This KTM Blew Up During a Race but What Failed? Ultimate XC Bike Build!

[@IlllIlIlIIlll]

Finally a dirt bike

[@girlthaslu]

He did a yz125 a lil while back it was bad fuckin ass id definitely buy it if it was forsale because of how beautiful that bike is

[@angelmendoza1876]

@@girlthaslubeat me to it

[@jonathanwilliams4255]

The problem I have with the grape ape was it was his learning days of spray painting and the part used wasn’t really moto industry parts, he put way more effort and $ so I’m really excited for this one.

[@Dylanm823]

Its a quad channel my man, but id be lying if i didnt think the same words when i saw the title, im just waiting for a mean ass yfz build

[@thetrainmaster.100]

He’s done a lot of dirtbikes before

[@lithonitee_3285]

Put turn signals, a plate and speedo. Go on some adventures with it. Already has a head lamp and tail light.

[@theibault]

I'm so excited to see the rebuild of this bike. Ps, it's an Enduro bike. You have to leave that headlight on ya knucklehead 😆. But maybe replace it with a cooler LED unit.

[@bilboswaggens2975]

It also depends on where you live. Like in michigan for example, if your bike comes with a light from the factory it has to be on while riding in the trails. Stupid law. But i have friends who have gotten tickets for it

[@bilboswaggens2975]

350 4 stroke one of the best trail bikes on the market that’s for sure.

[@christopheravery5808]

You should definitely put a rekluse auto clutch pack back in it, it would also help you out riding in the trails. Also, the bike was a race bike, you can’t just rebuild it without bringing it back to its “race bike glory”. Build that bike as if you were a “race team owner” and was trying to build the best XC bike you could to have a rider win in the pro class… I think that would be super cool, and if you know someone that is super good on dirt bikes then take them to a few races and enter them to race for “Team BCG”.

[@MichaelSabo]

I decided to go with the stock clutch for now but I do plan to bring the bike back to the original owner who is an amazing rider and have him give it a rip once again!

[@DRockDreamin]

You gotta keep the headlight and brake light. They can be street legal and really improve the value of the bike especially if you have the title approved for street use.

[@shoes121255]

Agreed, street title it, then you have the go anywhere trail bike.

[@SportbikerNZ]

Easy to put them on later, or whenever needed.

[@gpiece601]

Super excited to see this!! The anticipation was growing! Great to meet you Mike! ~ George

[@perezan2010]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 I'm 49yrs old love my 22 450sxf. Its awesome to see you do a KTM build!!

[@KentuckySquids]

Rocky Mountain ATV. Its your best friend you never knew you had but always wished you had😂

[@ArvidHansson-pv7oi]

You should find a ktm quad to restore. That whould be very nice to see

[@supertedogpriken]

he did a quad with a ktm engine. Dont remember what quad it was but think it was a 500cc.

[@loganstevens42069]

My buddy had a 2018 350 sxf with 250+hours, and yeah it was a pretty fast bike. Can’t wait to watch this series those are some great bikes 👍🏼👍🏼

[@867diesel]

wossner is the ONLY piston ill run in my trx250r . its a TRULY fully forged piston and they have excellent customer service . i also ran wossner 14:1 in my 07 trx450r .

[@MichaelSabo]

I hear nothing but good things about them

[@867diesel]

@@MichaelSabo they over nighted a piston for me in 2020 a couple of days before a race and didnt charge me for the over night shipping to help me make the race . im not even sponsored by them . thats how good they are

[@stevenbissonnette7893]

Sweet bike, I still wish you'd do a honda 200x, 250r or 350x trike. It would be a guaranteed hit. Just like the Quadzilla build, that's how I found your channel! CHEERS!

[@MichaelSabo]

a 350X would be awesome to build!

[@OdysseyOffroad]

​@@MichaelSaboi think we know a guy with one..just sayin 😁

[@nateswank4059]

8k is nuts! Thats why im a Yamaha guy😂 Had a full motor rebuild on a yfz450 and that was 3500 bucks. Sick bike tho man!

[@MichaelSabo]

No doubt its expensive lol - thank god I can do the labor myself

[@nateswank4059]

@@MichaelSabo saving some money big time! Can’t wait to see how it comes together!🤙🏻

[@jasonjavelin]

Man I love a bike with a story. I'm still at the level of just getting pieces of trash running and riding again and looking moderately nice but this is a whole other level

[@910slastchancegarage6]

Nothing like a new video from Michael Sabo. Hopefully next build could be a KFX700 as that’s what I ride.

[@MichaelSabo]

One of these days I'll get my hands on one - you never see those things

[@SethMullins418]

Mike the plastic oil pump gear warps or teeth break and straves the engine of oil very common issue.. if you need the metal upgraded gear ive got one brand new

[@MichaelSabo]

shoot me an email - this sounds like a "must do" upgrade. [e-mail]

[@smward1126]

SO EXCITED for a dirtbike build.

