Show us your TransAlp modifications!

Discussion in 'Japanese polycylindered adventure bikes' started by modrover, Apr 13, 2004.

  1. modrover

    modrover BOOMSHANKA!

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Oddometer:
    3,600
    Location:
    WA, USA
    [​IMG]

    Here's my 1989 Honda TransAlp XL600V (600cc V-Twin water cooled 450 lb beast of dual sport) :lift

    Mods:
    1) SW-Motech skid plate
    2) Givi crash bars (err... ok, engine guards... I know you shouldn't say CRASH)
    3) Acerbis motocross front fender (custom brackets made for this to work)
    4) Acerbis hand/lever guards with spoilers
    5) Touratech/RAM GPS mount
    6) Touratech/Cycoactive ISDE scorecard holder (really just used for sm maps)
    7) Corbin seat
    8) Clearview windscreen
    9) Custom AL exhaust heatshield
    10) Pelican 1400 rear box with custom AL rack
    11) Kenda 270 tires (Michelin tubes)
    12) Heated grips
    13) Throttle rocker
    14) Vista cruise
    15) BMW acc. plug
    16) IPF "magic" bulb (hi-output and does this funky afterglow when off)

    I think the most important mods for me have been the crash bars, skid plate, and off-road tires (well, that Corbin is so comfy too).

    For a 15 year old big ass dually... it still gives those newer twins a good run! :ricky

    OK... let's see your TA! :thumb

    Regards,
    Michael
    '89 TA
    '03 KL250G7
    Van., WA USA
    #1
    pennswoodsed likes this.
  2. Pilosopo

    Pilosopo Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2002
    Oddometer:
    198
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel, SoCal
    I don't have a TA, but I have to complement you on the fact that you've got a beautiful bike there :thumb
    #2
  3. modrover

    modrover BOOMSHANKA!

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Oddometer:
    3,600
    Location:
    WA, USA
    Hey, thank you. :super

    Regards,
    Michael
    '89 TA
    '03 KL250G7
    Van., WA USA
    #3
  4. atgreg

    atgreg Africatwinarama

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2003
    Oddometer:
    10,037
    Location:
    Sydney Australia
    ,

    1990 XRV750 Africa twin - 210,000km on the clock

    -touratech tankbag
    -soft panniers
    -touratech screen extender
    -riky cross crashbars and centrestand
    -custom lengthened (extra25mm wheel travel) Ohlins 3 way adjustable shock
    -forks have racetech goldvalve emulators and stiffer springs
    -engine has 1mm OS high comp pistons, flowed head
    -ceramic coated headers
    -Lazer Produro muffler
    #4
    lunarlust likes this.
  5. Humungus

    Humungus no it doesn't

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2002
    Oddometer:
    5,313
    Location:
    circling just out of your campfire light
    Couldnt help myself AT
    #5
  6. Raidrallyrider

    Raidrallyrider I am bored

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    Oddometer:
    360
    Location:
    Ankara
    Africa Twins are so cool. Here's my AT (just before I sold it to buy a bigger bike). I miss it.

    Attached Files:

    #6
  7. motu

    motu Loose Pre Unit

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2001
    Oddometer:
    9,938
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Looks like we're talking about Honda Vtwin adventure bikes - this is my 1986 XLV750.A non standard paint job,screen,handguards,K&N filter and some rejeting,ceramic coated headers with my own built cans,at the moment slightly different than this picture with no screen,low guard,crash bars and spot lights.

    Attached Files:

    #7
    Jordan6679 likes this.
  8. MookieBlaylock

    MookieBlaylock Long timer

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2004
    Oddometer:
    2,728
    Location:
    IntheeaglewingpalaceoftheQueenChinee
    wow those are some well maintained bikes--uh no pictures of mine until it finishes rehab- it will get a Remus exhaust imported from across the pond, Renthal desert high bars, crash bars maybe as they cost less than new plastic and acerbis guards
    #8
  9. modrover

    modrover BOOMSHANKA!

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Oddometer:
    3,600
    Location:
    WA, USA
    Those AT and XLV750R photos are great! :eek1

    Funny... my dream machine is a XLV750R. Love that shaft drive, hydrolic lifters, and simple air cooling. I sure wish the US got those. They might be from the mid 80s, but they're one solid hunk of dual sport. The AT is also one of my favorites too. A nice step up in off-road ability from my TA.

