Project Pro Caliber YFZ450R

By Nic Granlund

In the first phase of this build I selected the most essential bolts ons in an effort to make Yamaha’s already potent YFZ450R even better without spending a fortune. If you want to know which upgrades top my list check out The Making of Nic Granlunds’ Race Quad Part 1.

In this part of the build, quite the opposite holds true. Now it’s time to go “all in” as they say here in Vegas. In this phase of the build I’ve improved the handling and comfort of my new R. Only the highest quality components are used, resulting in a plush pro-level ride. And I must say the improvements also make the quad look spectacular.

I’ve owned nothing but YFZs since they were introduced in 2004. I know the Yamaha inside and out. I know what works and what doesn’t on the YFZ. Believe me, this set up is a winner.

Without any further introduction, here’s the updates I’ve made since part one of this build…

Long Live Lone Star!
Lone Star Racing has been in business since the days when we all rode two strokes. Their stuff was top notch back in the day and still is today. Not only do they offer excellent products that work well and look fantastic, but they have some of the best warranty programs in the business. It’s with this that you’ll notice a lot of my choice products come from good old LSR.

Lone Star Front Hubs
These lightweight billet aluminum LSR front wheel hubs come complete with sealed bearings and a billet dust cap. The hubs are finished off with a Double Bearing Kit. This kit is designed so you can run a double bearing on the outer hub instead of a seal which is common for racing applications. It also has the trick X-style cap, seals and bolts. This set up isn’t cheap but in my opinion you can’t find a better system.

LSR Front Hubs: $543
LSR Bearing Kit: $115

Lone Star Rear Hubs
I selected a pair of one piece 7075 billet aluminum LSR wheel hubs for the rear. They offer excellent weight savings over stock without sacraficing strength.

Another reason that I like LSR hubs is because they give you the option to change the bolt pattern if you like. The LSR rear wheel hubs come with the same pressed in metric studs as the stock hubs and will fit the OEM axle as well as the Axcalibar Racing Axle that I use.

LSR Rear Hubs: $236

Maxxis Tires and DWT Wheels
Maxxis Razor Cross tires were chosen for their excellent hook-up and cornering ability on the motocross track. The Maxxis tires are mounted on DWT Rock Out Series Wheels. DWT wheels are superior in quality and strength and have never failed to deliver. In my opinion wheels simply don’t get any better. The front is setup with 20x6x10 tires mounted on 10×5 wheels with a 4:1 offset. The rear is setup with 18x10x8 tires mounted on DWT 8×8 beadlock wheels with mud inserts. I usually run 10 pounds of tire pressure up front and 7 in the rear with this set up.

DWT Rock Out Wheels: $479
Maxxis Razor Cross Fronts: $55.95
Maxxis Razor Cross Rears: $74.95

Lone Star Racing A-Arms
LSR’s DC-4 A-arms for the YFZ450 R model are made from 1″ 4130 chromoly steel. They are 3/8″ wider than stock and Lone Star has relocated the shock mounts to accommodate long travel shocks, (a must for professional quad racing). They feature the new easy adjust caster and camber and come with new tie-rods, ball joints and bushings. And get this, LSR’s DC-4 A-arms are backed by a full lifetime warranty against bending and breaking.

For high speed desert, dunes and Supermoto I like to run the caster in the most rear position, It makes the steering a little more harder to turn in but you gain a lot of stability. As for motocross I run my caster in the middle setting for a quicker and more responsive steering set up.

LSR DC-4 A-Arms: $840

Axcalibar Racing Axle
Let it be known the Axcalibar axle is one of the most highly recommended axles on the market for both racers and recreational riders. Each axle is backed by a true full lifetime warranty unsurpassed by any other axle manufacturer. Each axle is precision machined to exact OEM specifications so all stock or Lonestar Racing accessories can be used. Axcalibar axles are easy to install and vastly improve the stability of your ATV while providing extraordinary strength and outstanding looks with their triple plate chrome finish. And my favorite feature, all Axcalibar axles are fully adjustable.

I have used Axcalibar axles for over twenty years and yes I have bent and broke a few but considering how much time and how many miles I have rode in twenty years I have had excellent reliability. And if I ever have a problem Lonestar stands behind their product. I also must have the ability to adjust the width depending on the conditions.

Axcalabar Axle:$420

Lone Star Racing Billet Bearing Housing
LSR’s billet aluminum bearing housings are machined from 6061 aluminum. They come complete with heavy duty double row bearings, seals and a steel center tube. They feature sealed bearings that are pre-greased and fully rebuild-able. They will fit all stock or aftermarket swing arms and axles.

LSR Billet Bearing Housing: $231

Lone Star Racing Lock Nut
The Lonestar Racing Billet Locknut has double pinch bolts and is threaded to fit all stock or Axcalibar Racing Axles.

LSR Billet Racing Lock Nut: $110
Lone Star Racing Billet Sprocket Hub
The Lonestar Racing Billet Sprocket Hub is a slip on hub designed to fit stock or Axcalibar Racing Axles. This kind of add on may seem like insignificant stuff, but one DNF is well worth going the extra mile in the build, especially in building a pro caliber race quad.

LSR Billet Sprocket Hub: $142

Lone Star Racing Brake Disk Hub
Lonestar Racing Disc Brake Hubs are splined to exact OEM specifications. Again, there’s no skimping if you’re buildi
ng the best pro caliber machine possible.

LSR Brake Disk Hub: $120

Unsprung Weight
The term “Unsprung Weight” is defined as any part that is located on the outside of the shocks that are not controled by the suspension assembly.

