Let the V-strom mods begin...
 

Ok, not a ton of modding going on, but did get some parts in today. Finally. The pic is of everything still packaged up as I'll unpack it when I'm installing it. First thing to go on will be the case as it will help greatly with my field calls. The case also has a backrest for passengers, and will be wired into the bike as it has brake lights and an alarm system on it.

Also got a throttle lock "cruise control," GPS mount, cigarette lighter mount (still need to buy the cig lighter socket and wiring), and a power distribution panel so I won't have to have a bunch of wire terminals on the battery.

http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs279...._7844969_n.jpg

what throttle lock cruise did you go with? and where abouts did you get it?

that's a tiny pic of stuff :lol:

But I spy the lovely white and blue box from SW Motech :)

You are off to a great start! Let the modding begin!

Kaoko for the Strom with Suzuki handguards. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade...view/4764/203/

Bought most of my stuff from twisted throttle

I wanted to use one from throttlemeister.com but theirs doesn't work with the handguards, so I had to go this route.

cameraphone pic. But you are correct. The strom came with an SW Motech crash bar already installed and I'll probably be buying a lot of their stuff. :)

But having a helluva time. Made the mistake of trying to install the case with my 4 year old here. She normally helps me, but was no help at all tonight. In fact, she was the complete opposite of help. And the instructions for the case are the worst instructions EVER!!! There actually aren't any instructions for mounting the adapter plate to the bike, but twistedthrottle.com has instructions online. Severe pain in the ass to mount and once mounted, you can't get to the bolts to remove the factory mount without taking the adapter plate off, which is again, a severe pain in the ass.

How do I know this? Because when drilling a hole through plastic for the wire to go through, I drilled through a wire to either the brake light or turn signal. Not sure because I didn't check. Just took everything off and inspected it closely, but will have to go get soldering iron tomorrow. Not drilled all the way through, but it's cut nicely and too damn close to a connector to splice. I tried to drill slowly, but my hand slipped and the drill punched through at the wrong time.

I normally don't fuck shit up like that, but today just wasn't my day.

Got the case mounted, back rest on it, and it's all wired up now. Has running lights and brake lights. Would have been nice if they would have wired it for turn signals too, but I do like having the extra brake and running lights, at least.

Got the throttle lock on, but haven't tested it while riding. It works to hold the throttle in place, but we'll see how well it works on the highway when I go for a ride tomorrow.

Cool!

Got pics?

Don't mind the mess in the garage. :lol:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4683674_n.jpg

Next is with the running lights

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6171763_n.jpg

Had to stretch my foot to the brake pedal and reach my arm back to snap this pic with brake lights on. The glare from the bike brake light and from the overhead light kind of overpowers the pic so you can't really tell the brake lights are on in the case. Plus, I'm at an angle due to stretching out, rather than being straight on like I was in the other pic.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs584...._7301661_n.jpg

Looks great!

And my garage looks like a war zone so no worries :lol:

throttle lock cruise control is on

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._4123219_n.jpg

GPS mount is on, now I need to get a GPS!! :lol:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1786688_n.jpg

looks good, Avery

Francois told me you got you a jacket and some other stuff as well

Looks good. I'm sure I'll see it all in ohio. Correct? U still meeting me for the ride to trips?

Did he also tell you that I asked his advice, then didn't take it? :lol: He was suggesting a mesh jacket with rain gear to put over it, but I'm just not a fan of mesh. Of course, the more I thought about things after we hung up the phone, I realized I didn't really give him a true picture of how and when I'd be riding. I had told him I might ride in very little rain and probably warmer weather, but I've decided I'm riding regardless of weather (probably down to the 40's and 50's and rain or shine). I really like my choice of jacket, just wish it was easier to get to the armpit zippers to open them up.

Most likely. Depends what day you'll be there. I planned on calling you this weekend, but see that you typed that message at 4am. Will wait till later in the afternoon to give you a call, or you can call me if you're up and see this message. I'm normally in bed by 10:30, so don't call after that.

Call me this weekend Avery. Got my number right?

Sure do. Have my daughter's bday party Sunday, so I'll try to call Saturday. Anytime better than another?

Not too early but anytime... I'm not sure what I got going on.

Sounds good, Chris. I'm sure I'll go riding somewhere, but will make sure to call and set up plans.

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Here is another "mod," although it's not directly modding the Strom. I make field calls on the bike and need to take my laptop and case files. Now I don't have to worry about the laptop sliding around. This was very cheap to do, as I simply used left over floor mat that I had put down in the basement. Had to get the bottom of the "trunk" flat, then added another piece to keep the laptop from sliding around. Will probably make one more section around the upper portion of the laptop, with cutouts for power cord and wireless aircard, but too damn tired tonight. I should get close to 250 miles in tomorrow on field calls, possibly closer to 300. Nothing like getting to ride the bike for work and getting paid 47 cents per mile to do it. :D

My "fat bottomed girl"

Left side is larger than the right, but they both stick out 20" from center, for total 40" width. That's 6" wider than handlebar width, adding only 3" to each side. I'm thinking I should have gone with silver on the bags and the top of the case, simply to try and reflect some heat. Oh well, there is always paint if I feel I need it.

Looking good!

I almost walked out with the same bike today (again :lol:)
It was almost the most expensive fork oil I've ever bought. Price went up before I could (finally) pull the trigger. Oh well.

damn avery, you really are farkling that girl out quick. looks nice, too bad we are going to have those street bikes with us or we would DS it to copperhead.

Good job, I like!

Good job Capt... will see it soon!

Yeh looks pretty good. The Vstrom is on my current list of future bikes.


That space under the left bag almost looks perfect for a tool tube.

http://www.twowheelfix.com/attachmen...1&d=1274815322

Thanks all! The cases have 4 mounting positions, forward or back and up or down. Right now, I have them at the low, back postion. May decide to raise them up if I think I'll need the ground clearance, but also need to consider center of gravity

It is. twistedthrottle.com has one, but I've spent enough money for now. Other option is a bottle tube, along with either a water bottle or fuel bottle.

Cooler mod. :lol

That's awesome :lmao:

(waiting for Josh to post HIS cooler mod on his old Vee :lmao:)

Dude I have to ride with this shit? WTH!!! :lol:

Nah, I won't be bringing the cooler. Don't really see a need for it on this trip. I bought it mainly for motorcycle camping trips that I'll be doing in the future. They didn't have any of that style cooler here in town and I had to ride 60 miles to get one. There was a state park 15 more miles down the road, so the g/f and I decided to go down there for some scenery and to make reservations for a cabin in October.