Show us your TransAlp modifications!

[mas335]

I remember someone posting here that he was having trouble starting his bike. Several inmates offered all kinds of ideas about what to check, this went on for a while, maybe a few days and someone asked if the kill switch was on, problem solved.

I never use it, that's what the key is for.

[Ladder106]

I flip it a few times before every start-up to make sure the contacts stay clean so it doesn't give me any trouble.

The only time is gets "used" is when I fall over.

[Dudley]

Originally Posted by mas335

I remember someone posting here that he was having trouble starting his bike. Several inmates offered all kinds of ideas about what to check, this went on for a while, maybe a few days and someone asked if the kill switch was on, problem solved.

I never use it, that's what the key is for.

Proper shut down is in order.Thumb, Key, Valve.

Its also a good idea to flip it from time to time to clear the contacts as Ladder points out.

Dudley

[thepoddo]

I took the habit of using the killswitch every time, especially since I always leave the bike in gear when parked
this saves me the possibility of it jumping forward in the occasion my left hand slips on the lever while I reach for the key, especially on rough terrain

and while I'm at it, I'll leave a pic of my xl650v

[Jim Rowley]

I saw the light last Sunday. Who was the person that modified the stock paper air filter to accept the XL250 foam filter? I salute you.

[mas335]

Hey Jim, Ray came up with the idea to pull all the paper off of the oem airfilter frame and cover it with a foam filter. I took his idea and altered it by using a oem Honda NX125 foam filter. Is this what you are speaking about?

Post # 11484 6-2-11 in case the link doesn't work.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...r#post16069437

[Jim Rowley]

Originally Posted by mas335

Hey Jim, Ray came up with the idea to pull all the paper off of the oem airfilter frame and cover it with a foam filter. I took his idea and altered it by using a oem Honda NX125 foam filter. Is this what you are speaking about?

Post # 11484 6-2-11 in case the link doesn't work.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...r#post16069437

Yes, that's exactly it. I should have known it was from you and Ray. I thought of that too and even bought some flat Uni foam material to make my own. But you saved me a bunch of time. Thanks again.

[Ladder106]

There's also this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170510794174...84.m1438.l2649

Haven't tried it myself yet since my modded filters are working just fine.

[Bossit]

Hello,

I'm quite new here, so don't know or i put my message in the right thread.
I rebuild a '96 Transalp 600 but have some issues i need some help for.
I wanted to use a rear shock from an AT. It doesn't seem to fit as you've got the gas line as well as the gas cylinder on that shock. And there isn't enough space between the shock and the water reservoir.
Does anyone has experience with fitting a different rear shock( want to make the bike higher) on a TA?
Would be interesting to hear from it as i'm a bit stuck at the moment.

Thank you!

[Ladder106]

Bossit,

What part of the world are you in?

I've used the AT shock and found it no better than the standard Transalp unit.

I'd recommend a Wilbers or other quality unit to replace the standard shock. Yes, it's expensive but once you ride with it you will find it money very well spent.

The coolant reservoir does not care where it's located or what shape the container is. You can move it up under the fairing where it can be seen while riding or anywhere else. Containers are available for coolant res. at most auto parts placed in various shapes and sizes.

[mas335]

The original TA rear stop light lenses has been discontinued for a while now and here in N.C. a motorcycle and probably any vehicle will not pass our annual state vehicle inspection with a broken, cracked or repaired lenses.

So I found a replacement light that I think fits nicely and other than cutting a hole behind the light unit for the wiring and the light socket it bolts right in place.

Doesn't look too out of place does it?

I have three of these new lights if anyone needs one.

[Ladder106]

Nice one, Mark,
Does it have a clear area on the bottom for plate illumination?

If not, it might look better turned up-side-down.

[mas335]

picky picky picky! yes, the bottom is clear, it uses the same type and wattage bulb as the TA.

[Ladder106]

[Ladder106]

Did a 200 mile back-country ride with a SF bay group this Sunday.

Lately I've been looking at the new Tenere and the 990Adventures.

So, the ride took us on paved one-lane back country roads and up and down some fairly steep, loose, rocky and dusty two-track "almost roads".

The ride was just a ride, not a race and the bikes ranged from a GasGas300 (yes street legal...dunno how) to KTM 450s, 2 VStroms, a new Tenere, a KLR and a few BMWs.

So, as rides go...as we started climbing up the second dirt section the pace....uhmm...picked up a few notches.

The dedicated dirt bikes ran off to the point of hardly even seening their dust but my AfricaAlp and the two 990s were all in the second group. This lasted for 10 minutes or so untill first one KTM and then the other got past on long(ish) straight sections. It's hard to beat that Horsepower. I rode alone for the next few miles between the KTMs and the other more street oriented bikes.

At rides end we sat in the shade, drank Gatorade and traded stories. Lots of interest in the AfricaAlp. I thought it sure would be nice to have one of those new KTMs and started asking questions.

I wasn't very happy with what I discovered.......To wit:

Mileage: 35 mpg average
Range: About 150 miles before "reserve"
Rear tire cost: About $200
Rear tire life: 2000 miles (or less) on a knobby depending on terrain and how much throttle is used
Initial cost: Ouch !

The AfricaAlp:
Mileage: 42-45 mpg...never seen worse than 38
Range: 300 miles with the Africa Twin tank
Rear tire cost: $68.00 for a Michelin T63
Rear tire life: 3500 miles (cause there's not enough HP to shred it) (and also because I never ride knobs below 4mm or so...what's the point?)
Initial cost: $3000 a few years ago. Probably $5000 with mods

On the whole I was very pleased with how the AfricaAlp held up compared to stuff that was decades more modern.

Given the initial cost and range disadvantages of the big KTMs...I think I'll keep the Honda around for quite a while longer.