[northcountry]

Picked up a 2010 TW last fall. Took it for a run a few days ago up to the mail box on a mud-snow-ice road and couldn't exceed 10 mph. Got back an mud packed up onto the engine. So could make up a mud flap but wondering if any out there for the TW. Did a search and nothing came up.

 

[uktw125]

Here you go: http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/topic/1365-muguard-modification/

 

[gvraspir]

Much like Sly Fox, I fabricated a front mud flap on the cheap. I purchased a 3.2 gallon Hefty brand waste paper basket at Wal*Mart for $3.95. The basket matched the color and curve of my 2009 front fender. I think they come in white too. With some simple cutting and shaping I created the flap. I originally was going to use three SS button head bolts to attach the flap to the fender but after assembling just one center bolt it appeared to be very secure. I used a fender washer on the inside of the fender. I finished it off by sealing the connection of the flap and fender with silicone caulk on the inside of the fender. I have not tried it in the mud or rain yet but figure if it is not wide or long enough I have another shot at it with the other side of the basket. The flap looks OEM. I look for utility first but if someone were more into design they could cut more of a flare to the fender.

(IMG)http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n544/gvraspir/P1010388.jpg(/IMG)

(IMG]http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n544/gvraspir/P1010389.jpg(/IMG)

(IMG]http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n544/gvraspir/P1010390.jpg(/IMG)

(IMG]http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n544/gvraspir/P1010391.jpg(/IMG)

 

[gvraspir]

[quote name='Wheels' date='09 May 2011 - 11:44 PM' timestamp='1305006285' post='18070']

Much like Sly Fox, I fabricated a front mud flap on the cheap. I purchased a 3.2 gallon Hefty brand waste paper basket at Wal*Mart for $3.95. The basket matched the color and curve of my 2009 front fender. I think they come in white too. With some simple cutting and shaping I created the flap. I originally was going to use three SS button head bolts to attach the flap to the fender but after assembling just one center bolt it appeared to be very secure. I used a fender washer on the inside of the fender. I finished it off by sealing the connection of the flap and fender with silicone caulk on the inside of the fender. I have not tried it in the mud or rain yet but figure if it is not wide or long enough I have another shot at it with the other side of the basket. The flap looks OEM. I look for utility first but if someone were more into design they could cut more of a flare to the fender.



Duh! This should bring up the photos.

 

[Tirebiter]

Nice job there Wheels. Cheap, functional ingenuity. Maybe you should make a pattern and sell them on ebay for people that like to buy things.

I don't like picking hardened clay out of the fins either so I made a flap similar to yours. I used some 1/8" mat that I found in a dumpster at work. I'm not sure what it is but it's firm enough to not flip up into the tire but flexible enough to bend when I go over a log. Anyway, here's a couple of pics.



First I made a 'high tech' pattern to get some perspective. When I was comfortable with a shape I cut the material.

Installed. It might be a tad long but it can be trimmed if it becomes a problem.

Also, I followed the lead of another member in this post and made a mud guard for the front of the swing arm. Lots of mud & crap collects in there too. I made this one out of 1/8" ABS which is very rigid. I formed it to fit with a heat gun.

Installed.

 

[gvraspir]

Excellent idea, Tirebiter. That swingarm guard will be my next project. I should have enough of the trash basket left to fab one up. This group is loaded with great ideas. I appreciate being a part of the group and hope to contribute in my small ways as I learn. I'm a retired chemical engineer but have always liked the mechanical things. The two engineering principles I live by are:



1) When something goes wrong the first question I ask myself is, "What changed before the problem occurred?"

2) Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest. I like to say, "Elegent simplicity".



Enough of the philosophy. Enjoy, all that is.

 

[qwerty]

Excellent idea, Tirebiter. That swingarm guard will be my next project. I should have enough of the trash basket left to fab one up. This group is loaded with great ideas. I appreciate being a part of the group and hope to contribute in my small ways as I learn. I'm a retired chemical engineer but have always liked the mechanical things. The two engineering principles I live by are:



1) When something goes wrong the first question I ask myself is, "What changed before the problem occurred?"

2) Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest. I like to say, "Elegent simplicity".



Enough of the philosophy. Enjoy, all that is.

You are a disgrace to the engineering profession, which is probaly why you ride a TW instead of a KTM. You'll fit right in around here.

 

[gvraspir]

You are a disgrace to the engineering profession, which is probaly why you ride a TW instead of a KTM. You'll fit right in around here.

qwerty,



Tis true, the knowledge I possess and I'm most proud of does not come from books. It is rather from nature, the spirit or things mechanical. It's good to know you and may we never disagee on anything battery related.



Wheels

 

[qwerty]

qwerty,



Tis true, the knowledge I possess and I'm most proud of does not come from books. It is rather from nature, the spirit or things mechanical. It's good to know you and may we never disagee on anything battery related.



Wheels

What's the best oil?

 

[gvraspir]

OK, since you asked. Synthetic is the way to go in Minnesota due to the cold temps. Oil made for motorcycles is a must due to wet clutches. Other than that, I will endorse no brands. The two things I don't scrimp on is oil and tires.

 

[northcountry]

Thanks for all the input, will be on the lookout for the right waste basket. You would think after all the years yamaha has been making this bike that this issue would have been addressed?

 

[RodneyReed]

Nice job there Wheels. Cheap, functional ingenuity. Maybe you should make a pattern and sell them on ebay for people that like to buy things.

I don't like picking hardened clay out of the fins either so I made a flap similar to yours. I used some 1/8" mat that I found in a dumpster at work. I'm not sure what it is but it's firm enough to not flip up into the tire but flexible enough to bend when I go over a log. Anyway, here's a couple of pics.



First I made a 'high tech' pattern to get some perspective. When I was comfortable with a shape I cut the material.

Installed. It might be a tad long but it can be trimmed if it becomes a problem.

Also, I followed the lead of another member in this post and made a mud guard for the front of the swing arm. Lots of mud & crap collects in there too. I made this one out of 1/8" ABS which is very rigid. I formed it to fit with a heat gun.

Installed.

That front mud flap is smooth (like Keith Stone).

 

[Tirebiter]

That front mud flap is smooth (like Keith Stone).

Smooth......

Not smooth.......

Pushing the can cooler all the way into the "famous storage tube"