Transalp project

[Skinny_Birdman]

I was always confused as to why a bike first registered in Japan and probably built in Italy had a MPH speedo. I'll see if the Haynes manual (which has a list of serials) can shed any light on the intended market.

[Skinny_Birdman]

Checked the serials, and they match the UK market numbers, for what it's worth.

[CRM]

I priced some Givi engine protection bars through local Honda shop - $245 apparently which is a lot cheaper than other models could be imported so I think I'll go with those.

I went into the local model shop to ask about repairing my fairing with model glue as suggested. Turns out the proprietor is a BMW owner who has just done a similar repair on his fairing. He's also recently completed a tour though Australia on a 600 Transalp. So he's keen to help and suggested I take the fairings off and bring them into his workshop and work on them there using the rest of the 2-pack treatment he used

Once that's done I'll go over the other blemishes with the plastic restorer (PC Racing Plastic Renew used with great success on my VFR where it had a little lie down) and she should be (sort-of) like new

Also thinking about sourcing a new screen as the one I have is pretty marked. What are the options there? Anyone looked into it?

[Skinny_Birdman]

Best price for a screen may be Visual Plastics. They do a stock shape and a 200mm touring screen. They do look a bit odd because they don't have the black decal at the bottom end. Alternatively, I understand the Givi ones are around $180. I could have given you one 50% off but both pieces went in the bin. Personally I thought that the Givi one was too short for me (6 foot) ie my head was in the airflow. TimG seems to like his tho.

Re: The Givi bars, I have put a rectangle of scuff stuff under the bars on either fairing panel, to stop the panels getting garked by the bars if they do lean over a bit. I am to discover that you can't remove the fairings once the bars are on. Once again, the 600 was better in this respect.

[Transalper]

Stumbled upon this today.... Microfiche for the 600s and 650s.. linky.
Skinny_Birdman, looks like the centerstand spring is supposed to be on the right side on the 600. I missed the fabricator man on Friday but have emailed him for an appointment.

Also found my new paint job. Photoshopped out the orange stripes to leave the bit I want. Now it's just a matter of gathering cash.

[thepom]

mnnn...nice!

[Transalper]

Id go blue again but seems this may be another original colour scheme and the bees and wasps really like hanging around blue, I don't like it when they hang around.

[CRM]

Best price for a screen may be Visual Plastics. They do a stock shape and a 200mm touring screen. They do look a bit odd because they don't have the black decal at the bottom end. Alternatively, I understand the Givi ones are around $180. I could have given you one 50% off but both pieces went in the bin. Personally I thought that the Givi one was too short for me (6 foot) ie my head was in the airflow. TimG seems to like his tho.

Re: The Givi bars, I have put a rectangle of scuff stuff under the bars on either fairing panel, to stop the panels getting garked by the bars if they do lean over a bit. I am to discover that you can't remove the fairings once the bars are on. Once again, the 600 was better in this respect.

Thanks for that . I got a quote from Visual Plastics for $179 for any size. They do a touring screen which is 22", the basic one is 15" - or they can do any size in between. I'm wondering about getting a higher one for my long distance trips and maybe keeping the short one I have on now for bush-crashing .

I don't like huge ugly screens and I'm not that tall (5'9ish") so I don't think the full big screen would be that useful - but maybe something in between like a 19"? Any suggestions or experience? Also I'm thinking a light tint rather than clear - but wondering if for a taller screen that may not be the best - better to go for clear. Decisions decisions

[Skinny_Birdman]

Stumbled upon this today.... Microfiche for the 600s and 650s.. linky.
Skinny_Birdman, looks like the centerstand spring is supposed to be on the right side on the 600. I missed the fabricator man on Friday but have emailed him for an appointment.

Also found my new paint job. Photoshopped out the orange stripes to leave the bit I want. Now it's just a matter of gathering cash.

Nice paint! You beaut! Do you know how long I have been looking for a fiche for the '650? Regarding the centrestand that you may or may not have, can I grab it tonight at the usual time? I will have to save my pennies for a SW Moto one. for the 'other' 'Alp (ie Mine).

[Transalper]

Ahh, the usual time is on a Thursday isn't it? or is the just the usual day and the usual time applys to any day
I was Wednesday Night Riding with the roadys to Oxford. Just got back sorry.

[cynna]

Id go blue again but seems this may be another original colour scheme and the bees and wasps really like hanging around blue, I don't like it when they hang around.

so it was your fault i got stung on that ride a couple of weeks ago

[Skinny_Birdman]

Ahh, the usual time is on a Thursday isn't it? or is the just the usual day and the usual time applys to any day
I was Wednesday Night Riding with the roadys to Oxford. Just got back sorry.

Sorry, I was being hopeless. Will text you. Did you have a nice play date with the roadies?

[Transalper]

Sorry, I was being hopeless. Will text you. Did you have a nice play date with the roadies?

Pleasant enough, wasn't going to go but as the day wore on I could feel the Transalp calling me.

Did find myself glancing down a few shingle roads as we passed them but at least did get to explore a couple of small country roads after leaving Oxford toward the Waimak gorge.

[CRM]

I got the new screen from Visual Plastics (aka Bikescreens aka Godiva) today - pretty quick!! Gary was super-helpful - said that if I find it is too high I can send it back and he will trim it down a bit for me.

I ended up getting it made at 20". Full height was 22" but I'm not super tall so thought this would be good...

Pictures of before and after below. It certainly looks nice. Fitting it was fairly straight-forward apart from the pesky little rubber gromet thingies that hold the screen on. The idea (I discovered) is to pull them out before you try to pull the screen of otherwise they fall down inside the fairing... One was a little awkward to get in the new screen so drilled the hole a bit wider. Now it's all sweet.

I also had to adjust the bars back a little as the barkbusters hit the screen at full lock. Now they just touch it and just touch the tank.

My only problem now is getting the WOF unstuck from the old screen - when I try it disintegrates. Then I go for a ride and see what it's like...

photos are the new screen, unboxing and old screen...

[Skinny_Birdman]

Good stuff! All of those stupid grommet things on both silver 'Alps were knackered (on D's 'Alp, well, don't put loctite in them would be my advice - on my 'Alp they had been replaced with non Honda ones which didn't compress properly). They are $14 each !! So I replaced them with a piece of rubber tube over the bolt, then a soft tap washer compressed by a flat brass washer and secured with a nyloc nut, seeing as they are all pretty accessible. Cost? $20 for 20 (only needed 12, but spares are handy).

My latest purchase was one of these , too good a deal to pass up. They still have one left, if anyone wants one. They have quoted me $540 for a new LH one, which is tempting......

Something else you might want to consider CRM is a headlight guard. Headlights are dear as, eh? Ventura guards are $70ish, or else get a piece of self adhesive soft acrylic, snip snip and Bob's your Aunty. I got some from a windscreen repair outfit last time, but I lashed out and bought Venturas for both 'Alps.