2020.5 KTM 450 FE

wheeler727
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wheeler727
Edited Date/Time 3/6/2021 3:41am
This is my 2020.5 KTM 450 FE. I got it for a steal back in October with 14 hours on it. Recently came off a 2019 KTM 350 and was just looking for something with a little more power. I figured I would document the build because it’s taking a bit longer to get all the necessary parts to finish it.



Here’s a picture of it the day I picked it up.
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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/9/2021 3:54pm
1/9/2021 3:54pm
I tore the bike down to the frame and sent the head over to Twisted Development to have it ported and a Vortex ECU programmed to match. I went with same setting Keefer Testing did for his World Vet Bike. It gives the bike a bit more power but make it easier to ride and retains the relatability of the stock motor.



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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/9/2021 7:22pm
1/9/2021 7:22pm
Picked up my XACT Pro Forks and Shock today from REP. After using Enzo for my last 4 sets of Cone Valves I decided to go with Mark Johnson because he seemed to have the most knowledge on the new shock and is one of the few tuners that doesn’t swap out the Cones for a traditional mid valve.


I also removed and cleaned all the parts to be Cerakoted tomorrow if I have the time. I’m going with a gun metal grey to match the factory bikes.


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Rickyisms 1/9/2021 9:43pm
1/9/2021 9:43pm
Looks like it’ll be a sweet rideCool
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/10/2021 7:58pm
1/10/2021 7:58pm
Installed the forks and shock today, paired the XACT Pros with the Xtrig ROCS Pro in black and the Precision Racing Parabolic Damper. I do a bit of off-road and race GP’s and it’s nice to have for the high speed stuff. I love that it’s compact and doesn’t change my bar position at all. You can barely tell it’s there with the bar pad installed.





I also got to Cerakote all the parts this afternoon. It’s a bit of a process but fairly easy. I first sand blast all the parts with a fine media to give the Cerakote a better surface to stick to. I then clean the parts with solvent, throw it in the oven at 250 for 30 minutes to burn out any residue. I then apply 6 light coats with a small detail sprayer. Once they’re all done I throw them back in the oven at 250 for 2 hours and they’re ready to go. This is Sniper Grey H-235 and it’s available at cerakote.com


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The Shop

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Rickyisms 1/11/2021 8:50am
1/11/2021 8:50am
How does cerakote do with threads and bolt holes? Do you have to run a tap through or is cerakote not as thick?
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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/12/2021 1:21am
1/12/2021 1:21am
Rickyisms wrote:
How does cerakote do with threads and bolt holes? Do you have to run a tap through or is cerakote not as thick?
It has about 1 mil or .001” thickness so it doesn’t effect the thread but I plug all threads that might be effected if trash gets in like the brakes. I don’t bother with other threads.
Redrcr34
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Redrcr34 1/12/2021 2:45am
1/12/2021 2:45am
Looks great, love to hear your feedback on the suspension set.
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/16/2021 3:26pm
1/16/2021 3:26pm
Got in some goodies today, a bunch of American made parts. Nihilo Concepts carbon fiber fork lug, clutch and brake guards, they look awesome, fit well and protect the billet lugs from roost and rocks. Hinson oil fill cap to go with the FE Clutch cover. Ride Engineering CRF Axle Conversion that frees up the rear end. Rekluse adjustable slave cylinder, replaces the OEM. It allows you to adjust the OEM clutch without having to take the cover over off. I also ordered the Torq Drive clutch pack to replace the OEM plates because they have better performance and wear than the OEM Hinson components.


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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/19/2021 8:58pm
1/19/2021 8:58pm
I got the motor back together, from the pieces being cerakoted. Installed the new Torque Drive clutch plates and Rekluse slave cylinder.






Also got the plastics and seat cover in the mail today. The plastics and graphics came from Throttle Syndicate. They install them for free which beats screwing up a new set of graphics. The Selle Dalla Valle seat cover is identical to the Factory Edition cover just in black to match the rest of the bike.


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Yzf916
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Yzf916 1/20/2021 6:03am
1/20/2021 6:03am
Looks fantastic. Can’t wait to see the completed bike.
brooklynevans 1/20/2021 1:09pm
1/20/2021 1:09pm
Looks great but please get the seat cover done properly unless it hasn’t been stapled yet as looks like a big crease? Or is it just the picture?
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/20/2021 1:18pm
1/20/2021 1:18pm
brooklynevans wrote:
Looks great but please get the seat cover done properly unless it hasn’t been stapled yet as looks like a big crease? Or is it just...
Looks great but please get the seat cover done properly unless it hasn’t been stapled yet as looks like a big crease? Or is it just the picture?
The seat cover is just slipped over, I am currently debating between this cover and a new Seat Concepts cover I have.
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/23/2021 12:21pm
1/23/2021 12:21pm
Finally got my hands on a new 21 GasGas 450 MC header. I am running the Akrapovic silencer so I needed an OEM style header. I have been told that it gives it more mid end power and calms down the low end that makes it easier to ride and will match the head and ECU remapping from Jamie at Twisted.
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Yzf916
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Yzf916 1/23/2021 8:51pm
1/23/2021 8:51pm
More pics man. Looking great so far.
ded
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ded 1/24/2021 2:10pm
1/24/2021 2:10pm
Have you had a chance to ride with the PR parabolic damper? If you have what are your impressions of it and can you compare it to any other dampers you’ve used- thx
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/24/2021 9:24pm
1/24/2021 9:24pm
ded wrote:
Have you had a chance to ride with the PR parabolic damper? If you have what are your impressions of it and can you compare it...
Have you had a chance to ride with the PR parabolic damper? If you have what are your impressions of it and can you compare it to any other dampers you’ve used- thx
I really love this stabilizer, I had it on my 350 and it is amazing. I love that it’s small, light and doesn’t change my bar settings at all. I leave it on and just turn it down while at the track. It has low speed and high speed adjustments so you can set it up however you like. It is much like the Scott’s Stabilizer but only better.
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/24/2021 9:29pm
1/24/2021 9:29pm
I got most of the bike back together today, just have to rebuild the brakes after Cerakote. I’m really happy how everything is turning out. Hopefully I’ll have the bike done so I can go ride the hills after all this rain.

