Thank you for the suggestion, Bill. :) However, the subframe on the XR650L is reported to fail under heavy loads, so I am looking for a luggage rack with the most robust mounting system. ;) I think the Turbo City Borrego rack might be strongest. :)

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/sho...t=borrego+rack

Spud :)

Spud, please satisfy my curiousity and try a magnet test on the exhaust header. My '96 250 has a stainless header, so I'm surprised that yours would be mild steel.

If it's steel, maybe a dirt-only bike would be a good stainless donor.

A magnet will not stick to the XT225, stainless steel, exhaust header on my Zong. However, the same magnet sticks very strongly to my XR650L exhaust header. :( Thank you for the tip, Brother Derryk. I greatly prefer a stainless steel exhaust header, so I will start looking for one. :)

Spud :)

The XR650L is a great bike, but it is tall, with a 37-inch seat height. 8O Therefore, I have ordered a Performance Design lowering link for Porky, my BRP. ;) This link should lower the seat height approximately 1.5-1.75 inches. :) I have also ordered a red, Clarke, 4.7-gallon fuel tank for my bike. :) Needless to say, I will post photos, and reviews, after these items arrive, and I install them.

Spud :)

I'm glad you decided to go with red.

Will you raise the fork legs in the triple tree to match? How will this effect your handling if at all? Will the tires be too close to the fenders? Will you let me ride it I fly out to I-der-ho?

I will raise the forks in the triple tree, and the bike's handling should not be affected. :) The XR650L has a great suspension, with 11.6 inches of travel in the forks, and 11.0 inches of travel in the rear shock. :) Therefore, I should not have any problems with the suspension bottoming out. ;) If you visit my area, Bill, you are certainly welcome to ride Porky. :)

Spud :)

I'm thinking I'll have 2 dirts bikes too, Bother Spud, and I can easily borrow another ATV, and I have a bunch of streetbikes if you're in my neck of the woods.

Thank you, Brother Bill. :D

Spud :)

All Honda, XR650L motorcycles are infected at the factory with a SMOG tumor, attached to the left side of the cylinder; Porky was no exception. :(

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...foorRes046.jpg

Therefore, I just purchased a SMOG removal kit from eBay. :) As soon as the kit arrives from New York, I will excise the tumor, and heal my Big Red Pig. :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Spud :)

I bet that's the same sort of deal Q's are saddled with.

Interesting, I've never noticed a smog device on an XL before; I wonder if it's a US-only option to make it 50 State legal?

I don't know if this desecration is peculiar to the XR650L bikes imported into the United States, but I do know the California XR650L bikes are plugged up even more than mine! :x

Spud :roll:

It really is an eyesore. Funny how Honda made no effort to hide it. Maybe they thought it would be easier to remove at it's current position...

Also, I wonder about the Ross Perot ears.... Are they supposed to help cooling? Hard to see they would really make a difference.

Fortunately, the SMOG tumor is easy to remove. ;) I will post before, and after photos, to show the results of my "surgery." :)

I agree about the "elephant ears." :roll: The XR650L employs a dry sump engine, with an oil reservoir/cooler in the upper part of the bike's frame. The "elephant ears" are definitely meant to enhance engine cooling. :roll:

The Clarke fuel tank I ordered doesn't employ the "elephant ears." :) Many XR650L owner's remove the "elephant ears," even if they keep the stock fuel tank! Therefore, I plan to perform otoplasty on Porky today! :) Film might be available at 11:00. ;)

Spud :)

Otoplasty.

That's the funniest thing I've heard today Spud! :P