2021 MT07 Potential build thread

[union 39]

Just seeing if there is interest in what I'm doing.  I don't know how far down the rabbit hole I'm going with this bike in the end.  It's going to fill a few roles for me.  Going to be a commuter to work, a bit of a hooligan bike, and it will see some track time.

With that in mind suspension is already in the works.  The plan right now is a Penske shock and Andreani  fork cartridges.  Also going with a set of rearsets probably Woodcraft.  Don't like the folding pegs when I'm trying to adjust on the bike.  There is sure to be other things as the winter goes on.  I do have a list going but I am also open to suggestions.

 

Here are some shots of other bikes I have done.  Feel free to ask any questions.

 

2007 R6

 

2012 KTM 450 SMR

 

2015 Harley Street Bob

[AP996 125]

20 minutes ago, union said:

.  I do have a list going but I am also open to suggestions.

 

If your in the states buy a Hordpower airbox and release a few more hp.

[cornerslider 702]

I have no idea how to respond???? Are you building a FZ/MT-07? The bikes you pictured are all VERY different bikes. I have experience with all three riding styles/disciplines... As far as the 2007 R6- it's kind of a "unicorn" in the fact that it doesn't "mesh" with the most popular version of the R6 (2008-2016). The KTM 450SMR looks pretty sweet. The Harley leaves me a bit "under-whelmed".... 

That being said, the "07" platform is one of the most versatile platforms available!!!! Mine started out as a track-bike project. I purchased it brand new, and I had planned on it being a "track-only" bike. Things change..... I ended up shifting gears, and being forced into "tracking" my street R3 (after blowing-up my K-Tech rear shock on my "07").  Time was NOT on my side in 2021, as parts were hard to come by.... I was forced into converting  my "street" R3 into a track-bike, as I had pre-paid for track days.... It turns out, I enjoyed my 2019 R3 MUCH more than I had expected .... I eventually put the lights/plate/mirrors back on my "07", and it is a wonderful street bike as well!!!!! I would encourage you to build an "07" into whatever you want, and post pictures along the way -

[union 39]

9 minutes ago, cornerslider said:

I have no idea how to respond???? Are you building a FZ/MT-07? The bikes you pictured are all VERY different bikes. I have experience with all three riding styles/disciplines... As far as the 2007 R6- it's kind of a "unicorn" in the fact that it doesn't "mesh" with the most popular version of the R6 (2008-2016). The KTM 450SMR looks pretty sweet. The Harley leaves me a bit "under-whelmed".... 

That being said, the "07" platform is one of the most versatile platforms available!!!! Mine started out as a track-bike project. I purchased it brand new, and I had planned on it being a "track-only" bike. Things change..... I ended up shifting gears, and being forced into "tracking" my street R3 (after blowing-up my K-Tech rear shock on my "07").  Time was NOT on my side in 2021, as parts were hard to come by.... I was forced into converting  my "street" R3 into a track-bike, as I had pre-paid for track days.... It turns out, I enjoyed my 2019 R3 MUCH more than I had expected .... I eventually put the lights/plate/mirrors back on my "07", and it is a wonderful street bike as well!!!!! I would encourage you to build an "07" into whatever you want, and post pictures along the way -

Doing my 21 MT07.  Sometimes the brain and the fingers don't mesh well while posting.

You're right.  All the three bikes I posted are very different.  All have/had their purpose.  My R6 was going to be a street/trackday bike.  Turned out to be a full on race bike.  Saw zero street time.

 

The 450 was full race from start to finish.  Probably the most fun I've had on two wheels.  It's a bike I miss at times.  Thought about getting a new Husky but my racing days are done/

 

The Harley was my present to myself for my retirement from racing.  I wanted something that I could ride two up with the wife but also didn't have much performance.  Probably the most frustrating bike I've worked on and rode.  There is no need for using standard, metric, and torx on the same bike.  In the end it looks good.  I don't ride it much.

 

But back to the new bike.  I've been thinking about the MT for a couple years now.  Put that on the back burner until this year.  I was thinking about getting myself a new toy.  Had the ok to get a new Supra but ended up with the MT07.  Don't regret the path I took at all.  Now going into winter I have some time to build it up.

