Another day, another farkle. Just finishing up the front MC upgrade I worked on earlier in the week. and documented in a topic of its own. So, anyway, the MC reservior needed a sock to finish things off. This seemed like one I could tolerate.

I also finished up my other little riser bolt project from above. Got the 8mm couplers, and 45mm hex head bolts to make my own shoulder bolts. You can see one of them on the riser clamp in this same pic, so that farkle is closed out too!

 

Another day, another farkle. Just finishing up the front MC upgrade I worked on earlier in the week. and documented in a topic of its own. So, anyway, the MC reservior needed a sock to finish things off. This seemed like one I could tolerate.

I also finished up my other little riser bolt project from above. Got the 8mm couplers, and 45mm hex head bolts to make my own shoulder bolts. You can see one of them on the riser clamp in this same pic, so that farkle is closed out too!
View attachment 331498

Decided I was taking myself a little too seriously.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I've had zero issues with the Anakee III. When I bought my last set, I'm pretty sure they were on closeout. I was real glad to see them still for sale.

 

Recently replaced the old top box where the base was crumbling apart with a new SHAD 39. New base is connected to the rack with m6 nutserts that makes it easy to take the base off and switch to camping mode.
Also installed two led light strips to the box for driving-/brake-/indicator . They are awesome. Connected to the bike system via 6-pin deutsch plug neatly tucked away.
Then I replaced my old self made saddle bag racks with racks from AndyStraps. Added plates to cover and rubber hoses for bag protection.

 

I've had a leaky fork seal since I bought my Strom in April. I finally got the forks rebuilt and back from the shop yesterday. It firmed up the front end and handles like an entirely new motorcycle. It's even more of a pleasure to ride now!

 

Like a lot of us, I installed KLR pegs on my Glee soon after I got it. As my girl also has ridden many miles off pavement, and needed to replace her pegs too. Putting KLR pegs on the rear was a bit of a one way process, as some stuff needed to get drilled and ground to make it fit. I'm getting a bit old, and my days of riding double track, and driveable trails on the glee are pretty much behind me, so I was thinking there's no need for the KLR pegs any longer. Swapping my pegs back was cake. Even though my girl didn't need KLR pegs any longer, that didn't mean I was going back to thge old 650 pillion pegs. Found a pair of brackets and pegs from a 2009 DL1000, and set out to make them work.

On the right side, I used one inch specers to clear the muffler.

The left side was a little more involved, and I detailed that in its own topic here.

 

Not today but over the past few weeks. A Givi Air Flow windscreen, Cheap Knockoff mirror extenders, SW Motech centre stand, SW Motech engine guards, Oxford heated grips, and a Dynojet Power Commander Fuel controller.

 

Aight, so where do I begin...

• Custom made, one-of-a-kind alternator, 1000w
• A heavy-duty reg-rec with active cooling
• Brand new clutch basket with a specially machined center hub,lasts a lifetime without the infamous vibration
• K&N Racing air filter
• 2x LeoVince Titanium exhaust
• 3x original GIVI panniers
• Tall wind screen, I mean, REALLY tall. Hyper-compensation of sorts
• Fancy custom-made double-step seat

• 2inch (50mm) lifted suspension front and rear
• Mitas E-07 Enduro Trail+ badass offroad tires (one of them I've swapped for a Darkside though)

GIVI Crash Bars
Alu 6061 Sump Guard
LED headlight & Aux\Fog Lights White\yellow
Sticky Headlight Vinyl protectors, scratchproof, shatterproof,
Studded MX Footpegs (with rubber pads)
Handguards, entirely DIY, cost me nothing.
4x 12V socket, 3x USB Sockets (inside the rear pannier too)
Heavy-duty Phone and GPS holder
Radiator protector screen with an extra cooling fan, quick release.
Voltmeter

I may have forgotten something, many of the mods were self-made and cost pennies, so if anyone wants further detail or pics, pls let me know 🤗

 

2inch (50mm) lifted suspension front and rear

Hi there. Interested if you only used raising links back and long spacers front? Any advice on brake lines rework needed and side stand?

 

Just bought mine used (new to me) so it had been sitting since last year, so it got a dusting and I also added a RAM ball for my GPS.:mrgreen:

 

@Chimuelo, If I have it correct, your bike is a K2 Vee? Perhaps up-date your profile to include your bike's model info.

