[ronnydog]

We are putting together a team to race the Baja 500 on June 1,2,3. Yes we are serious and moving forward with the building of TW 200 Baja Bike. We have a bike that a member is donating to the cause. Your input will be helpful in what mods we make or should we keep it stock. I hope this ends up to be a group (TW 200 Forum) effort. Jon who will ride most of the course has raced the Baja, is very experience rider and willing to help with logistics.

 

[TW-Brian]

Very cool!



Please let the rest of us know how we can help - advice, extra parts, donations, etc. You should also have some team T-shirts made up to help raise funds.



Brian

 

[sorethumb]

I have always wanted to run Class 11. I would love to join the support team but getting to that coast isn't easy or cheap.



Do you have a sponsor?

 

[Rainman]

I think it should be left stock as much as possible, engine and suspension wise. Aftermarket items such as handguards, lights, front tire, sprockets, and chain would be fine with me. It would be nice to say that the TW200 ran the Baja, not a hybrid.

 

[lizrdbrth]

I have a serious request right off the bat, guys. I guess you could say I've appointed myself dietician for the preliminary build and we're doing this on a relatively short time table. Whether we go stock on the motor or not we're gunna need to sack some weight, and quick.



It would really save us a lot of time and trouble if someone who has any of the aftermarket TW-specific exhaust systems could weigh one on a dead-nuts accurate scale. The entire thing, if it's a full system and just the muffler and midpipe (if any) if it's an add-on to the stock header.



These are special order, so I can't just walk into a big box motorcycle store with my scales, and we can't rely on factory claims.



This really needs to be dead accurate. This is being done ONLY in the interest of shedding weight and we'll move on or build our own if none of them accomplish that.



Post it here or post it on my weight thread if you have the means to do it with something other than the typical bathroom scale. Maybe a digital shipping scale at work?



Pretty, pretty please, and thanks.

 

[macbig2k1]

Hello,



I have a very good option to reduce the weight from the exhaust.

X-Racing makes many different exhaust's for the TW.

They deliver mufflers with:

- alloy

- carbon

or

- titanium muffler (round or oval).



-> Click to get a bigger picture







Send me a PM, if you're interessted into it. You will get a special price, if you use it for your Baja-TW.

You can see it as a little spronsoring.

 

[xdac]

Big horn. Period.

 

[macbig2k1]

The suspension:

A absolut must have, are progressive fork springs!!!!!

In the past, I was offroad with the original springs. NEVER AGAIN.



And a Bashee shock would be good too.

You know, that you have to use a harder spring on the Banshee shock.

The original TW spring works very well with a spacer on my Banshee shock.





My favorite front tyre, for the realy hard offroad:

Michelin S12 XC -> 120/90-18 (it is a rear tyre)

-> Click to get a bigger picture

 

[lizrdbrth]

Thank you for such a kind offer, Mr. Big. We may take you up on that.



I have another question. Can you tell us whether the VanVan rear wheels are aluminum or steel and how many spokes they have? We don't have them over here.

 

[qwerty]

I'll do t-shirts for the effort at cost.



Ideas for graphics?



Turtle Wheels

2012

Baja Challenge

 

[Stromper]

Start contacting vendors pipes, tires maybe shocks etc



I am sure you can get some free stuff and maybe $$$ for the cause



Don't forget Yamaha North America itself



You need transport etc to the various check points and fuel stops etc.

 

[macbig2k1]

Thank you for such a kind offer, Mr. Big. We may take you up on that.



I have another question. Can you tell us whether the VanVan rear wheels are aluminum or steel and how many spokes they have? We don't have them over here.

The VanVan does have a steel rim too. And I am sure, it does have 32 spokes too.



@ Stromper

Support from Yamaha????

I am sure, you will not get any important support from Yamaha (like lower priced spare parts or something like that). The TW is too unimportant to spend money into this project.

 

[paddlesurf]

Sounds cool- I'll be in Bay of LA on those dates (with my TW) do you know the route? I'd love to check you guys out if the route comes anywhere near.

 

[lizrdbrth]

The southeast corner of the route comes close enough to get there from Bahia de L.A. But don't get too close or we'll put you to work

If we take the week prior off I may be in the next cabana. I love that place.



Here's the '11 route map. Haven't scrounged up the latest one.



http://murdocknav.com/Maps/2011 Baja 500 Map.pdf

 

[Stromper]

Well there is an old NY Jewish expression



"If you don't ask, you don't get"



They at least should have some general support for bikes and maybe you

could piggy back supplies and transports



Also I thought these were cultish in Japan

 

[MrDNA]

Seems to me Yamaha should be brought into this. You can probably get some basic sponsorship that at least gets you free tires and some Team TW leathers.



Who's got the connections?

 

[macbig2k1]

"If you don't ask, you don't get"

Yes, you're right.

I think, I've used the wrong words.

It's good to ask Yamaha, but it is better to make a calculation of costs without the support from Yamaha.

 

[lizrdbrth]

I've been working on Yamaha U.S.A. on an unrelated matter. I'll call the guy I've been working with and see what would be the best point of attack, who are the exact people to talk to, etc. See what happens. If anyone of us already has more cred with them, have at it and report what you've found.



First actual team meeting with all of us in the same place will be on Sunday.



Any and all input from now til race day will be read with much interest. Let's try to keep it as positive and constructive as it has been to now. This is cool.

 

[nuckingfutts]

Subscribed to this thread....

 

[bcscammell]

I don't know the geography of the race but I would think strengthening the frame, front and rear, would be a useful mod.