[Dubster]

In 6 months my TW went from this:

To this:

After a long search for a TW I found this 03 with 900 kilometres on it t a dealership in Quebec and they shipped it to me in December.An early Christmas present to myself.

The mods began soon after.I installed:

Handguards,Pro taper handlebars,Kick-starter,Shinko 244,Jimbo Shield,o-ring chain,home-made chain oiler,Clarke Tank,Lizrd Cooler,3"abs tool tube,Home-made front rack/headlight guard and modified OEM racks and luggage that I removed from my V-Strom when I installed aluminium luggage on it.I think they look much better on the TW than they ever did on the Strom.I also made up a dash shelf and installed a 12v power outlet and an led voltmeter.

I put a Crazy Creek air pad on the seat which helps a lot on long runs.I got the stickers from mb graphics(thanks Val)

The only other thing I think I need now is a better skid plate to better protect the oil cooler plus I have another swingarm I will extend and try when I get around to it.....and maybe some larger foot pegs.

I will probably make the skid plate and pegs when I find the time.

I have been riding it since December and absolutely love the little beast.

And just to prove she isn't a "Garage Queen":

This is why the stock frontt tire had to go:

I love this site and the wealth of information of all things TW.Thanks to those members who help provide much appreciated information.

 

[Havoc]

now that is a nice ride

great job

 

[Gerry]

WOW,

Right out of the gate you put something that neat together. Looks real nice, suspect you will get lots of questions. Gerry

 

[Dubster]

Thanks Gerry.

Much like yourself I like to "tinker" and make things my own.I did a ton of mods to the V-Strom but the TW was a whole lot cheaper to "farkalize".The Strom is being a bit neglected because the TW is just so much fun and takes me places the Strom won't go although a lot slower but I gave up being in a hurry years ago..



I will try to contribute some of my own info to this great site starting with a how to on the chain oiler as soon as I can.

 

[B-dub]

NIce job, your bike looks great. I especially like the front rack, and plan to build something like it.

 

[Dubster]

The rack wasn't to hard to make.I basically mocked one up with aluminium tig rod and then used a 3/8" tube bender and shaped the 3/8 tubing.Then I welded it all together and gave it a couple coats of bedliner.I love that stuff...cheap,easy and easily touched up.

I had to tack it together on the bike so I disconnected the battery and the cdi box.

 

[PalmStateCrawler]

What is the home made chain oiler?

 

[jbfla]

Very nicely done, Dubster... even a lizard oil cooler.

jb

 

[6Z37RLC]

Looks good! You have done some nice work.

 

[Dubster]

Part of the chain oiler can be seen in the fourth picture attached to the frame just in front of the TW sticker.

Basically it is an oil sample bottle,some tubing,part of an IV dripper,some copper wire and zip ties and ATF fluid.

It does a great job keeping the chain lubed.I hardly use any regular chain lube at all.

As soon as I can I will post a how to with pictures.

 

[admiral]

Nice setup you have now. Lots of little things to make it work for you. Though I'm normally not a fan of paniers, yours compliment the TW pretty darn good. Glad you changed the front tire as one of your early mods. I can't believe I waited so long to change mine. Course I didn't know about the forum until a couple years ago, and guess what? Tire change! Nice job and have fun riding. Looks like you already are with the mud/dirt on the TW. lol



Thanks for sharing photo's and will be interested in the chain oiler thingy.

 

[Omega Man]

Nice job! It looks like a Clarke tank? I like the clear. My '94 came with a blue one that actually matches the bike but with no decal doesn't look right. I noticed you have a decal(s) and I wonder if you have had trouble with them peeling? I had some made with the original graphics from the steel tank and have to get a minute to put them on. I have been warned that they would peel. Again, nice job. OM

 

[Dubster]

Admiral: The panniers were stored upstairs in my garage gathering dust so I figured what the heck I should put them to good use as I needed some kind of a rear rack anyway..So a little cutting,grinding and welding later on they went.I have been using the bike to commute to work and they are great for storing my rain gear,lunch and such.I do have to watch my speed as the bike begins to weave back and forth at speeds over 60mph.A classic case of the "tail wagging the dog".I wonder if anyone else with panniers has noticed this?Also when off road and things get knarly they get in the way of my leg when I need to put my foot down so they come off before I go.

I realised very early on that the stock front tire was going to hurt me if I continued to run it off-road.In anything loose or gooey it just wanted to skid out from under me.



Omega Man:The decals have been on the tank for about three weeks now and so far so good.

 

[lower al]

NICE!

 

[Dubster]

Omega Man: Not sure if you jinxed me but...

..I had Monday off and headed out for the day on the TW. I filled the tank and away I went.It was sunny and warm and about three hours in I noticed that the decal on the left was bubbling like crazy yet the one on the right was ok and still is.

When I put the decals on the tank I did the right one first and just peeled the backing off and stuck it on.I had a little trouble getting it just right so I decided to use some water with a few drops of dish soap in it to make the job easier on the other side.

I don't know what the heck is going on. I will wait and see what happens to the right decal and if it does not end up bubbling I will get another and put it on without the soapy liquid.

The clarke tank also came with a sticker which I put on(peel and stick) and it still looks ok???



Edit: took the TW to work today.It was pretty darn warm out.As I was getting ready to leave this afternoon I noticed the right decal is now bubbling.Up until this week the temperature has been cool.Looks like the gas is vaporizing and leaching through in the hotter temps.

What we need is some kind of perforated vinyl stickers that will let the vapours pass through??

 

[RisingSun]

In 6 months my TW went from this:

To this:

After a long search for a TW I found this 03 with 900 kilometres on it t a dealership in Quebec and they shipped it to me in December.An early Christmas present to myself.

The mods began soon after.I installed:

Handguards,Pro taper handlebars,Kick-starter,Shinko 244,Jimbo Shield,o-ring chain,home-made chain oiler,Clarke Tank,Lizrd Cooler,3"abs tool tube,Home-made front rack/headlight guard and modified OEM racks and luggage that I removed from my V-Strom when I installed aluminium luggage on it.I think they look much better on the TW than they ever did on the Strom.I also made up a dash shelf and installed a 12v power outlet and an led voltmeter.

I put a Crazy Creek air pad on the seat which helps a lot on long runs.I got the stickers from mb graphics(thanks Val)

The only other thing I think I need now is a better skid plate to better protect the oil cooler plus I have another swingarm I will extend and try when I get around to it.....and maybe some larger foot pegs.

I will probably make the skid plate and pegs when I find the time.

I have been riding it since December and absolutely love the little beast.

And just to prove she isn't a "Garage Queen":

This is why the stock frontt tire had to go:

I love this site and the wealth of information of all things TW.Thanks to those members who help provide much appreciated information.

There is nothing wrong with the front tire. You have to ride leaning to the back.

 

[PalmStateCrawler]

There is nothing wrong with the front tire. You have to ride leaning to the back.

I would have to disagree with you on that one. It is good enough for riding streets and dry land off-roading but for wet grass, mud, etc., I would never look back to my stock tire.

 

[ronnydog]

One of the nicer looking bike I have seen , it all seems to fit. Good Job!



Ronnydog

 

[joedirt1970]

Nice. I didn't read all the posts. Do your side bags work as turn signals too or are they reflectors/lights only?

 

[Dubster]

There is nothing wrong with the front tire. You have to ride leaning to the back.

Dude with all due respect unless you have actually compared the stocker with a more aggressive tire there really is no comparison.Doesn't much matter where you are sitting with the Shinko up front although I usually hang back when the going gets rough anyway.



By the way the original stock front tire with only 500miles is free to anyone who wants it.