Stripped TA??

[El Vencejo]

Hi just thinking of my next project. I like to lighten bikes and throw away anything not essential to the handling, running and legality of the thing.
Are there any pics of the TA without the bodywork?
Thanks

[StumpyFingers]

Theere are a few pictures of Pigugly's transalp, which is stripped down without the fairing.

[Lutin]

Theere are a few pictures of Pigugly's transalp, which is stripped down without the fairing.

Here's one -



You didn't say which TA, Phil's (shown above) is a 650.

[Immortal P]

check out the prototype section of my website....

there are some from two guys in Germany who strip alps on a regular basis....

plus thisone... is from the guy in my hometown (although it is mostly apart from a few things all AT), but on the site are a few more....

[trophydave]

Here's one -



You didn't say which TA, Phil's (shown above) is a 650.

I do like that and I am tempted to make something similar myself.The only thing that bothers me is what to do with the radiators?

[El Vencejo]

Thanks for the pics. Plenty of possibilities. Pigugly's TA minus lots of plastic & weight would be my aim

[Lutin]

Thanks for the pics. Plenty of possibilities. Pigugly's TA minus lots of plastic & weight would be my aim

The removal of the weight makes a huge difference to the bike - as I can thank Phil for a blast on his TransRat last year.

It feels like a completely different bike. For a start, the view is very much different with no fairing in the way. And that little fairing does a surprisingly good job - not sure about motorways though.

Yep, I think some form of protection bars for the radiators would be a good idea - as would not dropping the bike.

[oggy]

Saving weight is of course a good idea on any vehicle, but difficult to know where to make an easy start on a TA. Removing the fairing doesn't actually save that much as it is all lightweight plastic - besides which, the advantages a fairing offers at speed far outweights the benefits of removing it.

Adding protection for the exposed radiator of course adds weight - if you are going down the weight saving route, engine bars are actually quite heavy and would be the first to go.

Obviously topbox/panniers/pannier racks can also go, as can the catalyser and the standard exhaust.

Consider also removing starter motor - not really required, just a lazy man's kick start - but how then to start? retrofit kickstart -could be difficult. Removal of rev counter,mirrors, lighter indicators all possibilities.

From there on it gets difficult and expensive. Much of what remains is pretty essential - gearbox/motor/clutch and very difficult to lighten easily. Lightweight frame? but even the frame is relatively light to begin with, handlebars maybe, wheels are alloy so no great savings there.

Left field suggestions include riding around with less gas in the tank - ever lifted off a full tank of fuel? - it's heavy! or for the rider to go on a diet and/or ride naked....

[El Vencejo]

My lightened slr is in final assembly; managed to lose over 20kgs but it is strictly a bike for one. Removal of the pillion provisions: grab rail removed and the rear 10" of the subframe removed, footrest supports chopped to minimum. Just cutting down to a single seater has chopped over 5kgs. The airbox, not needed for a single, weighs over 1,5kgs! Now the total weight of OE plastic bodywork is 110grammes, just a bit between the tail light and the seat, all the rest is in store, but it won't fit back on the bike, 'cos I've ground all the unnecessary stuff off the frame.

Its a case of : Will it work/ is it legal without this bit? Can I safely chop that metalwork? Does it matter if it looks weird?

For me the improvement in handling is worth it... pretty much all the weight I've chopped was above the axle line, so the centre of gravity has dropped down: should be much more agile.

TA will probably be my next project, there's certainly more new and secondhand parts and accessories than there is for the slr and lots of potential

[oggy]

Yes - like it - especially the grab rail/airbox/footpeg removal I hadn't thought of...
Still not sure about removing the plastic fairing...