Project Bike: Jay Clark Enterprises KTM 350 XC-F

Project bike builder Jay Clark is at it again, this time turning his attention toward KTM’s capable 350 XC-F off-road machine.

Surprisingly, Clark, owner of Jay Clark Enterprises, chose the 350 XC-F not because it needs a lot of help, but because it is already, in his view, one of the best off-road bikes available today. Even so, the willing little 350 can benefit from some aftermarket upgrades to its engine, running gear and suspension.

The 350 XC-F is already an amazing machine, and we didn’t want to mess up an already great bike,” Clark said. “It sounds a bit funny, but it is not in need of much. We just wanted to increase durability and get it more trail worthy for long and remote rides.”

Clark identified key areas to improve the 350 XC-F, opting to fit a Vortex ECU and an FMF Megabomb header RCT 4.1 muffler. That was it. Turning his attention to the suspension, Clark enlisted the folks at Race Tech to update the KTM’s WP 4CS fork. Race Tech went through the fork legs, not only freshening up the suspension with new fluids and seals but also by retrofitting more conventional rebound adjusters at top of the for legs and compression adjusters at the bottom of both fork legs. Out back, The shock underwent a complete revalve for better performance on the trail.

One area where Clark made sure to add some protection was the 350 XC-F’s linkage. “Having a linkage on a KTM for off-road does make the sho and lower dog bone very vulnerable to damage in rocks,” Clark said. To ensure that the linkage wouldn’t take a beating, Clark added a Fastway linkage guard from Pro Moto BIllet.

Noting that the stock gearing a bit off for tight trails, Clark also changed the final gearing by adding Renthal 52-tooth rear sprocket. Since Clark rides the bike on extremely tight and technical trails in Utah, he also fitted radiator guards and an auxiliary fan from Trail Tech. Beyond that, he once again “Clarkorized” the machine by adding a host of his favorite bling bits, many of which are discussed in the two=part video series here.

“The main thing we wanted to do to this bike was make it withstand tough trail use and a short guy dropping it over and over,” Clark said. “Overall, I’m really happy with how it turned out. We took and awesome bike and just polished on it a little bit.”

Jay Clark Enterprises KTM 350 XC-F Parts List

FMF Racing, www.fmfracing.com, 310-631-4363
Megabomb Header
RCT 4.1 Aluminum Muffler

IMS, www.imsproducts.com, 800-237-9906
Overflow Bottle in the frame

Cycra Racing, www.cycraracing.com, 740-929-0188
Full-Coverage Skid Plate
Full Plastic Kit with Cycra Lite Front Fender
Ultra Pro-Bend Full Wraparound Hand Guards

Uni Filter, available through www.rockymountainatvmc.com, 800-336-5437
Two-stage Air Filter

CV4, www.cv4.net, 800-874-1223
Formed Silicone Coolant hoses (white)
High pressure radiator cap

Renthal, www.renthal.com, 877-736-8425
Stock front 14T sprocket
Rear 52T sprocket
604 Fat Bars
Tacky grips

Dunlop Tire, www.dunlopmotorcycle.com, 800-845-8378
AT81 front 90/90-21
MX3S rear 120/90-18 and Trials D803 rear

Moto Seat, www.motoseat.com, 951-258-5229
Custom Cool seat cover— tested lowered version as well

Attack Graphics, www.attackgraphics.com, 800-336-5437
Custom Graphics Kit

Works Connection, www.worksconnection.com, 800-349-1475
Front & Rear Brake cap and clutch master cap
Rotating bar mounts for Clutch and Front brake
Oil Filter Cover
Hour Meter
Bike Stand

Hinson Clutch Components, www.hinsonracing.com, 909-946-2942
Fibers, steels, springs and Outer Cover kit.

Tusk Off-Road, www.tuskoffroad.com, 800-336-5437
Oversized Rotor/Adaptor Bracket
Rear Disc
Complete Wheel Set
Brake Bolts Kit
Sprocket Bolts Kit
Lightweight Lithium Battery

Race Tech, www.racetech.com, 951-279-6655
Suspension rebuild, move to more conventional setup w/rebound on top of both forks and compression on the bottom of both forks.

Pro Moto Billet, www.promotobillet.com, 866-466-4762
Linkage/Guard and lower optional

Twisted Development, www.td-racing.com, 337-781-6400
Vortex X-10 ECU

Scar, www.scar-racing.com, 215-258-5124
Titanium Footpegs

TM Designs, www.tmdesignworks.com, 541-772-4161
Slide and Guide chain kit