Extreme Farkling - Road Test!

[Beemerphile]

Today we put it on the road. I wanted to give a preliminary update on how the various farkles are acquitting themselves...

First a few pics. The Öhlins vs. the stock shock. Mmmm! The installation instructions did not work. They said to remove the bottom shock bolt and the connecting link bolt and then the top bolt. On installing the new shock, the bolt would not line up with the upper hole. I had to remove the entire triangle linkage in order to get the upper bolt in. Not a big deal, but some head-scratching to determine what was wrong. I measured the static and race sag. As supplied, the front is firmer than the rear. I haven't done the math yet to see whether I need to decrease the front preload or increase the rear.



Some walk-around pics of the finished product...

 

[wickerman]

Wow looks great !!!

 

[gkgeiger]

Looks great, now let's see how everything works. I'm sure it'll be just what you want.

 

[Beemerphile]

Here is what I can tell so far after a short ride both before and after dark:

1) The RaceTech /Öhlins suspension is night and day vs. the original suspension. There is a bridge that I cross often that is about an inch higher than the road, so there is a square edged step change in the pavement when you get to the bridge. With the stock suspension it physically hurt in the lower back to hit the bridge at road speed. My TMax had the same result. My BMW with Wilber's suspension acted like it wasn't there. Post modification, the NC is almost BMW-like now when crossing the step. There is a little more feel, most likely because of the lighter weight of the NC, but it is quite comfortable. I took a couple of dirt/gravel roads and it was extremely plush. Amazingly, it is a firmer suspension than stock, yet much more supple and plush than before. Best of both worlds. I consider this a must-do modification. Ranking them, I think the front is the most important.

2) CVS Voltage Monitor: It does what it is supposed to do, but I don't think I am going to like the fact that the "normal" condition is a slow blinking green light. It reminds me of an un-cancelled turn signal. I'll have to see if I can live with it. Worst case, I will move the indicator to a less prominent position. The jury is still out on this farkle.

3) Honda OEM heated grips with Grip Puppies: Divine.

4) Renthal Bars / Rox Risers: I need to set the angles on these. I could not evaluate them very well because I did not have them set up like I want them. First impression is that they will be fine. I like the little bit of shock absorption that you get from an aluminum non-crossbraced bar.

5) Cycra ProBend Handguards: These are very nice. I like the wind break that they provide. They are very sturdy and should be crashworthy.

6) Kanaya Short Control Levers: I got these so that I would not have to either in-board the lever clamps or put spacers on the ends of the ProBends. For that, they worked great. Good adjustability and bend. However, the short lever does not quite fit my big hands. It works fine, but I can feel the end of the lever (the ball) when operating them. If I had room, I would have rather had full length levers. The Renthal bars were limited in control area - which is the straight area at the end of the bars for controls to be placed. It would have not been possible to in-board the lever clamps, so I think the short levers are a good compromise and I am satisfied with the choice.

7) Homemade Wind Deflectors: I rode tonight in street trousers rather than riding pants (flame away) in order to test the wind deflectors. There was very little flapping of the fabric from the wind. I think they are doing an excellent job of keeping wind off of the lower legs. I am going to replace the fasteners on them as part of my "punchlist". Right now they are mixed stainless/zinc and SAE/Metric. They will be all stainless metric. I also may flame polish the inside edge (against the radiators) and put 10 amber LED's per side pointing in at the side of the acrylic sheet. This will create an "edge lighting" effect. I tested it and it was pretty cool. I'd have to machine a bulb-holder for the LED's on each side.

8) Dual Fiamm horns: Yes! Very adequate warning. I am quite satisfied with them.

9) HID Headlight: Mother of Daylight, Batman! Wow. Just wow. Excellent low-beam cut-off. I won't be making anyone mad with these. But once the high beam is on, it is daylight down the road. It lights up a stop sign so far in the distance that it just looks like a small red lighted circle. Side of the road lighting on high beam is excellent for spotting woodlands fur-bearing forest creatures (also known as "furry torpedoes"). This was a challenging modification, however it was not expensive. I believe it was well worth the work.

10) Rigid Industries Dually LED Spot Lights: I am very pleased with these, especially when used with the IQ-170 controller. I have a control switch which cycles them between 20 % and 50% brilliance. When the high beam is triggered, the Duallys go to 100% brilliance. However, with the HID headlight being what it is, I cannot even tell whether the Duallys are on or off. I am sure they add significantly to "conspicuity" and they are indeed keepers, but if your only objective is to light the road, then all you need is the 55w HID headlight and nothing else. It just plain works.

11) Strobes-n-More Amber LED Marker Lights: These do a great job. The amber color and the spatial separation from the headlight both add to conspicuity. As alternated turns, there is no doubt what the idiot on the motorcycle is about to do.

12) Whelen and Custom Dynamics rear lights: These are ambulance quality lights. They work very well - even off-center where some LED's have problems.

13) Trunk light: This was a very good farkle. The 3-LED license plate light provides plenty of light for rummaging through the trunk in total darkness.

14) 3-piston Front Caliper: Too early to tell on this one as I am going to do a 200 mile break-in with no panic stops. As far as lever feel, I think subjectively that it is stronger and more linear. More later. I can say that the stock 14mm master cylinder is fine with the added piston.

 

[Beemerphile]

By the way, here is the complete farkle list to-date (I think). All that currently remains other than punchlist items are the Russell heated leather Day-Long saddle; and a Shock Sock to protect the new Öhlins shock;.

