Hassling the Husky - Vitpilen 401 stuff

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[Easy-X]

After a month and a half of back & forth with KTM I finally got the handlebar kit sorted. (Top and bottom yokes now matching colours!)

As a reminder the Svartpilen (black arrow) is a "Street Scrambler" and the Vitpilen (white arrow) is a "Café Racer"

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq0pMHTXcAcBdPB.jpg:small

Apart from the obvious colour scheme differences they're essentially the same bike (and the same frame and engine as a Duke 390.) The physical differences are the handlebars, tyre choice and a tank bag mount, present only on the Svartpilen. I mostly zip into the City so stop-start traffic doesn't lend itself to the faux clip-ons hence the conversion.

First step is to survey the bike and make some notes on cable routing. For example, the clutch cable running behind an engine mount bracket:

https://i.imgur.com/cezuP1o.jpg

And the fork height:

https://i.imgur.com/biG0RdH.jpg

Then you just start stripping stuff off!

https://i.imgur.com/eHaDzZD.jpg

I removed the side/tank panels as precaution against tool scuffage. BTW managed to get the headlamp off still on its bracket so no need to adjust the beam angle later.

This is never a good look for a bike

https://i.imgur.com/J50UrcL.jpg

The kit comes with new switches, clutch cable and brake pipe as the new handlebars raise things up a bit. Clutch cable? Dead easy. The other end from front brake lever where it goes to the top of the ABS unit? Complete c*nt to get to

https://i.imgur.com/1RaoxxS.jpg

And no, you can't get to it from above Fuck knows how they get this assembled at the factory.

New yokes are plain aluminium instead of the original anodised black:

https://i.imgur.com/ZZBF513.jpg

Everything routed in ready for the bracket that holds the dash display and headlamp:

https://i.imgur.com/4UDUJwj.jpg

Transition complete:

https://i.imgur.com/CM7soOU.jpg

Brake bleed was straightforward with one of those pipes with the one-way valve. Probably pissed away 200ml of DOT4 getting all the air bubbles out. (I'm not fretting over possible air in the ABS unit as the lower half of the system has not been touched.)

Not 100% sure about the new bar-end mirrors. They're a bit odd but then so is this bike!

https://i.imgur.com/It72SVa.jpg

As a bonus job I dicked about with my collection of end-cans and settled on this one:

https://i.imgur.com/sKzRsP1.jpg

Visually I think it suits the bike. Sans baffle the bike sounds like a hammer-drill, very unpleasant The supplied baffle (which was more just a slight restriction) didn't do much to speak of. Then I tried this common sort you put in the end:

https://cdn.manomano.com/images/images_products/11790586/P/94156739_1.jpg

Slightly quieter but I didn't like the tone Then I tried this sort:

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/H7054d2fa8da64809b90681ef4e564b98Q.jpg_640x640Q90.jpg_.webp

Which sandwiches between the link pipe and the end-can. The result, audibly, was pretty good - not so loud you can't talk over it at idle but nice and meaty with some throttle. BTW I had the seat off while testing and there's a lovely induction note with the new air filters

Hopefully the weather's not too bad tomorrow so I can give the bike a road test.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

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Work, work and more work Only got out on the bike today.

The good news is the handlebars feel entirely natural. Hardly surprising but should also imply I've put the front end back together correctly Brake is good, better if anything. Clutch needs no further adjustment.

The bad news: as the handlebars are higher and I have the fancy mirrors my bike cover doesn't fit as well. Stock mirrors would have been much worse though. Might actually go back to the round ones or seek out a different style.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

In my continual quest for tonal quality I've refitted the original "sound damper box" midsection:

https://i.imgur.com/IAfRn8b.jpeg

Previously I had decat pipe > mid-section link pipe > end link pipe > end can (with baffle) and now it's decat pipe > box > end finisher. BTW the end is a ten dollar part meant for an MT10

Doesn't quite follow the lines of the bike:

https://i.imgur.com/AGshikN.jpeg

...but it gives the bike a simpler uncluttered look.

The previously arrangement made the bike sound like a dirt bike (big single, quelle surprise) which is fine if that's your thing but refitting the stock box has produced a much deeper note which I prefer.

In other news I went back to round bar-end mirrors for their convex nature.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

Aesthetically pleasing as the previously pictured exhaust cut-off was and almost equally audibly pleasing when tearing about the place, one fatal flaw...

Bumbling in City traffic (which is the majority of my "in anger" use of the bike) it would hit a horrendous and unpleasant note around 3000~4000 rpm So I've reverted to the previously pictured end-can but sans baffle.

It seems I will never again get remotely close to the musical nature of the CP2 engine. FML, First World Problems, etc.

Next project: sprocket change and/or new ECU to prioritise torque.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[struan80]

That exhaust! I'll bet it's good sound.

