Beefing up GS rear subframes

fritz · Dec 7, 2004

The old g/s rear sub frame needed strengthening for significant travel with pillion and weight (overlanding I'm talking), so goes the advice.
I think the GS has the strengthening 'web' added - any comments ?
If this is the case there is no reason to strengthen the sub frame on our '89 R100GS for travel.
Will soon be sussing the bike for a few months of travel, looking at options - first thing the strength of the sub-frame.
First hand and knowledgable comments please - Ta

CrazyIvan · Dec 7, 2004

This is the HPN way of strengthening the sub-frame, just one extra tube.

Material to use is also important ( Steel ST52 ) , the same as the original frame.

sorebums · Dec 7, 2004

Fritz

Howdy again.

We went with the standard paralever setup - no extra strengthening on the subframe. got the bike up to about 480kg all up weight and no problem. You know where we rode and that your wife is SMALLER than mine!!

You could add another strut as per the HPN mod, but it would have to kink around the shocker.

The failures I've seen or heard about with the subframe have been with monolevers and oil heads. They seemed to get it right with paralevers and the 1200.

Better obcess about something else.

Simon

laughingBob · Dec 8, 2004

Fritz,

Had mine braced by Ernie at 'Overland solutions' at the same time as having some other mod's done includng heavy duty pannier frames, for Touratech panniers, made and fitted. I've heard of other paralevers having had problems but, only actually seen one. I was suprised as the German guy, whose bike it was, had been travelling solo, although with a fair amount of gear.
Even more suprising was the fact that he'd had three new gear lever return springs during his three year trip.

There are some pictures of my bike including the sub-frame on www.overland-solutions.com

PS Are you the same Fritz I sold a tank for a GS a couple of years ago? We had a mutual friend with a Harris Magnum?

Bob.

fritz · Dec 8, 2004

Simon, Cheers for that, my thoughts too

......and that your wife is SMALLER than mine!!

:hapybnce:

Only by a gnats whisker

(Would Gerogie be interested in Johnny Boxers trials bike ride ? See post somewhere - Bev is tempted....nice low seats !)

Better obcess about something else.

Think I need to start getting obsessive, talking of May next year, and 0% planning of any kind to date !

Laughing Bob - yuppp, tank still on bike too. Mac still can't recall you I'm afraid. Was thinking of Ernie's work, but now more Metal Mule and a simpler solution. Did you go off on the BM ?, seem to think I saw you'd flogged it ?

laughingBob · Dec 8, 2004

Hi Fritz,

Yep, sold the house, car, bikes, wife packed in her job and I took a four year career break. Spent a small fortune getting the GS ready and set off in April last year. Unfortunately my dad had a stroke in September and we had to return home. As it turned out it wasn't a bad stroke but, at 87 years old, we decided we'd have to stay home. Infact, Mack might remember my dad, Jim Feast, he used to work in 'light mech aids' little fat bloke with glasses.

Sold the R100GS to Julio, Ernies mate. Ernie does a fantastic job but, I'm not sure I'd spend so much so much on a bike or on prep'ing it for overlanding again. Obviously it needs to be in good mechanical condition but, I'd probably buy a much cheaper bike and not make too many mod's to it. I'd still pick an airhead GS though, or an AfricaTwin.

I bought a 1200GS in September. Glad to hear the tanks giving good service.

Good luck with all your plans, when are you heading off?

Bob.

sorebums · Dec 8, 2004

Fritz

Naa, I've got a photo to prove mine's bigger.

So what's the plan for the trip? Give us a clue!

Thanks for the steer on the bike for Georgie; she's not interested, especially as I've just inherited a couple of XT600 Teneres.

Don't worry about the lack of planning. We only started applying for visas in Jan 2002 and set-off in April 2002 - visas generally have a shelf-life of 3 months, so you'll need to start applying in Feb.

Gives you a clear month or so to plan.

Simon

fritz · Dec 9, 2004

Bob - it's Xmas card time so I'll ask Mack re : your father. Sorry your plans had to change, sure there'll be other times. My thoughts re : Ernie, top guy, but for 6 months on an easier route probably money overspent - we'll see !
Simon - it's all to do with helmet (pnarr etc) size.

See attached - need more proof

It was the off road riding on trials bike post I meant - sounds fun for all. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33066
Plans, ahem......overland to Nepal via some 'stans. In fact, that Palin fellah seems to have nicked the idea ! Supposed from May. Ahem.....blimey May's close isn't it

Some folks up here fancy another crack at the off road trip - fancy a re-run ?

laughingBob · Dec 9, 2004

Are you planning to do the KKH. My biggest regret is not being able to do it. Having said that, I will definately do it one day.

sorebums · Dec 9, 2004

Fritz

Thanks for the steer on the trials thing - I've put us down for it.

If you 2 fancy coming over after xmas and before new year we could go ride some trails Manchester way. Beds available at our place.

Simon

Spout · Dec 10, 2004

Simon, Fritz,
fancy a Peaks Trails on Boxing Day?
(if you don't mind an oilhead along

)

sorebums · Dec 10, 2004

Spout, Fritz

Can't do boxing day - how about 29th or 30th Dec?

Simon

fritz · Dec 13, 2004

Bob KKH - deffo + any of the 'pass roads' we can manage.
Simon, I'll check and get back, but think we're booked - deffo catch up in New Year. Spout - I'd love to - got the inlaws coming

sothat's a no I'm afraid

Duncan Richmond · Dec 13, 2004

Hi Fritz,

I have been working overseas for a few years now and the old GS has been with me. Spent 5 years in India and the bike took a right hammering on Himalayan "roads" and I never had any problem with the sub-frame, that was 2 up and a shed load of luggage. If you are heading to India,Pakistan,Nepal don't bother taking camping gear, there are no sites and if you camp wild you will be surrounded by a audiance of hundereds in no time ! Worth taking sleeping bags though, camping might be ok in the more remote areas but does have security implications. Post your camping gear back home from Turkey, cheap accomodation starts there! There are cheap guest houses in most places and you get offers of free accomodation all the time. I found not having camping gear with me saved a lot of weight and space. By the way Indian welders are brilliant and if you did find a problem it wouldn't be a problem getting it fixed. I had an exact replica of a silencer made for £15 ! and its still going. There is an old guy in Delhi who specialises in BMW gear box rebuilds, he has all the tools and knows his stuff, these guys can fix anything. On the Asian route you will have dealer back up as far as Turkey. I have heard that there are good mechanics and welders in Iran and from my limited experiance of Pakistan you shouldn't have any probelms for emergencey repairs. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your plans.

Cheers

Duncan

Beefing up GS rear subframes

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