Happy to announce that if all goes well I will be participating in next Dakar.
It will be my fourth Dakar, 2006 in Africa with BMW 650, 2011 and 2016 in South America with BMW 450 with Touratech kit.
I just bought a BMW 450 with 4.000 kms coming with a brand new Speedbrain kit, I will receive it in the coming days.
Since there are big experts on this bike in this forum your help would be very valuable for improving the bike´s performance and more important the reliability, all advice will be very appreciated! Already thanks Bello650 for your info and advice
I never had an oil cooler in my 450, highly recommended? Best model?
Awesome to see the bike still competing. Variant is still being ran by Hero Motorsports, supported by Speedbrain. Wonder what those guys will think of their original showing up.
Post up some pics of the old and new bike.
Awesome to see the bike still competing. Variant is still being ran by Hero Motorsports, supported by Speedbrain. Wonder what those guys will think of their original showing up.
Post up some pics of the old and new bike.
Pics from the 450 in Dakar 2011 and 2016 you can see them on the website www.aventuradakar.es, as soon as I receive the bike I will post some pics
Speedbrain not very impressed or willing to help I wrote and email and no answer, I will try to contact them through a spanish friend who goes to Dakar with Hero team. Willing to hear their advice but I think within this forum I can find all that info from helpful enthusiasts.
Pics from the 450 in Dakar 2011 and 2016 you can see them on the website www.aventuradakar.es, as soon as I receive the bike I will post some pics
Speedbrain not very impressed or willing to help I wrote and email and no answer, I will try to contact them through a spanish friend who goes to Dakar with Hero team. Willing to hear their advice but I think within this forum I can find all that info from helpful enthusiasts.
Hi Jose,
honestly wishing you all the best. As already mentioned in FB, I 'd be thrilled to see again our bike in a top world race like the Dakar again! It would be a straight proof that it still holds strong and keeps its reliability....
Your effort is targeting all like myself 40y something who didn't have the chance (yet) to participate in this dream race and for a bike that was not given the opportunity to prove its high abilities due to the short life that was given....
I still cannot believe that you were able to get in hand a new speedbrain kit! How could you get do that? Despite all my efforts, I ended up with nothing. This is why I finally installed a rear safari tank and a custom fairing kit by "perfect fairings", that I've already posted details here.
Hi Jose,
honestly wishing you all the best. As already mentioned in FB, I 'd be thrilled to see again our bike in a top world race like the Dakar again! It would be a straight proof that it still holds strong and keeps its reliability....
Your effort is targeting all like myself 40y something who didn't have the chance (yet) to participate in this dream race and for a bike that was not given the opportunity to prove its high abilities due to the short life that was given....
I still cannot believe that you were able to get in hand a new speedbrain kit! How could you get do that? Despite all my efforts, I ended up with nothing. This is why I finally installed a rear safari tank and a custom fairing kit by "perfect fairings", that I've already posted details here.
Good luck
Bill
Thanks a lot Bill!! Intensive months ahead, lots of training and looking for sponsors, getting to the star line of Dakar is as hard as the rally itself
Hi Jose,
just for information, what issues did you have with the Touratech set up you used in Dakar 2016, in order to decide now to go with the speedbrain kit?
Also, don't forget to upload some pics, once you finish the installation!
Hi Jose,
just for information, what issues did you have with the Touratech set up you used in Dakar 2016, in order to decide now to go with the speedbrain kit?
Also, don't forget to upload some pics, once you finish the installation!
Keep up your great effort!
BR
Bill
Hi Bill, I also used the touratech kit in Dakar 2011, the TT kit is not as reliable, the mounting brackets to the chasis always give problems, problems with the rear tank to get the gas to the main tank. It is good kit but not for rally Dakar whick is very, very demanding for mechanics.
You might want to change the bracket that's holding the rear-fender, or bring some spares. I've never seen one that was not broken. The tank itself has some flex in it that passes al lot of vibrations through to the rearfender. (and to your butt, by the way; especialy at low revs, it is hard to focus the eyes because of the vibrations...)
You might want to change the bracket that's holding the rear-fender, or bring some spares. I've never seen one that was not broken. The tank itself has some flex in it that passes al lot of vibrations through to the rearfender. (and to your butt, by the way; especialy at low revs, it is hard to focus the eyes because of the vibrations...)
Hi Evert, I didn´t read the message before, what bracket do you use? I still haven´t mounted the kit so I don´t know which bracket you are talking about, you have any photos?
Hi Evert, I didn´t read the message before, what bracket do you use? I still haven´t mounted the kit so I don´t know which bracket you are talking about, you have any photos?
