V649HP-Kawasaki's new gravel runner

[Multisurface Rider]

Originally Posted by tragerbon

I like the direction you are going with this, after modding my new bike and reading all of the converted to dual-sport threads, I wanted to start over with just a versys frame, cut off the crap I did not need...etc...etc.. Good luck with the build.

My guess on the two machined parts are, the forks !

Tagerbon, I have seen pictures of your bike and I like the way you modified it, it is fine looking bike! Can you give us a picture here or put your build tread address in your signature?

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by BSR

...it's -12c outside and i've got a nice beer so i'll start through the other build thread!

a beer won't get you through that thread, ya need at least a half bottle of whiskey.

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by tragerbon

I like the direction you are going with this, after modding my new bike...

i thought your Versys turned out really well, a sharp looking bike. come back in here with a good photo. as i've said many times, the ninja/versys series lends itself to easy and inexpensive mods that can be taken many directions. very capable bikes and you can run the heck out of them.

...but, i gotta have that cop motor in there, so i needed to build my own.

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by Multisurface Rider

I have seen pictures of your bike and I like the way you modified it, it is fine looking bike! Can you give us a picture here or put your build tread address in your signature?

photo of the second generation bike is back on page 5, link in post 32. ride report from the 2010 adventure season included, but if you think you're going to run up to Gatineau and find that gorgeous near naked French gal i met there...i don't think you'll find her dressed that way in the winter.

here's the first generation bike that was wrecked in Montana, literally pounded and pried back together on the spot, and ridden home.



and if you're really really snow bound and want some cheap entertainment, the rest of the 2009 Canuckistan report is here

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=515446

it was not a real swell day...la vida loca.

I was down face first in that gravel intersection, slid a few feet and stopped. I had gone off the bike to the left, and was covered with dust and gravel. The bike was pinned under the hopper body and being dragged through the turn, the driver never stopped. I looked to my right and saw the trailer still moving over me, quickly rolled left, and the left rear tandems on the trailer just missed me. If I had been unable to move, the trailer would have run right over me. The truck finally stopped, but with a final lurch, the hopper gate controls raked down the exposed right side of the bike.

[tragerbon]

I dont have a build thread but this thread has most of my info:
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...t=naked+versys

Cell phone pic from last week:



I am out of town and my Internet is via the iPhone only.

[jdrocks]

that bike looks like it wants some adventure. sharp lookin' bike.

[6USMC6]

Yeah, it looks a lot like a Super Moto!

[A_Vasiliev]

That Versys looks sweet!

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

Yeah, it looks a lot like a Super Moto!

make a few more changes, and you're on the road to Labrador.

[6USMC6]

I'm guess here but do you change both wheels from 17x17 to 18x19 so you can run knobbies?

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

I'm guess here but do you change both wheels from 17x17 to 18x19 so you can run knobbies?

you can run 17" TKCs 150/70 and 130/80, but you're better off with the 19" front for the gravel. i did run the 130/80 TKC on the front for thousands of miles of gravel and it does pretty darn good. here's one of the old bikes with a 130/80-17 TKC front parked at the gas pumps in Deadhorse.



the 19" does better.

the 17/17 wheel choice is fine for the SM setup, and i run the 150/70 and 130/80 Tourances when i have those wheels on the bike. there's a 130/80 Tourance on the bike in the photo shown in post #94.

[sanjoh]

Your pic must be after you went moose hunting?

WTF is that on your pillion

[jdrocks]

Originally Posted by sanjoh

WTF is that on your pillion

caribou steaks. i wanted to strap the rack across the bars, but i couldn't see where the hell i was going.

[jdrocks]

need a swingarm for the build, versys frame so a versys swingarm, right. nope. i've had a versys swingarm kickin' around the shop since the first ninja build, thought i would use it on the ninja frame, bolts right in. i just never warmed up to that thing, a little lighter than the ninja swingarm, but it just looks so damn clunky.

besides, this is the mix and match rat bike world, so i'll put a ninja swingarm on the versys frame.



this is the 09 and up 650R swingarm, a slightly different design and a little beefier than the 06-08 swingarms. bolts right into the versys frame, perfect fit. the added benefit of the newer swingarm is that they come with a blockoff plate below the shock mount and a factory hugger. keeps gravel and mud from coming forward and collecting on top of the silencer.

took awhile to find one at the right price, but worth the wait. by the looks of the rubber chain protector, the bike it came off had to be near new.

[tragerbon]

I like the swingarm idea...I found one for a great price and picked it up. I don't really care for the versys one sided looking swingarm and at one point was thinking about adding a little extra length to it to compensate for longer aftermarket forks and added strength.

I am still waiting for more info on the two machined parts : )