1997 BMW F650ST to F650R: Enduro Hellride Conversion

irk miller

You've been mostly-dead all day.
DTT BOTM WINNER
Time for more projects. I was ready to rid myself of the DR350 because it was strictly dirt and lacked title or tag-a-bility. A local guy was killing the Funduro and wanted to trade for a dirt bike. I’m taking the hit in the deal, but I see a lot of untapped potential in this machine. It has a good frame and a wonderful motor in the Rotax 650. It has torque for days. I got what seems like a good base for a pure enduro with legitimate off-road capabilities.

Pre-2004 YZ426 front end swaps are well documented and a literal bolt-in application. I have a couple front ends (CR) in-house to try out, too.

Here it is in all of its fubar glory when I brought it in...

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Lots of things were messed up by a hamfisted PO. I could list them for days, but what he tried to do to fix the throttle control says it all...

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It also included an Ichibon worthy turn signal fix...

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Stripping it down has begun with lots of house wire and wire nuts in the harness. This is gonna be a blast...

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Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

I dig these bikes, but they are ugly. Looking forward to this one.

P.S. - Finish that chopper.
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Ah, the old Hunduro. What sort of style you going for?
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Going for a legitimate dual sport. I'd like to shave as much weight as I can, without losing essential components. I don't necessarily want to change the carbs, so I may be married to the rear subframe, despite how huge it is. They did a pretty good job integrating the air box and electronics into that triangle. Smaller tank, but not too small. Something 80s Honda, most likely.
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Dayyyyum Eric, you find all the good deals........

Wow........
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Whether I got a deal is still to be determined. Haha.

A little more stripping and reminders why I like older bikes...

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Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Adapting an XL600r tank to fit the short spine and wishbone. It’s nice because it’s legitimate dirt, still has volume and still gives me access to the oil filler...

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Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Swapped the bars for Renthal, stripped the harness out to do some relocating and to fix some hacks, pulled the air box and stock exhaust in preparation of things to come. For the moment, I have a Ninja clutch lever, but it’ll get swapped back to stock when I find a replacement ...

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Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

that xl tank is the business.

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Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

I like it!
Make sure you put a decent seat on it, i see so many enduro builds with shitty thin seats. If you're going to actually use it (and I know you are) go for some comfort so you can actually enjoy it.
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

SONIC. said:
I like it!
Make sure you put a decent seat on it, i see so many enduro builds with shitty thin seats. If you're going to actually use it (and I know you are) go for some comfort so you can actually enjoy it.
I totally agree. I ordered an XL600r seat that I hope I can make work. It's a shot in the dark, but considering it's built to match this tank, and considering the frame lines match pretty closely, there's a decent chance I can make it work. On the CB360 build, I modified an early 80s XR seat. I actually prefer the look of the proper style seat for the type of bike it's meant to be
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

Is the subframe aluminum or steel?
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650ST El Diablo Hellride

irk miller said:

Easy peasy.
If it doesn't fit you can just lop off behind the triangle and make it fit
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650 El Diablo Hellride

Exactly. Even run tabs to make the sub frame removable, like so many others.
 
Re: 1997 BMW F650 El Diablo Hellride

This thing gonna be your ride at the thaw? It looks like when you get it done it will take you anywhere!
 
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