Thanks
Regards
on the picture it is the triangulair connection on the right; the one that connects the rearfender to the tank:
You might want to change the bracket that's holding the rear-fender, or bring some spares. I've never seen one that was not broken. The tank itself has some flex in it that passes al lot of vibrations through to the rearfender. (and to your butt, by the way; especialy at low revs, it is hard to focus the eyes because of the vibrations...)
Some of the inserts in my tank are missing, it looks like they’ve been ripped off. Can you give me an address to buy new and a solution to fix them because the hole in the tank seems too big for the same one.
Some of the inserts in my tank are missing, it looks like they’ve been ripped off. Can you give me an address to buy new and a solution to fix them because the hole in the tank seems too big for the same one.
Google is your friend: try "inserts for plastic".
Nevertheless: when new from the factory inserts in plastics are fine, but after a while the bolts tend to get stuck in the inserts, and when trying to loosen them you rip out the inserts. If you find a solution i'll be happy to hear it...
You might want to change the bracket that's holding the rear-fender, or bring some spares. I've never seen one that was not broken. The tank itself has some flex in it that passes al lot of vibrations through to the rearfender. (and to your butt, by the way; especialy at low revs, it is hard to focus the eyes because of the vibrations...)
There is a version in 2010 and another 2015 of the kit. I have the mounting bracket 2010 with a welded reinforcement and with angle along the brace. It is not exactly the same like the flat metal mounting bracket in the picture (2/3) of the assembly instructions 2010. Following the picture (3/3) from the 2015 version there seems to be an additional support underneath the mounting black bracket but to be able to fix it would require an extra insert in the tank I think. What is the part of the mounting bracket need to be renforced ?
the third one is the best, but indeed: it looks like you need a insert underneath the tank. I dont have that.
mine looks like this:
and you can see where it breaks...
ok thank you I see that your support does not have the transversal welded reinforcement. Now I also understand why the lower part of my mounting bracket is missing because I don't have an insert in my tank.
Google is your friend: try "inserts for plastic".
Nevertheless: when new from the factory inserts in plastics are fine, but after a while the bolts tend to get stuck in the inserts, and when trying to loosen them you rip out the inserts. If you find a solution i'll be happy to hear it...
I take note of your messages, this is an important issue to solve. I contacted a spanish friend who raced two Dakars 2011 and 2012 with Speedbrain kit and he showed me how he fixed the problem.
I take note of your messages, this is an important issue to solve. I contacted a spanish friend who raced two Dakars 2011 and 2012 with Speedbrain kit and he showed me how he fixed the problem.
I asked Nikalus for an oil cooler and it was very expensive, around 1.000€, and since Arabia climate is not as hot as Southamerica, I think I will go without
I asked Nikalus for an oil cooler and it was very expensive, around 1.000€, and since Arabia climate is not as hot as Southamerica, I think I will go without
The first time in the Dakar the G450X was also starting without an oilcooler. To the regret of everybody involved.
Indeed; South America looks a lot hotter, but then again: would the factoryteams carry the weight of an oilcooler if they would not need them?
BTW; did Niklaus solve the problem he had with overspilling oil?
Look at this picture of the BMW press release kit at the EICMA 2007. The clutch cover has no fin like the production bike. Oil overheating of the engine was an issue during engine development. So the engineers added fins to help oil cooling. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...R-jJV01zSfBJVM
Let´s see if you can help with two issues, I am in contact through FB with a couple that just start a 5 years trip with two 450s.https://advhoppers.eu/, truly awesome.
He told me to do this modification which I never heard of, any advice? opinions?
"What I would advise, don't know if you have original engine? With the second butterfly valve? Get that out, reprogram the ecu with the speedbrain software, and you have a better running bike and less worries. The steering of the second valve is very sensitive, and not bullet proof."
Dakar preparations are on the way, lots of physical training, some bike training and the toughest task, looking for sponsors that support the project, difficult but at least BMW Motorrad from Spain and from Saudi Arabia will support me. I will try with BMW Germany, lets see.
Other issue I am thinking of is getting good front suspension, thinking of WP cone valve, any experiences in adapting? I have Haans hubs.
Jose,
Many of us have removed the second butterfly, take it out and raise the idle to 1950-2000rpm and it will have much better throttle response.
I tune my bike with a Power Commander 5 and I use the Autotune module with it. It tunes and updates the maps all the time, every time it gets ridden. As long as its activated. It has its own wideband Bosch O2 sensor. The PCV Autotune has an accelerator pump function as well, which is 1 of its best features, that can add a burst of +% of fuel at 2 different timed settings adjustable by % of usable rpm and at a point or % of usable throttle opening.
As an example coming off idle from 2000rpm idle, 0% throttle opening up to maybe 5% throttle opening I want the accelerator pump to last approx. 1-1/4 seconds.