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Yzf916
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Yzf916 1/24/2021 11:08pm
1/24/2021 11:08pm
Looks great. Tastefully done.
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Pit Row

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Tomok
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Tomok 1/25/2021 4:22am
1/25/2021 4:22am
Looking good! Which footpegs are those?
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Pgd09yz450 1/25/2021 4:47am
1/25/2021 4:47am
Looks awesome!!! whered you get the black seat cover I've only seen them in blue
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seth505
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seth505 1/25/2021 10:32am
1/25/2021 10:32am
She's a beauty!
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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/25/2021 2:39pm
1/25/2021 2:39pm
Tomok wrote:
Looking good! Which footpegs are those?
Raptor Apex Titanium +5mm custom height
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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/25/2021 2:41pm
1/25/2021 2:41pm
Pgd09yz450 wrote:
Looks awesome!!! whered you get the black seat cover I've only seen them in blue
I got it from a dealer in the UK. Part number 79707240050
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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/26/2021 10:05am
1/26/2021 10:05am
The Nihilo Concepts fork lug covers fit great and look awesome. The only downfall is that you have to remove them completely to access the adjustments on the bottom of the forks. I am going to drill a 7/8” hole to access the adjusters and plug them with an Akrapovic Exhaust rubber grommet found on the exhaust to keep them sealed.

Does anyone have tips on drilling carbon fiber? I am worried about it cracking because it is so brittle.



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select mx videos 1/26/2021 10:48am
1/26/2021 10:48am
Iv put a few mods on my ktm sxf, absolutely love the bike, but I’m not quite sure on the gray kit Iv put on and thinking of going back to orange. What you guys think. I put a pic and walkaround video on.

https://youtu.be/eXCQWMBT31o[/url]
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select mx videos 1/26/2021 10:50am
1/26/2021 10:50am
select mx videos wrote:
Iv put a few mods on my ktm sxf, absolutely love the bike, but I’m not quite sure on the gray kit Iv put on and...
Iv put a few mods on my ktm sxf, absolutely love the bike, but I’m not quite sure on the gray kit Iv put on and thinking of going back to orange. What you guys think. I put a pic and walkaround video on.

https://youtu.be/eXCQWMBT31o[/url]



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select mx videos 1/26/2021 10:57am
1/26/2021 10:57am
wheeler727 wrote:
I got most of the bike back together today, just have to rebuild the brakes after Cerakote. I’m really happy how everything is turning out. Hopefully...
I got most of the bike back together today, just have to rebuild the brakes after Cerakote. I’m really happy how everything is turning out. Hopefully I’ll have the bike done so I can go ride the hills after all this rain.

What wheels have you got going back on, your bike look incredible, good job 👍
3
lukemoto
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lukemoto 1/28/2021 5:52am
1/28/2021 5:52am
wheeler727 wrote:
The Nihilo Concepts fork lug covers fit great and look awesome. The only downfall is that you have to remove them completely to access the adjustments...
The Nihilo Concepts fork lug covers fit great and look awesome. The only downfall is that you have to remove them completely to access the adjustments on the bottom of the forks. I am going to drill a 7/8” hole to access the adjusters and plug them with an Akrapovic Exhaust rubber grommet found on the exhaust to keep them sealed.

Does anyone have tips on drilling carbon fiber? I am worried about it cracking because it is so brittle.



I like using a Dremel. Then after you drill the hole put some ca or superglue on the edges👍(and make sure to wear a mask! Those fibers don't feel good in the lungs)
1
wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/28/2021 2:58pm
1/28/2021 2:58pm
wheeler727 wrote:
I got most of the bike back together today, just have to rebuild the brakes after Cerakote. I’m really happy how everything is turning out. Hopefully...
I got most of the bike back together today, just have to rebuild the brakes after Cerakote. I’m really happy how everything is turning out. Hopefully I’ll have the bike done so I can go ride the hills after all this rain.

select mx videos wrote:
What wheels have you got going back on, your bike look incredible, good job 👍
21/19 DID STX Wheels built with Faster USA Billet hubs and Bulldog spokes. I also have a set built 21/18 for off-road with mousse bibs.
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wheeler727
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wheeler727 1/28/2021 2:59pm
1/28/2021 2:59pm
wheeler727 wrote:
The Nihilo Concepts fork lug covers fit great and look awesome. The only downfall is that you have to remove them completely to access the adjustments...
The Nihilo Concepts fork lug covers fit great and look awesome. The only downfall is that you have to remove them completely to access the adjustments on the bottom of the forks. I am going to drill a 7/8” hole to access the adjusters and plug them with an Akrapovic Exhaust rubber grommet found on the exhaust to keep them sealed.

Does anyone have tips on drilling carbon fiber? I am worried about it cracking because it is so brittle.



lukemoto wrote:
I like using a Dremel. Then after you drill the hole put some ca or superglue on the edges👍(and make sure to wear a mask! Those...
I like using a Dremel. Then after you drill the hole put some ca or superglue on the edges👍(and make sure to wear a mask! Those fibers don't feel good in the lungs)
Thanks!

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