More Africa Twin foolishness...

So what is the perfect sprocket combo for an AT hack rig?

I may, after much experimentation, have the answer.

I had ordered a 15 tooth front sprocket to replace the factory 16 tooth, and had it sitting on my bench.  An opportunity came up on short notice to do quick 330 mile round trip up to Congress, AZ and meet a fellow inmate to exchange cash for a set of Bumot pannier racks.  I had been casually looking for a set ever since Miles, @Flying Monkeys gifted me a lovely set of Bumot soft bags, tailored for the AT, and couldn't resist the price.

So the trip came up on about 12 hours notice. I decided it might finally be time to swap out my barely used rear tire for a new one, do the rear brake service, and swap out a front sprocket that had a little wear after 12,000 miles or so in the sand.

Light desert use:

New Mitas E07+ Dakar.

So at after a nice full day, I wrapped it up for the evening and took a quick test drive.

The 15 tooth front, combined with the 45 tooth rear finally released Black Betty's inner hooligan!  Hit a right hand turn, nailed the gas and expected to pick up the chair.  Instead, was treated to a paved powerslide around the corner.  That was something new!

Ran down the highway and checked speed with GPS.  Speedometer error had increased to 8mph over an indicated 65.  That is about what the math suggested would happen, so no surprise there.

Found that 6th gear was suddenly more useful at actual 80mph. Before it would not pull from 6th to pass, required a downshift.  S2mode became useful, and S3 seemed just a bit revvy now.  Before S3 was about the only tolerable setting on the DCT.

Next morning, did a highway blast out to Congress. My fears that the gearing would be too deep were unfounded.  6000 rpm was good for a GPS indicated 92mph in 6th

I think the hack drag coefficient would still keep one from pulling redline in 6th, but the potential is there now.

First gear now launches off the line with vigor.  I think it will be much nicer for picking my way through rock gardens and steep downhill.

I suppose the downside might be a little more fuel consumption, either the need for a Speedo healer (or not) and the potential to replace a front sprocket a little more often, but im OK with that tradeoff for the overhall improvement in riding experience

@miles-ladue  Ok, Ok, now you have just picked up a new assignment; find a purchaseable 48 tooth rear sprocket in the factory 525 chain.  I was not sucessful in that endeavor, however 520's seem to exist.

I assume one must exist, but likely not advertised to fit the Africa Twin, even though it does.

@miles-ladue Thamks!  Sea haw ez thot wus?  Jest owsk ewe!

Well Friends, had a little shop day, today.

Decided the see how miserable it would be to adapt the CRF1000 Bumot racks that I picked up a couple weeks ago from a Africa Twin Forum inmate, to a sidecar equipped CRF1100.

I expected more drama than what it actually turned out to be.

First test fit, hanging them off the hook spots under the grab rail:

Hm, looks like they fit the front pillion peg mount pretty well, geometry must not have changed much on the newer style frame.

I was a little concerned about the top rear sidecar mount being in the way, but was pleased to find a gusset that was big enough to drill for a mounting hole in "about" the place where the bracket wanted to be.  Guess I could have unbolted the sidecar mount and found a longer bolt to fit it under the spot where the right pillion peg used to be, but that seemed like more work than it was worth.  Drilled with impunity and put a bolt in kinda loose to see what else might work.

Next, took a look at the cross piece that was supposed to bolt up to the tail section of the frame.  Was surprised to find two bolts holding the fender tail piece up in about the right places.  The bolts went into the injection molded aluminum tail section of the frame, but were only 6mm.  I spotted two more, about 8cm in front of them, and a little farther apart.  I decided that with the very light use I put this rig through, maybe all four bolts should be holding this bracket in place.

It looked like some stand offs might make it compress to the tail section, without squashing the plastic fender.  Got out some 1/2" pipe left over from some plumbing adventures and cut and fit the standoffs and the additional arms required to attach the cross piece to all four bolt spots.

Stuck the first two stand offs down on the cross piece.

Sort of measured and fit the additional arms and stand offs to catch the two forward bolt holes.  Standoffs on the rear were 45mm, front were 25mm.  A little rattle can Krylon and voila!

Bolted cross piece on with plenty of blue loctite, guddentite.

Tightened up all the rest of the bolts with plenty of loctite, and was pleased with how solid the brackets felt:

Turned out good, into it for $50 for the Bumot mounts from an inmate, and gifted the bags from @flyingmonkeys (Miles.)  No telling how many more snacks will be carried! 

ctd...

Final photo...

I think they look good for an adv rig.  I always sort of wanted a set, but not bad enough to put out the cash for a new set.  These give me the extra carrying capacity for stuff I want to keep handy, are water proof, and are next to a power outlet I set up on the tail rack. 

I ordered a blue-tooth wireless android auto dongle, which will get my phone out of the AZ sun as things heat up, but still keep the maps and tunes coming while charging in a bag.  Overall, I think I will call it a win.

Heading out tomorrow to bounce around on some trails out east of Florence AZ, so will see how my workmanship holds up to a little mild abuse.

That came out great!  Definitely suits Black Betty (that sweat girl).  😎 

Got out today for a leisurely romp in the desert out and around Florence, AZ. Some familiar roads and a few that were not.

Always fun exploring new roads.  Makes for the perfect adventure ride.  😎