[to v or not to v]

so what is the bike like to ride.
is it fun, comfortable, are you left wanting a bit more power?
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[Easy-X]

[WD Forte]

Ha! Busted!
I spotted your crayons and using my forensic de editing skills
see you've been out there doing colouring in instead
of getting on with the work.
No wonder its taking so long

https://imgur.com/qUhYoV8.jpg[/img]
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bikers smell of wee

[Easy-X]

Done a few things with the Husky this week. A bit too much for the "What have you done..." thread. Having sold the XSR recently I put some money towards tarting up the Vitpilen.

1) Lowered the suspension

I iz tiny Cornish Pisky so the seat height is a bit much for me, toes down only. Rather than manning-up I instead bought the OEM lowering kit in a sale. Shaves around an inch off the seat height by slamming the bike (shorter, stiffer springs) without altering the geometry as such.

I noticed the aftermarket kits come with a shortened kickstand but not in the OEM kit. AliExpress to the rescue with an adjustable KTM kickstand which turned out to be essential. Lowering springs + stock stand would have meant a fart could blow over the bike.

Anyhoo, stopping at junctions is going to take some getting used to as I can now almost flat-foot both sides. And as I'm a million miles away from Rossi skillz the handling seems fine.

2) Piggyback ECU

I already fitted a Lambda Sensor hack to cheer up the running of the engine after the de-cat and airbox mods so an ECU bypass is more of a treat than a necessity. Spark and fuel injection timing is now done elsewhere and the stock ECU is none the wiser.

3) 15 to 14 tooth front sprocket swap

According to the online calculator this would increase peak torque by ~6% and is very easy to do. Only the chain slack needed adjusting, no need to take out any links.

Finished up all these tweaks today and went out for a test ride...

The only notable bad thing is a bit more rattle and vibration (most noticeable on deceleration) as the replacement sprocket is just plain metal. The stock one has the rubber chain cushion thingy but I couldn't find a 14 tooth sprocket with such a feature. I'll ride it a bit more and double check the chain slack, let everything settle down but I suspect that's just how it'll be.

The good news though is the bike's much more lively at the low-end which is exactly what I need. Much closer to the sort of poke the XSR spoiled me with
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[tinkicker]

Lowering kit? Pffft.

You missed the boat. You could have kept it stock AND impressed your friends and neighbours with your advanced sense of Haute Couture by wearing these fine examples of bike friendly protective gear.


https://images.halloweencostumes.co.uk/products/68746/2-1-187398/kiss-starchild-boots-alt-2.jpg
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Wading through the thick tapestry of life one day at a time.

[Easy-X]

The nice thing is that as I've not dropped the forks no one knows how much of a tart I am until I tell them
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

While I never posted photos for the tangible gain but visually unremarkable mods previously mentioned I thought I'd better pull my finger out and document the next mod...

A mod of no consequence whatsoever: Evap Cannister Delete.

https://i.imgur.com/DF0uj0J.jpeg

What is an Evap system? Essentially a charcoal cannister connected to the fuel tank breather. Vapours condense and a solenoid is occasionally activated to reroute any condensate back into the intake system. Same line of reasoning as running a crank case breather to the airbox - save the asthmatic kittens and all that.

Just yank the thing and profit, yeah?

https://i.imgur.com/EtQtgQS.jpeg

So much space for activities, as they say. But no, it's never that easy. While the pipe from the tank can be left dangling in fresh air like almost every other bike in existence There are two sticking points.

The solenoid will be missed by the ECU, particularly with Euro 5 systems, sub in a resistor bridging plug to fool it. Then there's the condensate pipe:

https://i.imgur.com/ql2kHUJ.jpeg

Yup, that brass inlet in about the most awkward spot on the bike. Cue tank removal...

https://i.imgur.com/t6ow8Tg.jpeg

Two fuel lines implies a flow/return system. Then there's the fuel level sender, water drain and tank breather. Fiddly to disconnect on a small a tank.

Anyhoo, shift all that shit out of the way and I could actually get my hand in to cap the fucker off:

https://i.imgur.com/tUasyHr.jpeg

I took the opportunity to reroute a few pipes and cables while things were in bits but really, was it worth the effort? Not for weight saving anyway but my piggyback ECU slots in perfectly!

https://i.imgur.com/7FsM0hA.jpeg

And the masterstroke...

https://i.imgur.com/gsi8Ipm.jpeg

...the programming port is somewhat more accessible. Oh, and I get to put the factory toolkit back in its original spot
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

Almost forgot! This is what got torn out:

https://i.imgur.com/8qt6DBI.jpg
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Easy-X]

Something ever so slightly annoying is the horrible mass of wires and pipes. All EFI engines suffer from this to some extent but KTM/Husky are particularly bad for it.

Exhibit A:

https://i.imgur.com/kQA9dr4.jpeg

and B:

https://i.imgur.com/fqMfLzX.jpeg

And a cheap panel kit:

https://i.imgur.com/D8tvIM9.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/gldMbOs.jpeg

Hmmm. I seem to have replaced a massive eyesore with a lesser eyesore
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

Needs more farbon wrap.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

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[Easy-X]

Actually, looking at the bike as a whole in the sunlight today the panels look a lot better. No regrets (for a change)
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter