Transalp project

[CRM]

Mmmm, me too. 'Ow much did the invoice say?

They were having a special - I got them for $104 plus shipping .

They're having a big sale this weekend so you could probably twist their arm to do the same deal.

[Skinny_Birdman]

So, do you have any news for us on a recent Tardme purchase Carl142, if that is your real name TA? Closed before I even had a chance to look at it.

[Transalper]

Mmmmm, it came to my inbox while I was sitting in front of it and I went all panicky....side panels, two of them, with a 'buy now'... click link, sign in, 'buy now', then read it properly... new ones, even better.
Wasn't going to post until I have them here, but yes, it was me.
Won't be wearing them on the DB though. Will save them for after that.

[Skinny_Birdman]

I can confirm from painful experience (not my own) that even in quite a solid prang the side panels are protected by the crash bars. But I'd leave them off too. When is someone going to sell a silver LHS 650 panel for $1 no reserve?

[Skinny_Birdman]

OK so I whipped off my CS sprocket today, and:

Nurse, the screens!! Interesting to note that this bike has only done 34,000km, and that the sprocket it was running was the genuine article, ie with rubber dampers both sides.

So out with the:

and we'll see how it goes. TA, I have HEAPS of this stuff spare, once I have done D's Tranny (or even before if you are desperate) you are welcome to use it. I'll text you about the chain.
I took the opportunity to replace the oil filter, which was last replaced in a major service by the previous owner, done at a Honda dealer. IMHO, this:

is a filter that was put on WAY too tight.

[Transalper]

That shaft looks very much the same as the one on my old Tranny, though mine could be slightly worse.

I got me a filter tool now just because it was there in front of me at Pit Lane when I bought my last filter, probably didn't need it as a rubber glove works quite well unless they are over done.

[Skinny_Birdman]

Well, the Loctite 680 has stood up to 950km of riding over the weekend, including 2x Haka, 2x Danseys and 1x Mackenzie passes, and the CS sprocket is still nice and firmly attached to the CS. That's all the evidence I need, I'm going to do D's the same way. Once I'm done, the 680 is all yours TA.

[Transalper]

Excellent, looking forward to trying it on mine.

[CRM]

I rode the Transalp from Whangarei to Wellington today to drop off for the new owner to collect. It reminded me what a good fine-weather touring bike the Transalps are. I left at 7:15 and arrived at Hataitai 11 hours and 817km later. I had a few stops and it was fine almost all of the way - except for a few showers through National Park and Reatahi areas it was just the best day to be doing a long ride.

I thought I would share a few refections on owning a Transalp. I owned for 11 months, from 44,000km to 53,000k. I sold it for $6000 which is what I paid for it - so they hold their value well. I did add a few things (rack, new bars and hot grips and a new tyre). I changed the oil and filter and a new rear brake rotor and headlight bulb. Apart from only minor stuff.

Positives:
Fuel consumption today was 3.8 litres per 100km - or 62 mpg. I've always thought it was a little hungry but that actually seems pretty good - I wasn't taking it easy but I wasn't pushing it hard either - just a good fun pace .
They really are very comfortable - I wasn't any more tired or sore than if I'd spent all day in my office chair working on my computer - a little cramped from one position but that's all.
Great reliable engine - no issues at all, always starts, never overheats, never uses oil or water.
Good handling in all conditions apart from rain (due to having T63 tyres) - not that I've ever had any scares - I just slow down in the rain. Great in gravel or dry clay - never tried in mud or grass but with the T63's it would have been fine. Handles like a big Honda trailbike - predicable, no surprises, limited suspension and power but perfect for most real-world situations - loves back-roads and choppy corners.

Negatives:
Hard to work on - that stupid fairing needs to be removed for even basic tasks like changing spark plugs or light bulbs. Every time you break a few of the plastic screws or drop the screen mounts down inside the fairing You also have to take the tank off to get at the air cleaner . And it's awkward as you have all these rubber tubes to hook back up.
A bit tall (for me) - one of the reasons I've sold it along with the fact that I want more protection from the elements that a dedicated tourer gives.
Scott oiler. i just haven't been able to get this right - it's either off or dumps all the oil in the first half hour. It must be set up wrong. Oil stains all over the carport and need to be real careful where I park it . Not the problem with the bike - but just something that I never figured out how to get right.
Battery hard to get at - under the side cover.
Styling - the fairing style needs to be a bit more masculine IMHO. it looks quite good with the fairing off. I'm sure they could have done something that looked better and was easier to remove or get through. Everything else on the bike looks good but the fairing (and maybe the pipe).

