Please Enlighten Me

[john_aero]

I know about your mods fella, we've ridden together remember

My bike has a Schalber extended Rallye swingarm, longer WP rear shock, different rear dogbones, WP front forks and TT top and bottom yokes (retains the ignition barrel and the steering lock) and Excel rims laced on to BMW hubs with HD stainless spokes in 21" and 18" sizes.
I also have the TT rallye footpeg system.

Just need to get the sidestand modified so that it doesn't lean over at 50 degrees when parked up.

My point was about the forks issue that really is not an issue as you say yourself. Most failures have been American I think, maybe it's retaliation for the war

i want one of thoes swingarms. i have never ridden you what you on about, or was it that night after too many asftershocks no no that was a she not a he

as for the front forks yes they are not recorded as every 1 in 2 fail but i never leave anything to chance as i dotn have the best luck in the world. that and the mods look sexy

 

[Timolgra]

i want one of thoes swingarms.

Very easy to extend a 650 swingarm as it's steel box section

 

[john_aero]

Again, sorry to disagree, but the single sparks are perfectly good. mine has no surging and requires less parts to maintain it. The twin spark offers very little IMHO other than more potential issues.

Biggest issue with the 650GS or Dakar is the weight. They are suprisingly heavy and the sidestands are notoriously too short and cause the bike to lean over too much when parked. You can replace the bush which wears (this helps a little), but the design is poor and really it needs to be at a different angle or a little longer.

Oil pressure switches can often leak and the chains can stretch like a cheese string. Check the steering head bearings, wheel bearings and front wheel rim if it has been off roaded (they are soft). Oil is notoriously difficult to check (like every BM!!) so make sure you know the procedure and check that the person selling does!!.

Check the rear light too. They often break at the mountings which make them loose. There is a TT strengthening part which helps to prevent this.

Check the heated grips if they are fitted as these fail (like the 1150s). The starter motors can be a little lazy, but this isn't so much an issue, just make sure you stop and start it a few times as the relay can cause issues.

All these points are minor really and a collection of the most popular faults imho. They are thankfully rare though so if you miss a check, you would have to be fairly unlucky to suffer from any of them.

have to agree weight is the main problem,

speaking fo bearings must check me own too.

i have a dent in front wheel from last owner, can see it but when put it on a machine at work it has slight flat area. the tyre and brake disk run spot on so not worried.

all minor issues with the bikes and my observation with twin to single models are very minor differences and nothing major. both are great bikes and not matter what bike you get try both out first and see what you like.

but if you like the dakar or if you like the gs get get the gs. get what you want and have it. dont settle for something few quid cheaper and be looking at the bike you want instead.

 

[Flipfly]

i want one of thoes swingarms. i have never ridden you what you on about, or was it that night after too many asftershocks no no that was a she not a he

as for the front forks yes they are not recorded as every 1 in 2 fail but i never leave anything to chance as i dotn have the best luck in the world. that and the mods look sexy

That was aimed at RC mad

As for your 1 in 2 fail and they are not reported, I fear you may have been on the aftershocks!!! If 50% of the front forks failed I'm fairly sure that there would have been a worldwide scandal!

I changed the forks because the right deal came along and they work much better off road, but I still have a the original forks in the garage in perfect condition.

As an aside, if you are worried about the forks, don't get the Schalber swingarm, they stopped using them on the dakar bikes because they were failing and went back to the lengthened steel swingarm like Timolgras ex dakar bike.

Stop the scare tactics fella

 

[john_aero]

That was aimed at RC mad

As for your 1 in 2 fail and they are not reported, I fear you may have been on the aftershocks!!! If 50% of the front forks failed I'm fairly sure that there would have been a worldwide scandal!

I changed the forks because the right deal came along and they work much better off road, but I still have a the original forks in the garage in perfect condition.

As an aside, if you are worried about the forks, don't get the Schalber swingarm, they stopped using them on the dakar bikes because they were failing and went back to the lengthened steel swingarm like Timolgras ex dakar bike.

Stop the scare tactics fella

i had heard that somewhere aboutt he fswingarm, where were they failing.

do they lenghten the standard arm for the rally bike?

no what mean say was i would swop forks if it had been recorded that 50% failed but there is no number so no one can say it is or isnt an issue.

sure rear touratech website, woman travelling the world on 03 dakar and no issues yet.

i was agreeying with you post but i made an arse of it hahahah

 

[Timolgra]

do they lenghten the standard arm for the rally bike?

No.
The main reason for lengthening it by an inch is to give more chain adjustment when fitting an 18" rear wheel.

I've not found this to be an issue, with a brand new knobbly fitted to an 18" wheel just make sure you cut the new chain to the right length with the wheel pushed forward...taking into account any gearing changes you may wish to make

 

[john_aero]

No.
The main reason for lengthening it by an inch is to give more chain adjustment when fitting an 18" rear wheel.

I've not found this to be an issue, with a brand new knobbly fitted to an 18" wheel just make sure you cut the new chain to the right length with the wheel pushed forward...taking into account any gearing changes you may wish to make

i take it the wheel is fully back on the adjuster though? heard few lads on advrider having the knobles taken off with the 18inch wheel if have it too far forward

 

[Flipfly]

Sorry Tim/John, I'm out of my depth now as I don't have any issues

 

[Timolgra]

i take it the wheel is fully back on the adjuster though? heard few lads on advrider having the knobles taken off with the 18inch wheel if have it too far forward

No, just leave a gap at the front (then it's not too far forward)...between the tyre and swing arm.

