DRZ 400 preparation for the Trans America Trail

[One Less Harley]

Originally Posted by bgoodsoil

All you need is a SWAT sticker and you'd pass for law enforcement Good luck!

South American law enforcement????

[StevieG]

Thread hijack here; I have the old charts & maps from a year ago, and Sam just sent me these new ones for the western sections. Question is why has he scrubbed Hancock, Monarch, Tomichi passes from Colorado altogether? On the old maps he advised not attempting them on a big dual-sport. I'd hate to miss them for no reason...

Originally Posted by Abenteuerfahrer

Hi One Less Harley...

Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico....are now available as updated versions and with coordinates. Tenn, Miss, Ark should be available when you are redy to leave. Oklahoma is pretty straight forward....Utah should be done by now. ALL WITH COORDINATES. You can get them from SAM.

Example:

NEVADA





OLD............................................... .............................. NEW

[Abenteuerfahrer]

(2010)...Sam went up there on these passes with another guy in a 4x4 truck to re-map/update the routes and I guess saw how gnarly these passes have become. Me thinks.... that he believes that these passes tax Man n' Machine too much.

So I guess he sees no need to take the risks on Hancock or Tomichi ? Better to have a whole trip than a partial one because something gets messed up on the bike or rider there. I think the alternate is a good choice just as high up there and scenic…..

Sam was young then when he scaled these passes...he has matured and aged a bit. Different thoughts..!! You can still challenge them yourself...and tell us about it. Good luck and ride safe, ride far.

Cheers

[Sourjon]

They're easier on a bike than in a 4x4. I'd ride either ten times to avoid a mile of sand. Just me...

John

[Motor 1]

StevieG, I have done those passes back in '06 in mid September. The ice in between the rocks was the worst of it. It is a bit of a challenge but was worth it to me. Hancock was closed for a while. I think part of the road let loose and it was deemed 'unsafe'!

[StevieG]

Originally Posted by Motor 1

StevieG, I have done those passes back in '06 in mid September. The ice in between the rocks was the worst of it. It is a bit of a challenge but was worth it to me. Hancock was closed for a while. I think part of the road let loose and it was deemed 'unsafe'!

Yeah but u have big kahoona's!! I'm gonna give it a go. Worst that happens is I have to turn around and re-route. Well, actually worst is I could fall off and break an ankle THats not even funny.

Still hope to meet u out there, flying to CO Sept 1st. Keep in touch.
(thread hijack over, carry on...)

[nick_rhinocycles]

Originally Posted by One Less Harley

Mounted the TCK 80 to the front. Got the rear one off, but the rim lock had a

Here's a shot of the tools to be carried-



1) gloves,2) tire levers and axle nut tool,3) tire pump, 4) rope, 5) front wheel bearings, 6) oil filter and o-rings, 7) nuts/bolts/fuses, 8) chain links, 9) spoke wrench & front axle nut tool, 10) patch kit, 11) wire ties, 12) electrical tape,

13) tool roll, misc, allen wrenches, combination wrenches, sockets, pliers, air gauge, test light, crescent wrench, screw driver bits, carb jets

14) Sven 15" saw and sheath, 15) wire, 16) 1/4" T wrench w/ bailing wire wraped, 17) chain tool, 18) hammer and epoxy, 19) jumper cables, 20) throttle and clutch cable, 21) coil, 22) front brake pads, 23) spark plug, 14T counter shaft sprocket, 24) 30mm counter shaft socket, and extension/adapters, 25) foot levers



Not pictured are the front and rear inner tubes, small cans of chain lube and air filter oil, and 1st aid kit

Loving your reports! Ok of the list above what would you have left behind?
Nick

[One Less Harley]

Originally Posted by nick_rhinocycles

Loving your reports! Ok of the list above what would you have left behind?
Nick

None of it!! Those were needed tools, didn't use but you never can tell.I ended up sending back some clothes, one pair of zip off paints and a t-shirt, and sent roll charts back mid way, the ones already used.

[One Less Harley]

I had the idiot light and had my doubts about if the different colors were actually correct to the voltage. I found this offered on ADV. It will give the exact voltage so there won't be guess work to the volts. One problem is in decent sun light the volts aren't visible.

[One Less Harley]

OK the volt meter, has been pulled, not good in any kind of light even when shaded behind the fairing. Going back to the idiot light.

[One Less Harley]

No longer TAT prep related, more of just another change to the bike.

Recently purchased a FMF Q4, and needed to make a few mods, for heat shielding.

1st to remove the old brackets from the original pipe and muffler and weld them onto the new pipes.

Tabs in place-



Shield in place-



Stage one complete-



Stage Two-
Heat shroud for the Muffler- stainless steel guard-

1st drilled for the top 3/16" closed rivets-



Then set the top three, in place and drilled the lower three.


Shield set in place, checking that the holes all line up.



Shield riveted on-



Final Touches-