Clark Tank and Hand guards

[MEK]

My name's Mike, new guy here been riding a long time but have been away from it for a bit but got the itch again this year. I was looking for a DRZ but a XR650L popped up and I've always liked them so I grabbed it. I just picked up some new toys for it too. Wanted to address the tea cup tank issue so after looking around went with the Clark 4.7 from Gnarly parts. While I was there I oredered some Acerbis Touring hand guards (its cold up here). I also didn't like the bend on the stock bars so I got some Tusk CR high bend bars and some new grips with a half waffle. Also felt the need for a real skid plate but its on back order. Cranked up the rear spring while I was at it, with all these new parts it feels like a new bike. One more part I haven't put on yet is a black Acerbis supermoto front fender still sitting in the garage. I wanted a black front fender for night riding and wanted to try a different look than a spray bomb.

 

[MEK]

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Another issue I have to look at is the gearing, don't know if I'm going to add a few teeth on the back or drop one on the front. I find off road (and I've done very little on this one) the gap between first and second is way too big. Also I don't need as much top end as is available on the highway. Guess I'll have to do some reading before the next set of chain and sprockets. I'll also have to get to putting on the new MT21 for the front sitting in my garage too, then I can play in the dirt without worrying. The bike came with a new Kenda 270 rear and it hasn't seen much wear with me riding it to work.

 

[xr8d]

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Dropping one tooth on the countershaft will help greatly without chain length issues. I did it and can still cruise at 110 kph on the highway, and it makes the bike far better off-road. With the clay type mud you get there (I grew up @ mile 92), you might look at the kenda trackmaster for the rear, it won't clog the way a 270 does. I have run both tires and prefer the trackmaster by far!!

Cheers!!:hb:

Jon

 

[XmikeR]

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Cool! Now get rid of the smog stuff with a block off kit, Jet it according to dave's mods (thumpertalk.com) take out the snorkel on the top of the.................. the list goes on.

 

[MEK]

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If I still lived on the coast I'd do Dave's mods but since I'm up north now the hard starting part when its cold would suck. I'll just re-jet, de snorkle and de smog. Good winter project along with a guts tall seat maybe. Any other suggestions would be welcome though.

Got a flat back tire on the way to work today, some of the guys I work with brought out a flat deck with power tailgate. Good to have friends. Had my wife pick me up a Kenda tough tube today and pick me up from work tonight. Who's the moron without a spare tube and pump? Funny thing is I just bought a set of irons a couple weeks ago and was planning on putting a kit together. Lesson learned, getting a CO2 kit in the next couple days and a spare front tube too. Now if I could just remember where I put those irons.

3 part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw0B2gIwbBg

 

[XmikeR]

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If space is an issue, you can use a 21 inch inner tube in the 18 inch rear. I only carry a front with me, and it's always worked 4 me.