Beta X-Trainer preparation project

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

I replaced my KTM 525 EXC with a Beta X-Trainer 300...hoping that it can do the job of both the KTM and my Gas Gas Pampera.

Here it is, as delivered, fresh from the trail...

Beta 1.JPG (103.79 KiB) Viewed 2392 times

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Some of the graphics show evidence of over-zealousness with a power-washer (we've all done it).

Clean both the glueside of the sticker and the surface it sticks to with surgical spirit, warm with a hair-dryer and they should stick down again...we'll see

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[Richard Simpson Mark II]

The steering is a bit stiff so, with the bike on a paddock stand and the front wheel in the air I slacken off all the top yoke bolts, and back the steering stem nut off a touch. Then retorque...Beta helpfully has the correct torque figures shown on labels adjacent the bolts. You can see one of the labels on the bottom yoke, if you look carefully.

Beta 3.JPG (77.33 KiB) Viewed 2390 times

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

The X-Trainer has one of the smallest rear lights ever...it lacks any numberplate illumination, and it's going to need that before it can be MoT'd (white illumination of the numberplate without showing a white light direct to the rear is now a requirement).

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[Richard Simpson Mark II]

I had considered using illuminated number-plate bolts from Oxford Products (used previously on my KTM) but the wires are a little vulnerable on the 'wrong' side of the plate. So I settled on using an all-LED lamp from Oxford.

Beta 5.JPG (65.6 KiB) Viewed 2384 times

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Fitting it is going to entail taking a saw to the stylish fishtail on the back mudguard...sorry, Beta!

First we unbolt the standard lamp...

Beta 6.JPG (50.65 KiB) Viewed 2383 times

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

And then we butcher the back end...I've already done a provisional exercise in routing the wires by the time this pic is taken

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[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Houston...we have a problem.

The packaging is excellent, the light looks OK, but the wiring colours on the diagram don't correspond to real life.

What do you expect?

It's made in the People's Republic of China! So, of course it's wrong!

Beta 8.JPG (76.86 KiB) Viewed 2382 times

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

The lamp is provided with two bolts, and there's no way they are going to secure it to the back of the Beta, so self-tappers it is!

Beta 9.JPG (57.36 KiB) Viewed 2381 times

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

After a bit of trial and error, it's all connected and working. Flickers a bit at tickover as I'm running AC through an LED unit.

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I've cleaned and reinstalled the air filter, and got a new horn on order as the one fitted is dead.

When the horn arrives, I can get it MoT'd. I'll also change the gearbox oil.

The bike has higher gearing than standard (it's lived in East Anglia most of its life so has hardly seen a hill), so I've got a new smaller front sprocket and a new chain to put on it at some point too.