I don't see an external mounted alternator in the pix of your ride. Can you please provide more details on your "Custom made, one-of-a-kind alternator, 1000w"as posted in reply #6,262 above. Where / how was it installled and which voltage regulator did you end up using?

Perhaps you could start a new thread, as I believe there could be other members that would like a bit more electrical wattage spare for their accessories. Post a link or three of the where to source this upgrade.

An earlier thread on an external mounted alternator mod, that was previously done to a 1st gen Vee. https://www.stromtrooper.com/threads/worlds-most-powerful-v-strom.70122

Edit: I have read your thread, wrt to the hack, in https://www.stromtrooper.com/thread....com/threads/sidecar-rig-owners-being-begged-for-some-help-🥺-shrek-eyes.446052/

 

Sorry if that was misleading, the alternator is NOT external, it's all about custom-made rotor, the stock one only has 4 magnets on my first get DL1000, while this one has like... 30 or more of them, they are fully enclosed but I've tested them with a compass... And subjectively they are WAAAY stronger than the stock ones, maybe rare earth magnets of some sort. Plus some special coils.I'm sure there is a thread where I had shown that alternator when it was just fabricated. So obviously the stock reg\rec was trying to cook itself and after some half a hour it'd overheat and stop charging. I've solved this problem by cutting off some of the cooling fins from the reg-rec and attaching a PC processor heat sink with more or less fine polishing of both surfaces and applying thermal paste between them, then I've attached a 12v fan on top. The result looks funny, but it is functioning up to this day. It was all done manually, and cost me nothing as the parts needed I've found at a junkyard. I wish I had access to a milling machine though, the surface would be cleaner, but as long as it is functioning I don't care 😜

Speaking of the rotor itself, I can provide anyone with the contacts of the guy, via DM, so no one thinks I'm advertising him XDDD. He is located in EU and builds all kinds of stuff, and his parts come with a lifetime warrranty.

 

Feel free to post the link to this person that has the skills to enhance the V-Strom stator / rotor.
My concern is the accuracy of the 1000W output. To me, that would load / heat up the stock wiring harness due to the gauge wire used. The current (amps) generated to the battery and rest of the circuitry would be in the region of around 70 odd Amps. The light gauge wiring of stock wiring harness not up to spec to handle this type of high current.
What am I missing in the bigger picture? This is one of the reasons for asking for more info.

 

Well, the harness itself is not the weakest point here, as my alternator is wired directly to the reg\rec, which in turn is hard-wired to the battery, directly. All of it is done by some beefy cables, including the phase wires. the only thing really building up heat is the reg\rec itself. I cannot guarantee the output is exactly 1000W, this is my assumption based on the total amount of electric devices fed by the working motorcycle at the same time. When I got it to function properly, turning on everything I have on the bike was not enough to drop the voltage below 13v, so I had to run an electric tire pump, LOL.
Unfortunately the guy does not have any social media or web page at all. They are still medieval where I'm at. I have found out about him by pure luck, my fellow mechanic happened to know him personally. I can share his phone number in DM, don't think it would be ethical to post it here. Good luck communicating him anyway LOL he doesn't seem to speak any English, what a shame for such a craftsman.

 

Installed Aprilia Tuono mirrors today. Too bad the oem mirrors don't mount and adjust as easily as the Tuonos.

 

Had my new Wee 6 weeks and 190 miles. I've done a trunk and mount for it, center stand, 20 watt LED fork lights, mount for Garmin GPS, home made throttle lock a road gremlin bell was hung yesterday. Time to start riding it now.

 

HippoHands Alcan! Happy as a clam with my summer gloves. 40 degree weather at 60mph. Too bad my levers were ice cubes. Need to get the heated grips installed now!

 

Sounds like you need heated levers, too!

 

I took the preload on my forks down a notch.

 

Installed the Ape racing 2" bar risers yesterday. APE RACING Pivoting Handlebar Clamp Risers 2" Raise Black For 7/8" or 1 1/8" Handlebars Mount To 7/8" Stem Clamp
I had to delete the cable guide ring on the right side of the upper triple tree and reconfigure the brake line holder on the bottom triple tree. Brake line and throttle cables are a little snug at full left lock but not too bad overall. Went for a spin around the block after install, nice comfortable change. Test ride today.

 

Installed the Ape racing 2" bar risers yesterday. APE RACING Pivoting Handlebar Clamp Risers 2" Raise Black For 7/8" or 1 1/8" Handlebars Mount To 7/8" Stem Clamp
I had to delete the cable guide ring on the right side of the upper triple tree and reconfigure the brake line holder on the bottom triple tree. Brake line and throttle cables are a little snug at full left lock but not too bad overall. Went for a spin around the block after install, nice comfortable change. Test ride today.