[cornerslider 702]

I understand.... My CRF450R (SM) was by far the most fun I've ever had on two wheels!!!! That being said, I got tired of the constant maintenance. I love that I can roll my FZ-07/R3 out of a trailer, ride all weekend, and roll it back in at the end of the weekend- and repeat! My wife also track rides an R3 (as well as a street R3), so obviously I'm pretty busy . I'm hoping to retire in seven years.... I'm planning on continuing to track ride as long as I am able. If I don't make it, my retirement gift to myself will most likely be an MT-10 (SP) for the street. Please post pics of your project "07" along the way -

[union 39]

The ordering has begun.  Before I do anything I'll get some photos but we should all know what the stock bike looks like.

 

Today we ordered probably the most important items this bike needs.  Suspension.  We will be putting Andreani cartridges in the front and a Penske shock in the rear.

 

Also on the order list are Woodcraft rearsets, frame sliders, and axle sliders.

 

I was a bit extra lucky today since there was another MT07 in the shop today with the Akrapovic exhaust on it with the db killer installed.  It seemed quiet enough.  So now I'm a bit torn because I thought I settled on the Graves but now I'm unsure.

[nozeitgeist1800 31]

i have the akra ti with the db killer, i absolutely ADORE it. the sound and feel (along with a ecu flash) are awesome. the ti is quieter than the carbon from what ive heard, but mine is the perfect volume for me - audible but no ear plugs needed when riding at any speed.

im also a big fan of it being completely contained under the bike. makes me feel like if i lay it down i dont have to worry about the exhaust. whether thats placebo effect or not, who knows, placebo is a hell of a drug

Edited December 3, 2021 by nozeitgeist1800

[union 39]

Got some work done today.  All my photos haven't come through for some reason but I can add them in later if you guys want to see them.

 

I'm lucky to have access to a Computrack machine so as with all my bikes one of the first things I do is measure the bike to see where I'm starting.

 

 

Was a little surprised with my results but happy with the geometry of the bike for its intended purpose.

 

Today was fork day.  Some of these photos haven't come through email yet so I can add  them later.

 

So off come the forks.

 

Getting ready for their cleaning.  This is what is inside a damper rod fork if you haven't seen before.  It's a pretty simple system.

 

Legs in the lathe to get the hydraulic lock removed.

 

This is what is cut out and the result.

After they are cleaned this is what I kept

 

This is what goes into the bin.  Not pictured are the springs.

 

We decided to go with Andreani cartridges.  They are a straight drop in but pretty close.  Their kit comes complete with springs.  This is where some of the shots are somewhere out there still.

We had to put the inner tubes into the lathe and cut out the hydraulic lockout out of the bottom.

Once that is done the reassembly can start.  The main fork body goes together the same way it came apart.  After that the cartridges can go in.  Need to pay a little attention here since one side is compression and the other rebound with marked caps.

Everything is included in the kit

With the cartridges installed I now pour in the oil, bleed the cartridge and set the air gap.

 

Next is the springs are put in with the spacer followed by the caps.

 

New springs vs the stock spring.

 

I thought I got a photo of the forks back on the bike but I missed that.  Looks pretty much the same except for the fork cap:)

 

A couple things I found annoying on this bike is the mess of hoses and wires for the brakes and speed sensor and then the fun red locktite they used for the fender bolts.  Ended up beating up one of the bolt head pretty good in the process.  Guess I'll have to by some Ti bolts after all.

Edited December 12, 2021 by union
Pictures showed up

[fzar 614]

Holy crap thats an astounding amount of tools and equipment you have at your disposal. I'm getting dizzy looking at everything you didn't want viewers to focus on.

WOW

[fzar 614]

On 12/2/2021 at 4:09 PM, union said:

I was a bit extra lucky today since there was another MT07 in the shop today with the Akrapovic exhaust on it with the db killer installed.  It seemed quiet enough.

I bought an Akrapovic-ti, to upgrade from the shet OEM pipe, had the ecu flashed. I enjoyed the extra power/torque delivery for about a week. I couldn't stand the fact my bike still sounded like a moped, the DB killer is in a drawer in my tool chest. I got the ecu reflashed by @2wheeldynoworks for DB out and @hordboy air-intake, it's sounding a little obnoxious (loud). But damn it the total package is outstanding.

