Everyday TR1 - Long Distance Riding Mods (pt. 2)

 After laying out the parts in CAD it has become quite clear that with a bit of clever measuring the necessary accuracy is rather easy to achieve. In reality the actual foot-support would only need four holes in the right spot and right in this case only means symmetric, which as long as you machine both parts at the same time, is rather easy to achieve.

A set of adaptors was also necessary.

In order to interface with the mounts on the footpeg-frames, a square had to be milled onto the back. (30x30x5mm is a good start, if you have similar ideas...)

As the astute amongst my dear readers will notice: there's only 3 (through-)holes, the 4th is just 5mm deep and meant for a press-fit button, so that the button takes all the weight and not the bolts.

Considering the fact, that I use M8-bolts, it is absolutely unnecessary, but it's the sort of engineering mindfulness that gives me those warm fuzzy feelings... 😊

The finished product.

Doesn't look like much from above - but it's a full 10cm (4") further forward.

Hold on a second, what's the point with these pictures? Simple, I built the forwards and realised I have to completely revise them, so I converted the bike back to almost the starting point - the handlebar-raisers (25mm) are still in place.

So was it a complete failure? No, not at all. 130-140mm are about where I want to end up. The whole setup was too wide, i.e. I couldn't adjust the rear footbrake the way I wanted it and even after shortening shift lever twice, I still couldn't reach it even half decently (hence the controls would have to be moved even further forward), yet further shortening would definitely not be possible as the gearchanges were already a bit stiff. (Very precise though) As a sidenote: the new setup will be made from stainless allowing me to dramatically cut back on the thickness of all the plates. It will be an absolute nightmare to machine though.

Everyday TR1 - Long Distance Riding Mods (pt. 1.1)

 ... or why don't you just fit XV750SE footpeg holders and be done with it?

Because it isn't that simple. (It never is, eh? 😉)

As a matter of fact, the right one should be a straight fit, except maybe for the exhaust holder, but that's something that could be solved with the power of waterjet-cutting (a new hanger), but all in all that's well within reason. 

(Yes to be fully precise it's lacking a fill-in-plate, but we'll file that under minor differences.)

The elephant in the room is the left side: 

First of all it's missing a fill-in-plate with the mounting hole going through the sprocket cover, which holds the engine to the frame - so it's not exactly superfluous - and then I am not sure, if it would interfere with the engine as it sits a lot further to the front. And then once more the exhaust hanger wouldn't fit and I am not entirely sure the rear subframe mounting point is in the same spot.

Everyday TR1 - Long Distance Riding Mods (pt. 1)

So the Bumblebee has done it's first 2500km and a quick oil-change was due.

And if your drainplug looks like this you've either already wiped it off or you did a proper job in rebuilding that engine...

After the maintenance side of things was taken care of, a new set of (higher) handlebars together with an additional 25mm raiser-block had to be fitted. In black: LSL Streetbar high and underneath it my new Fehling LN33. (The internet will gladly serve you the specs, but be forewarned, if filtering between cars is your thing, neither of them is what you want.)

Pictures don't quite do it justice. This is a tall setup and means you end up with a very nice upright seating position, but now the pegs are really in the wrong position and the knee angle is too tight. 

Now many years ago I owned a TR1 named "Faust" (because of the inscription on the sidecovers - yep the same ones still installed on this one!) As it was originally owned by a certain someone, who was close to 7ft, it featured some unique mods. One of which was to put the footpegs forward by 120mm.

The brake-pedal is off a Virago 1100, but to the best of my knowledge, it's the same as fitted to an XV750SE. 

And in case you wondered how I ended up with those 120mm - that's simply where the kink in the pedal is.

And kindly enough, Yamaha already planned for some 30mm of offset to the side in the XV750SE gear-lever, giving me enough room for a nice adapter.

Talking of the actual forward controls, they are still well hidden within this ally plate:

So that's all for this week folks - but if everything goes smooth, there might even be a midweek update though. And no, don't worry the old girl isn't going to be turned into some mild-mannered cruiser next, but she's gonna get used for a lot more long-distance riding and considering that the original Faust's seating position was the next best thing to a hot bath on a cold Winter evening...