Show us your TransAlp modifications!

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

  1. JBMorse

    JBMorse Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2009
    Oddometer:
    310
    Location:
    NH
    Be sure to post some impressions and pictures of your new luggage setup. I have pined for a hard luggage setup for my Transalp and Happy Trails is the only viable option I've found. (By which I mean readily available.)
  2. Lomax

    Lomax Nanu-Nanu Adventurer Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2004
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    11,871
    Location:
    Westminster Colorado
    I just put HT racks on mine and am impressed with the quality for the price. They may not be as cool as Zega's but the price is right. My only complaint is that the racks seem to stick out pretty far. This worked out OK in my case as I don't have the stock muffler and if the fit any tighter to the bike they may not have worked. Here is a picture with the big cases off my GS. Yes I do have smaller cases on order. :lol3 But they will still hang way out there.

    [​IMG]

    Marc
  3. Jim Rowley

    Jim Rowley Rise above

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    Jul 8, 2001
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    2,512
    Location:
    Black Forest, Colorado
    I actually bought a set a while back, just now installed them. They're the old style too, not the ones with the new controller. I should be safe.
  4. Jim Rowley

    Jim Rowley Rise above

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    You can fill that left inboard space with a soft saddlebag.:evil
  5. AppFan

    AppFan Long timer

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

    [​IMG]

    Racks bolted right on with no large hammer required.

    [​IMG]

    Panniers are quick and easy to put on and I like that they thought to supply extra bolts in case you don't want to use the knobs on the inside (take up a little less packing space).

    [​IMG]

    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....

    [​IMG]
  6. Dr E

    Dr E Chasing after theory

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    Mar 20, 2010
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    Pacific Northwest
    Nice looking set up you now have!
  7. Welshman in Canada

    Welshman in Canada Adventurer

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2010
    Oddometer:
    67
    Location:
    Brighton Ont
    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
  8. AppFan

    AppFan Long timer

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

    Lomax Nanu-Nanu Adventurer Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2004
    Oddometer:
    11,871
    Location:
    Westminster Colorado
    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 :lol3

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

    Marc
  10. mas335

    mas335 xendurist

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    Jun 17, 2006
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    3,360
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    Advance, NC
    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.
  11. AppFan

    AppFan Long timer

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

    Bonnie & Clyde Wishing I was riding RTW

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    Jan 10, 2006
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    4,601
    Location:
    Gardnerville NV

    Or a side panel auxillary tank!:evil
  13. mgorman

    mgorman Crashing since 1964

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    Oct 25, 2006
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    NEO
    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.
  14. JBMorse

    JBMorse Been here awhile

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    NH
    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 $$$!
  15. AppFan

    AppFan Long timer

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    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.
  16. R_Rick

    R_Rick Been here awhile

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    Halifax, NS
    I believe the 89 seat will fit an 87

    Rick
  17. Jim Rowley

    Jim Rowley Rise above

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    Jul 8, 2001
    Oddometer:
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    Location:
    Black Forest, Colorado
    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.
  18. rockydog

    rockydog just a guy

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    Feb 11, 2007
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    1,351
    Location:
    okieland
    posted a Happy Trails Owyhee pannier set, complete set, in the flea market, for 89 transalp
  19. justcountry04

    justcountry04 Been here awhile

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    Dec 31, 2010
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    243
    Location:
    Gilchrist County Floriduh (AKA farm country)
    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 <a href="http://s1146.beta.photobucket.com/user/justcountry04/media/transalp_zpsb3f07147.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o537/justcountry04/transalp_zpsb3f07147.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/></a>
  20. Dr E

    Dr E Chasing after theory

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2010
    Oddometer:
    143
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest
    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...