Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: MikeH on February 15, 2013, 09:35:58 PM
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So I got drawn into the 2013 Iron Butt Rally a year and a half ago and I thought I'd share the modifications I've made up to this point for the bike and future plans for this winter. I might miss some things so if there are any questions, please ask.
I started with a brand new 2011 that I bought before I decided to apply for the rally.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_02AZ902dUM/UR8CR6ySQhI/AAAAAAAAAlE/8yVGOFTTmyM/s400/DSCF1853.JPG)
The basic stuff first was all things off the old bike, Cal Sci windshield, advanced touring bar risers, givi top case, ram mounts, I'll get a list of everything thing and post that too.
Then last winter I started work on getting a fuel cell mounted above the passenger seat. This took over 2 months of picking away at it to get the mounts and hose routing right:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s-R3JQohl9A/UKcAx0JaEBI/AAAAAAAAAiY/bke1ZkHnu9Q/s400/DSCF2027.JPG)
The fuel cell is a Jaz 5 gal with foam inserts from Jegs. I also got all the fittings from Jegs and it took a couple of routing attempts to get it right. The hole in the bike gas tank was nerve racking but in the end not as big a deal. I followed what Davo Jones had done and put the hole on the bottom of the tank. The first week I was paranoid that it was leaking but after several inspections, no problems. I did have issues with the flow, the original route was under the left side of the seat using gravity. I never got good flow, probably from me sitting on the seat squishing the hose along with what others have found with venting. I then decided to get a small transfer pump to put under the seat. The brand is Facet. I mounted a switch and I just timed how long to let it run. Probably not the best way but it worked all summer.
First routing attempt: (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J3Z1SGehvI8/UR8IopUJVKI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/s8r8LZV7Eao/s640/DSCF2078.JPG)
Final routing attempt: (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DtihYSPNo7E/UR8KayERosI/AAAAAAAAAmk/c0QjtTPdCJ0/s640/DSCF2241.JPG)
A McCruise was next, very straightforward install:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yk2zZ4ZSNpE/UGOaPfDcnoI/AAAAAAAAAgk/3S-r1gMoy-o/s400/DSCF2049.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z1Ze1oQo0Ro/UGOaNT59u4I/AAAAAAAAAgM/otMni9ixbsk/s400/DSCF2050.JPG)
I have more pictures to find and upload, so to be continued.
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:thumbs: :thumbs: :popcorn:
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I was wondering if anyone on here got the honor. Congrats! ;)
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:popcorn:
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I'm looking forward to your plan. I rode down to the Jax checkpoint last time 'round.
http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Iron-Butt-Rally-2011/17774670_nnwjPR. (http://dolomoto.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Iron-Butt-Rally-2011/17774670_nnwjPR.)
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Not sure what "advanced touring bar risers" are but IMO Horizon ST bars from HeliBars is the best mod you can have for long distance riding.
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FYI
a very close friend, Roger S. placed 4th in the 2011 run, but he switched back to his GS due to issues he had in the prior (09) run on the C14.
I was up all night long talking him thru rough sections and keeping him awake in the middle of the night for the last 5 days of the rally.... :'(
in 09 he finished 12th on the C14, but had numerous issues (fuelpump clogs), he learned a lot on that run.
Of course I will also resurect the last ride of our aussie COG pal Davo Jones, who lost his life on a C14 in the last leg of the 09 ride. Godspeed Davo, Rest in Peace.
I believe since the C14 came out there were only 4 or 5 that were in the lineup.
Best of luck on your attempt, I tried to find Rogers website, but it seems to be down, I'll get in contact with him and try to forward his contact info to assist in some of his prep/mods he did to his C14 to make it ready. Make sure you have the private messege feature in your profile active. ;)
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Call me subscribed :)
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Congrads on being selected it was a life changing experience for me when I rode in 1999 and 2001.
