New pics of 525SX/Raptor hybrid

[protraxrptr17]

Finally tied up all the loose ends and made a new exhaust to try out. I've ridden it on the track three times and I have to say it is the best handling bike I've ever ridden, most powerful too. It starts pulling right off idle, and keeps on all the way till the rev limiter kicks in. I had trouble with the rear suspension at first. It was too tall and way oversprung. I tried a couple different springs and finally put the dual rate SSD spring setup back on. It is not supposed to work with the LT linkage. I would've guessed it would be way soft but it works perfect. This confirms my original theory that the Raptor's downfall is the giant engine and so many accesories mounted too high in the frame. This bike corners like it's on rails. Even with the big 19" tires. Haven't really raced it yet, but I've lined up with your average YFZ (you know, pipe, maybe porting, hi compression), average Z400, and a 250R. I could let all of them get a couple bike lengths before I took off, and I could easily pass them before the first turn. Way more power than I will ever need ( I'm not much of a rider). It has instant throttle response. That was my first reason for the swap. The 660 was strong but, just wouldn't snap to life like you need for tight tracks.

It weighed 365lbs full of fuel and water with the old square exhaust (some of you might remember it from the last set of pics). I think this one is a couple pounds lighter. I'm going to do a test next time I go to the track and see which one performs better. This one looks much better I think.

Well, enough bragging. I just wanted to describe it a little bit. Alot of you wanted to know how it performed. Now, on to the pics.

[protraxrptr17]

More pics coming so be patient. Dial-up sucks.

[protraxrptr17]

Sits much lower now doesn't it. The spring in the pics I posted in the first thread came from a 3/4 ton pickup I think.

[FoxRacing81]

Looks awesome! Is it fast?!?!?! Must do good on an MX track.

[protraxrptr17]

This pic looks kinda too far away. My camera skills are worse than my riding skills.

[protraxrptr17]

I built it for MX. People said I was crazy for wasting my time on a Raptor, but I like it.

[jak1389]

really nice bike. i would love to see that beast on the track.

[protraxrptr17]

Here you can kinda see the new exhaust. It looks similar to a TC. I built it from an old RCM looking pipe from my old 250X. I cut the megaphone off and made my own core. All I really used from the old pipe was the aluminum can. I biuilt the midpipe the same as I did on the square muffler, but I made more cuts so it would be a more gradual bend. Still not as good as a mandrel bend, but a poor man has poor ways.

[protraxrptr17]

Thanks. I hope to get some action shots later.

[protraxrptr17]

The midpipe is 304 stainless. The tip is part of the endcap from the stock raptor muffler. The core and end caps are just mild steel.

[trick250r]

pretty sweet raptor

[LuckyOxygen]

Where are you at in Arkansas?

[protraxrptr17]

Here's a good close up. The screws holding the outlet endcap on will be replaced with pop rivets later ( I ran out this morning.)

[protraxrptr17]

I'm from a little community called Pansy. It's about 30 miles south of Pine Bluff on HWY 63.

Heres a good shot of the mid pipe. I need more practice welding stainless. I used 100% argon shielding gas. Some argon/helium mix would have made it look better.

I just used some rattle cans on the frame and swinger. I'll powdercoat it this winter. I'm ready to ride this thing. Plus, I might decide to change something.

[LuckyOxygen]

Where are you gonna race?

[protraxrptr17]

I didn't have the rear brakes on it in the first thread. I used a CRF450 front caliper and rear master cylinder. Best rear brake setup you can buy.

[theTman]

wow thats amazing....got any videos?

[protraxrptr17]

In 2003 I raced Herber springs almost every weekend they were open. I raced there the first few races of 2004 and broke my back. I was out for nearly the whole season. I don't go up there much anymore. A new guy got the track in 2004 and he has no clue about how to build a track or manage one either. It was never really good but I had fun there. That's about the only track I run in Arkansas. I race Four States in Texas some. I like to go up in Tennesee. I go to Louisiana some too.