Did a 75 mile spin through the forest with all but 5 miles paved. Wow what a difference 2" makes. So much more relaxed with all my weight off my shoulders. Love the difference. Best $43 I ever blew. Waiting on shipment of a trunk case luggage rack and I'm done with my upgrades for now

 

Took the rear wheel off the other day. Checking out the wheel bearings. Had some slop in them, but....

Greased them up and it's gone.. I have the AB bearing kit. May just put it back together.

And if you want the best grease ever, get the Mobil EM grease. Blue color. BEST!

 

I haven't actually picked my VStrom up from the previous owner yet but I've given facebook marketplace a workout.
i picked up these Givi Monokey panniers (e35's?) and a top box (Maxia, unsure of size) for the grand total of $30.
I've cleaned them up and they look a little better than in the photos but they'll probably end up getting painted. Everything works, nothing is broken, bargain!

I also picked up a Ventura pack rack that had been modified to bolt onto a luggage rack, the seller told me the holes will line up with a VStrom luggage rack as that is what it came off, another lucky score.

This will give me a way to use my collection of Ventura bags, I've amassed a few over the years. Great product.

 

Lucky you! I wish I could find $30 panniers, would buy them without a second thought

 

A busy afternoon today.
Some bar end mirrors arrived so they went on.
I like the vision they give and they smooth the airflow of the bike as well.

The new locks for my Givi panniers arrived as well so all 3 locks got replaced.
Paint is yet to come as well as a mounting plate for the top box so it is just resting there for the photo to get a sense of how it will fit.

I also replaced the front indicators, the right one broke off as I was washing the bike. Looks like a strong breeze could have done the same so some generic indicators got the nod.
I like the look a lot better and I'm less likely to damage them.

Overall I'm very happy with the bike- great to ride and will make a fantastic touring mount.

 

Put the bike away for the winter. After a nice little ride I changed the oil & filter, filled the tank and added fuel stabilizer. Gave the chain a heavy dose of lube to prevent rust. I removed the seat and brought it inside, the cold has a tendency to dry and crack the cover, but more importantly, it discourages mice from nesting under the seat. I always inspect the air filter in the spring to see if mice have moved into the air box. I usually bring the battery inside, but I'm going to try keeping it on battery tender and keep it installed in the bike.

 

This spring when I replaced the air filter in the V-Strom (and the Wing) I put screens on the air intakes. No more mice visitations in there at least.
I've never had the cold affect the seat materials as long as it's not sat on when cold. Gets down to -30°F on occasion here.

 

This putting away the bike for winter thing is so alien to me. We're lucky that we have mild winters here in southern Australia. But then, I guess the same is for folks in the southern US states too?

 

Not today but over the weekend I installed the Cosmo ram ball mount and skid plate. I found the ram mounts everywhere but I liked that this one used 4 mounting holes instead of 2; seems very stable. The skid plate was a MASSIVE pain to install. Several hours of fidgeting with every extension, wobble extension, universal joint combo I could come up with. But I like it!

 

Pictures?
The Cosmo skidplate for the 1000 must be quite different from the 650 version. I found mine to be an easy install.

 

Got an SW Motech plate on mine, and yeah, it has to come off to do the oil, but its a peice of piss..... There is a hole you can but a socket up through to access the drain plug, but
the hole is that small it would be easier to drain the oil into the bashplate and let it dribble out somewhere... it is gonna splash a lot.
And on top of that, the filter drains a lot out too, and that would go all over the plate....

 

Got an SW Motech plate on mine, and yeah, it has to come off to do the oil, but its a peice of piss..... There is a hole you can but a socket up through to access the drain plug, but
the hole is that small it would be easier to drain the oil into the bashplate and let it dribble out somewhere... it is gonna splash a lot.
And on top of that, the filter drains a lot out too, and that would go all over the plate....

I agree easier to remove the plate than it is to clean up the mess.

 

I finished restoring one of my Givi E36 panniers today.
2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint and it came up ok.

A colour change feom grey to black worked out better than expected, as well as the pin striping change from red to blue.

Before:

After:

Still waiting on badges from Japan, 1 pannier and 1 top box to go.

 

The finishing touch arrived today- new Givi emblems from Webike Japan.