Topic: Preventing burns on engine case when riding with rear sets?

[Nicklopic]

This is probably going to sound so stupid but I’m looking for any idea on a solution to keep from burning my legs on the cylinder head of my 650 that has cognito rear sets. I’m 6’ and the position of the rear sets puts my legs so the bottom of my knee/top of my calf rests against the corner of the cylinder head. (I’m always wearing jeans, I’m not an idiot trying to ride in shorts and burning myself)

It ends up getting pretty toasty and burned my leg pretty well after 60-70 miles of riding today.
My current thoughts are some kind of heat resistant plastic, maybe 3D printed, they would fit into the fins around where contact is made make a barrier. A plate bolted to the rear head cover bolt that hangs down (my least favorite idea because it would probably look like garbage) Lastly some kind of plastic edging along the fins where I touch, or aluminum/copper edging to maybe desperate heat there a bit better.
Photo of the back corner of the head for reference
I’m sure purists will tell me this is what I get for chopping my bike into a cafe but whatever. It’s still sweet lol

[Nicklopic]

Hopefully this helps. I had a mini phone tripod but my front stand is buried right now.
My ankle sits below my hip but my thigh angles down and you can get an idea of where my leg is resting on the motor. Inside of my leg, top of the calf.

[seanbarney41]

Well?...not much point in you buying a Grom at this point.  Looks like you are capable of throwing that around like a toy but I am guessing bruised knees are as bad or worse than the burns.  Seems like anything you could do is really gonna spoil the looks and proportions.  Maybe 1 inch higher seat foam is all it would take to get some knee room?

[andy750]

I hate to say it but the bike in that configuration is too small for you....at least in that riding position. I am 6`4 and have ridden 150 cc bikes before and loved it....but I cannot ride with rear sets - just doesn't work for me -36` inseams. I hope you can make it work - very nice bike!

[Nicklopic]

I only have a 32” inseam but I’m a clearly a heavier dude lol
This is pretty much my normal riding position. I get what you’re saying. I’ll have to come up with a way to modify the rear sets probably.
It’s pretty comfortable to ride for the most part so I would like to keep it that way, it’s just a little painful lol
And I definitely have the size to throw the bike around, just not experienced enough or comfortable dragging my knee lol

[scottly]

Show a side view of the bike without you on it. It looks to me like the bum-stop on the seat is too far forward, at least for your size.

[Hoosier Honda]

You could probably get a carbon fiber shield for that spot to look decent. Maybe even so it just clips on when you need it. You can get premade carbon fiber exhaust heat shields in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

[Nicklopic]

Where I’m sitting is actually pretty close if not exactly where the stock seat would be. It’s a little deceptive I think because of the lines but right where I’m sitting is pretty much where the dip would be on the custom frame. (it started out as a 650 custom)
The back of the seat is just where I naturally sat on my last seat so I carried that position over and chose the this seat because it ended right there
And I’m at work now so I only have poser pictures, they give you an idea I think though

[754]

 I am thinking you could make L shaped aluminum pieces from 3/8 or  1/4 inch. Drill mount holes on long part to bolt to motor, curve tge other leg downward and make the end big enough to not bother your knee, but keep it away from fins.,

[ekpent]

Maybe it would be easier to incorporate some kind of a 'shield' into a dedicated pair of riding pants like a thick leather patch or other material rather then modify the bike.

[Alan F.]

Have I seen a solution for this somewhere on some bike on the internet? I think i've seen a polished aluminum piece mounted low between tank and cylinder head. Shape was very much like a guitar pick guard, but polished aluminum with a compound curve.
It could have been on some very old cafe bike or a race bike, maybe a drag or salt bike even.

I doubt I'll find a photo anywhere but the idea is similar to gripping the tank's knee dents, but in a location where YOUR knees are when You ride.

I'll look for a photo and post it here on this reply if I find anything.