So that's 2000 rpms divided by 60 seconds = approx. 33 rpms + 1/4 second is an additional 7 more revolutions or approximate 40 engine revolutions. It can be tuned to add an additional say +5% beyond the fuel tables idle settings fuel amount. So that would be +5% fuel for 1 1/4" seconds which is actually 40 rpms and can be adjusted infinitely for (+% fuel) for a longer time (a few more RPMs)and to do so or stop after any % throttle opening or % usable RPMs from 2000 to 10500rpms. Oh and you can have it do nearly the same thing every time it reaches a set specific RPM at a set % throttle opening to add a +% of fuel, adjustable a second time to perhaps fill in a flat spot in the maps fuel table. Its very fun to play with and it can make the bike more ridable which in reality it once set up correctly it can make tuning corrections for you that will keep the bike from ever having a flame out issue ever again just to make that 1 single point alone.
As for the swapping on some WP forks? Many years back, I adapted a set of WP 4860 open chamber forks to my G450X. I used a set of KTM 22mm offset triple trees. The steering stem in the KTM trees uses a 29mm inside diameter Bearing.
The steering stem in the BMW trees uses a large 30mm inside diameter bearing. The distance between the upper and lower clamps is very close to the same when installed on both bikes. So I made a pair of 1/2 mm thick sleeves on my lathe from a piece of 1-1/4" diameter x .125" thick 4130 chromoly tubing, which I cut down from 1.250" O.D. to 1.181"(30mm) O.D. and then bored it out from 1" to 1.25" with a drill bit, then used a boring bar to finish the cut to an I.D. to the final size of 1.141" (29mm).
These 2 sleeves were cut to length on the lathe to match the width/height of the inner race of the BMW bearings. They are now a press fit (using Loctite 609 cylindrical retainer) for inside the BMW's larger 30mm I.D bearings which now sleeves them down to 29mm I.D. so they could be fit onto the KTM trees smaller 29mm diameter stem. I also made a bottom (under the bearing) shim disc that incorporated an O-ring seal to keep moisture and crud out.
I then had no problem installing the KTM trees on the BMW frame. I then installed the forks which I had built by Race tech with all their internals (gold valves, mid valves, springs, shim stacks set up for my weight and riding specifications).
I now use a complete KTM front wheel, the BMW G450X front fender had to be re-drilled to fit the KTM trees, the G450X Brembo caliper and fork guards are a direct swap. I had to buy a new KTM style GPR sub base mount for my GPR steering damper and I made a phenolic spacer adaptor for the factory instrument cluster to adapt it to fit the KTM trees.
As you probably already know. The factory BMW G450X Triple trees have an extreme 27mm offset, now I have 22mm offset, it steers quicker and handles better in the sand washes, and for what kind of riding I do in the Arizona high desert. It just doesn't turn as far from full left to full right before the steering stops make contact, I notice this when I'm pushing the bike around.
Once you are riding and under way however you don't even notice how sharp it actually turns or doesn't turn anymore.
Not a big deal really. I'll give that up any day to have the advantage of the WP 4860's superior front forks, and I didn't have to buy a set of hard to find $800.00 X-Trig triple trees either to do it.
Jose, I have been following your training progress on the FB page and I wish you the best of luck at the Dakar.
Jose,
Many of us have removed the second butterfly, take it out and raise the idle to 1950-2000rpm and it will have much better throttle response.
I tune my bike with a Power Commander 5 and I use the Autotune module with it. It tunes and updates the maps all the time, every time it gets ridden. As long as its activated. It has its own wideband Bosch O2 sensor. The PCV Autotune has an accelerator pump function as well, which is 1 of its best features, that can add a burst of +% of fuel at 2 different timed settings adjustable by % of usable rpm and at a point or % of usable throttle opening.
As an example coming off idle from 2000rpm idle, 0% throttle opening up to maybe 5% throttle opening I want the accelerator pump to last approx. 1-1/4 seconds.
So that's 2000 rpms divided by 60 seconds = approx. 33 rpms + 1/4 second is an additional 7 more revolutions or approximate 40 engine revolutions. It can be tuned to add an additional say +5% beyond the fuel tables idle settings fuel amount. So that would be +5% fuel for 1 1/4" seconds which is actually 40 rpms and can be adjusted infinitely for (+% fuel) for a longer time (a few more RPMs)and to do so or stop after any % throttle opening or % usable RPMs from 2000 to 10500rpms. Oh and you can have it do nearly the same thing every time it reaches a set specific RPM at a set % throttle opening to add a +% of fuel, adjustable a second time to perhaps fill in a flat spot in the maps fuel table. Its very fun to play with and it can make the bike more ridable which in reality it once set up correctly it can make tuning corrections for you that will keep the bike from ever having a flame out issue ever again just to make that 1 single point alone.
As for the swapping on some WP forks? Many years back, I adapted a set of WP 4860 open chamber forks to my G450X. I used a set of KTM 22mm offset triple trees. The steering stem in the KTM trees uses a 29mm inside diameter Bearing.
