Some subtle mods to TBR7

[alex_in_az]

sorry guys, but I don't like the look of all the extra plastic parts that are on the bike. So I removed the tank sides, exhaust "shield" and the brush guards. I added a harbor freight 3800 case to the rear rack. I think it gives the bike an old school cleaner look. Thoughts?

[everready]

I see you're in AZ, the color black attracts solar heat. Cool gas burns better....

[Red Hawk]

I thought about keeping the tank tabs and adding a tank vest. I have no idea how to run a sewing machine. So I’m stuck here. It looks like a Kawi 650 is the only type available. I’m almost certain it won’t fit.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Red Hawk

I thought about keeping the tank tabs and adding a tank vest. I have no idea how to run a sewing machine. So I’m stuck here. It looks like a Kawi 650 is the only type available. I’m almost certain it won’t fit.

That's actually really interesting, but I must admit that I have never seen such a thing before. i am assuming those strips on the outside are velcro? Is it for holding things or just a way to protect the tank?

In either case, I would bet you a car interior shop could whip something up like that for you, or just post an ad on facebook marketplace or craigslist looking for somebody proficient in such things.

[Red Hawk]

[QUOTE=Megadan;321874]That's actually really interesting, but I must admit that I have never seen such a thing before. i am assuming those strips on the outside are velcro? Is it for holding things or just a way to protect the tank?

It’s Molle and that replaces the old ALICE clips, it’s how pouches are mounted. (Hint!! never volunteer for anything) Great idea to hold a tank bag anywhere or pop it off for not this ride today.

The idea was to cover the tank less invasively if I changed my mind later something I’ve never done . I’ll task the wifey for a sewing mission.

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by Megadan

That's actually really interesting, but I must admit that I have never seen such a thing before. i am assuming those strips on the outside are velcro? Is it for holding things or just a way to protect the tank?
.

Those are molles (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment), they were made for the US Military, then adopted by NATO. Then some companies started to flood the market with molle stuff.
They are quite useful, you can attach different types of pouchs


Same motorcycle with some pouches.

Originally Posted by Red Hawk

It’s Molle and that replaces the old ALICE clips, it’s how pouches are mounted. (Hint!! never volunteer for anything) Great idea to hold a tank bag anywhere or pop it off for not this ride today.

The idea was to cover the tank less invasively if I changed my mind later something I’ve never done . I’ll task the wifey for a sewing mission.

Oh you beat to the reply.
I guess those mole could helpful to a hunter than may be able to mount the gun to the side of the tank,
some ammo holders to the other side.

[pete]

Originally Posted by Red Hawk

I thought about keeping the tank tabs and adding a tank vest. I have no idea how to run a sewing machine. So I’m stuck here. It looks like a Kawi 650 is the only type available. I’m almost certain it won’t fit.

the tank is a KLR 1st series after market tank...
but the cover shape looks like it would fit a DR650 tank better...


.

[franque]

Consider for inspiration: This

[Megadan]

So basically it's a modular tank bag lol.

[Megadan]

I agree, it is a great place for an oil cooler setup. Mine isn't as fancy as Jerry's dual setup, but it works just as good.

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by Megadan

I agree, it is a great place for an oil cooler setup. Mine isn't as fancy as Jerry's dual setup, but it works just as good.

I really need to copy your setup, i think that the oil cooler is a must if we want to push the little cg as far as we can.

Originally Posted by alex_in_az

they're supposed to mimic cooling scoops for a radiator on liquid cooled bikes, they serve no purpose since they're too high above the cylinder head.

Indeed.
I have a 1993 KMX 200 2t water cooled, those early models only had the side tank plastic on the radiator side. Later models added an extra side plastic to the other side for aesthetics and homogeneity....

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Wild Dog

I really need to copy your setup, i think that the oil cooler is a must if we want to push the little cg as far as we can.

Honestly, you could get away with a smaller oil cooler and likely be fine as long as it gets direct airflow. I went with the bigger single unit for 3 basic reasons. 1 capacity (125ml), which when combined with the amount of oil the lines actually hold is almost an extra half a quart in the system, which is a 33% increase. 2. Simplicity. I had originally planned to mount two smaller coolers, but this big single unit was much easier to get installed. Is it ideal? No, but it works well enough and the upper U-bolt that mounts it is hooked between the upper backbone and the lower brace above the engine, so it can't really slide down. 3. Size. Since I knew the front fender was going to effectively block some of the airflow I wanted as wide of a cooler as I could get so that at least half of it always had some air hitting it at any given moment.

It works fairly well too. On hot days you can actually feel it working. Sitting at a traffic light with the motor heating up you can feel some clutch fade happening from the heat soak, but the second you get moving the clutch fade... fades, and goes back to normal very quickly. Without the cooler, the clutch fade was just a fact of life, even at speed. The engine case may shed heat from the oil, but it isn't very efficient at it.

Oil life is also improved rather noticeably as a result.

In my case (and a few other guys now) with higher compression, a ported head, and soon a cam (wink) with a larger than stock carburetor, this motor definitely kicks out some more heat. On my last ride home it was 44 degrees outside, and that oil cooler was still almost too hot to touch when I arrived at home. after just 11 miles of riding. I do admit that I would like to add a thermostat to the cooler system and better lines at some point, but for now it works rather well. Warm up takes a bit longer, but not excessively so.

[BigFatAl]

Now just ditch the front headlight and add a LARGE round LED light and it would be perfect.

[Pfordy]

Originally Posted by alex_in_az

sorry guys, but I don't like the look of all the extra plastic parts that are on the bike. So I removed the tank sides, exhaust "shield" and the brush guards. I added a harbor freight 3800 case to the rear rack. I think it gives the bike an old school cleaner look. Thoughts?

How'd you do the harbor freight box on the back? I'd love to do it on my bike!

[alex_in_az]

Originally Posted by Pfordy

How'd you do the harbor freight box on the back? I'd love to do it on my bike!

I used 1/2" electrical conduit clamps around the rack and fixed them with countersunk 1/4-20 screws inside the box