2003LimitedBanshee

Parts still up for sale... shoot me some offers, otherwise to eBay on Friday. Thanks!

See now I can respect that opinion. You are right, I never said that this conversion provided exactly the same results at 1/3 the cost. I most certainly said that it was a significant improvement over stock, at a reasonable price. Also, you commented on what I pointed out about my riding from the very start. I only ride dunes, so I don't need a set of MX arms, and triple rate springs as I'm not airing my bike out. Like I've said several times, it comes down to evaluating how YOU will use the bike. I guarantee that done right (ie. safely etc.) this conversion will outperform many riders skill level. This of course assumes that they take the time to dial it in so that it works for them. You are also right that most people don't take the time to understand any of the details. I would bet that 50% of riders never mess with preload, compression, rebound or revalving; whether they opt for an aftermarket kit or a conversion. For those people, it may be best to buy a package where you can tell the manufacturer how, where etc. you ride the bike and have them ballpark it for you. Will it be spot on, probably not, but will it be better than buying a set of YFZ shocks that some other guy may or may not have adjusted and never adjusting them, probably yes. All I am really aksing for here is that people recognize that this is a viable upgrade and an improvement over the stock banshee suspension, that when done properly should not be any less reliable or more hazardous than the factory front end. Let the people decide which option better fits their build and if it's a strictly aftermarket kit, I can respect that. :beer:

He already flipped the wheels. When he goes to different arms he is going to flip them back... stock configuration. As far as worse, the bike IS going to sit lower, and it will be softer than shocks properly valved for the Ricky arms.

What I was referencing there was that it is possible to do the work and have it look like a factory install, not trick them into thinking it was a factory part, which obviously it is. That was meant as a response to dawarrior's reference to it being a hack job.

They are nice bikes, but I would drag the shee on the sand any day. Even on a stock bike and feel pretty good. Reason.... paddles are on backwards. Just had to point it out, sorry man...

Well, I guess I'll take some offense to that entire statement. First off with the hack job statement, I guarantee I could convince those who didn't know what a stock Banshee front should look like that I had a factory front end on my bike. When I took my bike out to the dunes last weekend, no one commented on it. That tells me I did a good job. They didn't look at and say, "Boy, you really butchered that up to fit didn't you?" And I have friends that would say that! As far as durability, I would put my converted front end up against the stock stuff anyday. Although looking at those a-arms in your avatar, I don't know that I would claim they would hold up to that abuse. Second, I most certainly never tried to tell anyone that it was every bit as good as an aftermarket kit. If you read carefully, which to be clear I think you did and are just trying to illustrate some valid points, I said that the aftermarket kit would stomp even the good YFZ stuff. There is a reason that a set of Elka's with adj. compression, rebound etc. cost upwards of a grand. Some of it is name, but all of those suspensions are first rate without a doubt. Also, I never condoned buying up a set of A-arms and grabbing the hacksaw to do it yourself. I have the tools and experience to do it, so I did and do, but I never said "Hey kids go do this yourself!" Agreed, there are many people that are closer to their bike right now with a wrench than they should be. Last, I will agree that many people have the money and are willing to buy aftermarket. Heck... I'm one of them. Not to be arrogant but I could go buy a set of Lonestars or whatever else you want to throw out there, slap a set of Elka Elite's hi/low speed comp adj on it and drop close to $2K. But I asked myself if I would really use that to it's potential, and for me I decided that I wouldn't. Do the YFZ arms have adjustable camber, caster etc. Nope! Not better in that regards. But really, how many people that drop $2K on the aftermarket stuff I just listed actually take the time to dial it in? My guess is less than 25%. Most just pull it out of the box, bolt it up as fast as they can and ride, just like you said. As far as that goes, in that situation, I would put my YFZ front end up against their untouched, out-of-the-box aftermarket kit through the rough stuff. But if it makes you feel better, everyone listen up. If you spend more money, YES you will CERTAINLY get what you pay for. I'm NOT saying that this option is better than what the aftermarket can offer. It IS cheaper, it IS better than stock, if done right/safely, but NOT necessarily better than what you can get elsewhere.

Also, the stock banshee springs shouldn't even be big enough to fit around the shock body of a YFZ shock.

Thank you for pointing out the aluminum uppers, beat me to it. With your comment about the YFZ arms not changing the geomety, I have to assume that you are also pointing out that a set of Alba arms don't do this either? As you said, it's all in the frame. I think the biggest thing to point out here is that yes, if you spend $1600 on a suspension system, it is going to walk over a factory setup. However, my argument is that many people will never use that $1600 setup to its potential. So, if you can give someone a suspension that is light years improved, as far as rideability (not geometry) why not? I can tell you that a 450 front end bike, will run away from the stock bike in any kind of rough stuff. I don't think anyone has ever presented this as a replacement for an expensive package, but merely another option.

I don't want to speak before I can fulfill the deal, but I should have three sets showing up sometime mid-week on. At this point they are uncut. I also have tie rods on hand to go with them. I'll PM you when I get them in and we can talk price. I'm having a prototype part built for the conversion by Dave Noss this week that should make it a 100% bolt-in kit when it's done. Depending on the final production cost of that part, I think the complete kit with stock YFZ Tie rods should be in the $250 range. Prices on arms varies depending on condition, so the total price could move by $15-$25, but nothing drastic. I'll hopefully be able to offer them with Noss Tie Rods as an option, for slightly more. More details to come...

