Show us your TransAlp modifications!

[AppFan]

Originally Posted by Dr E

Nice looking set up you now have!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to spring & the first camping trip.

[Lomax]

Originally Posted by Jim Rowley

You can fill that left inboard space with a soft saddlebag.

I think I could fit the entire choir inside that left bag. Looking at the pictures of the 7.5" bags I think they will look much better. I doubt that I will use them very much buy it is nice to have them if needed. That and it gives a little more tip over protection. Like I would ever do that

Still love the bike Jim. I took it out today for a while but got a little chilly being the wimp I am.

Marc

[mas335]

I see you are still riding with a blank license plate! Joe made the 90 mile trip from my place to his house with no plate, I wouldn't have gotten to the city limits without being pulled over.

The bike looks great, I like the black boxes.

I had several things that I did not like about the BMW, for one I couldn't get excited about working on the bike, it was just too german.

All the electronics on these bikes just scared me.

The biggest thing I did not like about the Dakar was feeling so insulated from the feel of the road or trail, I felt disconnected with no feedback, just too plush, maybe the engine being so quiet threw me off, I don't know, it just didn't do it for me.

[AppFan]

Hi Mark! She's actually legal nowadays, I just covered the tag for pics (slightly paranoid, I know).

[Hotmamaandme]

Originally Posted by Jim Rowley

You can fill that left inboard space with a soft saddlebag.

Or a side panel auxillary tank!

[mgorman]

Originally Posted by Hotmamaandme

Or a side panel auxiliary tank!

That'd be my choice, the range on the TA is very lacking when you are used to riding bikes with 2x the range. I'd be cool if the fairing pieces could be made into tanks or tanks made to replace them.

[JBMorse]

Originally Posted by AppFan

For once UPS didn't mangle my boxes so everything arrived in perfect condition and all parts and hardware were there.




Yes, it is a little wide so I'm glad I went with the 7.5 inch boxes. I'm glad they made the spacing equal on both sides though so it doesn't look odd and gives you room to mount something inside the rack if for some reason you run out of room....

Looks good and tanks for the pictures. Which panniers are they? I am thinking about the OWYHEE panniers. Not as big as the others but I'd like to keep the bike relatively narrow for the woods and keep plenty of room for my occasional passenger.
I realized this fall that my TA was such a great errand runner and commuter that I really needed the extra luggage. I hope to do some short overnight trips too. Now to save up the $$$!

[AppFan]

Originally Posted by JBMorse

Looks good and tanks for the pictures. Which panniers are they? I am thinking about the OWYHEE panniers. Not as big as the others but I'd like to keep the bike relatively narrow for the woods and keep plenty of room for my occasional passenger.
I realized this fall that my TA was such a great errand runner and commuter that I really needed the extra luggage. I hope to do some short overnight trips too. Now to save up the $$$!

I went with the Tetons. I almost went Owyhee for the same reasons but am glad I picked these. I had my wife jump on and they aren't in the way (I went with the pre mount option but you can choose to drill it yourself and move them even further back if preferred, but really no need). Either way you go should be the same width so you can't go wrong with whatever capacity works for your planned use.

[R_Rick]

Originally Posted by Welshman in Canada

Greetings from snowy Canada!!
My kids have given me a gift certificate for Christmas from Corbin to get a seat for my '87 Alp.Before I go ahead and order can someone out there confirm the '89 seat is the same as they don't list the '87 as you guys never got it.I am 99% it is the same and so did a chap I spoke to at Corbin but would like to be sure.

Thanks in advance,
Charlie

I believe the 89 seat will fit an 87

Rick

[Jim Rowley]

Originally Posted by mas335

I wouldn't have gotten to the city limits without being pulled over.

Excuse the side note. When I bought my first AT in California, I flew to Orange County and rode it back with no plate, a bill of sale and my insurance coverage. I slabbed it to Phoenix but from there it was all back roads. I was on Hwy 160 going through De Norte, CO and it was apparently "pull everyone over" night. People in front and behind me were getting pulled over except for me. I just motored through and was out of town in 5 minutes, all without having a plate on the bike. An episode of The Twilight Zone?

Happy New Year everyone.

[rockydog]

posted a Happy Trails Owyhee pannier set, complete set, in the flea market, for 89 transalp

[justcountry04]

Hey all Im looking at a used 89 Transalp locally, I go to see it on Friday. The owner says everything works, decent shape, 31,000 miles on the odometer. he's asking 2,200 OBO USD. Ive seen pics of it and it looks good, im just hesitant to know if parts are available in the US for decent prices. I had a bad experience with an NX250 a few years ago and how a few minor part that broke the bank. Any input would be great

[Dr E]

Originally Posted by justcountry04

Hey all Im looking at a used 89 Transalp locally, I go to see it on Friday. The owner says everything works, decent shape, 31,000 miles on the odometer. he's asking 2,200 OBO USD. Ive seen pics of it and it looks good, im just hesitant to know if parts are available in the US for decent prices. I had a bad experience with an NX250 a few years ago and how a few minor part that broke the bank. Any input would be great

Parts are still available and there are a number of dealers. I am currently doing a rebuild on my 89' I bought last year and the only parts I have had to purchase from overseas are carb diaphragms (UK and they were here in two weeks). Others will have their favorite parts houses, I have had wonderful success with Cheap Cycle Parts. Honda 1989 XL600V Transalp - OEM Parts - Cheap Cycle Parts

As for the price, that seems to be a good range as my bike was at 47K in miles and it was $2000.00. Keep us posted if you get this and if you want to educate yourself...take the time to read this thread as everything you need to know about this bike and repairs/updates/suspension upgrades...

[R_Rick]

Originally Posted by justcountry04

Hey all Im looking at a used 89 Transalp locally, I go to see it on Friday. The owner says everything works, decent shape, 31,000 miles on the odometer. he's asking 2,200 OBO USD. Ive seen pics of it and it looks good, im just hesitant to know if parts are available in the US for decent prices. I had a bad experience with an NX250 a few years ago and how a few minor part that broke the bank. Any input would be great

Plastics can be very spendy (if you're lucky enough to find them)! If you get it, spend the $150 +/- on the engine guards ... very inexpensive 'insurance'.

[justcountry04]

yea thats my biggest concern is what kind of shape the plastics are in. who makes the guards for these? I would definatley do that. I made a quick search of ebay, and notoced there are not a big source of used oem parts like more common Jap bikes. That is a concern sometimes. Though I think ebay worldwide would prob be a better source? I go and see it in the morning and test-drive it. Is there any quirks or important things to look for on the TA specifically (like weak frame points , engine weakness's and such) the owner tells me it has a slight valve cover leak, on most bikes, thats not a big deal, but not sure on this one. I'll keep all posted. Ive heard also the brake systems on the TA suck too, my biggest concern is tthe rear drum. Ive read you can change out the swingarm from an africa twin and do a disk brake setup ?