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Here is the bar risers that I have. Bought them from someone on the forum
http://www.advancedsporttouring.com/Concours_Risers_p/c14-03.htm (http://www.advancedsporttouring.com/Concours_Risers_p/c14-03.htm)
I installed a plug for my Gerbing jacket liner and on switch by the handlebar warmers.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MmtMMEd5zz8/UGOZp7uaIVI/AAAAAAAAAfw/tqkD08SCOMA/s640/DSCF2068.JPG)
Admore lights to help people see my brakes
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cML3NS-fNmM/UR8CGbTCUpI/AAAAAAAAAks/YGQNmtDbkss/s640/DSCF2066.JPG)
I replaced the headlights with HID's from A&R motorsports and added Clearwater Krista lights, spendy but worth it.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v7CYwoUkHHM/UR8CICn17jI/AAAAAAAAAk0/7ZsAUX1ODYw/s640/DSCF2058.JPG)
Dimmer switch
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l5hVnX3ZVrg/UR8CLT-8lnI/AAAAAAAAAk8/SYPddUrIaUM/s400/DSCF2054.JPG)
I hadn't planned on buying tipover protection but the group buy was too good to pass up. I bought and installed the larger front bars before the canyon cages came out. I didn't think they looked too bad so I left them on. I also have the smaller rear bars too, not much for pictures but I think everyone gets the idea.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gNroaQE4S4Q/USBEZmugl8I/AAAAAAAAAnA/ROgGFpXdCJ4/s640/2012-05-30_15-43-11_853.jpg)
I put some miles on the bike with all this setup and I noticed my Givi topbox was hitting my fuel cell so I contacted Phil to get one of his racks and he also made me parts to pull the rack back a bit. Great guy to work with, can't recommend him enough.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nmRf83x7uM8/USBEq2MZTYI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/aBLa2y-2h6c/s640/2012-07-31_20-30-31_799.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KHjAXFrgJQU/USBEukipSfI/AAAAAAAAAnY/Zu1iaNHpuzc/s640/2012-07-31_20-44-05_335.jpg)
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I made a big reply but hit the back button and lost it all, so I'm splitting it up some.
My goal was to get the bike ready for Buttlite6 presented by Teamstrange in Aug. I had tried to get custom tank & aux bags from customtankbags.com but she wasn't able to get them in time so I had to make make something work myself.
I got the idea of using Molle gear from a 2011 IBR rider and that was going to be all over my aux bag. I bought the Molle stuff before I found out I wouldn't be getting my bag so I bought a belt.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zjBgOxM6UGI/USBEzlRfIRI/AAAAAAAAAng/bt5ZqfCd0kA/s800/2012-08-04_17-44-13_832.jpg)
The left side has two insulated pouched to hold water bladders but I put insulated thermos in there filled with poweraid. 90 degree days and everything stayed relatively cool.
On the right side I used these bags to hold a roll of duct tape, shop rags, air compressor and tire plug repair stuff.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ku7axBpsFeA/USBE4pNp_II/AAAAAAAAAno/MRH2Vc43BdE/s800/2012-08-04_17-44-22_854.jpg)
And of course a cockpit view of a borrowed Garmin 550 (only the mount in the pic), my 665, Escort Redline in a waterproof box. The warning light doesn't work very good so I'm working on an audio solution. I also put on a watch for different time zones.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oKsdpZ2u6nQ/USBEmwlCBEI/AAAAAAAAAnI/WLlyXKX497M/s800/2012-07-27_17-05-39_158.jpg)
This setup will be modified this spring as I've purchased a Garmin 2710 and I think I'll use either that or try and borrow the 550 again. (I also had a Nuvi as a spare in my saddlebag).
Here is the best pic I have of the bike during BL6. 5800 miles in 6 days, not sure how the extra 5 days will work out this year.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wAttvF2vTjY/UR8DLeKQEaI/AAAAAAAAAlo/AqFhEDBVP_8/s800/P1000222.JPG)
That is about it for last year's work, I put over 22k miles with 90% of this stuff on the bike last summer and everything seems to be holding up.
My plan when it warms up here (N. Iowa), probably a couple weeks:
-Check valve clearance
-coolant change
-brake fluid change
-new seat from Russel Day Long (sending it this week)
-Laminar Lip
-modify my cockpit setup, I want to build a self above my gauges.
Figure out what to put in my new tankbags.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kEBkoNYDIPc/USBFAeK1lbI/AAAAAAAAAnw/nfhzQlToWwg/s800/2012-12-27_15-40-07_778.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fzsTJlc-WfI/USBFLULZyxI/AAAAAAAAAn4/Xlnd7b36LVQ/s800/2013-01-28_16-17-01_11.jpg)
I think I'll start a new thread with more details on the bags.
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Is the volume turned all the way up on the Escort? It drives the signal for the brightness of the lights. You probably checked and know this, but I thought I'd ask. ;)
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Is the volume turned all the way up on the Escort? It drives the signal for the brightness of the lights. You probably checked and know this, but I thought I'd ask. ;)
+1 :thumbs:
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I know I checked the volume one time and it was set lower. I wonder if it resets the volume level when its turned off? I'll have to look into that.
