Brat Kit vs. stock for travelling

Kickflippin

XS650 Enthusiast
Messages
38
Reaction score
2
Points
8
Location
Olympia, WA
I'm at a crossroads on whether to keep the stock seat hoop or install a brat kit from Visual Impact.

fJMkLmO.png


I love the flow of the kit, but don't really know how functional it would be on longer trips and the occasional passenger in-town. I would install a rear fender and strong struts to support gear. I'm riding about 3 hours at a time between Seattle, WA and Portland, OR, with occasional camping trips on gravel roads. Carrying 60+ pounds of gear on the back currently on my Suzuki, and the occasional lady passenger on a removable pad.

I haven't found much about the brat kit ride capabilities. I'm sure it's great. Maybe the man can weigh in himself. I have some nice progressive shocks and a solo seat already, if i went that route. Below is the kind of brat build I'm loosely considering (I love this build he did), but don't want to end up with the worst of both worlds for my riding style! thanks for the input.

yyRPGN0.jpg
 
I love my bike, but I do kind of regret chopping the rear and putting a monstercraftsman brat seat on it. I'm just going to have to get me another one!!
 
I would like to do a Diy Brat kit. I don't like how they "swoop" up and curve. I would like to do just some straight lines if i could get ahold of another frame. I love my hardtail, just can't get it registered.
 
Just my 2 cents. If u built beefy fender struts, wouldn't most of the weight be on the rear wheel/ swing arm? It would suck to ride passenger tho, be like riding a hardtail.

Posted via Mobile
 
I made mine with a removable sissy for travel. No room for a passenger though.

 
I'm not one for stacking stuff up tall on the rear. Too top heavy. A stock bike with saddle bags you can keep the weight lower, more stable.
Leo
 
I am using the monstermechanic brat kit. I really like the way it loops out in the shock area. Reminds me of a BSA Gold Star or A10 frame. Also resemble the old Royal Enfield. Thinking that if I chop off the rear frame tubes about 1 inch taller than the intersection that they tell you to cut it at, plus add maybe 0.5" spacer collar between the brat and stock frame it will wind up very close to stock frame geometry using a pair of 12.5" shocks. Isn't it a given that standard sized shocks will yield better handling than shorty brat style shocks?
Or I could relocate the shock mounting tabs?
Any thoughts or experience?
 
Hi Kickflippin,
looks? That's up to you to decide.
Comfort? Check your height.
If you are taller than 5'-4" the seating position on a BratStyle modified bike will bend your knees into extreme discomfort after a very short ride.
Passenger capacity?
I suppose you could make a bolt-off pad to give a dual height pillion seat.
(Buddy has a 1934 Indian that's like that. Passenger sits on their own seat way high and far back.)
So if you just gotta have a Brat, go for it.
If you want to ride 2-up in comfort, best you don't.
 
I decided to keep my seat hoop. I had some Progressive 412's kicking around (11.5") and will drop the forks an inch or two later on. Played with seat options and decided to buy. Counterbalance Cycles makes a great saddle for the stock hoop. I had to do a little bending and filling but I think that was more my beat up frame than anything. final paint this week and a ton of polishing to be done but almost there.
dqqyw7U.png

AWh098s.png
 
I would like to do a Diy Brat kit. I don't like how they "swoop" up and curve. I would like to do just some straight lines if i could get ahold of another frame. I love my hardtail, just can't get it registered.

Is there a restriction in PEI against hardtails? Or is it something else? I had to go through some hoops, but my hardtailed chop is legally registered in Ontario.
 
Is that an led headlight?? if so, please comment on its performance. Thanks.

Haven't had a chance to test it on the road at night yet, but it's bright! I installed a couple leds from radio shack in the top as well to house bright and neutral lights. I was impressed at the reach. of the beam.
 
I'd love some beam shots if you could make it happen. Maybe even off the bike with a battery connected to it??

Sorry to get off topic. Please start a new thread if you feel so inclined, I'm sure lots of people are interested in the details!!
 
Haven't had a chance to test it on the road at night yet, but it's bright! I installed a couple leds from radio shack in the top as well to house bright and neutral lights. I was impressed at the reach. of the beam.

where did you get the light?
how much are they these days?
the last time I looked at them they were a few hundred dollars a piece.
My bratish style travels just fine. just no 2 up riding after the chop n back seat.
 
where did you get the light?
how much are they these days?
the last time I looked at them they were a few hundred dollars a piece.
My bratish style travels just fine. just no 2 up riding after the chop n back seat.

Found it on ebay. If you search 5" led headlight harley it should come up. it had a bunch of tags on the headline like bobber tour, etc. I paid $25 shipped. Quality was surprisingly high for the price. The metal is a little thin but the glass lens is thick and it seals up nicely. Low beam has a cool light ring.
 
ARE YOU RIDING 3 HOURS a DAY???? both ways or just a ride 3 hours away every once in a while. I rode a hard tail from Philadelphia to Canada and back and yes it was a tough ride. BUT I don't get your question. Brat bike still has shocks the same as the stock frame. Are you not running shocks? The only difference I see between the two is the seat height-the seat-you cannot ride someone- using the same shocks is not going to change the ride on either build. You would need to change angle of shock and maybe size to see a difference so I would build it the way you want too and upgrade the shocks to a better one. 3 hours is not a long ride.
KEEP CHOPPIN
Rich
 
I love my bike, but I do kind of regret chopping the rear and putting a monstercraftsman brat seat on it. I'm just going to have to get me another one!!
Hi Aiewolfe, I got my package with the Monstercraftsmann rear subframe today. Namazu is stripped to the engine and rolling chassis, my hand grinder is rarin' to go. But you say you have some regrets about that setup. Got any pictures? I' like to know more about what you find regrettable.
Spockwerks
 
Back
Top