Airhead for the adventure

[Jim K in PA]

I'll be watching this one too. Must be the winter blahs that have me dreaming of doing the exact same thing with Otto (my R100T). I have been perusing CL for KLR 650s and DRZ 400s. But I would rather spend that $$ on upgrades and updates for Otto. The fenders and the exhaust are what I am struggling with. The stock fenders on a non-GS airhead are too close to the tire IMO. The exhaust is too low, and I need a good bash plate for the sump pan (I have an extended "deep" pan).

The other thing I already know about my bike is that the 32/11 final is way too tall for technical hill climbing or slow trails. Not sure how your R90 is geared but look into that. As Jenna says, get it a-runnin' and find out what YOU actually need, rather than letting any one else's bike dictate what needs to be done.

But honestly, making an non-fared BMW work on dirt roads only requires pointing it down one . . .

[Prutser]

Originally Posted by Jim K in PA

I'll be watching this one too. Must be the winter blahs that have me dreaming of doing the exact same thing with Otto (my R100T). I have been perusing CL for KLR 650s and DRZ 400s. But I would rather spend that $$ on upgrades and updates for Otto. The fenders and the exhaust are what I am struggling with. The stock fenders on a non-GS airhead are too close to the tire IMO. The exhaust is too low, and I need a good bash plate for the sump pan (I have an extended "deep" pan).

The other thing I already know about my bike is that the 32/11 final is way too tall for technical hill climbing or slow trails. Not sure how your R90 is geared but look into that. As Jenna says, get it a-runnin' and find out what YOU actually need, rather than letting any one else's bike dictate what needs to be done.

But honestly, making an non-fared BMW work on dirt roads only requires pointing it down one . . .

+1 on the the low fender.
For most of my trips I use my 93' R80 mono. But the low fender can clog up pretty fast.



And my girlfriend's R100R has the same problem



I could make some pics of my sump guard that has been working great for the deep sump if your interested.

[ignatz72]

Prutser, I'd like to see picts of the nifty over-cylinder bag racks...

[Jim K in PA]

Originally Posted by Prutser

+1 on the the low fender.
For most of my trips I use my 93' R80 mono. But the low fender can clog up pretty fast.

Yep - that's what I thought. My fender is different, and I think I can space it up on the stock fender brace to get more clearance.

I could make some pics of my sump guard that has been working great for the deep sump if your interested.

I would love to see that, and I hope the OP finds it useful as well . . .

Does your exhaust get into the dirt/mud/rocks often enough to be a "problem"?

[Prutser]

Originally Posted by Jim K in PA

Yep - that's what I thought. My fender is different, and I think I can space it up on the stock fender brace to get more clearance.




I would love to see that, and I hope the OP finds it useful as well . . .

Does your exhaust get into the dirt/mud/rocks often enough to be a "problem"?

On some river crossings it would be helpful to have a higher exhaust.
But the low exhaust allows you to use symmetric pannier racks and helps to keep the weight low.
I would never change the exhaust on this bike for a high one.
The only thing that might be a problem, would be that the exhaust sticks far behind the mounting point.
On rough tracks it wears the exhaust gasket (only the mono lever) or can cause the mount to crack.
Although I never had the problem my self, even after 600.000 km but I've seen it many times.

I'll make a few sump guard pictures and post them.

[Prutser]

Originally Posted by ignatz72

Prutser, I'd like to see picts of the nifty over-cylinder bag racks...

Some pics of the racks.





I mounted these on the crash bars. Most of the racks have a tube going down behind the carbs except for the ones on the first two pictures.



This pic shows how far they are mounted to the front.

[hootch]

I have been following Prutser's Sibirsky ride report with rapt attention. Any airhead/rider combo that can keep up with Rod and company is something to be emulated. His bike is just what I'm looking to build. Money is going to be tight until school is done, so it will be horse trading time. I really appreciate the comments and ideas.
Hootch

[Prutser]

Two bash plates for the deep sump.
This one was made by a friend of mine 20 years ago. The picture shows it has been used



I made this one 17 years ago. Its made from 12mm thick stainless bars with a 3mm thick plate welded between them.
The bottom of the plate is not against the sump.

[Jim K in PA]

Thank you Prutser. My sump is slightly different than yours but you have given me some good ideas.

Here is my sump pan:

[Jim K in PA]

I also think these racks are brilliant! Convenient for tools, or beer!

Originally Posted by Prutser

Some pics of the racks.

[bikerfish]

warm beer!

[Jim K in PA]

Originally Posted by bikerfish

warm beer!

LOL - perhaps we have discovered the perfect burrito warmer! Keep the beer on the back next to the Rotopax can.

[Houseoffubar]

Originally Posted by bikerfish

warm beer!

Haha, beat me to it!

[airhead_irl]

I love this thread !! Who needs a GS ??!

[kadesean]

+1