2003 ATK 605 ROTAX (DESERTO)

ATK : A very good article on this bike can be found on this web address http://www.cifumotorsports.com/mc/1997atk/index.html. This bike represents the last air cooled Rotax powered ATK model before ATK bought the rights to the Cannondale bikes and introduced a new more modern bike. Although an heavy bike compared to some of her peers, the rotax power plant is amazing and considering all the prizes in different disciplines that rotax has conquered in the last 20 years, it probably deserve non additional comments.

One of the shortcoming of this bike that I tried to correct is the lack of fuel autonomy. In this case two aluminum back tank for a total of 2.5 gallons where adapted and mounted on the frame using silent blocks. I could have opted for an acerbis plastic tank in front of the light, but I really dislike the heavy feeling on the steering. Adapting a more capient tank is very hard as the cross sectional part of the frame is oblique and this bike is like no others. Of course, I could have had a larger aluminum tank custom made but it would have been very, very expensive.

In addition to this modification, a new front larger light was installed and the suspensions reset for my riding skills and weight. An electronic odometer was also added

ATK before

ATK deserto (after)

2003 ATK 605 Displacement: Rotax engine 597.00 ccm (36.43 cubic inches) Engine type: Single cylinder Stroke: 4 Power: 48.00 HP (35.0 kW)) @ 7200 RPM Bore x stroke: 97.0 x 81.0 mm (3.8 x 3.2 inches) Fuel system: Dellorto Carb Valves per cylinder: 4 Gearbox: 5-speed Transmission type final drive: Chain Dry weight: 127.0 kg (280.0 pounds) Seat height: 925 mm (36.4 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. Wheelbase: 1,498 mm (59.0 inches) Front suspensiontravel: Paioli 300 mm (11.8 inches) Rear suspension travel: Ohlins 330 mm (13.0 inches) Front tire dimensions: 80/100-21 Rear tire dimensions: 110/100-18 Front brakes: Single disc Front brakes diameter: 260 mm (10.2 inches) Rear brakes: Single disc Rear brakes diameter: 220 mm (8.7 inches) Fuel capacity: 16.00 litres (4.23 gallons)

7 Responses

  1. Chris
    Chris December 15, 2014 at 6:26 am | | Reply

    Hi, I know your post is older but, I was wondering if you still had the ATK and the tanks? Any chance you might be interested in building some to sell? I have a ’97 605 and generally take extra gas along in 2 liter soda bottles. Thought about doing the acerbis head tank but, like you, do not want the fuel up there. Also, looked at a rotopax for the fender but way too heavy.

    If you might be interested please let me know.

    Thanks, Chris

  2. skwuent
    skwuent April 20, 2015 at 12:01 am | | Reply

    One more ATK rider here — if this larger tank ever gets made please let me know…

  3. k
    k December 27, 2017 at 5:27 pm | | Reply

    any update on bigger tank? :)
    I am located in SoCal and have a spare tank….

    1. k
      k December 27, 2017 at 5:28 pm | | Reply

      actually my tank is for the older style atk frame, 1994 bike

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