Re: Here's my currently standard DL1000

[2112]

It's a rare treat to see a standard 'strom around here. I think I can hear a pair of exhaust's calling....  

[Anonymous]

I'm considering either Beowulf's or MTC, it just depends on what sort of deal I can get on one or the other.

Unfortunately I'm not rolling in money so I have to wait while the pennies mount up a bit more  

[73bm73]

a blue K3... the best ever!!!  (although at standard)

[Anonymous]

I nearly had a yellow one, which I liked 99% as much as the blue one, but the bike shop sold the blue one just before I arrived so I went for yellow.
Two hours later I got a call to say the bloke buying the blue one cancelled the order and so I changed to the blue.
I still like the yellow though.....

Standard for now.....well, actually not now as I've started work, but I run out of that folding paper money stuff too fast!

[2112]

keep your eyes peeled on ebay, there's almost always something tasty on there. Best value for money mod I made was a set of +25mm jack up 'dog bones' for the rear. Much quicker turn in, more stability and more ground clearance all for £20. Drop the forks through the yokes about 10mm (free) and you'll have a nice sharp steering 'strom  

[Anonymous]

keep your eyes peeled on ebay, there's almost always something tasty on there. Best value for money mod I made was a set of +25mm jack up 'dog bones' for the rear. Much quicker turn in, more stability and more ground clearance all for £20. Drop the forks through the yokes about 10mm (free) and you'll have a nice sharp steering 'Strom  

Did exactly that not 2 hours before you posted 2112. All in and delivered for £18.00, I have the dog bones from CJ Accessories winging their way to me as we speak. I was going to try for the 40mm jobs, but really didn't want the hassle of lengthening the side stand or any of that massing about....

Are they easy to fit? I'm no stranger to a tool box having rebuilt engines in my time....

[73bm73]

Please be reminded, you need more chain slack by using a rear jack up!!!

Before you fix the new dog bones, check and measure the current chain slack (standard 25-35mm). Do it again after mounting the new dog bones. It should be around 45mm. Otherwise you risk to break the chain!

[2112]

They're a doddle to fit (if you have a centre stand), just unbolt the old and replace with the new (it may pay to soak the nut heads in WD40 overnight). As 73bm73 quite rightly states you'll need to check the chain tension after fitting. If you drop the forks a few mm as well the sidestand will be fine too, best of luck  

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm, no centre stand and no jack since the last one I bought from Halfords dumped its oild in the case it came in. Might have to rethink this, but its going to involve buying a new jack I can see  

Big   to everyone for your help and suggestions. The chain is in the back of my mind to check, it's slightly loose ATM as I was waiting for the dog bones to arrive before setting it up properly, I'm not going anywhere on it now until the kit is on so its no problem.

The kit arrived    good instructions but I won't be doing it until next weekend. I'm keen to get "befores and afters" pictures done to see if it looks any better.....not that I'm vain you understand....

[Juvecu]

Since you're planning on taking pictures, why not measure the seat height and such and write a Howto on changing the dogbones. We have a section dedicated to those so start a new thread for it if you do write one  

[Indiana2002]

I thought I'd post some pics of my stock DL1000 before I started working on it.

Lovely bike, but cricky that helmet is a bit scary!!!
Do you have a close up of it, is it visor or goggles?

Cheers
Al.

[Juvecu]

I want a Darth Vader one...

[Anonymous]

Lovely bike, but cricky that helmet is a bit scary!!!
Do you have a close up of it, is it visor or goggles?

Cheers
Al.

It's not scary, it's the person inside it that's scary....er...I mean....er.....oh well.
It's a visor. The artist chose to use a grille insert which he airbrushed, and finished it off by airbrushing the visor itself......oh hell, have a look at some more pics:




Of course it cannot be ridden in, it's swapped for a dark visor for that  

[Juvecu]

You poser!  

[Anonymous]

Me?

 

[edd3647]

Nice lid m8  
Time to bling the Strom  

[Anonymous]

Small changes made already, more to come this weekend if the tattoo doesn't sting too much.
#
Photos to follow  

[Juvecu]

The "I love V-Strom.co.uk" tattoo?

[Anonymous]

Errrrr...no!

[Anonymous]

So here we go!

Two weeks of on and off playing and the following has been accomplished.

The first job was to lose the black bellypan which I began to hate with a vengence. The chances of me ever going trail riding is less than 1% so I went the opposite way and found this begging to be fitted. You will also note the oil cooler cover and the stainless steel fasteners for the engine.....



I almost forgot the frame protectors where the boot heel always marks the frame.


From the other side you will see an alloy chainguard with an Oberon tube tax disc holder. you also get first glimpse of the taped wheels, with a small difference; the "S Suzuki V-Strom" decals fitted neatly on the rim.



So that's it for now. The new numberplate hasn't arrived yet so that will be the next project. to lose the cat's arse back end. Plus next month will see new end cans, I'm thinking MTC as the ones on my RSV sound the nuts with the baffles removed!

But here is the wide shot: