Thanks, I've seen pics of your bike on AdvRider before.

Pannier frames now blasted, powdercoated (£25.00) & fitted to the buike along with the blue Clarke tank & matching panels from the other DRZ, fitted the fender brace at the same time.

Had an issue fitting the Tooltube mount due to a last minute decision to use the stock rear light & plastics rather than the Acerbis item that was fitted. This meant trimming the Tooltube tabs & the tailpiece itself. Not 100% happy with it but it works.

Will be looking at aftermarket gearlever, wider pegs & accessory charging options soon.

Will post pics soon.

Bike now blue to match the Clarke tank, swapped panels with the other DRZ. Fitted fender brace, lowered seat and lowering links, pannier frames back from being sandblasted and powdercoated. Also made protection plates for the clutch, generator & starter motor covers from 2.5mm aluminium plate.

http://possu.smugmug.com/Motorcycles...82_ma6RX-M.jpg

http://possu.smugmug.com/Motorcycles...50_RSGS6-M.jpg

http://possu.smugmug.com/Motorcycles...91_xoE3A-M.jpg

http://possu.smugmug.com/Motorcycles...19_djfF7-M.jpg

To do soon: fit rad guards, cut foam out of the original seat, modify Ortlieb panniers.

To do before start of trip: new tyres, chain, sprockets, new stainless countershaft spacer, oilseal & O'ring, check valve clearances, new pads front & rear, purchase Wolfman tank bag & tank panniers, fit aluminium plate to rear rack.

All pics here: DRZ PANNIER FRAMES - Steve's Photos

Looks Tough
 

As I said before Steve, great work. I think I will be using your ideas in the future. A quick question, the clutch, gen and starter protection plates. How have you mounted them ? on the cover mounts with longer bolts ? any chance of a photo or two here or on your site ?

starter protection
 

For the starter cover, I’m going to use the inside lid of a 3 inch mason jar. (lid cmes in two pieces) Fits perfectly, with only minor customizing for the three attachment bolts. Metal is already domed, and sits flush. Will attach it with silicone (similar to the clucths/atlerntor cover.)

This is worthwhile mod. My friend broke his starter cover dropping his bike on a rock. Doing this would have prevented it.

The protection plates are held on with a couple of circular beads of silicon sealant which also acts as a cushion in the event of a fall.

I'm thinking of making another for the oil filter housing but the outer surface is not flat, may experiment with a mallet & beat it in to shape?

Great!
 

Your DRZ is really looking road ready! Nice work! I think you've thought of all of it. Better load up the bike and put the GF on board, see how she does
riding the transformed beast.

Keep an eye on your silicone'd on case covers, as the siicone can dry out once super heated, it can give up. I used the high temp stuff and this still happened after a few thousand miles. I fell, shift lever hit my guard (AMP type) and it fell off! Luckily I noticed and grabbed it. Finally glued it with Epoxy. Don't do this, makes a mess ... but at least its staying in place!

Are you planning on riding North or ship home? Or leave bike in Chile or Argentina for a future go round?

Have fun :mchappy:

Thanks for the compliments. :mchappy:

She's shipping the bike to BA & then heading to northern Chile via southern Brazil, in to Peru to Macchu Pichu, back down the length of Chile & then back up to BA via Ruta 40. The bike will probably be shipped back but that's her decison to take when the time comes.

I've not had rthe siliconed on covers come off my 950 yet, so these should stay in place. I was going to make a plate for the oil filter cover but have decided to have a friend weld a driled & tapped block of ally to the inside of the bashplate. To that, I'll bolt a piece of ally plate to further protect the waterpump & oil filter cover.

I'm also thinking of fitting a bracket behind the number plate holder which will hold the rear pannier frame cross brace tube in place should the fastenings work loose, should prevent it falling on to rear wheel. My concern is that in an accident, the forces will be transferred to the number plate holder & possibly rip it off? Need to think about this one.

She shouldn't have a problem riding the DRZ loaded up as she also takes her R1150GS offroad as well as her other DRZ. She'll be riding the DRZ to Ripley fully loaded as a test ride.