XT500 MX project

I got some Progressive 13 series shocks for the XT. These are 15 inches eye-to-eye.


I also got a set of '83 YZ490 43mm forks and a twin leading shoe brake.


Here is how it sits with the new parts.


The longer rear shocks brought the rake down to about 28.5 degrees. It isn't ideal, but might be enough to not have to de-rake the frame. I'm still undecided on that one.


The swingarm has about 16 degrees of droop.


This is the tank and seat just sitting in place. I haven't modded the tank tunnel yet to fit the frame. I think it will just need to go 1.5" lower, so shouldn't be too difficult to do. The seat is a narrowed stock XT500 seat that is fairly close to what I'll need. The rest of the bodywork will be new DC plastics. I still need to fit the Yamaha wheel to the Suzuki swingarm, and need to measure the shock mounts. It looks like the right side mount on the swingarm will need to be moved outward slightly.