Changes to Red

[MrKiwi]

Now that I've put a few thousand kilometers on my 1998 Honda XL600V, which I have named Red, it is time to make a few adjustments.

First to be fixed is the seat.  I found the old stock seat not much to my liking, so it is being raised by 2 cm. I unfortunately dislocated my tail bone (last two joints of the coccyx) last year which makes some seats uncomfortable if I am too upright or leaning back just slightly.  Hence the seat has to be fixed. Bernard is a handy man to know and Veendam is a cool town as it has an amazing amount of businesses operating there for its size.  A local upholsterer is redoing the seat and will build in a 'soft' spot for the problematic part of my anatomy.

Next will be the suspension.  Bernard has a bit of experience here, as he owned several Transalps in the past and for taller fellas like us the suspension is not quite robust enough. In my case tall is not the only factor 

New rear spring and progressive springs up front with slightly heavier oil.  Should work a treat.

These upgrades follow fitting of crash bars and hand guards.  I have to say the big white hand guards worked a treat. Riding in the cold that was Winterberg this year my hands never got too cold.  They offer a very good level of wind protection. On the other hand (see what I did there  ) the level of bug kill is also high  

I will be coming to VCIM19 next year, not sure if I will ride Red or hire a bike, but either way Red will be ready...

[Jyrays]

Dont hide it, not just tall

Well, I hope modifications will work for you and I hope you ride RED to Scandinavia!

[Two Plugs]

David: You are going to love Red even more after this grand overhaull! I did the same with my '97 Red, incl K&N airfilter and Dynojet settings on the carbs.

The Transalp 600 really is a sturdy little bike! 😉

[MrKiwi]

The seat change has been completed.


Before the change



The seat



New seat on the bike (in a garage in the Netherlands  )

[zebulon]

seems higher then the OEM one 

[Two Plugs]

seems higher then the OEM one 

Only Slightly. And Mr. Admin, NO abbreviations, remember? 

[MrKiwi]

ummmm isn't Admin an abbreviation 


Hoping the front bit of the seat is 2-3 cm higher than the original one ...

[zebulon]

ummmm isn't Admin an abbreviation 

         Thx David ! 

[Two Plugs]

ummmm isn't Admin an abbreviation 


Hoping the front bit of the seat is 2-3 cm higher than the original one ...

Smart, Mr. Kiwi... Isn't 'Mr' an abbrevation? 

[MrKiwi]

ummm, back on topic  , Two Plugs advises he has picked up Red post the work on the suspension, filter and carbs. We've also raised the handle bars.

For those keen of sight you might see the external adjustable PA for the new Wilbers 640 suspension (rebound and pre-load adjustable) on the side of the bike. Two Plugs will be taking it for a long test ride this weekend.

[zebulon]

Ready for Sweden   

[Two Plugs]

And Finland. And Russia... 

[MrKiwi]

Indeed...

[zebulon]

And Finland. And Russia... 

Interested in riding thru Russia too; not know now if we have enough time, and what will be our trip ; but nice if you share  informations 

[MrKiwi]

I'm sure once Bernard and I get to the point of knowing what it is we plan we will do so.