questions arent too stupid.

i actually couldnt find a good place to mount it on mine as i also put a steering stabilizer on, so i just zip tied it under my left side body protector, and yes i used a yz caliper along with wheel on mine, and i would think an excel yz wheel is alot better then a stock bmw, stock versus stock im not sure, i also addred fat bars with risers so i changed all of that to.

[farkleface]

I am gonna go for it. I found an 03 fork on thumper talk, I am getting fork, triple clamps, and brake caliper for $250. What weight oil did you use and what springs did you use? Thanks for all the info. I will post some pics when I get going on it.
Also where did you get your black storage canister? Or did you make it? Obviously I really like your bike, I had to sell my dirt bike this year and now I miss it, the dakar is not that dirt worthy so far, but yours looks the most offroad ready of any that I have seen. Maybe I won't need to get another dirt bike after all.

[skibum_1260]

Originally Posted by farkleface

I am gonna go for it. I found an 03 fork on thumper talk, I am getting fork, triple clamps, and brake caliper for $250. What weight oil did you use and what springs did you use? Thanks for all the info. I will post some pics when I get going on it.
Also where did you get your black storage canister? Or did you make it? Obviously I really like your bike, I had to sell my dirt bike this year and now I miss it, the dakar is not that dirt worthy so far, but yours looks the most offroad ready of any that I have seen. Maybe I won't need to get another dirt bike after all.

it was either 15 or 20 weight oil and then the springs i think were .52kg if that sounds right, if you really want i can check my reciepts and fine out, and yeah i made that storage container, i tried selling some on here a while bike but never had anyone follow through so i gave up, and yeah i take mine through anything, single track, mud, open road, etc, some jumping but need a ohlins rear for that still!

[farkleface]

Thanks again for the help. How much for a storage container?? I would be interested in purchasing one. How is the dakar to jump? seems like it would be squirrely on the landing. I already have the ohlins rear so i will be ready to let it fly.

[skibum_1260]

Originally Posted by farkleface

Thanks again for the help. How much for a storage container?? I would be interested in purchasing one. How is the dakar to jump? seems like it would be squirrely on the landing. I already have the ohlins rear so i will be ready to let it fly.

well its def not a motorcross bike but the yamaha forks def make the front end capable but mine bottoms out in the rear very easily so havent gone to crazy with it yet! and i was asking 110 for them i think, powdercoated black plus shipping.

[johno]

I run 5wt oil in mine on my GSPD. Yammy dealer said standard oil is 2.5wt, and suggested for the weight of my bike, to run 5wt.
The springs in mine are an unknown. It seems stiff, so am leaving it alone at the moment.
I run the clickers fairly soft.

My back shocker is my let down at the moment.

[El Cazador]

could be a deal breaker for me: will the stock 19" bmw wheel fit on the yz forks?

[drivenbydiscovery]

ok, i'm going to try this very soon, so i'll let you know

[WayneC1]

I hear that YSS or Hyperpro shocks are better and cheaper

Cant confirm as I have yet to try them but sound promising

May be worth trying & Johno they are from down your neck of the woods

http://www.yss-australia.com/

http://www.hyperpro.ws/hyperpro-shocks.html

[drivenbydiscovery]

johno, skibum, a quick question for you guys, (i've been searching various yamaha forums with no luck).

you both used triple tree / forks from a 2003 or older yamaha yz (46mm lower tube diameter). but would the 2004 - 2008 (48mm lower tube diameter) forks / triple tree also work? is the triple tree different somehow?

i'll keep searching the net in the meantime. thanks.

[johno]

Not sure on the later 48mm stuff. Its the headstem bearing size you need to worry about. Do what I did, and email someone on Ebay that is selling a set, and get them to measure the bearing shaft size
on the headstem.
Not much help otherwise.

[drivenbydiscovery]

awesome, thanks. offhand, do you know what size the 2003 yam headstem bearing is?

[johno]

The upper shaft section is 28mm, lower 30mm. BMW have 28mm on both.

The main area of concern when doing a swap like this is bearing
cup outer diameter. Lucky the Yamaha and BMW have the same size cup outer diameter. So, all you need to do is get a headstem bearing kit for a Yamaha YZ/WR.