Adventure TW200
 

http://choppercharles.com/cs/photos/.../original.aspx

Rear view:
http://choppercharles.com/cs/photos/...1/281x375.aspx

This is my 87 Yamaha TW200. I've gone with an olive drab paint scheme, tossed the gauges and the mini fairing/headlight setup (it was all busted), and replaced it with a chopper headlight and a small speedo. Bars replaced with Daytona bend black bars. Signals replaced with mini aluminum units that are small enough not to get banged up in a crash, and beefy enough to survive it if they do. (All parts the PO had bent, trashed, or mangled).

To top it off, I welded up some brackets and mounted two 20mm ammo cans to the bike.

It's not fast (top speed of 70mph... 65 with the saddle bags, due to wind resistance and weight), but it's great for trails, especially with that 180/80/14 rear knobby. Only problem is I need a beefier rear shock when the bike is loaded with gear (The steel cans and brackets empty weigh about 50 lbs)

What do you think?

Charles.

Add a decent chain guard and possibly a jerry can and give it a go. Tell us how well it works.

Chain guard?
 

What's the chain guard for? I removed it... haven't had a problem with the bike offroad at all. Makes it much easier to lube the chain this way.

Charles.

Most of the shit getting on the chain comes from above, off the underside of the back guard and the tyre. On reaching the chain, most get flicked about the place including over you and the side boxes. The chain will wear somewhat more quickly, and you will wear a little more.
Does this bike have the small lay-shaft for the front sprocket to move it out a bit more so the chain can clear the back wheel? I have heard the bearings for this shaft is prone to wear under load. Quite a number were sold in NZ as farm bikes, and get used and abused under all conditions, showing up any pontential weaknesses.
I think it's a great bike for real hard-core travelling. Light and low is my mantra!

Regards

Nigel in NZ

lay shaft?
 

Sorry, but I don't know what a "lay shaft" is. The BW200 Big Wheel (used ATV tires) had a jackshaft on the swingarm, if that's what you mean. There was only one bearing in the center, and a sprocket on either side, and that bearing was prone to wearing out.

Unlike the XT225, which has a single bearing supporting the sprocket on the inside, the TW200 has an outrigger bearing in the sprocket cover, which is lubricated with engine oil. I have never, ever heard of the output shaft failing on the TW's. It's supported on both ends of the sprocket with bearings, and should be good forever.

Also, the TW is one of the most reliable engines Yamaha ever made. Big beefy roller bearings rely on oil splash - not oil pressure - for lubrication. The bottom ends never die, and so long as you change the oil every now and then, top ends are indestructible.

Charles.

Mate, you are dead right! BW....TW... my mistake.

Enjoy your bike,

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ

Touring TW200
 

We've got to meet! I've got vetter bags on my 2000 TW200 Yamaha. Can't get the photos on this post to work but the bike can be seen at this location...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/mee...SAEast2004.php

it is the photo showing Tomas Vojtek and Gordon Kokes