    Feel free to ship them to me when you don't want them anymore! :thumb

    Regards from your TA Mate in the States,
    Michael
    '89 TA
    '03 KL250G7
    Van., WA USA
    #9
    Magus likes this.
  10. motu

    motu Loose Pre Unit

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2001
    Oddometer:
    9,938
    Location:
    New Zealand
    It's wierd the US never got the XLV750 because the motor was specificaly designed for flattrack use as the RS750,they could of at least put it in a cruiser if that market was bigger.
    #10
  11. transalper

    transalper Been here awhile Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2002
    Oddometer:
    421
    Location:
    MN, USA
    Here's my TA:
    [​IMG]

    Mods:
    1) SW-Motech skid plate
    2) Givi crash bars
    3) Tread lightly thumbprint sticker to hide scratch on tank :)
    4) RAM GPS mount
    5) Garmin GPS 12Map
    6) Moose Dual Sport Chart
    7) Givi Windsreen
    8) Givi top plate, pannier rack, E360s, and E50
    9) Continental TKC80s
    10)Throttle rocker
    11) Mudflap extension
    12) Vista cruise

    Looks like a prime example of convergent evolution to me.
    #11
  12. atgreg

    atgreg Africatwinarama

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2003
    Oddometer:
    10,037
    Location:
    Sydney Australia
    Actually, the RS750 engine is quite different to the XLV, the RS has 4 vales/cylinder and chain drive. Basically the RS engine was built as a race engine and it just looked a bit like an XLV, same as the engines in the NXR Paris - Dakar racers were completely different to Africa twin Engines.
    Greg
    #12
  13. motu

    motu Loose Pre Unit

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2001
    Oddometer:
    9,938
    Location:
    New Zealand
    Of course - the RS750 was a race motor,I have no idea but I would also think that the crank would fire as per XR750 and not the 90deg crank fitted to the XLV750.It was the cases that needed to be homogulated,the crank and top end didn't matter.
    #13
  14. modrover

    modrover BOOMSHANKA!

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Oddometer:
    3,600
    Location:
    WA, USA
    Nice KIT! I couldn't have picked a better color or combination myself! :thumb

    You gotta luv those HRC colors... such tradition! :ricky


    Regards,
    Michael
    '89 TA
    '03 KL250G7
    Van., WA USA

    PS OK... so what if we only got two color choices. They got it right! :lol3
    #14
  15. transalper

    transalper Been here awhile Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2002
    Oddometer:
    421
    Location:
    MN, USA
    Michael,
    I like that high front fender of yours. I've been toying with the idea of doing that myself. It looks like the front fender bracket from an xl600 or xr650l should work with the TA lower triple clamp. :thumb
    #15
  16. Tim

    Tim Long timer

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2002
    Oddometer:
    2,366
    Location:
    Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK
    OK, here's my Africa Twin. Mods include,

    African Queens Rallye fairing and rear fender
    RickyCross front and rear bars
    Longer forks and longer rear linkage
    Ohlins shock
    Renthal bars with Acerbis guards
    Stock instruments removed and replaced with Touratech IMO
    Enduro front fender
    BSM carbon exhaust with Dynojet kit and K&N filter.

    It has now been returned to stock and is for sale.
    #16
  17. modrover

    modrover BOOMSHANKA!

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Oddometer:
    3,600
    Location:
    WA, USA
    Why would you want to sell such a bike? Are you saying that you'd rather be riding a KTM 640 than an AT 750? Just curious... not trying to be Mr.Opinion.

    Regards,
    Michael
    '89 TransAlp
    '03 KL250G7
    Van., WA USA

    PS That bike would be gone in a second if it was for sale here in the states!
    #17
  18. arroyoshark

    arroyoshark Needing some space

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2003
    Oddometer:
    2,134
    Location:
    Fin del Sendero, NM
    Here's pic of my '89 Transalp, from the Haines Highway.

    Modifications:

    National "Cheeta" windscreen
    Givi engine guards
    Motosport Pannier racks
    Nelson-Rigg saddlebags with custom made hard mount
    Custom frame/seatpan brace to protect CDI unit
    Custom made rear rack
    Pirelli Scorpion MT tires
    PIAA headlight bulb
    Electric connector for heated vest
    K&N air filter for this trip​

    Attached Files:

    #18
  19. modrover

    modrover BOOMSHANKA!

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Oddometer:
    3,600
    Location:
    WA, USA
    Did you get any trouble having the red gas can on the back? I know cops around here would just flip for that! :ymca

    Nice bike. How do you like that windscreen? Does it produce the typical turbulence around the helmet?

    I've been kicking around spacing mine from the bike about an 1 or so. This would allow the air to come under the screen just enough to smooth out that head rattle. Well, I think it might... :evil

    Regards,
    Michael
    '89 TA
    '03 KL250G7
    Van., WA USA

    PS Nice TA water crossing! :thumb How'd it do thru that? Any water get sucked into areas we TA guys need to watch out for?
    #19
  20. Ludlow

    Ludlow Adventurer

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Oddometer:
    258
    Location:
    Springfield, VA
    OK, so this is not the prettiest modification displayed so far, but I would appreciate some insight as to why it is there. To European owners of 'alps this is simply the center stand. No big deal for you, but US 89-90s are not supposed to have one ( I can't fathom Honda's thinking on that).

    Years ago when I bought the bike I knew little about them, and did not think to ask the previous owner about it. I assumed they all had them. This one certainly looked stock to me. Does anyone recognize a brand? I get asked about it occasionally and I'm tired of shrugging ignorantly. Everything else about the bike indicates a US model.

    Attached Files:

    #20