We caught up with
2001 "Vegas to Reno" champions Steve Beilman and Greg Stuart at the
2002 BITD Terrible's Town 250. We wanted to see what it takes to
build a Yamaha Raptor that can withstand that many miles of rough
desert terrain at race speeds. Steve and Greg had their Raptor in
contingency, sporting new graphics and new colors for the 2002 race
season. Be sure to check out the photo gallery for more
close-ups!
Sponsors:
Alba Action Sports, Skat Trak, Kenda, Douglas, GYT-R / Yamaha Motor
Corp., DuraBlue, Tag, One Industries, Outerwears, Pingrees Cycle,
Ohlins
![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0046.jpg) |
Team Alba - Steve Beilman and
Greg Stuart |
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![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0038.jpg) |
Looking down the sleek lines of
the Alba Action race quad |
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Chassis and Suspension
Starting with a stock 2002 Yamaha Raptor frame, the Alba
Action team has added Laeger Protrax +3 A-arms in the front and a
Laeger Protrax +2 swingarm in the rear. This combination gives the
Raptor 14" of travel in the front and 13" of travel in the rear. To
control the suspension, they have used Ohlin triple rate shocks in
the front and an Ohlin rear shock with high/low speed compression
adjustment. The team has also added a Laeger steering stem with a
custom PEP steering stabilizer.
![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0003.jpg) |
Very trick custom long travel
ball joints available via Alba Action |
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![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0011.jpg) |
High/low speed compression
adjustable Ohlin shock |
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Engine and Transmission
To get the Yamaha Raptor up to speed, the motor has been
modified with a 12:1 compression piston, camshaft from WebCam, and
TI valves and springs. The head has been ported by Sam Coe
Performance. A GYT-R Pro Flow kit helps get air into the motor
while a Alba Pro Series exhaust system gets it out. The carburetor
is stock with a GYT-R jet kit added. To keep it cool they have
added a Pingry's Cycle hi-volume oil tank. The engine also features
a GYT-R billet starter cover and GYT-R billet oil/water
cover.
The transmission has been beefed up
with Sam Coe Performance-built 2nd and 3rd gears and modified shift
fork. A GYT-R heavy duty clutch is used with a Hinson basket and
pressure plate.
![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0005.jpg) |
GYT-R oil/water cover and large
capacity PPD oil tank |
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![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0015.jpg) |
GYT-R billet starter cover and
GYT-R billet shifter |
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Power to the ground
To get the power to the ground, the Alba Race team has added a
DuraBlue 2+2 Eliminator rear axle, DuraBlue Billet hubs in the
front, and custom titanium SkatTrack hubs in the rear. The Skat
Trak hubs weigh only 12 oz as compared to the stock ones at nearly
2 lbs each. Attached to the hubs are Douglas Ultimate wheels, Kenda
Claw 22x8x10's on the front and Kenda Claw 20x11x9's on the rear.
Galfer stainless brake lines and Galfer rotors are used for
stopping power. The rear DuraBlue axles is driven by a 15 tooth
sprocket in the front and a 38 tooth sprocket in the rear with DID
chain. Also running on the Durablue axle are the very trick GYT-R
billet sprocket and disc carrier.
![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0060.jpg) |
6 Ply Kenda Claws are proving
very durable in the desert. |
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![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0068.jpg) |
Skat-Track Titanium rear hubs
weigh only 12 oz. |
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Other Add-on's
What
else did the Alba Race bike need? An IMS 5 gal desert fuel tank has
been added to make sure the Raptor has plenty of range. For
controls they have added GYT-R billet levers on Tag Metals
handlebars. Acerbis Rally guards are used for hand and lever
protection. A GYT-R belly skid plate is used to protect the
underside and last but not least a Alba Patriot Graphics kit and
gripper seat cover add plenty of color to the black and white
Raptor.
![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0017.jpg) |
Alba Patriot Graphics
kit |
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![](/aimages/articlestandard/atv/442005/190840/dsc_0048.jpg) |
IMS Desert gas tank and Acerbis
Rally Guards on Tag Metals handlebars. |
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Want to have a Raptor just like this one? Alba
Action Sports can set you up!
ALBA ACTION SPORTS - TEAM ALBA
RACING
12255 Poway Rd.
Poway, CA. 92064
Phone 858-486-4380
Fax 858-486-1528
www.AlbaAction.com