[union 39]

21 hours ago, fzar said:

Holy crap thats an astounding amount of tools and equipment you have at your disposal. I'm getting dizzy looking at everything you didn't want viewers to focus on.

WOW

Ya I've been very lucky to be able to use all that stuff.  Sadly this will be the last bike I will pwn that will get this treatment.  The business is likely to be sold early next year.  I'll probably end up finishing this bike in my garage which has plenty of tools but none of the fancy stuff and a lot less room to work so it may actually happen in my driveway.

Edited December 13, 2021 by union

[union 39]

Haven't done any work on the bike but this fun piece arrived the other.

 

Will install this at the first oil change so when its warm again:)

[union 39]

Parts are starting to trickle in.

 

Penske shock has arrived.  It's your typical Penske 8983 with remote.

 

One extra I elected to go with since we had one was a hydraulic spring perch.  It is a bit over kill for my bike but I figured why not.

 

Today at some point the TST Industries spooled chain adjusters should arrive.  Monday my woodcraft order should be in and then I'll get to work on installing everything.

[union 39]

Do you guys want me to go into more detail with more photos?  I'm kind of just breezing over things right now as I do them.

[mjh937 1,848]

I for one would like to see more.  It is interesting to see what you are doing.  You will have a great bike when you are finished. 

[union 39]

Into a bit more about the shock.  As i said it's your typical 8983 Penske.  Generally they come ready to install.  However Penske has been having issues getting springs so we had them just ship the damper.  We had the spring I needed at the shop.

 

To do the final assembly on this I did a quick mock up with the spring and the perch.

 

Just everything slipped on to see where the preload collar ends up.

 

Reason for this is we like to put on a little never seize on the treads.

 

Now for the final assembly.

Everything fit up with the hydraulic perch in place and the snap ring in

 

The hydraulic perch is significantly thinker then the standard perch.  I would say roughly two times thicker.  Hard to show in this photo.

 

 

I had to back the preload collar all the way up and still add a little pressure to get the snap ring to seat.  Not a lot.  I was able to do it by hand but I may need a spring compressor if I need to remove it.

 

Before I put the spring on for the final time I took a measurement of its length so I could set the preload right.  They all have a nominal length but due to manufacturing tolerances there are slight differences from spring to spring.

 

Set with 10mm of preload.  I may go 2 more since I'm between rates and we went with the lighter rate.  That will have to wait until I'm back at the shop with access to a vise since my hands can't hold the shock and spin the collar at the same time.  I would have added a thrust bearing (they are included with the shock) but with the hydraulic perch I don't have the room unless I go with a shorter spring which I still can.

 

And complete and ready for install.  Think I will be able to do that tomorrow.

 

As for the hydraulic perch.  Do I need it?  No certainly not.  It was used because we had one.  I previously used it on my R6 Supersport.  That bike was full race bike.  It is hard to see in the photo what it is doing.  The idea behind it is a spring is not flat so when you load it it will slightly bow.  This affects how the shock functions since its getting a slight side load.  Once again will I notice a difference?  Certainly not.  Who knows if the best riders in the world would notice the difference but the people looking at the telemetry can see it.

It's not the easiest thing to see but the perch is slightly canted when the shock is done.

[union 39]

Got some work done.  Not everything I wanted to.  Started late and the key item I wanted arrived a day late.  The TST Industry chain adjuster didn't show up until about3pm today.  UPS had issues I suppose.  That was first on my list of things to do so I could get the bike up on a stable stand rather then use a pad stand for it.

 

Anyway I was able to get some work done.  Rest of my stuff arrived actually a couple hours earlier then usual.  It was Woodcraft day.  Rearsets, frame sliders, front and rear axle sliders.

 

I started with the axle sliders.  I've never done a set like this.  Previous axle sliders I've used were SME Supermoto axle sliders on my 450.  They were pretty much a piece of all thread and some sliders that had threaded inserts in them.  The woodcraft stuff is a bit more thought out.

 

This is the front insert.  The rears are similar with a few small differences.  They only fit one way.  The instructions are decent but could be dumbed down a little bit for guys that don't do this stuff on a regular basis.  It reads like stereo instructions.  I is one of those things that if you know its easy.  If not the terms can be confusing. 

