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Hi Everyone, just joined TL Planet today
I just dusted-off my 99 TLR after sitting for 15 years sitting in boxes and a partially disassembled frame.
I bought it new in 99 and road it hard for 5 years mostly in the twisties until I low sided it on the Angeles Crest highway fending off a 916 in 04. The damage was mainly cosmetic except I crushed both of the Yosh Ti mufflers in the process
I bought a new set of plastics, fuel tank and a set of brand new Yosh Ti mufflers from a friend. While the bike was apart for repairs I decided to yank the heads and take them to my friend Craig who builds race heads and asked him to cc and flow them. When I returned he said " I touch these heads if I were you they flow quite well!" Porting the TL heads would likely hurt the low and mid range which is where this engine shines. I'm like, OK cool so I buttoned everything up, lacing the chain over the sprockets and reached for the shift lever to put it in "N" and the shifter won't move!!! I quickly realized I must have pranged my level during my get-off on the Crest. I’m like “oh no, I just pulled the top end and reassembled the engine only to realize I have to do it all over again and “then some!” which I did but got as far as installing the cylinders before getting distracted on another project ………. There is sat for the next 15 years!
Haven’t ridden motor cycles until 3 years ago and bought a 2016 DR-650 where I converted it to a supermoto last year and having a blast on it. All the time I staring at the carcass of the TL covered in dust and remembering how much fun I’ve had on this bike and all it needs is to finish the assembly.
Well I dragged it out of it’s hole, cleaned it off and benched the engine last week and this is where I’m starting.
DUSTED OFF TLR -7-19 1.jpgDUSTED OFF TLR -7-19 5.jpg
Both brand new Dunlop 207's need to be replaced. The bike looks just like where I left off on 04, no corrosion anywhere on the bike or in the engine thanks to So. Cal weather.
I just dusted-off my 99 TLR after sitting for 15 years sitting in boxes and a partially disassembled frame.
I bought it new in 99 and road it hard for 5 years mostly in the twisties until I low sided it on the Angeles Crest highway fending off a 916 in 04. The damage was mainly cosmetic except I crushed both of the Yosh Ti mufflers in the process
I bought a new set of plastics, fuel tank and a set of brand new Yosh Ti mufflers from a friend. While the bike was apart for repairs I decided to yank the heads and take them to my friend Craig who builds race heads and asked him to cc and flow them. When I returned he said " I touch these heads if I were you they flow quite well!" Porting the TL heads would likely hurt the low and mid range which is where this engine shines. I'm like, OK cool so I buttoned everything up, lacing the chain over the sprockets and reached for the shift lever to put it in "N" and the shifter won't move!!! I quickly realized I must have pranged my level during my get-off on the Crest. I’m like “oh no, I just pulled the top end and reassembled the engine only to realize I have to do it all over again and “then some!” which I did but got as far as installing the cylinders before getting distracted on another project ………. There is sat for the next 15 years!Haven’t ridden motor cycles until 3 years ago and bought a 2016 DR-650 where I converted it to a supermoto last year and having a blast on it. All the time I staring at the carcass of the TL covered in dust and remembering how much fun I’ve had on this bike and all it needs is to finish the assembly.
Well I dragged it out of it’s hole, cleaned it off and benched the engine last week and this is where I’m starting.
DUSTED OFF TLR -7-19 1.jpgDUSTED OFF TLR -7-19 5.jpg
Both brand new Dunlop 207's need to be replaced. The bike looks just like where I left off on 04, no corrosion anywhere on the bike or in the engine thanks to So. Cal weather.
Looks like an awesome build to be had. Post up your progress.
For me the TL was just another insult. Suzuki engines are among the best in the world when it comes to reliability and durability I show no mercy! The Gamma with 35,000 miles on stock bore pistons sounded like there were rocks rolling around inside the crankcase at idle but was more like a paranoid mechanical schizophrenic on methamphetamines when it was on the pipe while making 93 rwhp. The TLR was a perfect compliment to a bike with a tach that starts at 2 grand because the engine doesn't make enough power at that rpm to pick-up the needle up off the stop. The TL is diametrically opposed to the RG in just about every way I just refer to it as The Beast. As good as the new bikes are I don't think I'll be trading-in the tiller anytime soon. It's relatively easy to work on (I've dug as deep as the shift drum can't really go further than that), it's a monster in the twisties, extremely "flickable" the way mine is set-up, the RS3's sends cat's scurrying up the trees while the women gather the children and people tend to gather around it even when parked next to something more exotic.
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