Show us your TransAlp modifications!

[potski]

Hey Csustewy..can't you take a hint.. .How about we see that superb photo on "Show us your best Transalp photos" below



Ride safe

Cheers
Potski

[Belgian Waffles]

Any tall riders out there fit a taller set of handlebars on their Alp? I know Ladder's lowered his pegs, but I kind of like where they are but am still hanging on while standing because the bars are just too low and close to my body. Been wondering about my options lately.

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by Belgian Waffles

Any tall riders out there fit a taller set of handlebars on their Alp? I know Ladder's lowered his pegs, but I kind of like where they are but am still hanging on while standing because the bars are just too low and close to my body. Been wondering about my options lately.

The PO fitted these to the bike, which I quite liked. I was always comfortable standing on the bike, though I'm only 5'10" so I'm not a tall rider.




I believe they are "Renthal 110cc Playbike" Bars, but there are ATV bars that have about the same dimensions.

[csustewy]

Originally Posted by potski

Hey Csustewy..can't you take a hint.. .How about we see that superb photo on "Show us your best Transalp photos" below



Ride safe

Cheers
Potski

Ha! I respond best to these 'subtle' hints... Thanks for the reminder.

Take care, my friend.
Mike

[Dekatria]

Hi guys,

I need a few suggestions on a new rear tire for my '99 Alp. Currently it has Anakees on it and they're fine for commuting, but when it comes to riding loaded on a trip, they seem to wear pretty easily, especially in the rear. My last rear tire did 8000km of which 3500 were loaded, and it was worn right down to the legal limit.

With my upcoming 7000km trip this summer, I'm looking for a better option. Anyone got ideas?

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by Dekatria

Hi guys,

I need a few suggestions on a new rear tire for my '99 Alp. Currently it has Anakees on it and they're fine for commuting, but when it comes to riding loaded on a trip, they seem to wear pretty easily, especially in the rear. My last rear tire did 8000km of which 3500 were loaded, and it was worn right down to the legal limit.

With my upcoming 7000km trip this summer, I'm looking for a better option. Anyone got ideas?

I've gotten great mileage out of Tourances. I never ran them on the Transalp, but my strom got 10,000 miles out of the last rear.

[ferretface]

Originally Posted by Boon Booni

I've gotten great mileage out of Tourances. I never ran them on the Transalp, but my strom got 10,000 miles out of the last rear.

I've just moved from Anakee's to Tourances and gotta admit that I prefer the handling of the Anakee's on the Transalp. With the Tourances, the tracking on rain grooves seems really noticeable but the wear rate is brilliant after running them for 5000kms and still less than half worn.

[Hotmamaandme]

Originally Posted by Dekatria

Hi guys,

I need a few suggestions on a new rear tire for my '99 Alp. Currently it has Anakees on it and they're fine for commuting, but when it comes to riding loaded on a trip, they seem to wear pretty easily, especially in the rear. My last rear tire did 8000km of which 3500 were loaded, and it was worn right down to the legal limit.

With my upcoming 7000km trip this summer, I'm looking for a better option. Anyone got ideas?

Avon Distanza great tire

[thepoddo]

Be careful riding the Tourances, they use a really hard compound which means they won't wear as fast, but once you reach 50% they tend to become extremely slippery especially in colder wetter climates

I had them and switched to michelin sirac before even reaching 70%

[Dekatria]

Thanks a bunch guys

[Blackbert]

Latest version of my Alp,

Somewhere on the trails near Cap Gris Nez, France. You can see the UK at the horizon.

Yep; this is the same bike, back in 2008

[Bossit]

Hi there,

I'm rebuilding a Transalp 600. Already putted a nice WP USD front in but can't find anything to put in the back. As i want the bike higher then original. I also look for another rear mudguard. Can anyone help me out? Especialy with the rear shock absorber.
@Blackbert: I see you've changed some stuff as well. Did you put another rear shock? And what kind of mudguard didi you use there?

Thanks!

Bossit. :-)

[Blackbert]

Bossit,

Front is a XR600 fork, with stiffer Wilbers-springs, the rear end is supported by a Wilbers shock, longer than stock to level the bike out. All inspired by the guys here.
The rear mudguard, like the rad shrouds and headlight housing, is home-made from a 3mm sheet of Kydex.

[Daveski]

Bossit,

I also fitted WP forks to mine - P.889. I was deciding on what to do to balance up the geometry as the WP fork legs from a 640 Adv were just over 50mm longer than the standard TA ones. There are 3 good options:

- Spacer on standard TA shock - quite a few folk have done this on here using 30mm I think - you can find it looking back the ways
- Wilbers rear shock is a good suggestion, as they are made to measure to you could get the 30mm (or whatever) built into a new shock over the standard length (375mm eye to eye on standard PD10)
- Fit an Africa Twin complete rear end and shock from a RD03 or RD04 - both raise the back of the TA as they have longer swingarms and I think different leaverage ratios to the TA. I fitted the RD04 to mine as the swing arm is the longest and raises the rear 1.5 inches (ah, metric or imperial - I use both! about 38mm) from memory. The RD04 shock is also 375mm. Given the headangle - this seems to balance up the WP fork very well, and the bike rides great.

I like the idea that fitting the AT rear gives more travel and increases rear ride height, rather than just increasing height by using a spacer. A longer wilbers shock should also give more travel to complement the front presuming the extra length is built into the stroke. I'm not sure if there are any issues with the chain tension by using longer rear shock or spacer on a standard TA swingarm - but I'm sure someone on here will know!

Anyhow, you have options...

Best of luck!

Originally Posted by Bossit

Hi there,

I'm rebuilding a Transalp 600. Already putted a nice WP USD front in but can't find anything to put in the back. As i want the bike higher then original. I also look for another rear mudguard. Can anyone help me out? Especialy with the rear shock absorber.
@Blackbert: I see you've changed some stuff as well. Did you put another rear shock? And what kind of mudguard didi you use there?

Thanks!

Bossit. :-)

[csustewy]

Originally Posted by Hotmamaandme

Avon Distanza great tire

+1 Distanzia's are great.

I ran a Kenda 761 rear after the Distanzia's - very affordable and good life (~6500 miles of 2up touring), but not great in rain/wet. The Shinko 705 front was even worse (but some people are fine with it, I never found confidence in it). I would fork out for the Distanzia's.

Also, Metzeler Sahara 3 front has great traction on and off road, tons of confidence, but very short life (~7500 miles to scary limit).