Here are some pictures that someone requested of my fuel cell mounts under the seat. The smaller alum brackets came from Menards and the larger rear ones came from my grandpa's scraped boat lift.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r2POh-QosUM/USKhkLa2KjI/AAAAAAAAAog/vVllaqGkEr4/s800/2013-02-18_15-40-18_112.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6c22zZ2itaQ/USKhcIeSAyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/as1DvjIXAQo/s800/2013-02-18_15-40-31_214.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VERMuav5FAY/USKhW7tb1zI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/uSe7EyxrIwY/s800/2013-02-18_15-40-55_283.jpg)
Here is the pump where the tool box used to be.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hbd4FsjvlqI/USKhQ3MHiiI/AAAAAAAAAoI/tTUnJXzr2OI/s800/2013-02-18_15-41-14_913.jpg)
I cut lots of plastic from the bike so it might not be the best way for some people that don't want to do that.
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Thanks Mike
John
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I was wondering if anyone on here got the honor. Congrats! ;)
Also, John Bailey from NC is riding in the IBR this year as well.
-David
Athens, GA
IBA#500003
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Figure it should be time to update this thread again with some new additions before the big show.
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/mikeheitkamp/IMG_20130623_124434_380_zps13a4fe85.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/mikeheitkamp/media/IMG_20130623_124434_380_zps13a4fe85.jpg.html)
New cockpit view of gps mounts
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/mikeheitkamp/IMG_20130623_124419_098_zpsf9b3b6b5.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/mikeheitkamp/media/IMG_20130623_124419_098_zpsf9b3b6b5.jpg.html)
With the tankbag on it, still need to find a place for my gopro.
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/mikeheitkamp/IMG_20130623_124402_566_zpsf10d4d2f.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/mikeheitkamp/media/IMG_20130623_124402_566_zpsf10d4d2f.jpg.html)
Auxtank bag filled with all kinds of stuff. Tools in the right pocket, left pocket for rally flag & camera.
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/mikeheitkamp/IMG_20130623_124337_439_zps145f91a2.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/mikeheitkamp/media/IMG_20130623_124337_439_zps145f91a2.jpg.html)
I needed some highway pegs to stretch my knees out since I've been having problems with that this year.
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/mikeheitkamp/IMG_20130623_124319_542_zps62faf7e2.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/mikeheitkamp/media/IMG_20130623_124319_542_zps62faf7e2.jpg.html)
Added lights to the front fender and you can see the pegs too.
I think I have everything ready, leaving this Thursday for Pittsburgh to start the fun.
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Best of luck... Ride Safe!
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Good luck! :)
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Also, John Bailey from NC is riding in the IBR this year as well.
-David
Athens, GA
IBA#500003
You have to have an extra zero in there... I'm IBA # 27157... and it couldn't have gone up that much in 7 years. 8)
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Of all the advice I have heard or read one bit is most often left out. The mental bit. Don't get stressed about "Making" the next point. Just ride and enjoy the ride. Revel in the pain and acknowledge to yourself you are doing something most Riders will never attempt, much less actually do and the posers/bikers will be busy hoisting a beer all the whilst proclaiming greatness.
Enjoy your journey, ATMFGATT. We do not need to read another horror story
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Of all the advice I have heard or read one bit is most often left out. The mental bit. Don't get stressed about "Making" the next point. Just ride and enjoy the ride. Revel in the pain and acknowledge to yourself you are doing something most Riders will never attempt, much less actually do and the posers/bikers will be busy hoisting a beer all the whilst proclaiming greatness.
Enjoy your journey, ATMFGATT. We do not need to read another horror story
:goodpost: 8)
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Good Luck! (although I hope it doesn't go down to luck).
I would like to hear more about the bags. I can't find a link.
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What kind of tank bag is that?.
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Linda T from www.customtankbags.com (http://www.customtankbags.com)
Takes awhile but so far nice stuff.
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Mike, you have a fun and successful ride, but above all come home in one piece.
We will be following you all on the IBA website.
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Thanks to everyone for the kind words and advice. Leaving tomorrow.
I'm promising myself I'll actually write this adventure down, when I do I'll be sure to share it.
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Prayers for a safe ride.
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Good luck and ride safe.
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Safe travels rider :)
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Chive on!
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Mike, Congratulations on your 24th place finish in the Iron Butt Rally and the highest finishing C14.
It was a pleasure meeting and talking with you at the conclusion of the banquet.
Nicely Done :finger_fing11: :hail:
John
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Well done !
What bikes were at the top of the list?
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http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2013/07-12-13.pdf (http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2013/07-12-13.pdf)
Cuda, here is a link to the finish order. It is located at the bottom of the page. It shows the total mileage ridden, points accumulated and motorcycle/model
I believe in the top 10 were 5 FJR's 3 BMW's and 2 Hondas
John
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Welcome "home!" Glad you had a safe adventure! :thumbs: :chugbeer: