I've had the old A2 for a long time now and been through various stages with her - varying from putting her back to bone original thru to street sleeper and even to selling. Close shave!!
Recently, I decided to take the plunge and go for what I've been wanting to do for ages: get some wide rubber & stick a pair of clipons on.
I'd really appreciate some advice on a few things I can't work out.
Here’s a photo of how she looked before: ace bars, 18" rims & tyre width restricted by original(braced) swingarm. Enginewise, basically, a 1045 gas flow, valves with Cam Motion cams & 29mm smoothbores & Vance & Hines.
These are the photos taken today which is pretty much in the ball park of where I want to be -Trying the keep it classic/old skool, non-bling and relatively understated with a splash of tail-up attitude.
Components are JMC swingarm and ZZR1100 forks/yokes(thanks Phil/KWACKERZ1). 17" rims on original Thou hubs - 180 rear 130front tyres.
Kept the brakes as I love the look of the floating Brembos & gold calipers.
The Konis are being replaced by some Ohlins piggybacks – hopefully the gold should work nicely with the other gold touches but think I’ll probably relocate the top mount to lay them down a bit.
I’m keeping the original clocks as I think they’re part of the original DNA but dropping them down so they don’t stick up too far above the top yoke.
Original light will be much lower with PMC mounts.
There are a few issues that I need to sort out and hopefully can draw on your huge collective knowledge:
1 - I can't find a suitable front mudguard. Was thinking chrome but can't find a good 17" solution. Can't find any solution in fact!! Heeeelp!!
2 - Pillion footrests: I need to take 'er indoors on the back from time to time so need them, but the standard mounts are starting to look wrong.
Is there a detachable kit that I can fit?
3 - Ground clearance. Probably the biggest issue.
Even with 18" rims the V&H pipes would grind out on right handers so need to get that sorted out now its running 17â€s.
Compounding that may be the forks – they’re shorter than standard but I like the way they give that ‘nose-down’ look. I may need to make some fork extensions.
I’m thinking of putting a black Marving Race 4-1 on which I think should give more clearance as the collector is flat under the engine + I like that old skool look.
Can anyone tell me the standard engine casing height from the ground for a Thou so I can get a clue on what to aim for? Been a long time since it had standard rims on it so afraid I can’t remember......
The clip-ons are above the top yoke at the moment which I’m not sure about, but may end up making some more top yokes to put the bars below.
Sorry if much of the above is ‘thinking-out-loud’ but any opinions/advice will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Hilton.
