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BurnCycle
8th May 2004, 01:59
This is such a fun bike to play with. So far I’ve thrown on a set of ’03 TLR forks, ZX12R calipers (TLR master cylinder), Kevlar lines as well as all sorts of other debris. The latest go around includes a new rear shock from Bitubo that eliminates the rotary rear damper with a convention shock, a TLR swing arm modified to fit the TLS and a caliper from a 01 GSXR 1K.

I’m currently working on installing the Bitubo. I started last night and got all the stock components removed. The new Bitubo has a remote reservoir that makes installation interesting at best due to where it mounts.

Anyway… I’m having a lot of fun with this bike and thought I’d share.

http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Plate/Plate2.jpg

Motu
8th May 2004, 08:21
We played around with a TL a few years ago - big bore kit,cut the frame and tucked in the steering head a bit then put a set of KT250 forks on,turned out a really nice bike - but still lacked grunt.Then last year I got my TLR and it sure was a big improvment over the TL,but it's still taken a lot of work to iron the bugs out - but what I really want is a TLR250,serious grunt there!

marty
8th May 2004, 09:02
well done motu. i wondered who would be brave enuf to cut and reshape a frame...

DEATH_INC.
8th May 2004, 19:52
Looks good....hows that shock going?

Grumpy
10th May 2004, 16:57
Great looking bike. I've got a bit of a soft spot for TL's. I had 2 of them in the past. Had to change to a more "old prick" friendly riding position and give my elbows a rest, hense the GSX1400, but I do miss that V-twin :weep:
My second one I tried a Ohlins damper unit. Massive improvement. Let us know how you find the new unit.

Morepower
11th May 2004, 19:39
We played around with a TL a few years ago - big bore kit,cut the frame and tucked in the steering head a bit then put a set of KT250 forks on,turned out a really nice bike - but still lacked grunt.Then last year I got my TLR and it sure was a big improvment over the TL,but it's still taken a lot of work to iron the bugs out - but what I really want is a TLR250,serious grunt there!
KT250 forks ???? :gob:

Are we all talking about the same machine ??

pete376403
11th May 2004, 20:25
Doubt it - the KT250 I know of was a Kawasaki trials bike

Deano
11th May 2004, 20:57
Have you considered a power commander?

I got an extra 10 HP on my SP-1 - matched the K&N to the pipe nicely and get 10% better fuel economy (not that I worry too much about fuel economy, but then agian lately........)

BurnCycle
12th May 2004, 02:57
The Bitubo is in.. What an event that was. Nothing serious, just a royal pain to complete. I just got back from a 160k ride. I stuck with back roads I knew and some I had just ridden last week to make an accurate comparison... Thing is, there is no comparison. A few of the bumps I knew as 'ejection bumps' were absorbed and the bike didn't even twitch. Running around twisties the bike felt composed and when the road surface changed the composure didn't. I did have one unnerving moment when the rear slid out but again the big bike kept its cool and rode through it.

Deano,
I picked up a Yoshimura R421 box (aka YAFMS), so I can play with the settings for the Suki FI as well as any one else in the area with a Suki (non 32bit FI's). It's not as fine as the PCII but does the job.

The work area...
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Suspension/BBitubo/BBitubo1.jpg
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Suspension/BBitubo/BBitubo2.jpg

Installed...
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Suspension/BBitubo/BBitubo5.jpg
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Suspension/BBitubo/BBitubo8.jpg

Motu
12th May 2004, 07:36
KT250 forks ???? :gob:

Are we all talking about the same machine ??

TL was always a Honda trials bike,the TLR was the updated 80s version.

duckman
12th May 2004, 14:35
Thats a nice setup you got here fella, but I gotta ask, with all those TLR parts why didn't you just buy a TLR ... :buggerd:

Ghost Lemur
12th May 2004, 14:57
Not only is that one super nice job you've done so far, but that is one seriously kitted garage you got there.

