Offroad conversion tips wanted

[Gazdaman]

Ok, I've been toying with the idea of a supermoto headlight on my MZ. My bike's got a certain slight off road look about it anyway. I just want to boost it a bit.

This is my inspiration found whilst browsing bikepics.com:
https://www.bikepics.com/pictures/132252/

Then I noticed this on ebay, a universal off road conversion kit. I'd spray it black as I think the yellow is a little gareish.
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7942976976&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Any input? Anyone done it? Do you think it'd be worth paying a bit more for the bits? Or am I just going to drop it anyway?

It's never going to be a real crosser or a supermoto bike, but I might be able to take away a little bit of the old man feel about it.

www.syn-flood.us/bike/

Gaz

[Sparks!]

How do you plan to fit that rear fender then?

Personally I think it's a silly idea, but it's up to you..it'll go on with a bit of bodging but it'll just look like an old skanky field bike
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Gazdaman]

That's definately one opinion!

I'm bodgetastic, I'm sure it'd go on with a bit of glue, wood and gaffer tape.

Maybe I'm better off saving my money, I may just move the front fender to the top of the forks i.e motox like.

Gaz

[Sparks!]

lol I didn't mean it in a nasty way, just those plastics on ebay looks like it belongs on a 1950's MZ

You might be better off buying a nicer fender and headlight off a more modern bike, KTM, yam WR or something and fitting that.

With the rear fender,I mean, looking at the size of your seat etc the fender just wouldn't fit and if it did it wouldn't look right unless you fitted a motox style seat as well... .a motox fender will be about 1/3rd the width of your seat
____________________
Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Gazdaman]

I'm all for buying a nice headlight.

But looking at some of the nice UFO super moto headlights I think they'd just look silly on my bike. They look too nice and too modern.

i.e : https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=25628&item=7942795599&rd=1

Hopefully I can just move the front fender to the top of the forks with a bit of bodging.

I'll have to look into a different rear fender, one with a built in rear light and reg plate mounts, so nothing too moto-xy.

Gaz

[NickD]

What you seem to be talking about is a cosmetic overhaul..... and as far as that is concerned you can do almost anything, these things only become tricky when you're looking at changing the geometry. It's not like you're looking at cutting up a brand new Blade, just go for it. Get the parts that you think will work, then make them fit, where there's a will there's a way. Anything can be made to fit anything, it's just a matter of time, money and imagination.
____________________
I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Gazdaman]

NDK you always seem to give a reply that inspires my way of thinking!!

I've already ruined the general charm of the bike by strapping a noisy race can to the side of it, so why not bolt some bits of plastic on it so it looks like it sounds!

Project supermoto crappy MZ here I come.

Gaz

[mchaggis]

Easy: semi-knobblies, gaiters, high mudguard, brush guards, flyscreen, new headlamp? That lot should probably do, and are mostly just bolt on/ replacement parts. I suppose cutting some (apparent) weight from around the middle wouldn't hurt either.


____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Gazdaman]

I'm not sure about the knobblies. It's never going to go anywhere near off road (if everything goes to plan).

Gaiters are already on there, the high mudguard is the next thing, new light, hand guards, new rear fender, bingo

EDIT: The first step has been taken, bought some second hand Honda XR400 handlebars.

Gaz

[Smoto Bob]

Yer go for it mate, Loads and loads of plastics all different shapes and colors and all you need is a stanly knife a few plasters and some intuitive
____________________
F'it DO WHAT EVER MAKES YOU HAPPY!!!!! Even if it screws over everyone else :p
Titz wrote: "..and my 3rd accident was when this police car....."

[Gazdaman]

Ok I bought the universal plastics off ebay.

One size fits nothing, but we'll see.

So the off road plastics including headlight+small fairing, handguards, front fender, rear fender. I've also got the XR400 bars to go on.

An update with pics in a week or so when I put all the shit on.

Gaz

[Gazdaman]

Ok, my cable clearances are a little tight at the moment with the current bars.

So with the XR400 bars on it, I think I'll need new cables...

are cables specific to certain bikes? are the new bars a lost cause?

Gaz

[mr.z]

Engine bars are worth geting if you haven't!

If your offroadificateing it then it would be rude not to! i had a go on my cg a couple of times on road tyres, it was a tremendous laugh! because its light and as such fairlyforgiveing its muchos fun.
____________________
>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Gazdaman]

Here come the first stages.

The rear fender slotted on quite nicely, now's the tease of fitting a number plate that is somewhere near vertical, and a light that is also somewhere near legal.

Any ideas on the whole light/numberplate issue? I'd rather it was slightly uglier but legal that looking good but not MOT worthy.

The light on there at the moment is just a brake light, so no numberplate illumination.

The front fender is a bit of a tease but is coming along.

The XR400 bars fitted beautifully, and when I took the old bars off you can notice that I actually BENT them when I crashed a month-ish ago.

The left handguard fitted beautifully, the right one I'm yet to think of a way to attach it. I think cable ties probably hold the key to that one...

pics at the following address: www.syn-flood.us/bike/new/

Gaz