Overall - a good bike that could have been great. I don't think that the 700 has improved on any of these areas - I suspect the off-road handing is worse with the extra weight and smaller from wheel. I haven't ridden one. I know the wee-strom is much worse handling in gravel with its smaller and wider front wheel - I didn't enjoy that in gravel at all - much more of a road bike in my view.

So that's it from me - enjoy your Transalps everyone.

(by the way I have a Haynes manual, some serrated pegs and some givi soft pannier racks for 650 TA if anyone is interested - give me a pm for a good deal)

[CRM]

Fuel consumption today was 3.8 litres per 100km - or 62 mpg. I've always thought it was a little hungry but that actually seems pretty good

Actually that's wrong - I must have been tireder than I thought cause my maths went sideways zzzz: - it was 5.5 litres per 100km which is 48.7mpg - which as I thought is a negative with the bike - about the same as my VFR800 was! It may be a least partly due to the tyres - quite a bit of resistance with the T63's compared to a more road-biased tyre. I was running 32 in the rear and 30 in the front.

[Skinny_Birdman]

I'd agree with all of that. Funny you should say that the 700 doesn't appear to have improved any of the weaknesses, because most of the negatives you raised are things that were better on the 600 viz:
Fairing - was simpler to remove, and you could leave it on for many maintenance tasks.
Off Road Handling - was better on the 600
Styling - 600 looks more workmanlike, less like a road bike IMHO

5.5l per 100km is around about what I get on mine, D's is a bit worse, hopefully due to the 16T front sprocket which is now history.
PM sent about pegs.
Pulled CS sprocket off D's last night - splines were virtually unworn. I have come to expect these kinds of things even though hers still has higher kms. Nature vs nurture, it is easy to tell when a bike has been looked after. Notwithstanding that I consigned the horrible 16T CS sprocket to the spares bin and 680'd the new 15T JT's jobby on. If anyone wants a 16T sprocket PM me - free to good home and only about 5000km old. Don't know why you'd want it though.

[Transalper]

Sad to hear how you didn't meld with the 650 Transalp as much as we would like to have thought you would CRM.


Oh well, back to what's new with old bikes....
I've had some work done on the 600 over the weekend.
I had my centre stand lowered by about 20mm and it's silly little foot leaver doubled in length and am now happy to report I can get the Transalp up on the stand without assistance now. May be a different story with luggage on but that can be removed in a pinch.

Also had a nut welded to the sidestand/kickstand (what ever you want to call it) to catch my boot when I'm trying to put the sidestand down as it was almost impossible unless I put my boot right back to the foot of the stand and pushed it down from there. It was just too polished and slippery.
The big square plate that was the sidestand's (aftermarket) foot now has rounded edges too.

Then we raised my front fender by about 15mm.

And finally I have attempted to loctite680 my front sprocket in place.
This weekend I hope to discover whether my Loctite attempt which was a bit messy will be ok or need a do over.

[Transalper]

Well only put 174.7 miles = 281.1 km on the Transalp this weekend, some gravel, some Summit Rd and Bays stuff.
Sprocket looks good with the Loctite so I'm hopeful it will last the distance. Will check again in several 1000ks or 1000miles.

[CRM]

Anybody interested in some Givi soft pannier racks for 650 TA? As new condition with all the hardware - new owner didn't need.

They work real well saving your panniers from toasting . Cost $121 - $75 anyone (including postage)?

Picture shows them with floppy indicators off a 600 tranny - they worked better with the proper original 650 indicators which are more rigid and don't touch the rack.

[warewolf]

5.5 litres per 100km

For road use that does sound a tad high. I'd be thoroughly checking the needle jet (aka emulsion tube) and needle for wear. As these parts wear the carb runs richer and richer and the fuel economy steadily deteriorates. Not needing to use much choke in winter is a classic indicator of this richness.

Interesting choice of new bike. I got rid of the TDM850 because it was too tall and left the rider too exposed to the elements, despite being very comfortable and had gem of an engine and chassis. Went to a Triumph Trophy for the outright comfort and weather protection. However the Tiger 900 (added to the stable later) was just as comfortable and in many ways a much better street bike - but at the time the TDM had scared me off that class of bike.