Congrats all round. :Punk:

vifferman
12th May 2004, 15:04
So what's the guts with the Bitubo? Does it just bolt in where the spring goes, and the rotary damper gets binned?

If you want some serious performance enhancements, you should try a smaller helmet. That there huge one must create an enormous amount of drag. :laugh:

slob
12th May 2004, 15:53
Nice one mate! Makes me wish I hadn't sold off my '98 TLS. :( Your's looks like a post 2000 model? I heard that after '97 Suzuki electronically restricted the engine in the first 4 gears to prevent "accidental" wheelies. Apparently there's some wires that need to be snipped to derestrict it...

duckman
12th May 2004, 16:02
Nice one mate! Makes me wish I hadn't sold off my '98 TLS. :( Your's looks like a post 2000 model? I heard that after '97 Suzuki electronically restricted the engine in the first 4 gears to prevent "accidental" wheelies. Apparently there's some wires that need to be snipped to derestrict it...
Or you can install the TRE - Timing retardant eliminator!!!

DEATH_INC.
12th May 2004, 19:40
Or you can install the TRE - Timing retardant eliminator!!!
Yep,or do it yourself and save $$$$$

spudchucka
12th May 2004, 19:58
Or you can install the TRE - Timing retardant eliminator!!!
Don't they cost about $160.00 to buy and all it is is a $0.05c resistor?? Rip off.

BurnCycle
13th May 2004, 01:19
Ducman, personal preference mainly. I withdrew a deposit on a TLR when I found this TLS.

Firestormer, The Bitubo is a conventional shock/damper unit so the rotary gets binned for good. The spring on the Bitubo is also rated for my weight. The ride has improved so much.

As for the Timing Retard… I have taken care of that. I went with a more advanced unit known as an Advanced Timing Retard Eliminator (ATRE). It’s an active unit that allows me to program what gears are mapped and what gear they’re mapped to. It also does not affect the neutral map like other TRE’s do. Click here for a pic. (http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/ATRE.jpg)

Banditmad
13th May 2004, 12:50
Nice job. I rode a TLS for the first time the other day. Fun to ride and quite a rush from 6,500rpm on. If you're looking for more power I'd recommend Brian Bernard. His TLR racebike with very little engine mods and home made mufflers makes 135hp at the rear wheel. He is very reasonably priced, enthusiastic and knows what he's doing. Keep up the good work.

White trash
13th May 2004, 13:01
Nice job. I rode a TLS for the first time the other day. Fun to ride and quite a rush from 6,500rpm on. If you're looking for more power I'd recommend Brian Bernard. His TLR racebike with very little engine mods and home made mufflers makes 135hp at the rear wheel. He is very reasonably priced, enthusiastic and knows what he's doing. Keep up the good work.

I understand (please correct me if I'm wrong) that Brians TL had TL1KS heads with "R" Cams and all sorts of wierd goings on. Thing's a bloody rocketship though

DEATH_INC.
13th May 2004, 13:09
Don't they cost about $160.00 to buy and all it is is a $0.05c resistor?? Rip off.
Yep, that's about it......
Done properly,they don't affect the neutral map either......it's a seperate wire...
Your active one sounds interesting,but on all the Zooks I've done no-one ever wanted to get rid of it in any gear......

Banditmad
13th May 2004, 16:32
Sorry mate. Can't comment on the particulars of what he used as I didn't ask. He said that the mods were generally the same as I'd done to my Bandit. Planed head, mild porting, reprofiled cams and tune.

BurnCycle
14th May 2004, 00:04
Yep, that's about it......
Done properly,they don't affect the neutral map either......it's a seperate wire...
Your active one sounds interesting,but on all the Zooks I've done no-one ever wanted to get rid of it in any gear......

TL's are a different beast when it comes to the TRE. It's twitchy FI made the lower RMP throttle more of an off/on switch. Since the TL makes a fair amount of power/torque at lower RPM the TR restriction is far more noticeable and basic street-ability is affected. A basic TRE will indeed affect the neutral map; this is why a switched TRE has become so popular with the TL crowd. Cold morning starts have been reported to be a real biatch without one [switch].