No videos. Wish I did though. Even if I did, it would take me a week to upload it.

[TheFontMaster]

That thing came out really good. It should look awsome once you get some powdercoating done to it.

O and I'm liking that pink zip tie holding the rear brake line.:cool:

[protraxrptr17]

It was either that or neon green. :confused:

[LuckyOxygen]

You should come to greenbrier and try somes TT's

[protraxrptr17]

My good friend Scotty Weast races up there. It just ain't my cup of tea.

shoulda just waited till july for da 700

[250xridamatt]

I think i would much rather have that thing, than the new raptor 700. Besides, hybrids are awesome, especially this one, its something you dont see a whole lot.

[protraxrptr17]

The new Raptor is definitely going to be awesome, but I think the 525SX engine will be much better for my type of riding. It is much lighter too.

And like 250xridamatt said, this one is different. Nobody will have one like this.

[FasstMidnightZ]

*****in bike man !, Im in Arkansas as well. Fayetteville as a matter of fact, Were are you ? :macho

yea
try postin a vid

[sampleez]

that is pretty sick man!!

is that the stock subframe? if so, how hard was it to turn it into a fliptop?

[LeGaCyGiAnT124]

that is a nice *** bike:eek2:

[Mxracer53]

That thing is awsome! post up some more pics and what you did to it. Great job!

[CannondaleRider]

nice freakin bike man!!!

How much does it way? Any idea on HP?

[250xridamatt]

He said 365 wet, maybe a lb or two less since he put the different pipe on. He hasnt said how much hp yet.

[Robin Hood]

Def. run that on a dyno, let us know how it comes out. Great bike.

im pretty sure that a 525 put out like 57 or sumthin at the rear wheel on a bike, but the impressive part was how much torque they have

Originally posted by yzfmxer
im pretty sure that a 525 put out like 57 or sumthin at the rear wheel on a bike, but the impressive part was how much torque they have ive ridden a 525sx dirtbike, and there scary fast. that should be pumping out alot of HP!!

[protraxrptr17]

I'm about 30 miles South of Pine Bluff.

The subframe is the stock '01 aluminum square POS. I made it fliptop by bolting the fenders directly to the seat. I cut the seat/fender mount off and made a hinge for it. I don't really like the design, but it's just temporary. I have decided to build a complete frame and subframe from 4130 this winter. I am going to add more rake to it like the 250R. I'm still undecided on the rear setup. Maybe CR500, maybe I'll keep what I have. If I go CR500 I'll lose a little travel, but I don't 100% like the way my current setup feels. I'm hoping it will feel better after I get a revalve. I will have Raptor 700 plastic on the new frame too. Most beautiful thing I have ever seen.


It weighs about 365 fully loaded right now. The new frame should drop it below 345.

The bike guys told me it puts out about 54 rear wheel HP. I had a B level YFZ guy ride it Sunday. He said it would blow his YFZ away. This engine rules to the first turn.

[Cole Trane]

That's dopest of dope.


Nice quad.

[protraxrptr17]

Here's a link to the first thread I made when I got finished with the mock up.

525SX/Raptor (http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=158450)

[Punk'd]

Sweet bike:)

[willow2679]

Awsome man keep tracking your work from that old post you did It´s an awsome and original quad
The motor fits like it was made for it (taller wise)
now action pics :macho please:devil:

[hardkoratvmxr]

yea we def need action pics

[Ryan]

Nice quad!

[born-2-race]

Originally posted by Ryan
Nice quad!

