The Yamaha TW200 Thread...

[peruano]

Originally Posted by Solomoriah

So I got a set of Moose Aluminum Handguards for a birthday present, but they don't fit the stock bars. I may be the only person on Earth who likes the stock TW200 bars, but the fact is, I don't want to change them. Can anyone suggest a sturdy full-wrap handguard that does fit them? Preferably one with nice matching plastic protectors available.

This is what I bought:

https://www.denniskirk.com/moose/alu...prd/615204.sku

I held the guard up in front of the bars to see if they would work, but I was really looking at lever clearance, not whether the clamps would work or not. I thought it looked as if they'd hit the bars closer to the triple clamp, where there's room for them.

So since I thought they'd fit, I've already cut off the ends of the grips. If I can't find a workable handguard, I guess I've got to buy new grips.

I got them from Dennis Kirk, and it looks like they have a pretty easy return policy; however, it apparently costs $7.99 to do a return.

Gah.

Solomoriah, Don't send them back. They will fit fine if you just drill a hole a bit closer to the outboard end so that the bar does not have to flex so much. I'm guessing that I'm running the very bar you have and have in fact considered how I could use the extra length to attach a gps or other accessory. I'll try to append a photo showing what I did. FYI. Tom
Note that the original hole provided by Moose Racing is not used but I drilled another (hey its just aluminum) slightly distal to it to make the fit better. I've had not fit problems in various thousands of miles. JMHO. Tom

[Solomoriah]

I've already put the package on the truck, but thanks for the info. I considered drilling it, but decided the smartest thing to do was to swap it for the Tusk bars; they have a slot rather than a hole at that end of the bar, and an extra joint allowing the clamp to hit the bar more squarely.

I hate to have to modify parts... can't send 'em back then.

[GISdood]

I have a feeling I'm going to be spending a lot more time in this thread.

Winter Project Bike - '92 TW200

Now back to the beginning of this thread I go to see what I can learn before I start asking a pile of stupid questions that have already been answered a dozen times. If anyone has any words of wisdom they'd like to share, I'm certainly all ears!

[2handedSpey]

I love these tw200!

Rode one for two days @ 7 hours straight each day. What a treat. Great little size, unlike my big fat KLR. Kinda wishing would've held put for a tw.
Great thread!

[EZman671]

For new O-Ring Chain and 15/50 sprockets I was awaiting parts.

Lytle Racing got a new 50 tooth sprocket from AZ to FL in 3 days. Ordered Monday had it Wed. Already had the 15 T and new chain. Was wanting a new sprocket keeper as the prior owner had done a rough job of drilling it out to accept larger bolts. 6mm vs 5mm. Boats.net got me the new keeper in 5 days. Note some front sprockets use 6mm bolts and the OEM 14T uses 5mm bolts.

Everything back together. Works fine.

The new o-ring chain was very stiff out of the box. Seemed like it would use a lot of power to turn it.

Laid it out with the old chain to cut to size. Old non-o-ring chain was almost 2 inches longer than the new chain for same number of links (122). How much more can they stretch before they break?

Once on the TW - Wow - the bike shifts super smooth with no noticeable lose of power from the stiff chain. I bet once it turns a few times and the chain lubes (both internal and external) work in that it spins very easily.

You will find that o-ring chain is massive compared to non-o-ring. Much wider because of the o-rings.

Very happy with the new chain and sprockets.

If you were inclined to safety wire the master link as some do, be very careful as there is not much clearance near the front sprocket on the outboard side.

Clearance (for a small safety wire on master link) should not be a problem with a front sprocket that is not supported on the outboard end but that is not the case on a TW. If you feel the need to secure the master link a little extra maybe consider a little silicone caulk on it.

[NJ-Brett]

I know the TU 250's really get faster/better as they break in, its very dramatic, and I think its mostly the O ring chain that breaks in as the motor does not seem to do much breaking in.

O ring chains are fantastic, no adjustments to mine in 7000 miles, I did not have to adjust the one on my dr650, while any non O ring chain needed adjustments every day if you rode a lot.

I am still looking for a TW in South Jersey.
There was one listed local, sent an e mail, no response....

A local dealer has a new 2010 for $3600.00 but that is a lot of money to spend on a nice new bike that is going right into a swamp.

[r80rt]

I just finished building my front rack, just enough for a tool roll or a tent, I'll be bolting on the Yamaha rear rack later today.

[srileo]

All,
sometime yesterday, it occured to me that i could travel across south and east africa on a local bike that i purchased new in say Johannesburg and sold back at the end of my ride...

