The 650 Dakar Thread

[kubiak]

made some rear side cover gaurds.

[kubiak]

the other side.

[Trike Flyer]

your bike looks awesome.

QUOTE=kubiak;20060535]
the other side.[/QUOTE]

[kubiak]

Thanks Trike Flyer!

[Gravel Seeker]

Captain America panels (rear)

Is it possible to sand down the clear coat and remove the stickers ? I'd want to re-paint them afterwards (rattle can), so they can't be in too bad a shape after the stickerectomy.

Who's tried and succeeded ?

[Aquatic]

Originally Posted by Trike Flyer

your bike looks awesome.

QUOTE=kubiak;20060535]
the other side.

[/QUOTE]


+1 Looks almost TW/farm bike with the rear tire.
The colour scheme works for me!

[yurihay]

[QUOTE=Gravel Seeker;20062862]Captain America panels (rear)

Is it possible to sand down the clear coat and remove the stickers ? I'd want to re-paint them afterwards (rattle can), so they can't be in too bad a shape after the stickerectomy.

If your sticker is applied the same as my 2007 Dakar, it just peels off. I picked on the corner to lift the sticker so I could grap it with my fingers. I then took the panels to a body shop to have it sanded, primed and repainted a solid colour.

[nomad5326]

Originally Posted by Gravel Seeker

Captain America panels (rear)

Is it possible to sand down the clear coat and remove the stickers ? I'd want to re-paint them afterwards (rattle can), so they can't be in too bad a shape after the stickerectomy.

Who's tried and succeeded ?

On the Capt America the stickers are under clear coat. I heat gunned mine off and then sanded away to get smooth. It took a while but turned out nice. I just use flat black plastic paint. I've some two this way. I ordered reflective replacement stickers from got2moto.com

[kubiak]

+1 Looks almost TW/farm bike with the rear tire.
The colour scheme works for me![/QUOTE]
its the tws big brother!

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by Gravel Seeker

Captain America panels (rear)

Is it possible to sand down the clear coat and remove the stickers ? I'd want to re-paint them afterwards (rattle can), so they can't be in too bad a shape after the stickerectomy.

Who's tried and succeeded ?

i have done a few sets and i just used a da air sander with 180 grit and knocked off the clear and decals but you can hand sand and do the same thing just more work. then prime and sand to get imperfections out then paint.

[Gravel Seeker]

Originally Posted by yurihay

If your sticker is applied the same as my 2007 Dakar, it just peels off. I picked on the corner to lift the sticker so I could grap it with my fingers. I then took the panels to a body shop to have it sanded, primed and repainted a solid colour.

Originally Posted by nomad5326

On the Capt America the stickers are under clear coat. I heat gunned mine off and then sanded away to get smooth. It took a while but turned out nice. I just use flat black plastic paint. I've some two this way. I ordered reflective replacement stickers from got2moto.com

Originally Posted by kubiak

i have done a few sets and i just used a da air sander with 180 grit and knocked off the clear and decals but you can hand sand and do the same thing just more work. then prime and sand to get imperfections out then paint.

Yeah, i'm looking to buy a used set, but I wouldn't if the stickers weren't gonna be removable. Thanks

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by Gravel Seeker

Yeah, i'm looking to buy a used set, but I wouldn't if the stickers weren't gonna be removable. Thanks

i have a extra set that are gloss white with no decals if interested.

[manybike]

Originally Posted by GSBS

I hate to burst your bubble, but IMO the ABS system on my 2003 Dakar was one of the worst-performing I've seen on a motorcycle. I ended up ripping out all the ABS stuff (lines, modulator, etc.) which saved over 10 pounds of useless weight and I no longer have to turn off the ABS before riding on a dirt or gravel road, something that was a real PITA. Now the brakes are easy to bleed and work just fine, stopping me when I want to stop. I haven't once missed the ABS or wished it was back on the bike.

Before you put more money and lots of time into this project I highly recommend you find an F650GS or Dakar with ABS and ride it 1) on a gravel road; 2) in wet grass so you can see just how poorly the system works.

After living with this piss-poor ABS system for nearly 70K miles on my Dakar, and now almost 10K without ABS, I can't see how anyone would want the ABS.

My 2¢

I agree. I have an 07 Dakar no ABS model. Every time I work on it I am glad I do not have ABS.
Way more room to get at important stuff (cam chain tensioner), less weight and bleeding the brakes is simple and quick.

I had a 1150GSA with the whizzy brakes and many times I wanted to rip the whole works out.

[wronski]

Perhaps someone can help me diagnose a new kind of noise coming from the engine this week. This comes just after the bike was parked in the rain for about 3 days, which could be completely unrelated.

2001 Dakar

• Chopping noise coming from engine on each stroke, a slightly metalic clang, makes it sound like a helicopter.
• Seems to be coming from top left (clutch side) of engine.
• Can be audible when stationary at idle, when clutch is pulled, and up to about 2K revs.
• Seems to either be muffled or goes away above 3K revs.
• Relatively quiet on cold start, gets louder as the bike warms up.

Thanks

[GSBS]

Originally Posted by wronski

Perhaps someone can help me diagnose a new kind of noise coming from the engine this week. This comes just after the bike was parked in the rain for about 3 days, which could be completely unrelated.

2001 Dakar

• Chopping noise coming from engine on each stroke, a slightly metalic clang, makes it sound like a helicopter.
• Seems to be coming from top left (clutch side) of engine.
• Can be audible when stationary at idle, when clutch is pulled, and up to about 2K revs.
• Seems to either be muffled or goes away above 3K revs.
• Relatively quiet on cold start, gets louder as the bike warms up.

Thanks

Mine's been making those kinds of noises for over 81,000 miles now. I don't worry about it.