Inexpensive upgrades that make a difference

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by OZ VFR, Mar 31, 2013.

  1. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    I tought I might share some of the mods I've done to my bike that have made a great bike even better for little money.

    #1 : Dumped the badly undersprung front springs and replaced them with Racetech 0.95 rated springs (I'm 74kg and ride 2 up half the time).
    This has transformed the bike, I now ride solo and no gear with the preload set to the lowest setting. It allows me plenty of adjustment when my wife hops on, or when we load it up full of gear for a weekend.
    No more excessive dive under brakes, and it no longer lifts and drops with throttle changes in slow corners. It is a much heavier spring than standard, but it is a million times more compliant.
    To anyone who has not dumped the original front springs, I strongly recommend it. Cost: $169.

    #2 : Had my seat rebuilt to suit me. I'm only 165cm and struggled with reaching the ground, I also slid right back under heavy acceleration.
    I dropped the height of the back by about 10mm and extended it forward by 30mm. Covered it with a non slip red material and made it more bum shape to hold my wife in without slipping back and forward. she loves it.
    I dropped the height of the front by 20mm, cut down the sides to give me a bit more room to move around and covered it on a nice slippery black material to allow me to slide around freely. I also shapped a much more aggressive back stop to keep me in place. Cost: $330

    All this for under $500.

    Next month I will be adding Gold valves to the front to finnish it off ($209).
    The rear shock is a bit of a dilema, Its not great, but I don't know if spending a small amount on low end Wilbers or Hagon ($500) will be that much better.
    The other option is a good condition 929 shock as it is for about $200 (including postage from the US), or if I have to get it done up by the local VFRWorld suspension bloke (sorry, I can't remember his name) it will end up costing about the same as a Wilbers including postage.

    All prices in Australian Dollars, we pay a lot more for stuff here then you blokes in the US.

    Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
     

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  2. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    One cheap suggestion..

    If you plan to do any really long trips - 3+ days covering over 600 miles then a Vista Throttle lock is a wrist saver. Forget the rocker pads etc - they don't really give you a chance to relax your throttle hand because you still need to apply pressure to keep the revs up. Over in Europe you can get a universal 22mm(7/8th inch) handlebar Throttle lock for less than £30 so won't break the bank. -

    Vista Cruise 7 8" Super Cruise Throttle Lock Cruise Control | eBay

    If you are happy with DIY then you can even fit it inverted as described here Invisible Vista and you will find the install is very discrete and will just clear the tank when the steering is on full lock. Just realise that a universal kit is unlikely to be exactly right when you first install it - the grip on the throttle will either be too much or too little. So leave time for testing on a quiet bit of clear road to try it out and take time adjusting the tension screw set-up in small increments until its just right - holding the throttle steady but still easy enough to wind off completely in an emergency.

    Practice engaging and disengaging the throttle lock so you can do it without looking, and then you are good to go.
     
  3. taylor65

    taylor65 New Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions. Did yourbike come with the silver rims? It looks real good. I also like the look of your clear windshield. Thanks
     
  4. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    No, they had a lot of paint damage, so when I put new tyres on, I stripped back the paint.
    It took about 1 hour per rim, some paint stripper overnight and a bit of elbow grease with a small scraper and steel wool.
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2013
  5. taylor65

    taylor65 New Member

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    They look real good. How much maintenance do they need
     
  6. white_335i

    white_335i New Member

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    Did you already add heli bars? That might be worth a upgrade.
     
  7. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    I use Silkolene Titanium chain gel which is a white colour on my drive chain. I sop up the excess on a rag and wipe this on the inside of the rims and seems to work a treat.
    Any gunk wipes off easily.
     
  8. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    Heli bars have crossed my mind, I do find the standard ones a bit low for long trips.
    A bit expensive, might have to wait for a few months.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2013
  9. betarace

    betarace New Member

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    HHS pads and 15wt fork oil. Cheap ang Big Bang for the dosh
     
  10. Durk

    Durk New Member

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    Yeah I wouldn't consider Heli bars a "cheap" upgrade considering they are $270 new.
    BUT, if you can pick up used ones then they are worth it. I got mine on here from a member for $70.
    Well worth it.

    Also want to add that you can score a RC51 oil cooler for $40-$50. Easy to install and all you need are bigger o-rings.
     
  11. taylor65

    taylor65 New Member

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    I take it the rc 51 oil cooler is bigger helping to keep it cooler? I have not heard of that one before.
     
  12. Make56

    Make56 New Member

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    I have about the same problem as you with reaching the ground in stops so I ended up ordering Wilbers shocks with 30mm reduced seat height for my 3rd gen. I have not tried it on the road yet because of the snow :( but in the garage it feels much more comfortable than the standard one. In addition the shock is adjusted in the factory according my ride weight and riding style, so I except it to improve handling as well. I also fitted progressive front sprigs from Wilbers, where I do not know the rate, but since I ordered those together with the rear shock, I assume they were also chosen according to my weight.

    I will report the result when the snow melts and I can do some test driving.
     
  13. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    The other thing I have done which is purely cosmetic, is making my own mesh panels for all fairing openings. Looks much better in real life.

    DSCF2701cc.jpg
     

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    Last edited: Apr 2, 2013
  14. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    I'd be interested to hear how your bike handles with the lowered rear end.
    I must admit, I'm a bit hesitant on lowering the back as it should theoretically slow the steering geometry.
    Progressive springs don't have a set rate as they are, well; progressive. And are more suited to bikes that have very varying loads.
    The correct rate for my weight was 0.9, but two up with my wife was closer to 1.0, so the 9.5 is a bit of a compromise, a bit stiff on my own, but much better two up.
    Regardless, it is a million times better than the standard set up.
    As for waiting for snow to melt, I pitty you blokes, we have tens of thousands of kilometers of sunny winding roads within reach all year round. We only have to dodge kangaroos, wombats and sun baking goannas.
    I once hit a flock of kockatoos at 120kh coming over a flood drain which were sitting on the road eating grain from a spilt grain truck; they all took flight when I came over the crest. Hitting one at that speed hurts, hitting half a dozen is an experience I don't want to repeat.
     
  15. rocketscientist

    rocketscientist New Member

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    Looks good does the mesh vibrate/hum riding down the highway?
     
  16. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    No, I shaped them so they were a nice fit, then siliconed them in to the inside.
    they are really tight.
     
  17. Durk

    Durk New Member

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    I just put it on, and noticed it's running about 10 degrees cooler than where it was in similair temps.
    It was 79 out the other day and she was running b/w 175-180, before it would be at b/w 190-200.
    I came to a red light and it climbed to 205 and stayed there instead of hitting 220 and the fan coming on. Then I took off and after 1/4 mile it was back down to 180.
     
  18. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Hey cuelo..were did you order that tank protector????
     
  19. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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  20. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Thats one pricey protector....thanks Man
     
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