Possu said:
I'm sure the workmanship is good but not sure I like it because it's in a vulnerable position and you're loosing the additional clearance at the front of the engine which is one of the benefits of the 70 degree engines IMHO. Mind you, depends on the type of terrain you're riding.
Hope it works out well though.
Ok, you have a couple of valid points. I thought of those before I built this. Here is why I decided to go this way:
1. The weight stays down low, keeping the bike balanced,
2. The husaberg with luggage gets weighted to the rear and this moves some weight forward,
3. I selected an aluminum with a 44,000 PSI tensile strength, which compares with 1/8th inch steel,
4. I've never holed an skid plate yet in my life, so I figure this will probably survive
5. I couldn't afford the cost of a Safari Tank, and this will be less than half the cost.
6. I can loft the front a little higher if I have to.
7. I can also remove this whole tank skid plate combo in less than five minutes. I designed it as a unit with the fuel pump. All that stays on the bike is one fuel line and a petcock, the rest drops off with the removal of five bolts, one vacuum line, one vent line, unplugging the fuel delivery line and placing a vacuum plug on the vacuum port.
Anyway, that's my thinking and why I went this way.
The only real downside I can see right now is the extra width. I ride some rough back country, but because I get so far into the back country, I don't try to be Graham Jarvis. Medical is sometimes days away from my location.
