Several years ago I started a project bike because I had no hope of ever getting back to my Rabbit. Life changed and I am working on my Rabbit. I have no expectation of getting to this bike anytime before I check out due to old age, so hopefully I have some goodies that other people are interested in. I can part everything out on eBay, but I have some wacky custom bits that somebody here may want. I won't sell anything off until I find out if there are any homes for the custom bits, as that home will have first crack at the remainder.
First, a little history:
It turns out that not growing up un dirt bikes, but spending a lot of miles in poor weather with luggage at night in the middle of nowhere has made me ride like a sissy in the dirt. I wanted a kick back, but on the seat, jeep trail bike to take me to camping destinations. The TW200 is loved by many for that role. The TW200 has many shortcomings, however. The engine, while loved, is remarkably unreliable without constant attention (1000 mile valve adjustment interval, 10,000 miles is about time for a rebuild, etc.). The fact that the motor does not make a lot of power is useful because the forks are floppy and the brakes are wimpy.
I sought to remedy these woes with the following:
I bought a TW200 that had a toated motor in a box.
I bought a 2007 WR250X motor (4-stroke supermotard bike) with something like 6 miles on it. I have the entire wiring harness, computer, instruments, controls, fuel pump, exhaust, etc. I do not have a tank, but I was planning on doing my own thing for the tank. For anyone interested, the motor is fuel injected (little tiny carbed motors suck in the mountains when you want to ride down to sea level and back). with over 50% more power than the TW200 motor.
To improve suspension, I went a little more unconventional. I have a Yamaha touring bike triple clamp on a modified TW200 steering head, using bushings to neck from 43mm to 41mm to use BMW F650 forks. This gives a little more travel, stiffer forks, and provisions for a real front brake, all while having wide enough for spacing to stay with TW200 front wheels and wider. This steering arrangement is the custom bit that is not worth putting on eBay.
For wheels, I like tubeless so I have accumulated a new set of Gas Gas wheels and a used set of Beta wheels (trials bikes). Since the TW200 uses standard rear size tires in the front, I was going to use the trials wheels to turn into tubelss, spoked, front wheels. I had long term plans on twhat to do for the rear, after upgrading from stock, but I did not purchase parts for that.
I cut the frame and made an extension (DOHC needs more room than the TW200 motor), though I have not welded it up yet. The WR250 motor has its sub frame, so a couple of brackets will finish attaching the subrame to the TW200 frame.
I was first going to get the bike running with a skinny rear, and then I was working on a jackshaft. I hate jackshafts, but they have advantages and that would help keep the project moving forward. I would be happy to help out a future owner with figuring things out.
I am hoping that I can turn this project into some more goodies for my Rabbit, but who knows what will happen. Everything is in northern Utah, but it is all in small enough chunks for easy moving/shipping, it it had to go somewhere in a crate.
Hey, what about the TW200 forum? Yeah, I kinda stopped going there some years back. I like the people here better, and the combination of half a dozen different makes/models in a single vehicle is a little more GRM style.
I have some photos from before I finished the steering. The steering stem and triple clamps is currently complete.
Linky to beginning of build thread
If anybody thinks this could be a cool thing to take over, please let me know. If not, I will eBay parts separately (or sell here separately if anybody needs any of the parts). I am happy to take photos if anyone has interest in the bike and/or parts.
Thanks,
Matthew
