V649HP-Kawasaki's new gravel runner - Page 16

Kawidad · 01-12-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrocks

i'm not sure if it's the short wheel base or what, but these rat bikes start looking like snorty little SOBs, big chunk of motor wrapped in a little bit of tube...but i like it!

I love the way it's coming together. It looks like it will have a boat load of ground clearance (for what it is).

ktmklx · 01-12-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrocks

nothing to tell. my bikes don't require the surgical enhancements you guys are planning. this rat is a gravel runner, not a stump jumper.

In the photo it looks like the extended drain plug is missing. Maybe just the angle of the shot. I thought maybe you removed and modified your pan.

jdrocks · 01-12-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kawidad

It looks like it will have a boat load of ground clearance (for what it is).

that's 15" with the bike on the stand, maybe 12" static to the pan and 10" to the underside of the exhaust with the bike on the ground. plenty for gravel.

jdrocks · 01-12-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktmklx

I thought maybe you removed and modified your pan.

nope, the drain is above the exhaust, so in my configuration it's not really exposed. more vulnerable are the mounting lugs for the stock belly fairings, but i've been using those mounts for a gravel guard with no problems.

jdrocks · 01-12-2011, 06:14 PM

harness in and hooked up, getting a little closer.

jdrocks · 01-13-2011, 04:10 AM

you can see the battery box in the photo. the versys and 650R use the same box, and from the box forward on the subframe and frame, everything is identical between the frames for both bikes other than a few tabs for the plastics. from the box to the rear of the subframe, everything is different.

Jeff B · 01-13-2011, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrocks

nope, the drain is above the exhaust, so in my configuration it's not really exposed. more vulnerable are the mounting lugs for the stock belly fairings, but i've been using those mounts for a gravel guard with no problems.

Here's what happens when something grabs those mounting lugs. Left me stranded in the middle of nowhere. Wave hi to my pickup tube.

jdrocks · 01-13-2011, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff B

Here's what happens when something grabs those mounting lugs.

you run that bike differently than i do. mine is designed as a straight up gravel runner, but if i ran it differently that pan would come off and both the lugs and drain would be modified.

i run a gravel guard. 6000 miles of gravel road, so far, so good.

NDTransplant · 01-13-2011, 05:53 AM

You really do nice work, JD!

Jeff B · 01-13-2011, 08:22 AM

i run a gravel guard. 6000 miles of gravel road, so far, so good.

[/QUOTE]

If I remember it correctly mine made it up to about 35,000 miles "so far so good". It was the next mile after that hurt. When I hit the rock that tore the original plastic guard off, I have to say that I didn't think that the impact was that hard. So what I'm getting at is those mounting bosses are very weak. Other than those mounting points you did a really nice fab.

jdrocks · 01-13-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDTransplant

You really do nice work, JD!

thanks, glad you're enjoying the build.

jdrocks · 01-13-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff B

If I remember it correctly mine made it up to about 35,000 miles "so far so good". It was the next mile after that hurt. When I hit the rock that tore the original plastic guard off...

no plastic under my bikes.

what can't be seen in the photo is the steel pad between the gravel guard and the flat on the underside of the oil pan. the mounting holes are slightly oversized on the side supports and the guard is jacked hard against the oil pan before the fasteners are tightened. the guard can't be displaced directly upwards. the front supports are rock solid when tied directly to the motech bars.

this is not a skid plate, but coupled with good composite strength and decent ground clearance, i sure think it's adequate for running gravel roads.
the entire bike has been lifted many times with a floor jack placed under the guard.

jdrocks · 01-13-2011, 07:50 PM

the parts bike is pretty much gone, so i can get some photos of the subframe. the 650R is sitting in the foreground, so the photo doesn't show how much bigger the beast sitting behind it really is. the new build in back is huge in comparison, but i couldn't get a good photo angle.

i mentioned earlier that the versys subframe was missing a few members that were incorporated in the 650R subframe. then came a report that a rider experienced some flex in his versys subframe when the rear footpeg struts were loose. that's not real good news, especially since you would think that the versys would have the stronger subframe of the two bikes.

