Posts
532
Joined
9/15/2009
Location
Olive Branch, MS
US
Edited Date/Time
5/28/2017 11:37am
Yesterday I picked up a 2016 KTM 50mini. It will be for my sons Christmas this year. His first bike started off as an Oset 12.5 which is about the smallest bike available, it is a trials design though so we had to do some work to set it up for MX.
The KTM will be a little more challenging as the weight of bike and rider increase and because this is an actual gas to electric conversion vs just modding the old Oset.
Here is a stock Oset 12.5 and ours after we finished it.
The KTM will be a little more challenging as the weight of bike and rider increase and because this is an actual gas to electric conversion vs just modding the old Oset.
Here is a stock Oset 12.5 and ours after we finished it.
Modding the fork isn't too bad and is easy if you can access a lathe.
I actually learned about the frame mods from a guy down in La. He may be close to you.
The electronics are easy to get.
Probably the hardest part will be splitting up a 12.5 and a 16 Oset to get the swingarm and brakes. and bars etc.
I can't help but think, "and so it begins". Meaning, we may have a generation now, that starts and rides electric all the way up. It certainly takes a lot of entry barriers away like ICE mechanicals and their repair, etc. I mean, single mom's could do it and not be so overwhelmed.
The Shop
Hobby king.com is probably the place to go for batteries. But if you buy from them, do it now. Some of their stuff ships from China and will not make it before Christmas if you wait too long.
At the very least you will need to solder new battery connectors. But, other than that you should be able to plug and play. Lipos are 4.2 volts per cell (fully charged), so you can get one 6 cell or two three cell packs The capacity is rated in amp hours or MAH. More capacity and the battery will last longer, but also be larger and heavier.
Lipos require a certain type of charger and care too. Just read up on them and you'll be good.
The suspension has been a little more difficult, but it will get there. Maybe not in time for Christmas. I may leave the stock suspension on it for Christmas morning then finish the bike after.
I will post some pics as soon as the little ktm is finished.
Actually after loo k ing at your photo, my front hub may not be from a 12.5. It looks to have a larger diameter center.
Pit Row
I'm going to leave the radiators for now. If this motor doesn't handle the juice the next option is a water cooled brushless motor, for that I'll use the radiators with an inline pump.
If this motor holds up, I can pull the radiators off later. And everything else can stay in place (batteries etc).
MR50's came with 3/4" bars and a dinky throttle.
Hope to get back in the machine shop this week. Bought some land to build a track and some trails on and have spent most of my time out there.
What program do you use for CAD?
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