Hi guys..I've juz recently converted my Xr400 to SM..Here's the details of my conversion and problems..I went to a local shop to get the conversion done.Didn't do the conversion myself.

1)DID Dirtstar Rims. 3.5' Front and 4.5' Rear

2)DID Spokes

3)Used original XR4 hubs front n rear(32 holes).-not mine.was sourced by shop.

4) Bridgestone Battlax Tyres front and rear


-I've been plagued by several problems.


Problem 1-My front brake squeaks and schreeches.(It was totally fine before the conversion)The mechanic went to the length of sanding and then grinding down the brake pads and brake discs.

In the end I changed to Braking brake pads and disc for my front.Although the noise is a bit lesser,it did not go away n totally irritating.Was told it needs time to conform to one another n the noise will go away once it does.

Sounds like brake contact/no contact/contact/no contact.But I can't feel if the disc is warped when I brake..And the braking feels quite smooth and even.

It has been a week now but the noise is still there.

Problem 2-Three days after the SM conversion, one of my front spokes broke.It was replaced free of charge but when I asked for an explanation, mechanic told me that he's not very sure as dis thing never happened before.He said it might be due to the tension of the spoke was too tight.

Then 5days later which is today.A front spoke broke again.I do not know if it's the same spoke or not..At this rate, my spokes are breaking 1 every few days.. Sad

Questions

1) Are these 2 problems related?The fact that my front brake is making so much noise and the spokes keep on breaking?

2)Does the mech need to do "balancing" of the wheels after lacing up the rims?

3)Are my wheels alligned properly and how do I go about checking?(When I spin the front wheel, they look fine but I don't trust the eyes to catch something so minute such as allignment.)

4)Could the front hub possibly be out of shape?(That's the only used item) The rest are new.

Hey Menace:

My SM conversion used new stout hubs and extra thick spokes from Sum of All Parts. They also recommended the upgraded brakes, but I saved the $400 and it squeals just like yours and it didn't before. I upgraded the pads and put on wave rotors and it made no difference.

I assume the beefy SM setup is overpowering the rotors that were intended for the dirt. Probably the same thing is happening on your spokes.

The XR400 bike I just bought from BBR has the same heavy duty hubs and spokes on dirt rims. So the OEM stuff must be marginal.

Joe

flarityj said:

Thanx for the reply bro. Though I'm not using aftermarket hubs or oversized spokes, the formula which the shop used was tested and proven by many others who has done it before at his shop too..that's the feedback that I got from the ppl in my community..

My case is the BIG exception.And there are many converted XR400 SM on the roads where I stay.