not so, and here's why. the 650R subframe has a tubular crossbrace on the main support tube that is missing on the versys subframe.

in addition, the secondary subframe tubes on the 650R are connected by a hoop that ties the sides together, also missing on the versys.

another view of brace and hoop on the 650R.

the versys subframe has exactly the same stamped part that is welded on the 650R frame, but no connecting hoop.

the 650R can carry a big load of gear on the back without a problem, but then they don't build the same strength into the versys subframe, even though the bike is promoted as the more rugged of the two. another mystery.

sanjoh · 01-14-2011, 04:04 AM

Sometimes we forget the Ninja and the Versys are street bikes

Your build is looking good. Is that an after market exhaust? I'm still waiting on the rear shock for mine.

jdrocks · 01-14-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjoh

Sometimes we forget the Ninja and the Versys are street bikes

Your build is looking good. Is that an after market exhaust? I'm still waiting on the rear shock for mine.

thanks.

that must be an old photo, you have a different headlight now.

that's an old TB can that i had in the shop and stuck it on there for fun. those things just make noise, about like having straight pipes.

i hope to have my shock together next week.

you still building rat bikes for your chick travel mates?

01-13-2011, 05:53 AM	#234
NDTransplant Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Casa Grande, AZ Oddometer: 273	You really do nice work, JD! __________________ ALL ROADS LEAD TO ZEN MOTO

01-13-2011, 08:22 AM	#235
Jeff B Checks in the mail. Joined: Feb 2008 Location: SW PA. Oddometer: 2,972	i run a gravel guard. 6000 miles of gravel road, so far, so good. [/QUOTE] If I remember it correctly mine made it up to about 35,000 miles "so far so good". It was the next mile after that hurt. When I hit the rock that tore the original plastic guard off, I have to say that I didn't think that the impact was that hard. So what I'm getting at is those mounting bosses are very weak. Other than those mounting points you did a really nice fab. __________________ Go ahead, pull my finger.

01-14-2011, 04:04 AM	#239
sanjoh Purveyor of Light Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Sandbox, FL Oddometer: 3,664	Sometimes we forget the Ninja and the Versys are street bikes Your build is looking good. Is that an after market exhaust? I'm still waiting on the rear shock for mine. __________________ Model 60 LED 3600 lumens . . LED thread in Vendors Dualsport Fairing w LED...Dirt Ninja Build...TAT 08...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-12-2011, 06:14 PM	#230
jdrocks ^OP Gravel Runner Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 2,773	harness in and hooked up, getting a little closer.

01-13-2011, 04:10 AM	#231
jdrocks ^OP Gravel Runner Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 2,773	you can see the battery box in the photo. the versys and 650R use the same box, and from the box forward on the subframe and frame, everything is identical between the frames for both bikes other than a few tabs for the plastics. from the box to the rear of the subframe, everything is different.

01-13-2011, 07:50 PM	#238
jdrocks ^OP Gravel Runner Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 2,773	the parts bike is pretty much gone, so i can get some photos of the subframe. the 650R is sitting in the foreground, so the photo doesn't show how much bigger the beast sitting behind it really is. the new build in back is huge in comparison, but i couldn't get a good photo angle. i mentioned earlier that the versys subframe was missing a few members that were incorporated in the 650R subframe. then came a report that a rider experienced some flex in his versys subframe when the rear footpeg struts were loose. that's not real good news, especially since you would think that the versys would have the stronger subframe of the two bikes. not so, and here's why. the 650R subframe has a tubular crossbrace on the main support tube that is missing on the versys subframe. in addition, the secondary subframe tubes on the 650R are connected by a hoop that ties the sides together, also missing on the versys. another view of brace and hoop on the 650R. the versys subframe has exactly the same stamped part that is welded on the 650R frame, but no connecting hoop. the 650R can carry a big load of gear on the back without a problem, but then they don't build the same strength into the versys subframe, even though the bike is promoted as the more rugged of the two. another mystery.