[@shoes121255]

Check out engine dynamics or fastheads, they may be able to fix that head. Also in some cases the cams can have aluminum transfer that looks like scoring, might be able to clean them up. In regards to the lights, personally I'd keep them since you dont have a dirt bike with lights. I always keep mine on riding on trails as it gives a little extra warning to riders coming head on (we have 2 way trails).

[@MichaelSabo]

Good point with the headlight - I am going to look into the head repair as well. The cams are metal on metal friction but I can always drop some muriatic acid on it to see if it bubbles from traces of aluminum transfer.

[@owensbama1923]

That was always one of the cons people didn't like when they started coming out with the four strokes. The money to repair it. Most people don't know how to rebuild a four stroke like they can a 2stroke and the money is ridiculous.

[@reggiexp69]

i mean a 4 stroke has so many more moving parts... sure it last longer overal but once its breaks your in for a bad time and expensive. with vavles cams timing alot can go bad.. 2 stroke last less long but are easy to rebuild overal just piston cylinder and ur ready to go again

[@ChadListentome]

When you go orange and black you’re never going back. I love my EXC!

[@kindnuguz]

such a tease and now I'll be waiting for the parts lol I think it will be a good value when all said and done, I mean the labor is where the price difference would be and that is where Sabo is saving. Glad this was saved for this channel

[@TooRaw4You]

I got my ltz400 cylinder head and cam caps fixed when it was scarred up like that for cheap. Been about 3 years no issues.

[@MichaelSabo]

Where did you send it for repair?

[@Sunspot-19]

Nice to be behind the bar as opposed to towering over it! As for a headlight, find an LED lamp for it and keep it cause night rides in the desert are spectacular especially, with a full moon. Good on ya to get this bike nursed back to health.

[@chrismayo256]

Dunlop mx34 front and rear for woods racing, by far the best tire on the market. That bike in stock form is amazing, not mods necessary. Those aer forks aren’t bad as people talk about, just find you a decent pressure and dial them in. You’re going to like it more than the kawi 😉

[@josephchambers5400]

I’d love to see a cr500 build. I’ve been searching around me to find one to rebuild but I can’t find 1 not even a frame. Literally nothing. 1997 dream bike

[@jacobg130productions]

I’ve liked my Tusk Rear Tire. Nice and chunky and pretty grippy too.

[@devongondry9273]

On your next build do a cr500 please! Love all of your builds your awsome!

[@aidenmule9369]

For the tire you should get a Michelin Starcross, five intermediate tire. It’s honestly one of the best tires I’ve driven on the dirtbike so far doesn’t wear to quick and the traction is all around amazing.

[@codypepin7728]

If your still looking for a tire to run on the rear, use the Dunlop D606, ive had one on my bike for 2 years now and the tread hasnt hardly worn out at all

[@arealcaprisun]

You know what’s funny? The same day that there is the Badlands Bash, there is an enduro event like an hour or so south east

[@msaul85]

What a great bike and awesome build! I am so looking forward to this build. Grabbing my popcorn now…

[@_mccaff_]

Thats cool. Has the solid performance decals on it. I got a ktm 350 from solid performance to.

[@brandoninks]

I know you just started this build and im pumped to watch this one but you should try to find a ktm quad to build that would be so rad!

[@ericmillersprospectingchan3424]

What a awesome story behind this bike! And I can't wait for the finished product!!

[@Lracer61]

I absolutely love my ktm 500 supermoto. Its been a blast to ride and modify. Cant wait to watch this build!

[@bachforelle11]

I worked in a motorcycle repair shop and now i work in an engine repair machine shop in Germany. We have many ktm and husqvarna 350s with similar damage. We weld the cylinder head with a laser welder and then machine it, because the new heads were not available here. Usually the whole repair including engine installation costs not much more than 4000 dollars. 8000 dollars is crazy for that kind if repair.

[@AuStInToW]

For tires I love the tusk recon hybrid tires with the fat tire front especially for enduro they grip super good and I personally love the way the fat front tire feels

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the suggestion man!

[@jakeminnesota4091]

Up grading the cam’s stage two hot cams is what’s gonna make this thing rip. Paired with a vortex ignition or an FMF exhaust make that thing awesome

[@James-xq6kg]

I thought I’d never see this day come Michael has a dirtbike, dude

[@leehuntley189]

He has a couple more than this one he has on his channel....his top viewed is the grape ape!

[@Aikenpowersports]

hes built a few already

[@MotoBailey]

He’s got a kx250f rn

[@James-xq6kg]

It’s a kx 250x

[@James-xq6kg]

And I know he build some bikes

[@richknight7307]

Oh hell yeah this Ktm is going to be flames bro

[@priyamunera7518]

No time to lose 💪 Can't wait to see the next video.! Hello from Costa Rica.!

