Electric Start Conversion for WR400F

[Yamahondaha]

Is it possible to convert a 1999 WR400F to electric start? I know it can be done for the XR400 by using parts from the EX400 quad. Is the WR450 electric start compatable with the WR400?

Would the 400 need an auto decompression cam to make the conversion work? Is it at all possible and or affordable?

You must be thinking "why don't you just buy a WR450 with electric start?" Reason is that my WR400 is registered for the street in California and I can't converted a new WR450 for street use.

Has anyone made this mod to there WR400/426? I am guessing that the stator cover needs to be swapped out as well as the cylinder or crank case? I also wonder if the WR450 sub frame fits on the WR400 to carry the battery.

If you don't have a clue please don't post a reply. No one benefits from smart A$$ remarks... ?

[ISBB]

why not just buy a new wr450 instead of going thru the headache of trying to make it one.. ?

[tntmo]

Well, I have to admit that I don't have a clue if you can convert the WR400 to E-start, but I think that it might be cheaper to buy a used WR450 engine and mod your bike to make it fit. Maybe a wrecked WR450? Sounds like a great project, good luck.

[simon@vic]

the cases are different. it wont work unless you build custom cases.

but they will cost 5x what a new wr450 would cost.

live with the kick or buy a 450!!

[Yamahondaha]

why not just buy a new wr450 instead of going thru the headache of trying to make it one.. ?

Did you read the part of my post that said my WR400 is CA plated? I can't register a new 450 for the street...

[BOULMAN]

I went through the same thing on my plated 426. It came down to getting the jetting right and it a 1 kick and go bike!!! I love the bike and have had zero problems getting it to fire once it was jetted right and learning what the bike needs to fire up.

[simon@vic]

auto decomp ex cam!

[Sylvain]

I have to say like Simon, yz 450 auto decomp exhaust cam ? .

But just for your info, I remember reading about an electric starter upgrade available for wr 400 & 426 a couple years ago. There was even a thread in TT about that, but it was before the new format we now have. May be it's still in the archive. I beleive the mod wasn't available for North America, only Europe.

[Yamahondaha]

I went through the same thing on my plated 426. It came down to getting the jetting right and it a 1 kick and go bike!!! I love the bike and have had zero problems getting it to fire once it was jetted right and learning what the bike needs to fire up.

My jetting is dialed, I have the JD jet kit and the bike starts with one kick even cold with no choke. My problem is that if I forget to put gas in and I run out in traffic, I want to be able to flip the petcock to reserve and hit the button to start and not have to kick to find TDC then decompress and finally kick to start and hope it didn't need the hot start button. It happened to me once and it is embarrassing, I was all set to rip this camaro a new one and as the light turned I stalled and he ran off laughing ?

[mtrablue]

the '03+ auto decompression cam is your best bet. there was a kit out a while back but it was expencive and coming out of europe (france maybe?) parts would be a big question mark. you also have to consider the electrics involved. battery, rectifier, all that stuff. go test ride an R6 or R1. you might find something new to spend your money on. for the street, that is.

[Yamahondaha]

Did you read the part of my post that said my WR400 is CA plated? I can't register a new 450 for the street...

I just found out that Joeracer.com can plate a wr450 or any other bike that has the 8th digit of the vin# free of 3 or C. So if the bikes Vin# has a 3 or C in the 8th spot it can't be plated. They offer CRF450's and KTM 450 and 525exc out the door with a Cal. plate. I am now thinking about buying an 05 WR450 with the electric start and having them plate it for $695

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/76864482.html

[Yamahondaha]

Latest update, I am buying an 06 Husqvarna TE510. Street legal, 6 speed, 238 lbs, electric start and 53 hp!...

http://www.husqvarnausa.com/

[nimiz1]

just do a search here for "electric start" and you will find everithing about it.

[SJMC_DON]

Latest update, I am buying an 06 Husqvarna TE510. Street legal, 6 speed, 238 lbs, electric start and 53 hp!...

http://www.husqvarnausa.com/

That bike rips! I have alot of friends with Huskies and every one of them claim starting issues, they always bring jumper cables when we go rididng.? Make sure you order a kick starter kit if it does not already have one and the MX pipe on those bikes make a huge difference!

Good Luck, I am sure you will find alot of advice in the Husky Forum ?

[Yamahondaha]

That bike rips! I have alot of friends with Huskies and every one of them claim starting issues, they always bring jumper cables when we go rididng.? Make sure you order a kick starter kit if it does not already have one and the MX pipe on those bikes make a huge difference!

Good Luck, I am sure you will find alot of advice in the Husky Forum ?

