Looking for ideas and pics to improve my '03 TA off the road

[Transalicante]

Hi, first of all, I apologise for my poor english,

I was looking for a second hand Africa Twin, but they were overpriced so I finally choose a '03 TA which was nearly new.

After a year and a half, and 25.000 kms of intensive use and abuse, I don't regret my election, but still want to improve the offroad capacities of my bike.

My biggest problem are the low ground clearance, and the little protection of the engine, as in my area the trails have a lot of stones.

I'm probably going to install a second hand Africa engine guard, but how can I improve the suspensions to have more ground clearance and suspension travel ?

Can I fit an Africa fork ? And what about the rear shock ?

Will the stock wheels endure an intensive offroad use ?

I'm looking for any ideas that can help without spending too much money in Marzocchi's, Ohlins and all that profesional stuff.

I'm not going to race in the Paris-Dakar, just want to go a bit more far in the trails.

Thank you guys.

[largewayround]

HI ya

Your english is very good, I do not have much experience with off roading stuff with the TA.
But I thought I would say hello and welcome you to the forum.

Engine guard, I am sure that a AT guard will fit with a bit of adjustment (make some holes / hammer). or you could get a aftermarket alloy engine guard that is made for the TA.

I would also say, fit crash guards as well, the rest I have no clue.

But someone will be along soon to give their input..

have fun

[Transalicante]

Thanks for your welcome.

The aftermarket engine guard are too ugly or expensive. The Touratech looks good, but they told me it will suit only '00 to '02 models.
I like the Africa one, it looks strong and will probably be cheaper on the second hand market.

I already have Givi crashbars, they protect a lot (I experienced it !), but are no good for ground clearance because they're fitted under the frame at the centre stand fixing points. I will probably change them.
The centre stand too reduces ground clearance but is very helpful for maintenance.

In fact, I like a lot what Wheeliebin did to his bike, but I cannot find what kind of modifications he did.

If I can keep the original suspensions and just modify it, that will save me a lot of money for my next travel to Morocco

[piguglyshandydrinker]

For more clearance, take off the rear suspension linkage & flip it upside down, this lifts the rear.
The front forks will benefit from a bit more preload, 10-15mm will help, this will lift the front a little, if you want more, support the front of the bike and allow the forks to drop through the yolks a bit (so the fork top is below the top of the yoke). This will lift the front a bit more.

There are various aftermarket sump guards available or the AT one. I just bolted a piece of 3mm alloy plate inside the original - maybe not much good for more serious offroading.

You can shed weight by ditching the fairing/clocks & brackets, chopping the cat & fitting an aftermarket silencer, easily lose 20kg from stock.

Like this;



Phil

[jamie92j]

For more clearance, take off the rear suspension linkage & flip it upside down, this lifts the rear.

intresting

could you please give more detail on this?
also u mention peload on the front end, what exactly do you mean? i.e fitting spacers in the top of the forks? is that what you mean?
many thanks

[Steve T]

Don't know about creating more ground clearance but as for improved sump protection, I "found" an old, damaged road sign and just cut it to size then bent & battered it into shape. I then bolted it under the original plastic sump guard (on the outside) using the rear and front mounting bolts. Sprayed it black so's the "Highland Tartan Museum" reflective logo didn't give the game away as too where I got it from . It's taken a fair few bangs from largish rocks and has stood up well - as it should seeing as it's nearly 3mm thick

PS - this was on a 1991 XL600V, not a 650 version - far too modern them things

I reckon the wheels and rims are up to some enthusiastic off-roading - Mudwiz seemed to manage with his 650. I'd just make sure that on a regular basis I checked the rims for buckles and bends and the spokes for tension and breakages.

Aprt from that, keep enjoying yerself & remember to let us know how you get on - pictures would be nice.

PPS - hope to be in Alicante late April / early May (Torieviaja ??? area), so if you see a red & white @ running round on Brit plates, with a "Policia" look-a-like riding it, it might be me

Steve T

[piguglyshandydrinker]

intresting

could you please give more detail on this?
also u mention peload on the front end, what exactly do you mean? i.e fitting spacers in the top of the forks? is that what you mean?
many thanks

John aka Wheeliebin has done this (not me!), its the linkage that attaches the shock & swingarm and 'dog bones' together. Unbolt it & replace upside down (650's only)!

As for the front forks, remove the caps & add some packing above the springs ie. adding more spring preload.

Phil

[Kjell Lindberg]

Is it part number 4 you flip?



and for adding some preload in your front fork,
you could add a cylindrical collar on top of part 6:

You will however lose some fork travel since the spring will bottom out quicker.

Best would be to buy springs with harder caracter.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Is it part number 4 you flip?



and for adding some preload in your front fork,
you could add a cylindrical collar on top of part 6:

You will however lose some fork travel since the spring will bottom out quicker.

Best would be to buy springs with harder caracter.

Yes, flip part number 4 upside down, lifts the rear.

I have had 10-12 mm of preload added to the front springs (a bit too much sag as stock), without being coil bound when compressed they would take more without proiblems, I think mudwiz used to run 1" or more of packing???

Phil

[wheeliebin]

I went down the adding preload route prior to jacking up the suspension.
Personally I prefer a more softly sprung set-up for mild off-roading (although you need it siffer for serious stuff, ask Mudwiz).

But softening everything reduces ground clearance, the linkage flip increases the ride height by 50mm at the back.

For the front, I looked at fitting different forks (Africa Twin forks are 43mm diameter, TA's are 41mm), you'd need to change to top and bottom yokes as well.
I went for the easier option, I took one of the fork leg tops to an engineering company and asked them to make a longer version, they are 80mm long. I've lowered the forks 50mm to match the rear. Brake lines are standard length, but re-routed slightly and replaced the speedo cable with one from an RD07 and extended the sidestand.

Ground clearance is about 250mm with a nice level stance.