The entire rear end components that I’ve selected from Lone Star are a great addition to any ATV, but in my opinion especially needed for pro caliber quads like this one.

The bearing housing adds reliability and strength. The billet lock nut is lighter than stock, easier to adjust and stays tight.

The lonestar disk brake and sprockets hubs are lighter than stock and as with any LSR product they look fantastic.
Lone Star Racing Steering Stem
All LSR stems are made from 4130 Chromoly Steel and offer superior strength over the OEM mild steel units. They also feature the Anti-Vibration clamp kit that helps reduce rider fatigue. This stem uses the OEM tie-rod flag and mounts using the OEM hardware. The Stem Height is 27 3/4 +1.

You can get the LSR stems in different heights to suit your riding style, height and personal preference.
For desert I like a taller stem but for motocross and supermoto I like a low stem as it allows me to get my weight over the front of the quad. For motocross and supermoto setups I cut the steering stops a little bit to prevent spinning out in wet corners.

LSR Steering Stem: $280
GYTR Sprocket
The GYTR sprocket is made from 7075-T6 billet aluminum and CNC-machined for maximum fit accuracy. They feature an etched mud groove just inside the sprocket teeth to shed mud and grit from getting caught up in the chain. This also saves weight and increases chain life.

GYTR offers different size sprockets to help you fine tune the performance your gearing. For motocross I run a smaller rear sprocket. When you use smaller rear tires it changes the final gearing. For the dunes and tight trails I typically run a larger rear sprocket for more acceleration.

GYTR Rear Sprocket: $59.95

Precision Steering Stabilizer
The new Precision PRO Model was used and has a built in reservoir to allow for thermal expansion. It uses a new stronger linkage, stem clamp and lever combined with a sleeker housing. All in all moving up to this elite steering stabilizer was an easy decision.

I have been using the Precision stabilizers for desert, dunes, moto and supermoto. A good stabilizer should not slow your bar movement when riding but it should cushion the blow when you take a big hit, and that is exactly how the Precision models work. I’m a big believer in steering stabilizers and feel this is the best one available and worth every penny.

Precisiton Steering Stabilizer: $559

Hinson BTL Series Clutch Kit
Hinson makes the best clutch components available. They might be a little spendy but you get what you pay for. I have never had a Hinson part fail on me ever since I started using them over ten years ago.

The Hinson BTL clutch system is precision machined from billet T-6 aircraft quality aluminum to aerospace tolerances, and Akadized for five times the wear resistance over stock. The kit also includes the clutch basket, steel and fiber plates and a Hinson clutch cover. The BTL Series utilizes MotoGP developed slipper clutch technology which provides better braking control and less kick back under braking.

The BTL, also known as “slipper clutch” allows you to downshift without using the clutch and at a higher rpm without over revving the engine. I feel it gives me better control as I’m going into corners. Try one out, I think you’ll find it’s one of the most amazing aftermarket product of all time!

Hinson BTL Clutch: $1,649
Streamline Front & Rear Brake Lines
Streamline brake lines are made in the USA and are the obvious choice for this build.

Streamline makes front and rear brake lines for most ATVs. They come in stock to custom lengths and several color choices. When switching from stock rubber lines to steel braided lines you get a tighter feel and less fade.

Streamline Front Lines: $89.99
Streamline Rear Line: $39.99

Fox Gen 2 Evol Float Front Shocks
The ultra-lightweight Float X Evols offer dual stage air springs, dual speed compression adjuster, wide range rebound adjuster, are infinitely adjustable and provide velocity sensitive damping control. In short they give you the best possible front end traction and steering performance in every conceivable terrain condition possible, and hard hits are soaked up with ease.

The new and much improved Float X Evol front shocks are lighter than stock, work exceptionally well, look really sharp and offer an oustanding feature that I absolutely love. Changing the air spring rate is incredibly simple and quick. In fact, I use the same set of shocks for supermoto, moto, dunes and desert. All I do is change the air pressure and twist a few clicks and I’m dialed in. For motocross I run about 175 psi in the Evol chamber and 40 psi in the Main chamber. This will change depending on the track but that is my starting point. For desert. trails and dunes I use a little higher pressure (45-50 psi) in my Main chamber to get the ride height up, When I do that I also lower the pressure (145-155 psi) in the Evol chamber, this gives me a plusher feeling at the end of the travel.

Saying I’m impressed with the Fox Gen 2 Evol fronts is an extreme understatement. They’re the best hands down.

Fox Gen 2 Evol Float Front Shocks: $1,495

Fox Podium Rear Shock
For 2010, the championship winning Podium X coil shocks from Fox have an all-new aluminum body, improved suspension consistency and performance through superior heat dissipation, and Fox has saved weight in the process.

In short the Fox rear shock is a high quality shock that offers great adjustability and high performance. For desert, trails and dunes I like to run a little more spring preload and a bit less low speed compression dampening for a plusher ride. All in all, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better rear shock.

Fox Podium Rear Shock: $995

QuadTech Seat Cover
QuadTeach seat covers are simply the only choice in stock replacement performance seat covers. No other seat brand comes close in performance or pro national titles.

After one ride on the YFZ-R, I knew the slippery stock seat needed to be replaced. QuadTech’s grippy seat cover is handmade and constructed with the highest quality materials insuring the best fit and best performance available. And you can customize it with many different color combinations to match your quad.

QuadTech Seat Cover: $135

Ride Review and More Muscle Coming Soon
Okay as you can see, I’m getting close to finishing up my race quad.

Next time I’ll provide a full ride review as we put all these great components to the track. Soonafter I will attack the engine and pull some more ponies out of Yamaha’s state-of-the-art power-plant.

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