Very nice quad :D

[protraxrptr17]

Yeah, I really want some action pics myself. My camera pretty much sucks for action shots, so I'll have to wait until I go to a big race with a photographer. I may bring it to Loretta's, so anybody that wants to look at it please come by. I love to meet people and talk. I don't know if I'll be riding it or not. I may let somebody else ride it for me. I broke my back in three places last year and I still haven't got my body and my confidence back to 100%.

willow, I must say that the frame and engine look great together. There was too much space in front of the engine before I moved the radiator. The radiator is from a 660 Grizzly if anybody was wondering. Twice as thick as a Raptor's and it's a crossflow. I had to weld another outlet on it to work with the two inlets on the 525's cylinder. I also had to weld a 90 on the radiator inlet. Relocating the radiator lowered the CG and increased the cooling capacity too. It also caused me to fabricate some scoops, which I think turned out looking pretty cool. I've had alot of people ask where I got them. They like the look of the rivets. Makes me feel proud to say "I made them myself".

[Rootar]

Originally posted by protraxrptr17
In 2003 I raced Herber springs almost every weekend they were open. I raced there the first few races of 2004 and broke my back. I was out for nearly the whole season. I don't go up there much anymore. A new guy got the track in 2004 and he has no clue about how to build a track or manage one either. It was never really good but I had fun there. That's about the only track I run in Arkansas. I race Four States in Texas some. I like to go up in Tennesee. I go to Louisiana some too.

No videos. Wish I did though. Even if I did, it would take me a week to upload it.


by herber springs are you talking about the track at donaldson? if not have you ran at donaldson any? i live in south arkansas too about an hour and a half from the donaldson track and about and hour from four states mx. so if you ever go riding at either of those let me know id love to see that bike and id be more than happy to borrow a decent camera and take you soem action shots and soem video of it.

one question i think everyone is wondering is what does it sound like?


looks killer man get back to me on the riding and taking pics.

[willow2679]

Wow :eek: even the rad you had to modified maybe with nothing behind the front hood you can made one with out holes for the air to flow and look even more original (just ideas :ermm: )

[Mr.boof]

Lets See a video! i want to see and hear this thing rip!

[protraxrptr17]

Rootar, no Heber is in North Arkansas, but I have been wanting to go to Donaldson. I raced at Four States a couple times last year. We definitely need to ride together at Donaldson. Call me anytime @ 870-814-5795.

As far as the sound, I think it sounds different than anything else. It may be because of my handmade exhausts. I kinda like the sound of the square one better. I have to do some work to the shorty. I raced it last Sunday and it blew the screen apart. I'm going to try some thicker material. I also took the 18 oz dummy weight off the crankshaft three weeks ago. It revved fast before, but now it sounds more like a late model dirt car than a four-wheeler. The dirt bike guys told me it would stall too easy if I took off the weight, but so far I haven't had any trouble with it. It did make it respond much faster. I now have to be careful because it will break traction very easy on some jump faces and throw you nose high.

willow, I have been trying to think of some ideas for the hood. I did think about filling the holes in smooth like you suggested, but it looked too much like a Suzuki. I guess the hood is what really defines a Raptor. I've been working on some ideas with high polished stainless. I might shave down the louvers and put some stainless inserts behind. I haven't had as much time to work on that as I would like. I've had trouble with my rear fender supports. I made them from 6061 aluminum, and it doesn't like to flex much. When the fenders get heavy with mud the supports break. I think I found a quick solution yesterday though. If it doesn't work, I'm going to have to do a major edesign on that. :ermm:

youre nuts!!!!!!!!!!!! im jealous of that bike

[protraxrptr17]

I dug around and found a couple more pics. They may be something you've already seen.

Here you can see some of the work I had to do to the frame.

[protraxrptr17]

:blah:

[protraxrptr17]

:chinese:

[protraxrptr17]

:scary:

[protraxrptr17]

:rolleyes:

[protraxrptr17]

:confused:

[willow2679]

Maybe you have to hold the front part of the rear fenders like honda´s quad do. they have a metal part that goes from one side to the other with U shape holding the front part and supporting it and flexing less so the rear holding suppports have less flex and distributes the upport over all the fender (Hope you under stand me :ermm: )

[protraxrptr17]

Yeah, my new subframe will have supports on the front of the fenders. I didn't have a good place to attach one with this design. :(