My new TRX

[Homer]

Well the bashplate is on, the mirrors are on, and I've taken it around the block a few times. Goes hard and sounds great. Front sintered pads bedded in pretty quick and happy with the front brakes feel and power. Rear brake is another story. Really weak. I've just bled it again and no bubbles so I don't think its air in the system. Rear caliper is a TOKICO single piston unit from the KLR650 Kawasaki donor bike, with new sintered pads. Master cylinder is the original TRX item. I'm going to have a look and see if its possible to fit the original TRX caliper which was on the bike when I got it. I seem to remember it had plenty of bite.
Booked in for rego inspection on Monday so need to get the back brake sorted before then.

Nope, TRX caliper wont fit without fouling the spokes. Could get a two piston rear caliper from the US as they use on the KLRs over there if it will fit, though not by Monday, or.....
I'm thinking of trying to fit the original two piston KLR650 front caliper on the rear. Means more machining and fabricating but I rebuilt the caliper and fitted new pads so I know it should work ok.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.

[Mincehead]

Hope you get it sorted Homer and good luck getting her through the rego. The front caliper mounted on the rear if you can do it with some fabrication etc, will sort out the braking `weakness` I`m sure.

[Homer]

Thanks Mince, yeah I think so too. Just had a good look at the two pot caliper and it all looks in good nick. Back to the angle grinder tomorrow!!

[Homer]

Well after a day spent on the grinder and welder I got the twin piston caliper painted, fitted and bled. Took it for a run tonight and a definite improvement on the old

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caliper. Bike pulls effortless wheelies in first gear too by the way
I'll have to look at a better heatshield for the pipe though, gets a bit hot on the thigh while sitting and the calf when standing.
Off to try and get the bike through rego tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[Homer]

Sailed through the rego check today, don't ask me how. Went for a ride this arvo and handles beautifully. Threw it into a few tight twisties and couldn't be happier.
Rear shock is way too soft as I bottomed out a couple of times on some big bumps. Sent an email to Technoflex in The Netherlands for clarification on how to set up the shock and adjust preload and dampening. I also need to fit some sort of heat shield to the exhaust before I need a skin graft!
The speedo is way out, as you'd expect, replacing a 17" front wheel with a 21" wheel. Not sure how to go about fixing that one!

[Homer]

Checked the speedo with a GPS and its actually pretty accurate. Had a nice long ride today including a fair bit of dirt and went really well. Rear shock definitely needs sorting. Priced up a black sheepskin seat cover as well. Currently running 17/45 tooth sprockets, could be a bit lower for the dirt but I'd lose too much on the freeway. Also bought and fitted some fork boots. I'll post some more photos tomorrow.

[Homer]

Well, here she is, just about done. Just the sheepskin to fit, and maybe some bar risers.

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Huge thanks to all the people on this forum who've helped with advice or technical input, especially Mincehead, who has been a veritable fountain of knowledge. Next time I'm in your part of the world, I'd love to buy you a pint!

[davamb]

Far out Homer - looks like it came from the factory!

[Homer]

Thanks Dave, fluking such a good fitting tank and seat made all the difference I reckon.

[Homer]

UPDATE: Well after riding the TRX around for a few weeks, a few small issues have arisen, as expected.

1. The 5mm plate I made to mount the front caliper on the rear, broke. I drilled one of the mounting holes too close to the edge of the plate and the forces exerted by the caliper broke the plate at the bolt hole. Made a new one out of 6mm plate, and so far so good.

2, Ordered a rear master cylinder kit from the US before I swapped the rear calipers, so I fitted that when it arrived.

3. The rear shock is toast. Its a Technoflex from the Netherlands and apparently is worth $1800!! I found a bloke in Penrith, (Sydney) who has the bits to rebuild it, and he'll also sort out the shortened DR650 fork springs while its there.

4. The motor goes great and sounds awesome. My mate who owns a 650 V Strom took it for a ride and couldn't believe how good it went. Small problem though. At about 3500 rpm in top gear, the bike felt like it was running out of fuel. Drop down a gear and it ran fine. But of research suggests I've got worn emulsion tubes in the carbys. Pulled them apart and sure enough jets are worn oval. Ring Yamaha and get quoted $400 for two needles and two jets!! Bugger that, so bought titanium needles, nickel plated jets and two carby kits from Factory Pro in the US for just under $175 delivered. Waiting on them to arrive now and then I can put it all together and put some miles on it.

5. Don't know if I'll bother with the sheepskin as the XJ6 seat is actually a lot more comfortable than it looks.

I'll post a link to some footage on you tube if I can figure out how to tranfer it from my camera onto the computer!

[Mincehead]

Homer, you are most welcome to any help and knowledge I might be able to share, it costs nowt after all. She`s a dandy looking bike, and sure stands out from the crowd, I hope you continue to enjoy her for years to come.
Now, that pint of JD you want to buy me?

[davamb]

Three words...
Before:

After:

Genius.

[Mincehead]

Can we ask of you Magi111 that you request of the forum moderators / admin staff to include a business link in your posts.
Unless of course you have no interest here except as a spammer?
My beady eyes are upon you, sneeze without wiping the dribble and you`re gone, capiche?

[eddie]

You got a lot of work there mate
Total strip down time

[Jak]

Can we ask of you Magi111 that you request of the forum moderators / admin staff to include a business link in your posts.
Unless of course you have no interest here except as a spammer?
My beady eyes are upon you, sneeze without wiping the dribble and you`re gone, capiche?

Hmmm ... posted from India and advertising an Aussie exhaust company ... I took an executive decision ...