UPDATE: I got an 06 Yamaha wr450 because I learned that the 2004 ban on dirt bike conversions in California was rescinded in 2005. I put a trick dual sport light kit on it and got a brake and lamp inspection certificate. I have an appointment to get a VIN verification from the CHP on may 4th 2006. While on the phone with the CHP they informed me that they ran the VIN and said the bike was not stolen (I bought it new so this was no surprise) and that the DMV has already issued a plate for it and are just waiting for the two forms to be brought in by me. The officer read a plate number that sounded something like 16W1234 so I know he wasn't talking about the green sticker registration. It should be a done deal but I will keep my fingers crossed and post the results here once I visit the DMV on May 4th.

In case I don't get it plated I also got the 06 TE510 and it does rip. It also comes with a street plate and a kick starter plus it has a 6 speed tranny. It starts in a fraction of a second with no choke so I won't be needing jumper cables. LOL

[cj8guy]

Where did you see or hear anything on the ban being lifted?

I know that some guys are getting lucky but this would be huge news if it were true.

Also who did the paper work, did you go to the DMV with your MSO or did the dealer do it? If so where did you buy at?

Thanks

[Yamahondaha]

Where did you see or hear anything on the ban being lifted?

I know that some guys are getting lucky but this would be huge news if it were true.

Also who did the paper work, did you go to the DMV with your MSO or did the dealer do it? If so where did you buy at?

Thanks

I got the 06 WR450F for $6,399 OTD from East Bay Motorsports in Hayward

http://www.eastbaymotorsports.com/

I went to the DMV web site and found under motorcycle registration a link to go to Off-Highway Motorcycle Conversions to On-Highway (Street) or Dual Registration. I clicked on it and it took me here...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/ohvdualreg.htm

First off you need to have a green sticker VIN. The 8th digit of the vehical identification number needs to be free of a "C" or "3". You have to put lights and horn on the bike, I got my dual sport light kit for $430 from Trick Dual Sport. They also sent me PDF's of the DMV forms.

http://www.trickdualsport.com/

You then get the lights inspected by a certified Brake & Lamp shop, I went to A&S in Roseville and spent $60.

http://www.ascycles.com/

The VIN and the Brake & Lamp inspection certificate have to be verified by the CHP. You then get a form 888 from the CHP to take to the DMV along with the Brake & Lamp Certificate and the Statement of facts form.

I am waiting for the CHP appointment May 4th to get form 888 then that same day I will pop into the DMV to grab the plate that waits for me there.

just in case I was unable to do it on my own, I called Joe racer @ Off road only in San Jose and they told me that they would do the Brake & Lamp inspection and get me a plate by processing the DMV paperwork for me for $300. They also have "turn key" service where you take your green sticker bike to them and they do it all for like $1,200. So far I am up to $500 and 5 hours doing it myself, if your time is worth more than $100 an hour or if you don't know how to do it, it is worth it but I like to do it myself...

http://www.offroad-only.com/

[cj8guy]

The wording the DMV is using sounds so vague and would appear easy.

There are some sharp clerks who know it must be a Federal Emmisions sticker not a California sticker. I would stay away from the Rocklin DMV the supervisor there is very versed at this and will flag you.

[Yamahondaha]

The wording the DMV is using sounds so vague and would appear easy.

There are some sharp clerks who know it must be a Federal Emmisions sticker not a California sticker. I would stay away from the Rocklin DMV the supervisor there is very versed at this and will flag you.

I go to the DMV on Broadway in Sacramento. Last time I went in to register my 99 YZ400F the clerk asked me if I wanted to get a street plate for it. I said I thought you can't do the conversions any more. She said they changed the law in 2005 and now you can plate a green sticker bike with a green VIN and yours is green. I also called the 1-800 number for the DMV and asked them if I could plate a dirt bike and they said yes as long as you have a green sticker VIN.

I didn't want to do all that work to plate the 99 because I ultimately want an electric start. I bought an 06 WR450 thinking I could get it plated and if I couldn't I would be cool just having a green sticker.

I got the Husqvarna 510 because it is already street legal and very dirt worthy so if the Yamaha gets rejected I will still have the plated Husky dual sport and a dirt only Yamaha that I will set up like a YZ450.

Too many bikes, not enough time... ?

[Yamahondaha]

I finally got a plate on my 06 WR450 today! (bought it in February) The emissions label was the biggest dilemma of all. I did get lucky and had a VIN verifier that was also a dirt biker, he was lovin the bike and I think he really wanted it to pass, my karma must be good! If I was to do it again I would go through Joe racer.com. They seem to have a system in place for getting it done. Joe quoted me $300 to finish my DMV process once I got the Lights on it. I tried to save some money by going to the CHP for the VIN verification and almost got red flagged. If you know someone who can do the VIN verification, get it done first before you spend $400 on the light kit or take your bike to off road only and they will do everything for you, not a bad deal when you consider all the time and money it takes doing it yourself, not to mention the risk of failure...