 

Normal front end.

 

Mount installed

 

Finished product.  I do like that the sliders can be quickly replaced and not that it matters in my case, doesn't add much time to wheel changes.

 

Photo dump of the rear

 

More to follow after dinner.

[union 39]

Next on my list of things was the frame sliders.  I've done several sets of these on other bikes and these were probably the easiest ones I've done.  A lot of bikes have a specific left and ride so you need to pay attention.  The ones for the MT are identical for both sides.

These replace the engine mount bolt so that gets taken out.  One side at a time.

 

Next the frame slider mount is installed with the bolt supplied with the kit.

 

Finished product.

 

Last on todays list was the rearsets. 

First thing I like to do is separate the parts into what goes on the right and left side.

I thought I had photos of them going together but that doesn't seem to be the case.  Shift side stock rearset.  The photo for the brake side was blurry but its similar.

I like to mock it all up and get it to fit right before I add any thread lock.  The brake side took a bit of thought.  Mainly because all my other stuff was track only so stuff like the brake light switch which uses a spring attached to the pedal would just get tossed in the trash.  This is going to be a street bike so that stuff had to remain.

 

Shift side complete

Brake side done

 

Next weekend the goal is the TST industries stuff and then the shock.

[union 39]

Finished up what I had for parts today.  Installed the TST Industries chain adjusters and the Penske shock.

 

Started with the TST stuff since it added the much needed spools to get the bike on a rear stand.  Don't know why Yamaha didn't put spool mounts on the swingarm and more puzzling is why they covered the hole on the lower triple with some sort of bracket so you can't easily use a front pin stand.  The front I will address later maybe next week.  For now onto the rear.

Installation is pretty straight forward.  The instructional video on the TST website is good.  Unlike what they did I did one side at a time.

 

Off with the old covers/adjusters.

 

On with the new left side.

 

Same deal with the right.

 

Now toss on the spools.

 

Now that these are installed I can get the bike on a rear stand and then on a set of power stands to get the rear off the ground to install the shock.

 

Yamaha in their infinite wisdom covered one of the shock bolts with the rear hugger.  It is not quite as bad as needing to lift the gas tank on the R6 but still annoying especially with the plastic clips on the inside of the hugger.

 

With the hugger off it is a pretty easy job.  One thing to do before removing the shock is to get a ride height reference measurement.  Sorry no photo of me using a tape measure

Comparison.

New shock now goes in.

I recheck the ride height.  I gained a couple mm in rear ride height switching the shocks.  The Penske at its shortest was just slightly longer.  It is not enough of a difference for me to notice on the street and probably not enough to notice on the track.

Now that the installation is complete I set the chain slack.  Once the chain slack is where I want it I don't just move the right side adjuster to the same make as the left side.  These stamped and welded pieces are made to a tolerance and there is no easy way of telling which end of the range my piece is.  Instead of just lining up the marks I set the slack, tighten down the axle nut to take out the slop and then do a wheel alignment using the right side adjuster.  It does end up being close to the same marks.

 

One thing to consider if you're thinking about the TST stuff.  It is well made.  I'm not disappointed with it.  However with some quick cross reference I'm pretty sure I could have swapped to the new R7 swingarm which has spool mounts already on it.  The bearings, spacers, and pivot bolt are all the same. 

I always prefer the factory look over something after market or chopped up unless it is intended.  This is why I spent 40min on day picking the rear light connectors on my Harley rather then just cutting a splicing since they ran them through a hollow bolt and attached the connections after the fact.  Very frustrating bike to work on for many reasons.

 

Anyway back to the MT.  I lose my shop space soon so I'm not sure what I'm going to do next or when I'll be able to get it done.  Goal is to get 90% of it done before riding season really gets going here.

[union 39]

Not a ton has happened since last update.  Wallet needs to heal a bit.  Besides the bike I have a few other things pulling at it.

 

Anyway we did do one thing.  When I stopped racing I sold off most of my stuff including my stands.  Which means I needed new stands for this bike.  Ordered a set of Woodcraft stands.  For those of you that have tried to put these bikes on stands you quickly realized wtf was Yamaha thinking.  No mounts for spools for a rear stand and the headlight bracket that covers the hole in the steering stem for a pin stand.

