My VStrom project

[fljab]

I picked up an '07 DL650 end of last yr and have been doing lots of mods to it. I finally got most of the electrical hooked up and smoke tested, all is good!

I used HID low beam only in the main lights - and rigged them on a relay with the option of turning either one or both headlights off.

For LED/Aux lights I used Rigid Industries D- series spot lights, and SR series 6" bar flood. These are set up on 3 pos switches as always on - off - on w/high beams. I also wired the spots where I can turn off the left one via the red switch on the fork plate/dash. My reasoning was I could still keep the right one on to see downrange in the ditch for forest rats but not get flashed from oncoming drivers.

Also installed heated grips. I did those the easy way - I bought the cheap flexible circuit board types that are only hi/low (via the switch on the fork plate next to the red dot switch), wrapped them around the stock grips and put grip puppies over them. Seems to work good.

I made pretty much all the pieces to mount the lights, dash plate, gps stand, small switch plate on the fork, and everything extra on the handlebars.

I have a Rostra cruise to go in/not yet installed, an aux tank (not in pics) with a unique swing away design to be able to get at the seat (to remove/get underneath). 5 gal aux on a gravity feed should give me ~10+ total.

What else? 2 cigarette lighter type 12V outlets, J&M CB, bought another mount for my Zumo 550 so I can switch that back and forth between this and my FJR, extended the mirror for better visibility, mounts for my spot and gxm30 gps/XM antenna, and lots of small things I can't bring to mind right now.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Dog gone Jim...

That bike has totally changed identity. That's it though, now I have decided to ride my '05 up to Mims and leave it sitting in your shop.

I am sure that its simplicity and lack of farkles will absolutely drive you crazy. I'll pick it up in mid June, and you will have the sucker ready

to ride on any ride. (or rally)

I see you are sticking with the CB (?) I take it Greg is going the same route? Where you are heading, not to many deer encounters so much as

bear encounters. Seriously though, finish up with the Wee and invite us up for a tech day. I shouldn't have to go to Michigan to attend one. (It was worth it though)

I love the CB and detector mounts! Tell me those shelf supports don't have independent suspension rods (?) Extra ram mount on top (?) ignition switch plate has the cig. outlet

for the gear (?)

Nice Job Jim !!!

I am planning a ride up soon... We have Texas to talk about.

 

[fljab]

LOL sure, drop it off - but be forewarned - I work slow and one idea spurs another, and another, and ......... well, you get the idea.

Yes, sticking with CB - I got this one used and I'll use it for bike to bike with Greg and otherwise it lets me use my Nolan for comm/bluetooth phone through the GPS. I just stayed with the same setup for both bikes.

That does look like a suspension mount, doesn't it? Rod ends on homemade brackets to reinforce the homemade dash shelf. No to ram mount - everything is bolted/screwed together with my homemade brackets and mucho time scratching my head stooped in front of my aluminum bin box.

Route up - we are planning a SS5K to Fairbanks from Central Florida. The plan is to go down to Key West - I'm doing an overnighter with a room on the navy base; Greg is doing a down & back - then come back and spend one last night at home. We're going to meet on I-95 probably at the first rest stop (which is by St. Augustine) then Atlanta/Nashville/Peoria and basically go up through Montana vs North Dakota to get comfortably over the 5K limit (direct route is less than 5K).

There are two cig lighters visible - one on the fork/dash plate - and the other next to the round voltmeter. I have each on a switch so will turn them on only when needed. I had planned to get a cig lighter USB insert and put one of those cheap USB lights like you'd use for your computer. The USB insert will come in handy for other things too.

I also got a bottom ring from Twisted Throttle for my gas tank to take my FJR tankbag and just switch it back and forth. That bag is wired with a USB port inside for charging my phone so I had to wire in a SAE plug, comm port, and also heated gear hookups.

Hey, you and whoever here can come over for a tech day anytime; Greg does regularly as we've done tons of work to his '12 DL650. In fact he's coming over tomorrow so we can install his Scott oiler. I am home-making mine (DUH!) out of an IV drip, primer from a mower, and a as yet unidentified oil reservoir. Of course now I'm getting into my own riding season as it's warming up north. Leaving Tuesday for a 6 day rideabout, then next will be Texas, so yes, we need to talk on that.

 

[BigOgre]

. . . as we've done tons of work to his '12 DL650.

Would love to see what you've done. Got anything posted, here or anywhere else?

 

[fljab]

. . . as we've done tons of work to his '12 DL650.

Would love to see what you've done. Got anything posted, here or anywhere else?

I've not posted any pics anywhere. I am on the Stromtroopers forum with same screen name, but I've got less than a dozen posts. My friend is "Harley Convert" on there, but not sure he has either.

I'll take some pics tomorrow and post here, OK?

All his stuff is either from Twisted Throttle, Eastern Beaver, or one of a couple of the small guys that cater to their forum like Garault does for us here. He bought his skid plate from someone there and that thing is stout! I'll try and take enough pics tomorrow.............

 

[BigOgre]

Thanks ***, nice of ya. But please don't rush. Now that I think about it, it's probably safer if I didn't get any new ideas!

 

[fljab]

Thanks ***, nice of ya. But please don't rush. Now that I think about it, it's probably safer if I didn't get any new ideas!

I've been trying to post pics and think I may have it - for some danged reason it worked the first time, but no more!

Gregs Glee:

 

[Graham Downunder]

My tip put an Elka rear shock on ,stiffer front springs ,get a sheepskin on that seat .I have a weestrom ( DL 650 ) and the Elka shock transformed it . It has been put away for a while till my boy has his licence to ride it . The FJR just eats the miles up better for me and going down dirt just dose nothing for me .

 

[BigOgre]

Greg looks like one happy owner!

He really has added a few things to it, huh? During an early ride last year I immediately knew I'd be adding some sort of plate. Ended up going with the same Yann plate he did and, you're right, it is a stout piece of metal.

More pics of that ride here.

Since though it's mostly seen local mileage. Although similar to Graham, my oldest seems to glance at it a bit too much whenever he's in the garage.

 

[dcarver]

Gotta give props to the IttyBittySixFiddy brigade.

By far and away ergonomically better than the FJR.

Just not as phast...

 

[fljab]

An update:

I got the VStrom finished and rode it to Key West. It was not ready for prime time! I had a number of small issues and one big one - the seat hurt like hell and it was all I could do to sit in it and twist for the ~400 miles each way to KW.

So, got back home, parked it and took my trusty FJR. It did the trip great to Fairbanks. I did not go to Prudhoe; total for the trip was 10007 miles in 14 days. I got home yesterday.

Good run, but the FJR is unusually dirty (even by my standards), so it needs a full cleaning and service before leaving again in a couple of weeks for Montana.

The VStrom will go back into rehab and try and get the issues resolved - with more seat time to make sure it works all right.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Congrats Jim!

How did Greg fare?

Oh... And welcome back!

 

[BikerGeek99]

How do you like those Rigid D-series lights?

I've been contemplating replacing my FF50's with LEDs and those Ridig lights look pretty decent.

 

[fljab]

How do you like those Rigid D-series lights?
I've been contemplating replacing my FF50's with LEDs and those Ridig lights look pretty decent.

I haven't had the chance to use the Rigid's in anger. I left them on the VStrom when I left for Alaska. I have since taken them off and exchanged for the FF50s that were on my FJR so I'll find out soon. The FF50s are good lights, but just pull too much power IMO. More later..........