TransAmerica Trail -TAT

[grumpin]

Gary, the Bill is very light, good candidate for overhead.

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Dane.  That looks like a good option.  I don't expect to be making long transmissions with it, and that's where the heat would be generated.  So in receive mode it shouldn't run hot.

Ray - It'll already look like that by the end of the trip.  

[Ray Cecil]

You're probably right Gary, however, I will do whatever I can to NOT get monkey butt.

So, I am in Winchester KY right now eating breakfast, im about to go look at this XR650L. Hopefully its as clean as it looks in the photos.

[Ray Cecil]

This just got serious guys. Just got it home. And she is a beauty. Seller was a great guy. He had a couple other nice bikes too. He and his wife were excited when I shared the plans for the trip with them.



Okay. So I wont go into detail on this site about mods. But I will share some photos after the bike is complete for this trip.

[grumpin]

Nice!

Wish I could ride, dadgummit!

[Gary Lewis]

Why not go into what you plan to do to the bike on here?  I have a thread on water rockets.  And I did on the boat's batteries.  Bill has his Lebaron.  Etc.

Anyway, congrat's!

[Ray Cecil]

Gary Lewis wrote

Why not go into what you plan to do to the bike on here?  I have a thread on water rockets.  And I did on the boat's batteries.  Bill has his Lebaron.  Etc.

Anyway, congrat's!

Well...alrighty then...I will.

[Ray Cecil]

So, today I tinkered on the XR.

-Removed the muffler baffle.
-Removed the intake snorkle.
-Removed the smog system.
-Modified idle mixture screw in order to turn it out more to enrichen idle.
-Drill the CV carb slide vacuum holes for snappier throttle response.
-Shimmed the main needle to help enrichen the a/f under throttle.
-I think I removed about 3 or 4 lbs from the bike.

I am ordering new idle and main jets. Going to get a few sizes and keep increasing until the bike starts bogging. Then I will step back 2 sizes. This should allow me to still run at higher altitudes in Colorado. Obviously, once we reach the highest altitudes I may experience idle and performance issues...but I need to jet it to where it will still run acceptably at higher alts.

Next mods will focus on making the bike fit me better, and make it more funtional for the Bull Run.

Next Up
-Lower pegs
-Bash Plate
-Pannier Rack system
-Upgraded countershaft Sprocket.
-Case savers
-Sheep Skin for anti-monkey butt

[grumpin]

On removing that baffle, some places require a spark arrestor. Like USFS, or some state agencies on trails.

[Ray Cecil]

Yes, I am aware. It is not a spark arrestor. It is only a mini glasspack. Its literally constructed just like a glasspack. The spark arrestor is still inside the muffler.

[Ray Cecil]

Here you guys go. This is how it sounds. I think just a little too loud....may try to mellow it out a hair.

[grumpin]

I figured you did, but didn’t want to assume!

Edit: sounds like a thumper!

[Gary Lewis]

I think you'll find that is too loud.  By the end of an hour of riding I think you'll agree.

[swampedout]

Im late to this thread guys (as usual) but this trip looks great!
There is no way youd want my loud pipes rumbling down the trail with you but if you end up anywhere near me, Id run supplies down or whatever I can to help.

[Ray Cecil]

Gary Lewis wrote

I think you'll find that is too loud.  By the end of an hour of riding I think you'll agree.

I rode it around a lot yesterday with my helmet on.....yes....its too loud.

I dont want to spend $350+ on a slip on muffler. I think that is a rediculous price for a muffler. So...I have the stock baffle....I'll start modifications on it.

[Ray Cecil]

Also, stayed up pretty late last night....had and idea.....I saw the light bar I took off the 87 bronco......

I took that silly looking headlight off the bike. I was able to use the bike's factory headlight mount on the light housing from the light bar. I also used the high/lo beam light from the old headlight. I was also able to reuse the water seal/boot that surrounds the connectors.

Im going to add a couple small fog lamps below it to help increase the amount of light output.

Not the best way of doing this mod, but it was FREE.

[Gary Lewis]

I think I like the headlight, but show me a before and after.  I'm not sure what the original headlight looked like.

But, I can't imagine we'll ride much while it is dark on the TAT.

[Sac79]

Here's some more pics of the headliner Gary.

The space above the driver's visor should be perfect for switches, just not sure how your wires would be routed, it's pretty tight/flush at the top of the A-pillar. Long way round through the dome light would be best for the wires, but I'm sure you'll figure something out.



And the radio mounts with a piece of foam between it and the tray and then between it and the headliner. I'll hopefully have a pic with it installed next week when I hope to have my interior tied up. I did not want to mount the radio without the trim to support it installed. Oh, and the tray/bracket does not come pre-cut, which is good if you plan on mounting a smaller CB radio.





Sorry you had to wait, I only got down to the garage yesterday. I've been pressure washing concrete all week...

[Ray Cecil]

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Ray.  Good before and after, and I like the round old-school headlight far better.