African Queens increased ride height kit

[Chad]

what was the damage . :?: that looks costly but 8)

[wheeliebin]

The damage was £86, mainly because we agreed to do them out off stainless steel.

[wheeliebin]

I think the real cost of the kit is down to the machining required to make the extensions for the front forks. It's actually quite a detailed component with a very fine pitch thread, so requires specialist turning.

Got an engineering firm to make me some for my TA.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=1285

[BobA]

Out of interest, has anyone tried the incresed ride height conversion kit, offered by African Queens?

http://www.old-site.africanqueens.de/_html/prod_e/kp_umbau/kpuuf010.php3

I'm curious as to whether it alters the handling as well as the height? I guess it must increase trail and wheelbase?

Any comments??


Bob

[Boxer Dog]

Why the hell would I want to do that.

Actually, here's a thought

I can't touch the floor anyway so why not.

[TallJohn]

Boba, I am thinking of getting this too. As a normal height person (6' 8"), the RD03 is a bit like a monkey bike. Would be interested to know what you think of it if you get it.

[banger]

As a normal height person (6' 8"),

Think you should look at trying to fit a vtwin engine to a 'penny farthing' :lol:

[Boxer Dog]

6' 8"?

If you get a lift kit you will have to watch out for low bridges.

Challenge you to a limbo competition!

[Chad]

i as a normal size person (6ft7in) was getting all latherd up about this till i saw the price 360.00 euros :shock: cant be right can it £247 smackeroonies :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: oops cold breath of the missus on the shoulder saying no you cant you.ve spent enough on that bloody bike allready :twisted:
hmmm shes gone wheres the credit card :lol: :lol:

[Dilbert]

Bob, suspect it would defo affect the trail and wheelbase ergo slower turning into corners :(

John, normal hieght my ass I'm just glad we changed the lights in the hall for those flush mounted halogen ceiling jobbies before you came round, you were about normal hieght when you sat down :lol:

[TallJohn]

I already have a red flashing light on the top of my helmet in case I cross a flight path!

To me, everyone else comes from Lilliput!

[BobA]

Sorry All. PC failure means I've been off-air for a while.

Thanks for the comments.

I'm only a titchy 6'3" lump, and although my RD04 is plenty high enough to give any white van man the evil eye, I just fancy sitting a bit higher.

I agree the price of the AQ kit is quite expensive, but it looks pretty good quality, and I expect with limited demand, this affects the price accordingly. I don't intend to buy this kit in the immediate future, and this will give me the chance to perhaps price getting my own one made. It can't be rocket science, just add a few extra MM's to the existing components really. I will start by popping one of the fork top caps out to get the diameter and thread pitch measured so I can do some guess'timation on how long I want to make the fork extension. My only worry is that the top yoke may in theory clamp the extension part, so the join will fall just below the yoke, and I wonder if this would be a point of weakness? After all, and AT isn't exactly light!

I guess the geometry will be altered by increasing trail at the front, although the additional angle of the raised rear (swingarm angled down more) may cancel this out and keep the wheelbase the same as well. I dunno really, but I do have a couple of contacts I could get an opinion from before I really cock it up. I wonder if the revised swingarm angle will cause chain problems?

I'm not in a hurry to do all this, but rest assured, when I do, I shall post any findings and costs here, just for the lofty types out there!!

OK, I'm just home from work, I've had my brain dump, and I now have to get a beer and munchies before I go crazy!


Cheers

Bob

[manureboots tim]

oh my god!,360 euros!,i jacked up my dt 50 mx 24 years ago just by redrilling the holes where the rear shock went and milling up some bar in metal work at school (on the days that i actually went!)

[UKRob]

Bob, suspect it would defo affect the trail and wheelbase ergo slower turning into corners :(

:
I think you'll find tipping the back end up would pull the front wheel in making the steering quicker.
If i ever get an AT sorted im gonna jack mine up a bit, im just a lowly 6 foot 6. :D

[Chad]

when i jacked up my old bandit the kit just consisted if two altered tie rods that link up on either side of the shock surely the same princaple would apply to this :?
and at the end of the day that only came to the princley sum of £24 :shock:

[BobA]

I think the real cost of the kit is down to the machining required to make the extensions for the front forks. It's actually quite a detailed component with a very fine pitch thread, so requires specialist turning.

