Ascot Forum

First Generation Ascots => The Thumper Years: Modified To Full Customs => Topic started by: Chronic on February 11, 2015, 06:21:20 am

Title: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 11, 2015, 06:21:20 am
Here´s one of my FT´s, with singlecuts and lowered frontlight and instruments. Sidecovers missing in pics.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 11, 2015, 06:22:23 am
Another pic..
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 11, 2015, 08:51:33 am
Looks nice from the back. Where are you going to hang your license plate?

What all have you done to the bike?

Put the side covers back on & let's see the front 3/4 of the bike.

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 11, 2015, 09:32:08 am
The sidepanels are coming on soon, also a Honda 450 muffler.

The licenceplate is a bit of a problem, i dont know where to put it :D

There´s not so many modifications, steelbraided brakelines, new tyres and indicators.

I will post pics when its finally done..
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 11, 2015, 09:44:28 am
Sounds nice. What does the Honda 450 muffler look like? Is it like a sport-bike canister? Some of those mufflers look too big on an Ascot.

I hung my plate right under the tail piece. I bent up a piece of 1" steel strap into a frame extension that supports the plate.

Have you done the jetting upgrades yet? Check out this post if you haven't seen it already: http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=10.0


Good luck
J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 11, 2015, 11:22:05 am
I bought à CRF 450 muffler, it seems to fit almost without mods, other Than cutting the connection pipe à bit ( of the muffler )

Its not that big accually.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 11, 2015, 11:26:26 am
The FT tail-pipe has a thick cork like collar on the end once you remove the original muffler. You need to scrape that off to get down to the tubing.

They run good with a freer flowing muffler & re-jetting. I also like to run a 16 tooth countershaft sprocket.


J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: thumperdh on February 11, 2015, 09:49:29 pm
Sharp looking. Could mount the license plate off of the side of the tail section (check your local laws on this though)
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 12, 2015, 07:40:20 am
Here are some license plate mounts that might work, or give you an idea of how to fabricate one: http://www.dimecitycycles.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=license+plate+bracket


I used this one: http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEEDMETAL-LED-License-Plate-Frame
They are often on sale for 1/2 off.

Good luck
J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 12, 2015, 07:41:00 am
Some more pics, still without sidecovers, my apologies ;D
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 12, 2015, 07:46:07 am
Here are some license plate mounts that might work, or give you an idea of how to fabricate one: http://www.dimecitycycles.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=license+plate+bracket


I used this one: http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEEDMETAL-LED-License-Plate-Frame
They are often on sale for 1/2 off.

Good luck
J.

Thanks, after registration ( every two year i Sweden ) i´ll try to find a way to mount the plate on slides, so you can push it up under the tail. When riding i´ll let it hang out practically horisontal out from the tail.

At least that´s the plan so far. Other option is to Place it low behind the Wheel, svingarm mounted.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 12, 2015, 07:48:08 am
See that rubber snorkel on the air box? Most folks remove those to allow the bike to breathe a bit better. You really need to change the 2 jets in the carb. It's a fairly easy job, not expensive & really wakes up the bike. Call Mark at ThumperStuff & ask for the FT Ascot jet upgrade. You might also order a 16 tooth countershaft sprocket to allow the bike to run a bit easier & take advantage of the jetting upgrade: http://www.thumperstuff.com/FT500.html

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 12, 2015, 07:50:13 am
Didn't realize that you were outside the USA. I don't know what your road requirements are. Do you have to mount one of those large license plates? Can you mount the license plate frame on hinges so it swings up & contacts a magnet to hold it up while not riding, then it could swing down for riding?

J.

PS. Here's what mine looks like from the back.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 12, 2015, 08:45:03 am
See that rubber snorkel on the air box? Most folks remove those to allow the bike to breathe a bit better. You really need to change the 2 jets in the carb. It's a fairly easy job, not expensive & really wakes up the bike. Call Mark at ThumperStuff & ask for the FT Ascot jet upgrade. You might also order a 16 tooth countershaft sprocket to allow the bike to run a bit easier & take advantage of the jetting upgrade: http://www.thumperstuff.com/FT500.html

J.

Previus owner have already done some modifications to the end baffel of the muffler, there´s also some inscriptions on the cylinderhead, like someone did a port tuning or something. Yes the snorkel´s gotta go i guess as well. ;D

As soon i´m able to start using the bike, i will be testing changing jets, sprocket and so on. Right now there is icebears on the streets here in Sweden..
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 12, 2015, 08:58:27 am
Are you able to make out what the inscription reads?

That may be some important info.

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 13, 2015, 12:12:07 pm
hello, an Idea just appered. i'm thinking of swirwel the rear caliper hanging down against the ground under the svingarm. It looks like à fairly easy job. Mounting a Rod between the caliper and svingarm front end.

The good things about this is you getting rid of the caliper, hiding behind the muffler, and that pretty ugly caliper brace(?) sitting on the swingarm original.

Enyone seen this beeing Done, or have any thougs about this?
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: wrk2ride_ride2wrk on February 13, 2015, 06:13:48 pm
 Bikes looking good  :) good idea, you could try it out before shaving off the original brace
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 26, 2015, 05:02:03 am
Tried out to sving down the caliper on the "spare bike" and it looked ok, but not really. Its something thats screams wrong about it, but it sure does Clean up the upper svingarm..

I´m also kinda completed the running bike..
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on February 26, 2015, 07:56:22 am
Hey... Look at the side plates! That looks much nicer.

I think I like the caliper in the original position. It's up & out of the way if you ever venture off-road & the muffler partially hides it.

