Hi guys.....I have a few questions, I noticed a few guys doing this, so I was thinking about it too, what is your opinion on turning the front wheels around to make the front end wider?? I was also wondering, what is the pred stock gearing, and what do you reccomend gearing with my mods(I am also about 30lbs lighter than stock) for xc racing and for duning. Last year in the dunes I couldn't hardley pull fifth(had to rev 4th hard and then slam into 5th). Thanks guys.

 

Im not to sure about flipping the fronts, if you do check the valve stems. For gearing stock is 14/40 i thnk. I run 13/38, and drag racing with super modifieds run 15/36. Some people for duneing only change the front to 13t or 15t. You have to mess around see what works best for you. they are about 20 bucks a piece for front. Next I reccomend purchasing a cdi. It will make a world of differnce, especially if you change front to 13t it likes to rev quick, that why i just purchased a cdi. I havent been able to take the bike out yet though.

 

Btw: how much of a difference did you notice with that spring kit and how much was it.

 

Stock gearing is 14/37 and with your mods for XC racing or dunes, I would go with a 38 or 39 rear tooth. If you were stock, then I would say a 13 front. I have a pipe on mine, so the 13 is now geared a little to low for XC racing. So I'm going with a 39 rear.

 

One thing about flipping the wheels. You will change the offset. Not too good for the wheel bearings. Also, might want to look into a steering stabilizer if you ride rough terrain.

 

I've run the flipped rims for years on both Yamahas and the Predators, yes you need to move the valve stem to the other side of the rim, but I've never had any problems with wheel bearings. Predator is nice and wide with flipped yamaha rims on it too! NASCAR handling!

I did bend and go through 2-3 of the crappy 1/4 diameter threaded tie-rod ends on the Warrior and Banshee though, as you've now got more leverage with the off-set rim, so if you peg a log or big rock with your side wall chances are you can easily bend the tie-rod, which at ~$35 a piece aint cheap!

 

i ran wide offset, which would be like turning them around, and i thought it was harder to drive in the tight spots, and i got a tie rod end too, so i took them back off. I'd probably try something like a half inch different and call it good if i had a chance.

 

2003 Predator 500 Gear Ratios

Front-Rear-Final
14----36----2.57
14----37----2.64 STOCK
14----38----2.71
14----39----2.78
14----40----2.85
13----36----2.78
13----37----2.85 COMMON
13----38----2.92
13----39----3.00
13----40----3.07

Here are the different gear ratios that I know of that you can get for the Predator in the 03. Not sure if anything has changed in the 05 though, but I believe it's the same for 2003 and 2004. Good luck!

 

Have had mine flipped since the day i got it and no problems what so ever....didnt even have any clearance issues with the valve stems. The ride didnt change one bit fo rme...maybe its cuz i only ride iin sand

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys/gals......that is very useful. I think I am going to try flipping the rims, and I'll give you a report later(I just got the idea because it looked like the Nicholas Cycle Racing team was doing it, so thought it might be a good idea)......I think I'm going to go with what ge4x4 suggested with the gearing. I already have an hpd steering stabilizer for who asked that.

Mr. Zeeedler.....I have the HPD spring kit, and the fox rezzies. I think they make a good difference, and they lower the bike like 2 inches. They are very adjustable, with the rezzies. The ride seems better and it seems like I can corner harder. HPD springs = 380, rezzies = 340, and to put them on is about 100 bucks(rezzies filled I mean) I think I came out with about 870 dollars worth of labor and material. I think ge4x4 also has the kit, ask him too.