Hi. This is my first attempt at a build thread. The bike is already done but I haven't had the time to start a thread during the build so I'll just do it now instead. I have had the bike for about a year now and I love it. I'ts just so much fun. Sadly the winter came and I didn't want my baby to be out in the cold. A thought started to grow in my mind, Is it possibly to bring the bike in to my appartment during the winter? I decided to give it at try. I am a student and live in small apartment at 21m^2 so first I had to carry out the diner table and some chairs to the storage. About twenty minutes later the bike was safe inside. After a few weeks I couldn't keep my hands off it. So I started to disassemble the front end and tried out a few ideas with some cardboard shaped into two round lights and cowlings. Don't have any pictures off that but I decided that I liked the idea and it didn't took long before I found some lights that maybe could fit right into the original mountings. While waiting for the lights I wondering about cutting the cowlings but didn't know if I dared to or not, but I decided to go for it. I found some left over plastic boxes and patched up the front of the cowlings using glue and the soldering iron to melt plastic in the gap between the cowling and the patch. The results was pretty god. I did paint it later with a thick black paint to get a smoother surface. Also had time to make some mountings for the GPS and the power outlet. Finally the lights arrived. And it was a perfect fit between the original mountings. I just had to fabricate a small extension from the original mounts to fit the lights. It's alive.. Also fabricated some protection for all the wires behind the lights. At the same time a package with the sw-motech gravel guard, bar riser and footrest kit arrived Here's some pictures of it on the bike. After some finishing touches like painting the brackets for the lights etc I thought it was almost done. But I became impatient and started to look around for a 19" V-strom wheel just to see how hard it was to find and how expensive it would be. It was hard to find one. But when I did the price was just right and a few weeks later this arrived. Now all I had to do was to measure the brake rotors and spacers and to drop it off at the workshop. All according to jdrocks guide in one of his build threads. (hope it's ok to mention you here). When I got the spacers and rotors back from the workshop it was an easy process to install the wheel. Only thing to do was to rise the front fender 4.5cm (which allowed me to use the standard crossover brake line) and to shim the brakes 1mm. Here's some pictures of the swap and the finished bike Can barely wait until summer. I have also made some other changes that was done before I brought the bike inside, they are: Rear/front mud protection. Two toolboxes made of PVC pipe. Vario screen. Givi hard cases mountings. Zeta handguards. SW-motech engine guard. Leovince slip on. Thor mc-alarm. I still have some things I want to do. New tires. R1 rear shock. Other front forks or maybe just change the oil etc. Swap in a matching black three spoke rear. But that won't be until the summer or next winter. If you have any questions just ask and I will be happy to answer. Hope you like it. Cheers.
I understand these boards are politically correct and you're not allowed to have an opinion if it's negative but here goes anyway. I give you credit for the work you've done. IMO the final outcome looks unattractive and unfinished. But that's just me.
Nice pictures and I am really jealous of your footrests. I would like to find some like those for my Buell.
Hey, I like it! Anything is better than that stock front end . Can you provide some more information about those headlight assemblies? What are they and where did you get them?
Good work, it is pleasing to see someone on this side of the pond doing a few mods. I have been busy over the winter too and have also done the 19" wheel conversion etc Have you thought of the R1 shock, it makes a big difference. Am currently working on extending the fork travel, will post when tested.
Well done sir. Let us know if it helps eliminate most/all the buffeting. Yes, just like the Strom, the V has it too. Wish i had the balls/skill to tackle turning my Strom into a street fighter and lose 20-25 pounds of ugly fairing.
I'ts ok to have your own opinion even if it's negative. How can you tell? This is the website that I ordered them from ( it's in Swedish). I think you can find them at ebay if you search for twin headlight http://mcvaruhuset.jetshop.se/framlyse-dubbel-svart-emarkt-p-1924-c-158.aspx. It's on my to do list. Does it fit into the original mountings or did you have to change anything? Is it the same length as the original shock? Will do. Just have to wait one and a half month until the snow starts to melt. Thanks for all the comments
It is a few mm longer, but has more travel, the spring needs changing and the holes need boring out. Lots of info here http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4958
I haven't ridden the V with the original windscreen but with the one from Vario I can't say I notice any buffeting at all.
Got the new tire mounted up and could finally take the ADVersys for a test ride I must say, the 19" front wheel just eats those potholes on the gravel roads. next thing to do is to find a r1 shock and maybe tweak the front suspension. can barely wait until tomorrow for another ride.
Ha! Found you Anton and subscribed Very creative using the plastic to close up the cowlings. Looks like you are a hands-on guy unlike many of the others out there. Post up a pic of what you are going to use for the headlight.