If you change your shocks to HAGON slim-line shocks, you can replace that curved caliper mount with a straight section of material like the pics below.

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 28, 2015, 11:43:17 am
Some new pics
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 28, 2015, 11:43:55 am
One more..
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 28, 2015, 11:47:12 am
More...
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on February 28, 2015, 11:48:11 am
And again..
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on March 01, 2015, 06:25:52 am
Looks real good! I think you are going to end up with a line of water & mud up the back of your jacket with that short rear fender. ;D

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on March 01, 2015, 10:03:58 am
Right now im returning home from riding, and yes, the back is filled with mud ;D
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on April 27, 2015, 03:15:27 am
This weekend i attended a Bikeswap, and found a Mikuni Flatslide 37 mm carburator!!!

It´s one mm to small to fit perfekt, but not a big job to fit it properly...

Anyone who have thoughs about this carburator on the FT?
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on April 27, 2015, 07:39:09 am
Are you sure that it's not a 38mm?

White Brothers used to offer a 38mm carb kit back in the day. Usually it was installed along with a larger bore & a higher performance camshaft. A 38mm might be a bit large for a stock street Ascot. A 36mm might be a better fit. I have a 38mm Mikuni flat-slide that I've been hanging onto for the future & have considered trying it on my bike. One of the things that will make the fit easier, is a 90 degree elbow at the carb end of the throttle cable. That will allow for more clearance at the top of the carb.

Here are some jetting specs from ThumperStuff for a 38mm Mikuni flat-slide that was mounted on a Yamaha SR-500.
4.0 Slide
190 Main
55 Pilot (That may be rich & could possibly respond better to a 25-30 Pilot)
389P2 Needle Jet
6FJ40 Needle

Good luck & please let us know what you find out.
J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on April 27, 2015, 09:30:37 am
Well i messured it to 37 mm inside forward pointing outlet ( do i sound like native American ???)

It also have bracket for installing double trottle Cable, like stock on the FT
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on April 27, 2015, 09:32:47 am
Here´s a pic
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on April 27, 2015, 10:11:59 am
Hmmm... I've never seen one like that before. Does it have an accelerator pump?

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: triguyracer on April 27, 2015, 11:26:02 am
Looks to be a modern dirtbike  flatslide carb,have thought about doing the same to mine.They are somewhat easy to come by for a fair price,as always the fun part comes when trying to figure out the jetting
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Lefty on April 27, 2015, 05:12:48 pm
Those rear signal lights are different, how are they mounted and who makes them?
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: ex119x on April 28, 2015, 12:37:55 am
That looks like a Keihin FCR off a 450 dirtbike. That would be a good choice for the Ascot. It is a little big for a stock motor, but will leave you plenty of carb to build a motor up to.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on April 28, 2015, 04:03:25 am
Those rear signal lights are different, how are they mounted and who makes them?

Mounted just like any turnsignals, but theese have brake/rear light and indicators. Bought them here in Sweden, but have seen them on Ebay with small pricetags.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on April 28, 2015, 04:04:37 am
That looks like a Keihin FCR off a 450 dirtbike. That would be a good choice for the Ascot. It is a little big for a stock motor, but will leave you plenty of carb to build a motor up to.


its a Mikuni Flatslide. 37 mm is smaller than stock carburator, isn´t it?
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on April 28, 2015, 04:06:49 am
Hmmm... I've never seen one like that before. Does it have an accelerator pump?

J.

No pump, no extra jets, its very simple. I can not find anything like it on the internet ??? 
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: J6G1Z on April 28, 2015, 06:59:37 am
The original FT Ascot carb is a 35mm with an accelerator pump. It's actually quite a sophisticated carb.

J.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: ex119x on April 28, 2015, 11:26:45 pm
I have not seen that style flat slide Mikuni before, but it looks like it is an oem fitment for something. It looks like a nice piece. The oem Ascot carb is a cv and they generally flow less than a comparably sized slide needle carb of the same slide configuration. For example, the XL500s uses a 32mm round slide carb compared the the 35 CV. I stll think it work fine on a stock motor with a free flowing exhaust. If you ran a mild cam and a 10.5 : 1 piston you would have a real nice package.
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Lefty on May 03, 2015, 05:26:35 pm
I have searched Ebay for those rear signal lights like yours with many different "keyword" configurations and I can not find them. Do you know who the manufacturer is, or could you post up a link? I am really interested in them. Thanks, Lefty
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on May 04, 2015, 02:34:16 am
I have searched Ebay for those rear signal lights like yours with many different "keyword" configurations and I can not find them. Do you know who the manufacturer is, or could you post up a link? I am really interested in them. Thanks, Lefty

Earlier this Winter, when a was typing " Indicators rear brake light rear light" i was getting a lot of results, including this ones i have. Now i dont find much at all :-\
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on May 04, 2015, 04:25:42 am
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pairs-LED-Running-Brake-Tail-Turn-Signal-Lights-Indicator-For-Yamaha-Motorcycle-/391041239497?hash=item5b0bdfc9c9&vxp=mtr
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Chronic on May 04, 2015, 04:26:27 am
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pcs12LED-Black-Motorcycle-Brake-Running-Turn-Signal-Indicators-Red-Amber-Light-/281381303588?hash=item4183a1f524&vxp=mtr
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Lefty on May 04, 2015, 05:10:05 pm
Thanks for the link! For 19.99, they're worth a try
Title: Re: FT 500 modified
Post by: Blueb3 on January 07, 2016, 08:30:44 am
Wow, just dropping the light down the forks like that makes the bike look 1000x better than stock. The bike looks really good overall as well :)