[@namtech425]

I had a KTM 525SX, what a beast of a bike, I would love to own a 350 because I feel the power to weight for my age is awesome the 450's just want to kill you outright. Nice find and can't wait to see you get stuck into this - good luck mate.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you man! I hear the power to weight ratio is great on these 350s

[@alexbittle2900]

saving for a ktm350 to make or buy already as a supermoto rn this is sick

[@oliverhutchens7373]

Love the content Mike! As far as tires go I would look into IRC. Have IRC ve33 on my sherco and it’s a great tire. Always a great watch🤘🏼

[@MichaelSabo]

thank you for the suggestion man!

[@i_am_wildcats_dad6122]

Can't wait to see this series and the bike completed. Great video. Get this thing done and we'll get the trail bikes out. Tyler has a Kaw klx300 and i have a Kaw klx450

[@MichaelSabo]

Sounds like a great idea Rich!

[@JonathanVee]

So excited for this build! I bought a 350 new back in 2014, it was an awesome bike. Also I recently picked up a Husqvarna 501 which had a damaged head and I had to buy a new head, valves and piston kit for it. I went all OEM which cost a lot, in hindsight I could have picked up a Wossner piston and saved some $$. I think that is a good choice!

[@LymezoidBeats]

What's up neighbor, I'm the kid with the Schwinn Missile FS electric scooter LMAO

[@grantlowe]

You know it’s gonna be a good day when Mike Sabo uploads

[@Fr331995]

Love to see bikes be saved

[@eshott396]

Yooooo I know Doug Duffy! The eBay seller🤣he’s my buddy and does alot of my buddies engine as they’re KTM guys!great dude to deal with!

[@nickjones2687]

Great video, vertex pistons are the same as stock.. without the high price tag

[@Destructionater]

I think it would be interesting if you installed a BVC Big Wheel kit onto that. You have the YZ, the KX and it would be different to have a big wheel KTM.

[@ktmeric66]

I've had a huge variety of KTM's starting in 1990. That bike will be a ripper. Not sure what kind of trails you'll be riding but super tight and slippery terrain will be challenging(that thing is just like a motocross bike) Desert like terrain that is more wide open and corners you can power through is where that will shine. I ride typically wet, rocky terrain with trees down and clay rutted hillclimbs, and that bike would kill me. The xcfw is better in that type of stuff. If you do ride slippery stuff, then adding a flywheel weight, keeping the Rekluse and adding different ecu mapping would help. FMF Q4 would add a spark arrestor without being much louder

[@NathalieDavis-eg6pf]

I had a 2014 350 XCF with the Recluse clutch (and did get the suspension done), have a 690 Enduro R now. Don't trash it. KEEP THE RECLUSE! They probably ran it for tons of hours without keeping the recluse adjusted (Recluse is great customer service and has tons of info how to keep adjusted and in good condition). That bike with a recluse is unbeatable in the woods. This bike needs to be saved and keep the recluse. I guarantee when you ride it, you will want to trade that 250 F you bought (I know because I've own both) and regret selling the 350 XCF.

[@Claude-om9og]

Don't know if it's better aluminum and steel or better castings but the machining of parts on European motorcycles is so much better than Japanese. I watched videos of Ducati and Aprilia engine rebuilds and the machining and finishing of the parts is amazing. That KTM has that quality look too. Are European bikes better than Japanese that's debatable. Should be a fun build.

[@thenewnewyorker9347]

i’ve been thinking about buying one for awhile can’t wait to see her running

[@kylelong441]

Would be nice to see that bike up at FRO . That bike needs some good single track instead of jersey sand. lol

[@martinjensen257]

Hello michael. Great to see you with a new project. You should try building it with a new SmartCarb, they should be pretty good. Regards, Martin

[@MichaelSabo]

I've heard great stuff about Smartcarb - this is fuel injected though which I plan to keep.

[@mw4518]

Awesome buy Mike!! These KTM 350s are super awesome bikes. I have a ktm 200 2 stroke with around 250 hours on it and it’s still on the stock bottom end, without issues. I am in the northeast, and the best Tyre combo for us is a Bridgestone X31 in the front and a Pirelli MT16 in the back. I run an IRC VE33s gummy tyre in the back due to my really tight and enduro terrain, but both work great. Can’t wait to see how this thing turns out!

[@Speedy_exc300]

Dude you should definitely replace the crank bearings and all other major bearings when you have the empty cases on your workshop bench.

[@Jordan-zl9qt]

Love my 350 sxf best purchase of mine.. love the content keep it up

[@wyattskwira5039]

The Scots website with the shamanic was very helpful for my yfz 450 thanks man

[@Daddy_Tates]

i run Kenda k760 trackmaster 2's and they are great all around

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the suggestion man!