I'm going to refurbish my Rallye bike soon and will look at any advantages to be gained by lengthening mine.

 

[john_aero]

Sorry Tim/John, I'm out of my depth now as I don't have any issues

well i think took you up arse ways last message too many drinks

 

[john_aero]

No, just leave a gap at the front (then it's not too far forward)...between the tyre and swing arm.

I'm going to refurbish my Rallye bike soon and will look at any advantages to be gained by lengthening mine.

send if over here iw ill gladly take it apart, would love work on a rallye bike looks hit hot.

seen a lad lenghtene one but not sure if weight gain is worth it with spacers and welding.

well i am looking getting an 18inch rear wheel just money is tight, would like get set excel rims all round. anyone know good wheel shot that could lace them up if i got the rims and spokes

 

[Flipfly]

well i think took you up arse ways last message too many drinks

I have no idea what that means but you are probably correct

Here's a pic for ya whilst building and when finished.

Only thing I had to do was get Vern to weld me some lugs for the chain guard, he does nice work!

ps The supertrapp Titanium exhaust is for sale (too noisy for me!!), but I think it will only fit the single spark bikes.

 

[Timolgra]

send if over here iw ill gladly take it apart, would love work on a rallye bike looks hit hot.

seen a lad lenghtene one but not sure if weight gain is worth it with spacers and welding.

well i am looking getting an 18inch rear wheel just money is tight, would like get set excel rims all round. anyone know good wheel shot that could lace them up if i got the rims and spokes

Erm...think I'll do it myself

Probably going to have fresh paint in RED etc.

I just happen to have a spare Excel 18" rear wheel

 

[john_aero]

I have no idea what that means but you are probably correct

Here's a pic for ya whilst building and when finished.

Only thing I had to do was get Vern to weld me some lugs for the chain guard, he does nice work!

ps The supertrapp Titanium exhaust is for sale (too noisy for me!!), but I think it will only fit the single spark bikes.

that exhaust sits much further back than mine, just got a staintune pipe but sits bit forward, loud as hell too.

bike looks very good, must get few photos of own bike up as well

 

[john_aero]

Erm...think I'll do it myself

Probably going to have fresh paint in RED etc.

I just happen to have a spare Excel 18" rear wheel

what sort cash you looking though? prob way out of my budget. would be ideal as could fit a yamaha front excel rim and have good set.

hows about a slad of stout and bottle whiskey

 

[Flipfly]

I just happen to have a spare Excel 18" rear wheel

And there was me thinking you were only good at teasing the ladies Tim

Mmmmmm red, it'd look good in a malboro stylee piant job

 

[john_aero]

Mmmmmm red, it'd look good in a malboro stylee piant job

or repsol colours, but marlboro would suit the shape of the bike

 

[Timolgra]

what sort cash you looking though? prob way out of my budget. would be ideal as could fit a yamaha front excel rim and have good set.

hows about a slad of stout and bottle whiskey

And there was me thinking you were only good at teasing the ladies Tim

Mmmmmm red, it'd look good in a malboro stylee piant job

Yep, I didn't say it was for sale

Hard to say what the paint job will be just yet, I'm going to get the suspension sorted as well so it's back up to full height but a bit softer

 

[john_aero]

back up to full height but a bit softer

not too foten you hear am man asking for this

 

[rc mad]

I know about your mods fella, we've ridden together remember

My bike has a Schalber extended Rallye swingarm, longer WP rear shock, different rear dogbones, WP front forks and TT top and bottom yokes (retains the ignition barrel and the steering lock) and Excel rims laced on to BMW hubs with HD stainless spokes in 21" and 18" sizes.
I also have the TT rallye footpeg system.

Just need to get the sidestand modified so that it doesn't lean over at 50 degrees when parked up.

My point was about the forks issue that really is not an issue as you say yourself. Most failures have been American I think, maybe it's retaliation for the war

Aye i do remember, now

Since that ride i've made up a set of dogbones for the rear of the bike, got the forks revalved and resprung to suit the dakar and beefed up the igntion mount, it's actually stong enough to remain still if someone moves the handlebars with the steering lock on now, before it wasn't

Bike is so much better that it was then, easily able to go a good few mph faster on some of the roughest roads around here, hence the taco'd rims. Where'd you get the excels laced up, spokes are easy, if needed i can get a complete set custom made, it's finding rims that's proving tricky, at least for me.


As for the sidestand, i have one of those wunderlich foot thingys fitted, it's about 25mm thick so it helps keep the bike a bit more upright. I also put a 0.5mm thick shim in the sidestand to take out some of the play in the sidestand assembly, which also helps. Only time will tell if its a good long term solution. A better solution would be a cut and shut job on the stand itself (weld in a new section of steel to extend the sidestand length) Or cut off and remount the lug on the frame, someone over on adv did that, took a thin grinding disc to the top weld and ground it down enough to bend the lug down then reweld in posistion.

What really hepled tho was adding an inch of heigh to the front and back, goes up on the centrestand really easily now, both wheels touch the ground tho so maybe theres a bit of an issue there