Yeah, but he said he wanted it in inches, but an 18 foot swinger would be pretty ridiculous... ha ha couldn't resist. I think Washburn meant 18"

Look like YFZ springs but with zero preload and min ride height. Add some preload and they will look more like expected. Of course, I could be wrong, but I don't believe the banshee springs are even long enough?

Absolutely! I guarantee they will be killer for the performance but also budget minded! TTT...

Not really. You cannot bolt up unmodified YFZ450 a-arms to a stock banshee frame. There is a very extensive, to say the least, thread on this page about the entire conversion. Actually, the stock brake lines will reach, at least with Banshee spindles (reference that thread), with YFZ450 spindles it is still to be determined. All in all it is a very good conversion for the budget minded. As far as hitting trees and rocks, I wouldn't bet money on either A-arm for that.

Here's the link to my post about my taillight conversion. About halfway down has the link to Photobucket.

A-Arms and Spindles Pending... ALSO: 450 Kits soon to come... Will be totally bolt-in!!! Working out a few custom touches, details coming very soon!

I don't want to jump the gun, but I will be offering pre-cut, ready to bolt in YFZ450 front end kits shortly. I am working on a prototype spacer currently and if that all works out, I should have a few kits ready within a couple of weeks. Pricing will likely be in the $250 range for Arms, tie rods, bushings, spacers. I've converted my bike as well as a few others and it is a significant improvement over the Banshee stuff. Combine these with a set of 450 shocks and you'd be in business for around $375-$450 depending on how good a deal you got on shocks. :beer:

I have to agree with Mullet Man here. I haven't heard or experienced and hassles yet with my 450 front end. Of course, I was trying to sell you a $1000 front suspension setup, your 450 front end would rank right up there with Model T suspension anyway. That rec kit from Alba includes Elka's Rec shocks, which don't get me wrong are good shocks, but if you want Adj. compression and rebound like the stock 450 shocks have, that Alba kit jumps to about $1600. Also, Alba's newer kits are not +2+1, they are just +2, FYI. The other argument I made to myself was whether or not I really needed a $1600 suspension setup. I'm just a duner, fairly aggressive, but I'm not airing my quad 40 ft in the air, and my bet is that many aren't either. So, I'm not saying their isn't a time or place for that setup, but I bet most people would say they didn't need it if they honestly asked themselves. As far as fit is concerned, I know mine fit just fine and a few others I've talked with that have also converted their bikes fit just fine. But like I say if I were selling you a suspension setup, the 450 stuff is junk, unless I was selling you 450 stuff.

I'm not sure by this post whether or not you are considering this add still, but be forewarned that if you go this route you are going to have to switch several other things. Since those arms are +2+1 for a YFZ450, you are going to be looking at over +4+2 on each side when you put them on your Banshee. So, you are going to need LT Shocks, longer brake lines etc etc. I think I caught that you are not really considering these, but just an FYI so you don't end up with a lot larger project on your hands or worse yet, parts you can't use.

bump ttt... if I'm too high shoot me some offers guys. Thanks!

Peter is right in many regards on this post. $400 would not be any kind of special deal. The best packaged price I've gotten so far has been $280, $100 for arms, $180 for the shocks. So I would probably keep looking at that price. As far as the work that is involved I don't feel it is that extensive, but I have a pretty full shop of tools to work with. If you have a metal cutoff saw and a few basic grinders it is no problem. I'm actually working on some jigs for my saw so that I can get perfectly repeatable results on the a-arms and may very possibly be offering pre-fabbed kits for sale. Also, as Peterlocal mentioned the bike will sit lower with the YFZ Shocks, but at least initially I don't think it is a bad conversion. True, eventually you would benefit from having the proper length shocks. As far as modding the shocks go, you can actually easily avoid modding the shocks by clearancing the top shock mount on the frame. I guarantee you that you could never tell that mine had been modified. It take a very small amount of metal removal to allow for the 450 shocks. If I do end up offering kits for sale, they may be packaged with Works shocks built with the proper length to restore factory ride height. :beer:

Yes, as said it will make the front end sit lower. I don't have my measurements right in front of me, but I took measurements on track, wheelbase and ride height both before and after I converted my bike that I can post up in the next day or so.

Shit! It's never that easy is it? Luckily I jumped out as soon as I read this and put the word out for some hubs to go with my spindles that are on the way. Hopefully they'll ship tomorrow! So do you have hubs for your bike Ben? I'm posting this without going back to your pictures. But if memory serves me right, you did have the YFZ450 hubs already.

PM Sent

I've just swapped all the suspension over and I've got the complete front suspension to get rid of now. Parts are off my '03 Limited so A-Arms are factory semi-flat black, shocks have yellow springs, spindles are black. Parts included: -Upper & Lower A-Arms -Tie Rod Sleeves -Spindles -Shocks Does NOT include hub, rotor or calipers. Thinking $350 for the complete package, shipping to be determined, possibly negotiable on shipping. Would also consider separating with prices to be determined. Pics available early next week (out of town for work), but the parts are in excellent condition. Thanks!

Raptor 700 spindles are the same yes. I believe they may be entirely identical suspension as well, but don't quote me. However, the Raptor 660 spindles ARE NOT the same.