The steering stem in the BMW trees uses a large 30mm inside diameter bearing. The distance between the upper and lower clamps is very close to the same when installed on both bikes. So I made a pair of 1/2 mm thick sleeves on my lathe from a piece of 1-1/4" diameter x .125" thick 4130 chromoly tubing, which I cut down from 1.250" O.D. to 1.181"(30mm) O.D. and then bored it out from 1" to 1.25" with a drill bit, then used a boring bar to finish the cut to an I.D. to the final size of 1.141" (29mm).
These 2 sleeves were cut to length on the lathe to match the width/height of the inner race of the BMW bearings. They are now a press fit (using Loctite 609 cylindrical retainer) for inside the BMW's larger 30mm I.D bearings which now sleeves them down to 29mm I.D. so they could be fit onto the KTM trees smaller 29mm diameter stem. I also made a bottom (under the bearing) shim disc that incorporated an O-ring seal to keep moisture and crud out.
I then had no problem installing the KTM trees on the BMW frame. I then installed the forks which I had built by Race tech with all their internals (gold valves, mid valves, springs, shim stacks set up for my weight and riding specifications).
I now use a complete KTM front wheel, the BMW G450X front fender had to be re-drilled to fit the KTM trees, the G450X Brembo caliper and fork guards are a direct swap. I had to buy a new KTM style GPR sub base mount for my GPR steering damper and I made a phenolic spacer adaptor for the factory instrument cluster to adapt it to fit the KTM trees.
As you probably already know. The factory BMW G450X Triple trees have an extreme 27mm offset, now I have 22mm offset, it steers quicker and handles better in the sand washes, and for what kind of riding I do in the Arizona high desert. It just doesn't turn as far from full left to full right before the steering stops make contact, I notice this when I'm pushing the bike around.
Once you are riding and under way however you don't even notice how sharp it actually turns or doesn't turn anymore.
Not a big deal really. I'll give that up any day to have the advantage of the WP 4860's superior front forks, and I didn't have to buy a set of hard to find $800.00 X-Trig triple trees either to do it.
Jose, I have been following your training progress on the FB page and I wish you the best of luck at the Dakar.
Thanks a lot for your detailed answer!!
I will tell the mechanic about the second butterfly, I have got lost with all your data about the tunning
As for the forks, I already have the X-trig, I will look for WP cone valve second hand
Let´s see if you can help with two issues, I am in contact through FB with a couple that just start a 5 years trip with two 450s.https://advhoppers.eu/, truly awesome.
He told me to do this modification which I never heard of, any advice? opinions?
"What I would advise, don't know if you have original engine? With the second butterfly valve? Get that out, reprogram the ecu with the speedbrain software, and you have a better running bike and less worries. The steering of the second valve is very sensitive, and not bullet proof."
Dakar preparations are on the way, lots of physical training, some bike training and the toughest task, looking for sponsors that support the project, difficult but at least BMW Motorrad from Spain and from Saudi Arabia will support me. I will try with BMW Germany, lets see.
Other issue I am thinking of is getting good front suspension, thinking of WP cone valve, any experiences in adapting? I have Haans hubs.
It is the first time that I heard about ECU reprogramming software from Speedbrain. I think that like BMW Sport Team had to work in collaboration with Speedbrain it is possible that the original ECU has been re-programmed with the exhaust sold with the Dakar Kit. If you get any information from ADVhoppers I'm interested
Hi all, sorry for not writing in some time!! This is getting crazy and time flies, I confirm that I am already accepted for next Dakar.
Progress with the bike is going slower than expected but ok, I will ride Dakar with a WP suspension second hand I bought, some work had to be done on the Xtrig and I will mount a KTM front axle with some mods.
Now good check of electric parts, install the DMD, new torque limiter and good general check of the bike and then the navigation, all comments/advice/help is more than welcome.
As expected the hardest task is finding support, BMW Spain and BMW Saudi Arabia will support me but I really need to find more sponsors. Here is the link for my sponsor dossier http://aventuradakar.es/wp-content/u...ar2022_Eng.pdf
Anyone with the Speedbrain kit can tell if the light is correct or better invest in a new led light.
I helped to build Ralf's bike (KTM) for his Dakar and he is really a great and helpful guy, so you can get some good pointers from him while preparing for the Dakar.
I helped to build Ralf's bike (KTM) for his Dakar and he is really a great and helpful guy, so you can get some good pointers from him while preparing for the Dakar.
Anybody around with the Speedbrain kit? We are trying to install the bash plate and it does not fit well, touching the exahust, so it has to be modified, any comment? Since it is the bash plate from the Speedbrain kit I guess it should fit without mods.
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Originally Posted by SchillerM
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