The TST industries stuff solved the rear stand issue.  Pretty easy install from the last post.

 

For the front I had to modify the bracket that holds the headlight in place.

As you can see we cut the tails off.

 

Before the tails were cut off I really wasn't sure what those tails did.  At first I thought they just held in the rubber cap Yamaha put in the bottom of the stem.  That rubber piece got tossed in the trash since I could see its only purpose was to hold in any moisture to help rust form.

That tails that we cut off however prevented the bracket from rotating and releasing the headlight from the bracket.  An interesting design.  In place of the tails we used a zip tie to keep the bracket from rotating.

 

Since it was so nice out yesterday, almost 60 in here Feb, and the shop is closing the end of March I rode the bike home.  Now all work on it has been relocated to my crowded garage, driveway or neighbors lift.

[union 39]

It's been a while since I've updated but I haven't been idle.  I'll try and get them in order and it may take a few tries to get this right.

Since the purpose of this bike was to have something to ride to work.  Also have something fun and sporty and trackday worthy but really to "ride to work".

 

I needed some storage on it and the SW-Motech stuff seemed like my best option.

It is a pretty slick system but I did have a few issues mounting it.  On a bike with stock suspension or with a shock that doesn't have a remote reservoir there is no problem.  However my Penske has a remote and with the bracket they supply it interferes with the supports for the bags.

Normally this would be a very minor thing.  I would just go down the street to my friends shop and make one.  He shut down at the end of Feb.  Not an option.  Luckily my neighbor is a machinist and has a decent amount of bench tools.  Not as big or as nice as what we had at the shop but good enough for this.

 

This is the bracket supplied by Penske.

What we did was mirror the bracket but move it forward a little.  Gave it two mounting points as well since now it would no longer be sandwiched between the rear peg and the subframe.  Made a couple of spacers to have the new bracket standoff a bit.

 

All fitted up with no interference.

 

I could remount the rear peg but that wasn't part of the plan.  Don't really want anyone on the back.  I have a Harley for that.  I do like symmetry so the rear peg on the right side has to come off.  For that to happen I had to make a bracket to hold the rear brake reservoir.

All mounted up.

[union 39]

Next up is some tuning.  Went the easy route and ordered the Graves package from 2WDW.  A little pricey but they get good reviews and it was the exhaust I was looking for.

I thought about this for a while.  What do I want to accomplish with the tune and exhaust.  I know a lot of people went Akrapovic.  I've had their stuff in the past as it was top notch.  That got a lot of thought.  What I was looking for was something that didn't make the bike too loud.  I leave for work most days at 3am.  With the db killer insert this was a good option.  The Graves pipe also has the db killer insert.  If I want to be stupid loud I have a Harley for that.  I also wanted to drop as much weight as possible.  Akrapovic didn't offer a full Ti pipe for this bike from what I could find.  Graves dose have full Ti pipe.  I'm sure the difference between the both is small but it is something.

 

Ecu out to 2WDW to flash

 

While I'm in there the fun snorkel gets tossed out.

 

It popped right out of the cover without any mods. 

Now I have a new little issue.  My cat catches mice in my garage.  She is really good at it.  However I dont really want a gaping hole into my filter.

Bought a bit of aluminum gutter filter at the local store and made a barrier.

 

In the mean time the stuff from FTECU arrived.

 

No photo but its an o2 sensor and whatever the continuous tuning device is.  Just need to figure out how hide it all since it seems like 4 feet of wire.  3 feet of it really isn't needed.

 

My ecu came in as well.  No photo but its really.  I was a little disappointed when it showed up.  I suspected it when the FTECU stuff showed up on it's own but it looks like 2WDW just drop ships item and doesn't actually stock them on site.  I was expecting the exhaust with the ECU but just got the ECU.  Not a huge deal but I was really looking forward to giving the bike a ride with all the new stuff.

 

In prep I took the stock pipe off.  It was a lot easier then it was when I did my R6.  I was also surprised on how light it actually was.  On the R6 the stock pipe was 18lbs.  I haven't weighed this one but I don't think its over 10lbs.

Now the bike sadly sits waiting for the Graves pipe to arrive.