Best quick mods to make the TA off-road capable

[Roadcat]

Sometime ago I entered into The HUMM thinking that my RD03 would be back on the road with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately unforeseen job problems arose and so money became extremely scarce resulting in me not having the neccessary cash to get new rims.

Suddenly the HUMM is looming and I don't have a bike! So in a moment of panic, I bought a Transalp off the forums last week. It needs some work to get it running, but hopefully will pass an MOT without too much difficulty once it goes. The question is, apart from obviously putting better off-road tyres on it, what should I do (that can be done quickly and easily) to give it better off-road ability?

Answers on the back of a post-card ...

[petterdiesel]

Hello, an aluminium sump guard and some crash bars is an idea, not sure where to get sump guards from but M & P are reasonable with crash bars.

[largewayround]

I have no idea about gearing .. But my first thought was to change either the front or rear sprockets..
To give you more control offroad...

Someone who knows about this will be along shortly Iam sure..

[AIRWOLF]

Just put some tyres and crash bars on it

A bit of ali under the bash plate would be good idea if you have any bits handy. Although mine has held up well, (if a little battered ).

I find mine ok on standard gearing, . . . but smaller engine sprocket is available . . . . just take one with you and swap it when you get there if needed.

Mine was here last week.



Ground clearance is less than the @ but seat hieght is much less, so easy to get feet down if needed.

[FatFergie]

I'm no expert but I've rivetted a sheet of alloy onto the plastic bellypan because it doesn't cover all the engine.
I find the gearing too high but I suppose it depends on the terrain.
You could consider taking off the foot rubbers to expose the toothed footrests under but again it depends on the weather and the terrain.
Push the forks as far down the yokes as you can for ground clearnance.
Rim lock? The older alps have the holes already in them.
Heavy tubes for rocky stuff?

I haven't got a clue really... I'm sure these are the things you've thought of already.

[Kjell Lindberg]

If you have an early TA, you can use the sumpgard from the RD03 with a small amount of fiddling.

[pdsquire]

Rather than put engine bars on, avoid damage, save money and lose weight by taking the fairings off as piguglyshandydrinker has (and I'm sure he'd LOVE to tell you how if you PM him). Depending on the model you might need to do something to protect the cooling system.

There's not much you can do about the ground clearance save checking the yokes as above, so shedding weight is desirable both to help that problem and to allow you to manoeuvre the bike quickly to get round difficult rocks and the like.

Have fun.

[POTSKI]

I 4x4 drive/ride (a Transalp) in the Pyrenean area HUMM use quite a bit and ridden with a touch of respect the Transalp will be just fine..in fact it's my preferred bike, it never ceases to amaze me. The 15 tooth standard sprocket is what I use, no problems really. In fact off there with a mate (also on a Transalp) in a week for a few days trail riding. As others have said, a set of crash bars, and watch, reinforce or preferably replace the crap plastic bash plate...enjoy the bike and the trails.

Cheers
Potski

[btbloke]

are we talking 600 or 650?

[phil w]

Well my new old 600 alp is goin on the Humm also. From what Ive been told tourances will do but mine is gettin a new TKC on the rear.
May get crash bars if funds allow also