As for more power… The R is another great source for parts, both the cams and pistons can get the S moving a little faster. I’m still working on utilizing the power the bike currently has, so I’m not in any rush to crack open motor yet. Besides I’m happy with the way its running. (http://www.mariposaderojo.com/mpg/FollowMe.wmv)

DEATH_INC.
16th May 2004, 20:54
TL's are a different beast when it comes to the TRE. It's twitchy FI made the lower RMP throttle more of an off/on switch. Since the TL makes a fair amount of power/torque at lower RPM the TR restriction is far more noticeable and basic street-ability is affected. A basic TRE will indeed affect the neutral map; this is why a switched TRE has become so popular with the TL crowd. Cold morning starts have been reported to be a real biatch without one [switch].[/url]
Done two TL's, an 's' and a 'r',no probs with either......

BurnCycle
31st May 2004, 05:27
Finally got my vacuum pump (Mityvac) to do the rear caliper swap (GSXR 1k) and fluid flush. The swap was too easy and the only real thing to note is that the banjo bolts for the two calipers have different thread pitches.

For your viewing pleasure...
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Stuff/RCaliper1.jpg
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Stuff/RCaliper2.jpg
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Stuff/RCaliper3.jpg

Oh, and a sneak peak of things to come... This arrived last Friday.
http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Stuff/Swing2.jpg

BurnCycle
14th June 2004, 12:23
I found a guy selling a Yosh High mount carbon fiber exhaust close by to me. He was selling if for next to nothing (comparatively) so I jumped on the change to get it...

http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Jun04/TLYosh8.jpg

DEATH_INC.
16th June 2004, 21:35
Hmmm,that swingarm looks a little like a gsxr750 unit.......

SPman
16th June 2004, 21:59
Just wont let this topic die will I. :)

No probs - its great to see how its developing. - just dont post a pic of a binned bike...........

BurnCycle
24th June 2004, 12:54
Another day another box at the door and another bump for this post :) This time with the 520 conversion. STEALTH sprocket 40t (+2) / 17 front and RK chain. The stock chain is looking good for ~12k km of use on this bike but the chain has to be broken in order to install the TLR swing arm (goes through the bracing), might as well go with an upgrade.

http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Stuff/520Stuff.jpg

duckman
24th June 2004, 12:58
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Nice ..... :cool:

BurnCycle
28th July 2004, 13:02
Time to start again... :lol:

Once it's rebuilt I'll just have to do a part two...

http://www.mariposaderojo.com/Pics/TLS/Rebuild/rebuild1.jpg

F5 Dave
28th July 2004, 16:32
Funny I was just reading the PB article from about 4 yrs ago last night talking about bracing the swingarm as they reckoned it made a difference, presumably this prompted the swinger as well as the new shock mounts?

BurnCycle
28th July 2004, 23:50
Experimentation was the original reason for the new swing arm. But more and more time on the track has given it a practical application too. The TLR is the obvious choice for the donor. The shock and damper mount differently between the two so the TLR tabs has to be removed and new ones fabricated and welded on. The rear shock I use does away with the rotary damper so the tabs on the left side will not be used. I had them added though to keep my options open for different suspension set-ups.

cowpoos
23rd September 2005, 21:24
I hear a couple of company's do a big bore kit/pistons,rod for the TLs...you don't know who they are and how to get hold of them do ya? preffer www.

TLDV8
24th September 2005, 15:50
I hear a couple of company's do a big bore kit/pistons,rod for the TLs...you don't know who they are and how to get hold of them do ya? preffer www.


http://www.tlplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=55533

Titainium Conrods/+2mm J&E's/ VeeTwo Cams and idler gears on TLP ..only $2928 + shipping :niceone:

There is also http://www.terryshepherdtuning.com/