[BlacknBlue2002]

so I bought this new-to-me TW200...was searching for approx. 3 months before coming across this gem. It was kind of a funny story because I kept putting 'wanted' adds on Craigslist in my area and even upto 150 miles away. In the end a guy who had his bike for sale for a while was told by a friend about my adds...he didn't know how to use Craigslist so his buddy contacted me and gave me his info. A day later I owned this bad boy:



*2010 TW200, 40 original miles...purchased 3/22/2012...original rcpts showed original owner paid over $5K in early 2011

My plans:

I already have a hit on a 'hollow mod' kit from an old friend who had bought one for a TW200 project he had a few years back. It's one of the $300 ones from webike, that is way overpriced, but since he doesn't have a TW anymore, I got a good price. I have some thoughts on an extended swingarm, but my concerns are 'how far do I go'?...I only want 3", but all the prefabbed ones from Japan are 15cm-20cm. I'd settle for a 15cm one but the prices are wayyyy too rich for my blood. So for now the stretch is on hold. After the Hollow Mod, I plan to do a little paint work on it. The tank has a little scratch on it, and I know a guy who does great deals on powder-coat, so that will most likely look a little different real soon. Next on the list will be to put a little more road worthy tires on instead of the knobbies...still got some ideas, but nothing concrete...so stay posted.





My history:

I began riding when I was about 9-10yrs old...an old Honda ST-90. It was a hand-me-down from my older bros & sis, but I loved that thing. I got kind of caught on muscle cars and offroad trucks/jeeps when I was old enough for a license, so the motorcycle thoughts kind of got put aside for a while...here's some of my old rides -





I bought my first car when I was 18...a 2002 mustang gt...was awesome...parents thought it was the worst thing I could ever do but I was a semi-responsible adult. I was working two jobs putting myself through college (with help from the parents...I consider myself very lucky but not spoiled). I immediately began modifying the car. Over two-three years I did quite a lot on my own: Supercharger, Full Coilover kit, tons of other bolt-ons

within a couple years my country roots set in and I needed something offroad...so I bought a new jeep when I graduated college and got my first 'real' job

I did some soul-searching and realized I needed more room for my two dogs, and at the time a g/f who loved going on camping trips with me, so after about another 1.5-2 years i traded it in on a 4-dr jeep. I did a lot to this guy. I had about 6" of total lift at one point, but it was definitely a fun jeep. Sometime while I had this I also sold my mustang so it was my only driver

At this point I had some free income to start my motorcycle hobby back up. I began by making a big mistake and getting a sport bike...old CBR900RR.

didn't last long, so I sold it for what I paid and moved onto a cruiser harley...2010 Harley 883 Iron. I did quite a lot of customization to this bike

Somewhere in between all these bikes I also got the car itch again...so I played with a 350z for a while...suspension and wheels were pretty much all I did...but I thought it looked cool

sold that Harley about 6 months ago...a while before I actually had traded the 4-dr jeep in on a new Tundra...I like lifted trucks

Loved that truck, and I put a ton of time in it...but I got engaged a few months ago and the future wife was hurting for a new car...so it got sold so I could buy her a new Ford Explorer....but I needed something to play with??? So I bought a 3rd jeep...been playing with this setup a lot...currently has lockers, 4.88 gears, 37" tires, 5" of lift...full bedlined, truck top...can't even remember everything off the top of my head:

****Sorry for the super long post, but wanted to try to get it all out there....if anybody has any questions about any of my old rides just ask...I did all the work myself and I love all kinds of vehicles...and I'm going to try to put that passion into my new TW

 

[Omega Man]

Nothing wrong with all that! Up in my neck of the woods, a big mechanical event for most is pumping their own gas. One of my vehicles is a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited like in your last picture-it's been the best 4X4 I've ever run. OM

 

[JagLite]

Welcome!



Thanks for the background info and photos.

Now we know to expect great things from you and your TW build.

I am looking forward to it!



Only thing you left out is...

What job do you have that pays enough to buy and modify all those machines?????

 

[operose]

I started out the same way... cars->offroad trucks->TW200. It seems to be a pretty natural progression

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

Welcome!



Thanks for the background info and photos.

Now we know to expect great things from you and your TW build.

I am looking forward to it!



Only thing you left out is...

What job do you have that pays enough to buy and modify all those machines?????

haha...federal employee so I'm not overpaid...but Electrical Engineering has been good to me...it's never been about the $$$ for the projects I do...I just try to build things that look cool and people will have some appreciation for...never make money when I sell them later...for me the fun is in building and driving around in something different than everyone else

 

[FootDoc]

Great Resume!



I like what you've done with your past rides.

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

New parts for the TW are on the way:



*Hollow mod kit from an old friend...getting mailed to me from Florida

--includes K&N style filter, new jets, small battery, tray for under seat

*Tailless light bracket setup...ordered it from Japan for $50

*Grab Bar for passenger...used ebay find



.....hopefully will have everything in the garage in a week or so, & then I can get moving on installing this stuff





****IN other news...anybody got a hit on someone who does MetalFlake paint?...want to customize one of my helmets to match the paintjob I'm gonna get on my TW tank

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

Some updated pics:





here are some of the new parts laying on the floor next to the bike...parts include new air filter, grab bar, jet kit, breather kit, hollow mod kit, tailless rear brake light kit, and Jimbo shield:

here's the bike after about an hour of tear down...still a lot of work to do:

 

[Rainman]

I like that grab bar on the back of your bike. Where did you find that at?

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

ebay...said it was 'like new'...but to my surprise it came in the original wrapper...tomorrow I'll dig in the trash and figure out what namebrand it was

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

sticker on the bag said 'Kijima'...assuming it's some japanese part...I'm not a fan of the chrome, but I shall spray it black one day

 

[Rainman]

Did it bolt right up? Is it a TW200 specific accessory?

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

I think so...it bolted to the four holes that the factory, rear frame add-on would normally bolt to. I'll get some better pics up as I make some more progress...thunderstorms today so I'm not sure how much work I'll get done. My garage is dismal and dark when I can't open the door and let the sun in

 

[Point37]

wow nice toys...and nice job with the dub

 

[BlacknBlue2002]

a couple updated pics of the bike...took it for a spin today...not certain the 130 jet is gonna be the right setup for my 'hollow mod'...wasn't planning on an exhaust setup but may do a straight pipe with a new helmet order from Japan...just feels right:

 

[Rainman]

Looks good. That grab bar looks like a stinger that some guys mount on the front and rear of their off-road rigs.