So, after a bit of looking around, i found the Yamaha AG200.



http://www.jhbyamaha.co.za/view_category.aspx?ID=104

What caught my immediate attention was that the redoubtable TW200 seemed to be its cousin. same looking engine!

I love the AGgie bike. it already comes with a nice wide seat, handlebar protectors, serious racks, good tire selection and 2 sidestands and best of all - any local mechanic there can fix it!

My questions;
1. How close are the TW and the AG under the hood?
2. Are there any reasons i should consider the TW200 for some gentle offroading in africa over the AG? (my main worry is finding spare rear tires for the TW in say, mozambique...)
3. What are the immediate farkles that are available for the TW that i could take with me to africa and bolt on to the AG? ( i dont need the cycleracks, but perhaps some jets, spares?)
4. What is the life expectancy of the TW tires...?

I realize i should first be reading this entire thread, but i only got to page 15. the search did not show any AG related material.

Regards,
Shridhar

[r80rt]

Originally Posted by r80rt

I just finished building my front rack, what do you think? I'll be bolting on the Yamaha rear rack later today.

I got the rear rack in and bolted on. Then I built a bracket to mount the auxiliary gas tank left over from my old Honda trail 90. The can holds slightly over half a gallon, not much, but way better than walking.

[r80rt]

My frst day out with the new racks and spare tank mounted, had a great time running the back roads.

[jungleplant]

Originally Posted by r80rt

My frst day out with the new racks and spare tank mounted, had a great time running the back roads.

glad to see you guys doing this , let me know if i can help in any way, mike

[Solomoriah]

Finally got the Tusk handlebar protectors on last night (along with the spring I lost, yes, I found it just as soon as I bought a replacement) and took a short ride today. I'm really pleased with the Tusk bar guard and protector set; it cost me about $10.00 less than the Moose set, went on without any drilling, and felt as strong if not stronger than the Moose gear.

[bdmmotard]

Originally Posted by Solomoriah

So I got a set of Moose Aluminum Handguards for a birthday present, but they don't fit the stock bars. I may be the only person on Earth who likes the stock TW200 bars, but the fact is, I don't want to change them. Can anyone suggest a sturdy full-wrap handguard that does fit them? Preferably one with nice matching plastic protectors available.

.

I like the stock bars too, mostly because they seem to have a perfect pull back to em. Unfortunately after bending 3 pairs i'm done with em. My .02, when you get tired of bending the stockers put on some renthals/tag/protaper etc with the cr high bend, Not spot on but more similar pullback than any of the standard mx bars.

Totally unrelated. I took a turn hard right, then flipped it over to left for the next turn. As I swung the bike right to left, right at the top with the bike mostly upright i lost the front wheel, lowsided hard, dislocating my shoulder and heading to the er. All because the suspension failed to rebound.

Culprit turned out to be heavier fork oil that the previous owner (before goodcat) put in. I put the bike back to 10 weight and she's back to handling well. I just mention this because I know the heavier fork oil is a common mod to firm up the suspension.

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by bdmmotard

I like the stock bars too, mostly because they seem to have a perfect pull back to em. Unfortunately after bending 3 pairs i'm done with em. My .02, when you get tired of bending the stockers put on some renthals/tag/protaper etc with the cr high bend, Not spot on but more similar pullback than any of the standard mx bars.

Totally unrelated. I took a turn hard right, then flipped it over to left for the next turn. As I swung the bike right to left, right at the top with the bike mostly upright i lost the front wheel, lowsided hard, dislocating my shoulder and heading to the er. All because the suspension failed to rebound.

Culprit turned out to be heavier fork oil that the previous owner (before goodcat) put in. I put the bike back to 10 weight and she's back to handling well. I just mention this because I know the heavier fork oil is a common mod to firm up the suspension.

I'm sorry to hear of your accident. I hope you're healing well. Thanks for the good tip regarding the fork oil!

Spud

[Solomoriah]

Originally Posted by bdmmotard

I like the stock bars too, mostly because they seem to have a perfect pull back to em. Unfortunately after bending 3 pairs i'm done with em. My .02, when you get tired of bending the stockers put on some renthals/tag/protaper etc with the cr high bend, Not spot on but more similar pullback than any of the standard mx bars.

Ack. Haven't bent 'em yet. Hitting that hard would put an old man like me out of action for a while, I'm afraid. I just got the hand guards to keep the branches and other crap off of my hands.