Givi V35 side cases
XD 3-piston front caliper
Goodridge reinforced brake hoses
Ohlins S46DR1 shock
Givi windscreen (shortened 2 inches)
Pyramid Fenda Extenda
Givi TN1111 engine guards w/ longer bolts
Acrylic wind fairings on engine guards
Rigid Dually LED Spot driving lights
LED luggage compartment light w/ mercury switch
Blue Sea 12v cig lighter inside luggage box
Custom "touring" tail tidy with tool tube
Two Blue Sea USB chargers inside luggage box
Powerlet receptacle inside luggage box
Strobes n More front amber LEDs w/ custom mounts
Turn signal alternator circuits
Honda OEM burglar alarm
Honda alarm LED on Cycra
Fiamm horns w/ relay
Fork gaiters
Back Off mud flap
RaceTech front suspension
3rd brakelight flasher
Aerostich power center PDM60
Clearwater IQ-170 Driving light dimmer
KT Auto Parts KT-MT5 HID headlight with Angel Eye
Touratech GPS anti-vibration mount
Clearwater (CVS) voltage monitor
Whelen Side marker lights
Whelen stop/turn/tail
Custom Dynamics license plate lights
Powerlet (15A) external for heated clothing
Garmin Zumo 665 GPS
Thurn Motorsports Lowering pegs
Honda OEM Heated Grips
1111FZ Givi mono rack arms
Renthal bars
Rox Risers
Cycra ProBend handguards
Grip puppies
Kanaya short levers
GoCruise Cruise Control
Caribou Luggage Plate
Honda OEM Centerstand

 

[lab_rat]

Amazing progress, Beemerphile. Can't wait to hear the report once you get the suspension dialed in to your liking!

I am truly impressed with your skill, patience, knowledge and your willingness to share with us.

I imagine that the LED blinkers and the HID headlight look outstanding in person. I am thinking it really gives the bike a more 'upscale' look?

-Steve

 

[Beemerphile]

Amazing progress, Beemerphile. Can't wait to hear the report once you get the suspension dialed in to your liking!

I am truly impressed with your skill, patience, knowledge and your willingness to share with us.

I imagine that the LED blinkers and the HID headlight look outstanding in person. I am thinking it really gives the bike a more 'upscale' look?

-Steve

Thanks.

Yes, there is some dialing in and such to do. As set up now, the rear is probably a little soft, but it is an easy thing to change the preload. The new suspension makes the NC ride like a more upscale bike. It is a genuine pleasure to motor around on. It reminds me of the road feel of the KTM 990 SM-T that I was also considering when I bought the NC. Totally different bikes, I know, but now they have very similar road manners. The KTM has a well sorted out WP suspension that needs nothing. I am not "quite there" but I am within striking distance of the KTM's ride.

 

[TechiePilot]

At first glance that headlight rekondeed me of the Vorlons..!!
Wow, Beemerphile, that is the biz!!! I'm tempted to send my bike in for some work
Will be checking back often for updates, thanks for sharing...

 

[Crilly]

Real cool. Nice. Job. Looks like I well be having to do some suspension updates. Thanks. Lee

 

[Cyclerosis]

Great evaluation write-up! Thanks for taking the time to share your findings.

 

[JDE]

Thanks for sharing all of your adventures in farlking with us! Very informative, and glad things are working out to your liking.

 

[L.B.S.]

Great Scott!

For some reason I always picture Doc Brown when I think of the Extreme Farkler himself, toiling away in his lab, lol



Good show!! Bottle Caps of Valour all 'round, Huzzah!

 

[radiotinnitus]

Wow, a masterpiece as far as I can tell. Congratulations! I would be interested to see a few more close up pictures of the entire bike.

Will you still be riding the BMW or should we start calling you Hondaphile?

 

[Cutter J. Duke]

Outstanding Beemerphile, please keep us updated on how the brakes work out. I guess now I'll have to start saving my pennies for some suspension work.

 

[ShockDoc]

Dare I ask, what was the estimated cost of this all?

 

[duk2n]

Wowwww! What a fantastic piece of nice job very well done!

Congratulations, now it is time to ride!

Many thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us

 

[Rocker66]

That NC now really looks distinctive. If anybody sees it out on the road they will certainly know whos it is. As all the others have said great job and thank you for keeping us entertained. I hope that you will continue to do so

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

That headlight looks bright! Glad to see you got it done, now you can go for a ride.

 

[Beemerphile]

I would be interested to see a few more close up pictures of the entire bike.

I'll take some close-ups. Anything in particular, let me know.

Will you still be riding the BMW or should we start calling you Hondaphile?

I've been Beemer since 1977. My R1150R is very dear to me as were all the Airheads that preceded it. After I thrashed the R in Alaska and the Yukon, it is going to get a frame-up freshening. My plan is to take it to a high level of finish and use it as a BMW rally bike. I will remove the auxiliary fuel tank and other of the more LD-specific farkles to clean up its appearance. I still very much enjoy the association with BMW riders and I enjoy the machine. I am not a fan of the latest BMW's though. They resist owner involvement in their care. You take it to the dealer and they hook your bike up to the service computer and they hook your Visa card up to the cash register. If you have trouble on the road, it is tow time. That is too yuppie for this crusty old man. But I hope to stay in the fold.

Dare I ask, what was the estimated cost of this all?

I could start gathering costs and put the cost of the item on each line on the farkle list. It will be, uh, extreme. I can't imagine that anyone else will do it all. If I was not specifically a long-distance rider, I would not have gotten this carried away. Plus, I am retired and all of my life's obligations have been met. I could not have done this myself even five years ago. I would not have had the time and the money would have been earmarked for other uses.

Thanks to all for the kind comments and for following my little quest with apparent interest and good humor.

 

[jakeisbill]

That is the epitome of a "Custom" bike. I love it all, but I'm especially interested in the front suspension. Would you mind "Ball-Parking" the cost of the front end for us Lee?