Started the mods awhile ago and its been mostly fits and starts. Me throwing fits, and starts when parts show up and I have time to sneak out to the shop and wrench away.
Here's what was planed.
front suspension: Hyperpro Progressives from Sel motion
Rear suspension YSS 302-320 again from Sel motion
Bars, Clubmans from Old bike barn
14T front sprocket local dealer supplied
Touring Hugger from GT Rossi..
Gauge Lowering brackets ( currently unavailable )
1/4 fairing from Omars dirt track racing ( still on back order)
I had made the decision to go with the shorter length shock to close the unsightly gap in the rear and after much measuring and Gnashing of teeth and speaking with folks who can really do math It was determined that I would realistically lose very little cornering clearance as long as the bike was sprung properly for my weight. ( again, its a street bike, not a track day bike)
The trade off is being able to easily maneuver the bike in a parking lot and garage. Since riding a smaller Monster I can tell you that this is priceless! I love My K1200s...But it is a PIG>
Done again I might go with 10MM longer in length, I dunno yet. Time will tell
After spending hours trying Clubmans on, off, On, Flat bars, Low bars, and a set of R100RS Bars ( closest to perfection for a bar for me, but a bit narrow) I determined that The Clubmans would be a bit to low unless I wanted to lose steering lock clearance, and the angle for my wrists was just all wrong.
But They do look neat!
Then a though hit me, why not use a set a 900SS clip ons? They are simple, wont clutter up the looks of the bike and have a mild rise and the angle is as close to perfection as I have found. I acquired a well used set.
After cleaning them with a wire wheel I planned on Powdercoating them black but the pretty metal turned a neat shade of plum that I just really liked. So I shot it with clear and mounted them!
I mounted the controls and left the risers in place for now. The plan is "If" the fairing arrives to mount a short section of straight bar in the risers and use that as a point to locate a Ram mount for GPS and radar detector, ( I may ride this bike for a saddle sore in June) I had wished to be able to remove the risers when not in use and just plug the holes, leaving a cleaner look.
Now the consideration of a steering dampener has come into play and I am stuck. seems the Wasp Sport version fork clamp wont clear the Long Tank on the GT. And I don't want to leave the Risers in Place all the time... GRRR>>
I am open to any suggestions here!
Now the suspension mods. Settling on the progressive fork springs and 15wt oil I left and going with a 120mm fill I think a bit more air gap may be in order. I will say that with the mods so far and the bike feels so much more precise and planted. Before it was a wandering soul, sort of lost and not composed at all, the rear YSS shocks are wonderful and I am sure with a bit of adjusting i will have them dialed in within a week or two.
The front is just a bit stiff, But that may not be a bad thing, it just really showed how badly this bike NEEDS a steering Dampner. It is not at all composed, the little irregularities make me nervous in a way that my 900ss and monster do not.
All In all, I am happy so far, Doing the dampener, adding the fairing will be next, then paint work!
Here's what was planed.
front suspension: Hyperpro Progressives from Sel motion
Rear suspension YSS 302-320 again from Sel motion
Bars, Clubmans from Old bike barn
14T front sprocket local dealer supplied
Touring Hugger from GT Rossi..
Gauge Lowering brackets ( currently unavailable )
1/4 fairing from Omars dirt track racing ( still on back order)
I had made the decision to go with the shorter length shock to close the unsightly gap in the rear and after much measuring and Gnashing of teeth and speaking with folks who can really do math It was determined that I would realistically lose very little cornering clearance as long as the bike was sprung properly for my weight. ( again, its a street bike, not a track day bike)
The trade off is being able to easily maneuver the bike in a parking lot and garage. Since riding a smaller Monster I can tell you that this is priceless! I love My K1200s...But it is a PIG>
Done again I might go with 10MM longer in length, I dunno yet. Time will tell
After spending hours trying Clubmans on, off, On, Flat bars, Low bars, and a set of R100RS Bars ( closest to perfection for a bar for me, but a bit narrow) I determined that The Clubmans would be a bit to low unless I wanted to lose steering lock clearance, and the angle for my wrists was just all wrong.
But They do look neat!
Then a though hit me, why not use a set a 900SS clip ons? They are simple, wont clutter up the looks of the bike and have a mild rise and the angle is as close to perfection as I have found. I acquired a well used set.
After cleaning them with a wire wheel I planned on Powdercoating them black but the pretty metal turned a neat shade of plum that I just really liked. So I shot it with clear and mounted them!
I mounted the controls and left the risers in place for now. The plan is "If" the fairing arrives to mount a short section of straight bar in the risers and use that as a point to locate a Ram mount for GPS and radar detector, ( I may ride this bike for a saddle sore in June) I had wished to be able to remove the risers when not in use and just plug the holes, leaving a cleaner look.
Now the consideration of a steering dampener has come into play and I am stuck. seems the Wasp Sport version fork clamp wont clear the Long Tank on the GT. And I don't want to leave the Risers in Place all the time... GRRR>>
I am open to any suggestions here!
Now the suspension mods. Settling on the progressive fork springs and 15wt oil I left and going with a 120mm fill I think a bit more air gap may be in order. I will say that with the mods so far and the bike feels so much more precise and planted. Before it was a wandering soul, sort of lost and not composed at all, the rear YSS shocks are wonderful and I am sure with a bit of adjusting i will have them dialed in within a week or two.
The front is just a bit stiff, But that may not be a bad thing, it just really showed how badly this bike NEEDS a steering Dampner. It is not at all composed, the little irregularities make me nervous in a way that my 900ss and monster do not.
All In all, I am happy so far, Doing the dampener, adding the fairing will be next, then paint work!