[@ChanseMartin222]

Ohhh man that’s a gold mine of information! Great find! Looking forward to it!

[@LawLow86]

It's a shame ktm doesn't hand out those booklets anymore! Can't wait to see the build 👍

[@mapratola]

“I’m one of the toughest in the east” 😂

[@stevenhawkes9471]

Excited for this one 🎉

[@Dylanm823]

Mike if you could bro, a 08 special edition yfz build would be insane

[@magnaira5072]

really love the projects. one of these days i too shall pick up a dirt bike

[@johncraig1368]

That bike is gonna be sweet, 350's are bad ass. That back tire though go with an IRC M5B 140 !

[@felipegrande3485]

If your going to be doing Induro I would go with a mx35 by Dunlop it’s what I got on my bike and I love it corners really good and has good traction recommended tire.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the recommendation!

[@jmarcinko1139]

Nice! Quads are a blast but dirt bikes are a challenge. Gonna be torn now on which to take to the trail. KX or XC-W. Good problem to have 😊enjoy

[@truthsetsyoufree77]

Nice mate, I would say dnt bother getting a vortex as these bikes have more than enough power. I would say it's like 250 2 stroke with a nice power curve

[@SethMullins418]

Do not use that plastic oil pump get a metal on from a 450 and get the updated metal idler gear to

[@lucascady4992]

Cool Bike! Let's getter done!

[@chetmanley7209]

Also IRC VE 33 for your tire

[@mikeolson7188]

Put a dirt tricks camchain tensioner in the 350 when u get to that point of re-assembling the top end Michael.i build quite a few 250/350 engines and its the best 100 bucks u will spend on parts.the stocker can be a real pain to re-install sometimes and i feel as if the cams get a better oil supply with the dirt tricks unit.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the suggestion dude - sounds like a great mod to do

[@collinday544]

The bar clamps are made by xtrig they are called phds I think it’s progressive handlebar dampening system

[@IOSALive]

Michael Sabo, nice content keep up the amazing work

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you man! 🤘🤘

[@jameshealy4594]

Yeahhhh, Sabo does another bike!

[@devoncorbell3562]

Hey Mike I have an RMZ 250 I built into a 302 , it's really cool your venturing into the bikes , I like bike alot , although I have had tons of fun on 4 wheels , I only like quads when there to your standards. So sick , Ive been into working on stuff my entire life to. I'm 33

[@devoncorbell3562]

🤘

[@williamrowe9481]

Can’t wait to see it finished good vibes brother

[@OdysseyOffroad]

This will be a good one! Looking forward to the build!

[@chadriddle3517]

Mike, love the bike and this series . You always do excellent work!

[@JaxsonM22]

Man so excited for another bike on the channel, keep it up!!!

[@ronlawson5819]

Love build series keep the lights for sure

[@brianammons6331]

hellyea, I've been working on restoring an 88 KTM 350 2 stroke, was the best toy I ever bought. I've been bummed it's been blown up for the last 10 years. I'm excited for this build!

[@josephchambers5400]

Those “bungs” on the header is mainly for sound from what I’ve heard. USA has a sound regulation for dirt bikes

[@tedkoski895]

This will be a great build. You always do great work.

[@Cyberias74]

Way to go, really cool to see this rebuild! KTMs are soo cool, even 4S ;)

[@gregdaniel7435]

Really excited to see this build!!!

[@rock3rd]

I knew we was neighbors lol, i seen u at Wawa few months back. U had just came back from getting wheels for z400. Keep the videos coming and where is the vette

[@kevinconnors9396]

He'll yea bud. Check out slavens racing they got a ton of good parts for enduro bikes. I've been running pirelli Mt 16 for years for a rear with a bib. An 170 hours is a shit ton according to when the manual says to rebuild. I do my top end at 100 hrs. 2008 ktm 300 xcw 2 stroke

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the tire suggestion man!

[@BigSiah]

Mike I love what u doing bro 🖤 keep going but I won’t a four wheeler from im to broke to buy one 😢

[@Ndwow]

Hey Mike when do you plan on releasing an engine build video step by step on the raptor 660. I just recently bought one for $500 in not to bad of shape and running, but I would like to freshen the engine up and am afraid of messing up the engine. I plan on painting the frame and putting plus 2 an arms on it to make it 48 inches all around. Thanks from a fellow Pennsylvanian😀

[@Caleb.k-honda400ex]

I would recommend the kenda ibex rear tire i like them

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the suggestion man!

[@Caleb.k-honda400ex]

Your welcome I love the content I was watching your video the other day when I was splitting kfx 400 cases I kinda used it as a guild

[@kartaroundtheworld]

Snow in June ??? Wow !!

[@mr.channel6467]

Your still the man dude

[@nathanthompson-ui7xy]

for tires you should run the tusk endro tires