One day, I'd like the kit, but not right now. I'll just have to lop a few inches off my legs for a while!!


Bob

[Chad]

i dont know how far your forks are dropped through your top yokes when i got my @ it had bout 15mm out the top yoke ive now dropped the forks so they are flush with the yokes , and setthe preload up a bit and that has helped a little with no noticable effects on the handling
i have noticed some lowerd footpegs somwhere and wonderd what difference that would make :?

[BobA]

Yo Chad

Same here. Fork top caps are flush with the top yoke, and I've also added extra air to the forks, and cranked the rear preload up.

She can get a bit nervous on ripples, but feels nice and firm generally, and flies over bumps.

Just added some stainless steel Motech crash bars today, and with the knobblies and a lifetime of dirt and shat all over it, it looks well hard!!!


Regards

Bob

[Chad]

gissa pic bob go on mate lets have a look :D

[BobA]

Well...as it's Christmas and all that, so I will post one up tomorrow, when I can take a pic in the light, but to be honest, it's rough as fu%k, so won't be much to look at!

It looks battered to hell, and the poor thing coughs into life on these foggy damp mornings, but once its running it pulls like a train, vibrates like a Rampant Rabbit, but is hell of a lot of fun. NOTHING intimidates white van man, like an AT with attitude!!


Cheers


bob

[Chad]

heeeeyyyy 8) perhaps you need to do another tv program :D without the waxing :shock:

[BobA]

The waxing was kinda kinky, and I could suffer that, but when they dyed my eyelashes that camp baby blue, I coulda died there and then!!

[Chad]

yup that was one funny program bro have you still got the bike and did they improve it with all the work they did :D

[BobA]

Chad

Yeah still got it, but haven't done any road miles really, as I have a few final touches to take care of, namely...

1) Speedo was never hooked up, so intend to fit a Trailtech Lynx when funds allow.

2) Engine was bead blasted clean for makeover, but not repainted or laquered. Good old blighty weather means a spot of rain turns it to white powder, so I've got to get the whole engine powdercoated with clear laquer if it is possible. I'll do more research when time allows, unless anyone can advise?

3) Since its return, it hasn't really run properly when you're thrapping the taters off it. I spoke to the guys in the US, and they said that the carb diaphragms were in pretty bad condition. I spoke to David Silver's regarding Honda OEM ones bad had a heart attack when they told me the price, but I have since found http://www.nrp-carbs.co.uk/ who I intend to get to replace them when funds allow, so watch this space.

The thing is as light as hell, so I can't wait to get it on or off the road to give it the beans!!


Regards

Bob

[Chad]

sounds good mate any chance you will be around for hastings on the may bank hol i think a few of the guys are going down there.

good news i got my front tyre through today and the powder coaters said middle of the week for my bit so shes nealy there :shaking2:

[BobA]

Chad

With May Bank Holiday being a fair bit of notice, I'd say I'll definitely be around.

The South Coast is my stomping ground really, as I lived 11 years in Eastbourne, and will hopefully have my house near Brighton ready soon.

May Day it is then! I'll recommend eateries/pubs/cafes for the group nearer the time!! There are some WICKED roads down these parts for a blast or a nice relaxed run, so we could all take a little rideout as well.



Bob

[Chad]

great :D :D :D

[DaveS]

Test reply.
Please ignore.

[wheeliebin]

Think the start of the thread is a little messed up

[Chad]

:scratch: whats that then wheeliebin :scratch: :lol:

[wheeliebin]

Our first three posts from 1970 on page 1 of this thread :shock:

[Chad]

dude you are one sharp mutha :shock:
i didnt even notice that , did you realise your bike was so cutting edge when you were working on it back then :lol: :lol:

[wheeliebin]

And we've figured out why you have so many posts, you've been here so long.

[Chad]

bugger ive been sussed :shock: runnaway runnaway :lol: :lol: