V-Strom Handguard Farkle Improvement

[dustyrains]

The VStrom hand guard farkle is great, but I got to thinking I could make it better. Basically, I have created a pocket of still air around my hands for cold weather riding. I have also noticed that flat black painted enclosure actually warms the back of my hands by radiating the sun's heat on cool but sunny days. Another plus I noticed is that there is significantly less airflow onto the top of my legs. I noticed this on a test ride when I had only the right side done, and I rode through a light shower. I noticed that my right leg was getting less rainfall than the left leg. I think they are functioning as a couple of mini fairings. Materials and tools used: Hot glue gun, heavy shears, a Sharpie marker, sandpaper, cardboard for making patterns, black electric tape for attaching patterns for fit, plastic cut from new oil drain pans, door guard edging, Krylon Flat Black Fusion paint for plastic, blue painters tape for masking the original handguards while spraying the glued on plastic.

I will be giving them a good test on an upcoming ride the Bozeman MT and surrounding area the last two weeks of Sept. I plan to hit the Beartooth and Chief Joseph Hwy's and maybe do a ride up to Glacier. This is a GenII bike with heated grips.

 

[Warchild]

Stellar!!!! :thumbsupsmiley:

 

[Geezer]

Looks like you are going to have toasty warm hands. You'll probably want to take them off for the warm months.

 

[eeksnake]

"Mother Necessity, where would we be?"

Nice job! :thumbsup:

Is that a timer mounted behind the brake reservoir? If so, is it waterproof and where'd you get it?

 

[BwanaDik]

Outstanding job! Did you keep the pattern for the inserts? Any chance of posting the shape and dimensions?

 

[dustyrains]

"Mother Necessity, where would we be?"
Nice job! :thumbsup:

Is that a timer mounted behind the brake reservoir? If so, is it waterproof and where'd you get it?

The two electronic farkles you can see in the pics are the Doran tire pressure monitor, really great, already saved my buttocks once, and an Escort 8500 X50 radar detector, which has already saved my wallet several hits.

 

[GPRIDER]

I've been wanting to do something similar to my V-strom handguards. I like what you've done.

GP

 

[Skully]

veddy nice. had to take 2 '' off the sides of my shield for the guards, but it was worth it.

cool avatar. upside down and backwards. the best, ever.

 

[dustyrains]

Outstanding job! Did you keep the pattern for the inserts? Any chance of posting the shape and dimensions?

No, I did not keep any of the cardboard patterns I made. Basically, the way to do it, is just take a pair of shears, some heavy paper of some sort, and keep trimming and taping until you have something you like. Then tape the pattern securely to the hand guards, and go for a test ride. If you like the results transfer the pattern to the black plastic with a sharpie marker, starting cutting and gluing. Be sure and rough all surfaces to be glued with a fine grit sandpaper, otherwise the hot glue won't hold so well.

 

[Skully]

u wanna use ABS compatible glue with resilient plastic. sparingly.

 

[LDRydr]

Thanks for posting, seeing this reminded me I need to get the pair mounted that's been sitting on my workbench all summer! I'm sure we'll be seeing frost by the end of the month.

 

[Knifemaker]

Fabulous job. Looks cozy for sure.

My only issue with my handguard install was the very tips of my first three fingers seemed to get cold. I noticed that when relaxed they hung down just below the bottom of the guard and got hit directly by the air.

So I just found a piece of stiff but flexible rubber..(the same stuff I use for tread on my floorboards) I cut out some extensions and simply bolted them to the bottom of the guard with some tiny machine screws:

You can see it poking out under the grip here:

I think I might try your idea and add a bit to the top also....

KM

 

[DailyCommuter]

Real nice idea. I have never been completely satisfied with the results of just the handguards. I ride very late into the season in new England and still get cold fingers when it's I'm the high twenties and low thirties. This'll probably do the trick for me. Thanks for the idea

 

[Geezer]

Hand guard mud flaps. Actually, that looks like a good idea too. Not as cozy as the full treatment dusty did, but then it won't be as warm in the summer.

 

[Knifemaker]

Hand guard mud flaps. Actually, that looks like a good idea too. Not as cozy as the full treatment dusty did, but then it won't be as warm in the summer.

I normally take the guards off in the summer. It only takes a few minutes to remove them (or install them) instead of using the "usual" hardware, I made a set of C shaped brackets that hold the guard and only require removing the locknut for each of the lever pivot bolts under the lever mounts :

The hole you see in the pic just goes over the end of the pivot bolt and is secured with the stock locknut.

The brackets are stainless steel and the bottom of the bracket I welded on a bit of threaded rod to save space and avoid clearence issues ...the guard is bolted to the top and bottom of the bracket.

(there are more photos of the brackets in the "FJR Farkles" folder at the webshot site in my sig line)

I dremeled the ends of the guard so they more or less "snap on to" the bar ends... I found some rubber thingys off a couple of garden hose sprayers to fill the gaps.

And unfortunetly I have no layout of the brackets , as I just fabbed them as I went so have no measurements written down. Sorry.

KM

 

[garauld]

Well, there are always these to consider:

Guard extenders

 

[BikerGeek99]

Dusty - VERY nicely done!

Thanks for sharing.

Wonder if I can do something like that an make 'em look like a nice set of hoots...

:blink:

 

[FJRBluesman]

Excellent job!!!

 

[tcfjr]

Well, there are always these to consider:
Guard extenders

I run a set of Garauld's extenders on my V-strom handguards, and they work great.