Figured out my first mod...

[Ninja Chris]

Rim stripes! Both cosmetic and safety.

Anyone have suggestions for a reputable place to buy rim stripes? Is there a Kawasaki color chart I can use to make sure the tape matches the decals?

[saxnbass]

What colour stripes do you want?

Tapeworks has a large selection of colours and styles (metallic, sparkle, reflective, colour changing, etc.). However, they are a pain to install as they don't come with an applicator. The reflective ones do reflect very nicely though. They're also quite pricey compared to others.

If you're not too picky on colour, then I'd say check out the ones they have at CycleGear or MotorcycleSuperstore or RevZilla that include the applicator. I have a friend that got his tape at CycleGear and it came with applicator, his is a lot more even and clean looking because of it.

[massacremasses]

fender elimnation?... Should be your first.

[saxnbass]

Yeah, but that just requires a hacksaw and sandpaper or dremel.

[massacremasses]

Its still a modification... Dude I should totally make metal ones. I have a automated plasma cutter I could use to cut them out of... Damn.

sorry OT, just thinking to myself.

[saxnbass]

Metal rim 'tape'/stripes?

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

Metal rim 'tape'/stripes?

HAHAHA no fender eliminators.

[str8t six]

i got mine off ebay from cgd graphics.

[iceknyght]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

HAHAHA no fender eliminators.

Dude, you totally should! It can't be that hard from some of the 'kits' I have seen...

I got my rim tape at Cycle Gear... I ditched the applicator and did it by hand... The first wheel looks okay, but by the last side of the second rim, I had it down pretty good... LOL!

[cmSAE]

get a turbo...

or this....

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by iceknyght

Dude, you totally should! It can't be that hard from some of the 'kits' I have seen...

LOL!

but id sell em for like $20 shipped lol way cheaper than anywhere else. lol

I need to stop thread jacking... lol

[Ninja Chris]

Thanks for the leads guys. A couple of the shops you mentioned are already on my list, but I will give them a second look. I have a cover in the mail, and I'm thinking hard about what to go with next.

The rim stripes seemed like a great start this morning, but after my first night ride, the integrated tail light from Thunder is looking even more attractive. While I'm at it I might as well do the fender elimination... right Justin? But this is also my main source of transportation, so some capacity to carry things is a high priority (I'm looking at a set up from twisted throttle).

http://youtu.be/qBPIr9YWBvU (how do I embed youtube videos?)

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade...view/6851/817/

Decisions, decisions... I wish more dilemmas were this pleasant!

[EthioKnight]

Here you go bud. No need to know how to do it when other folks can do it for ya

Link to original page on YouTube.

[massacremasses]

Yessir!

looks so much better without a tail

although do you ride in the rain? because Ive heard if you do you should keep it on or get a hugger.

[EthioKnight]

I rode my freshly fender eliminated ninjette in the rain yesterday. I has expected my back to get drenched from the backwash (hope I'm using the right term) kicked from the tires...but nope. Expect the tail section to get rather dirty what with the water and grit it's now exposed to, but that's a small price to pay for the much more sexy tail a fender delete provides. Oh! and @massacremasses I seriously doubt a hugger will do any good in this case, apart from keeping your suspension clean.

[massacremasses]

id imagine a hugger would catch a good amount of that water and prevent it from flinging up...

[ryanG19]

Justin,

I think you are getting confused about which direction the wheel is spinning. The hugger doesn't do anything to keep water from "flinging" up onto your back, it would only protect the bottom of the rear fairings/undertail. The wheel will reload with water on the way around and whip it right back into the air.

This is the reason why I just did a chop right at the license plate. In Ohio, rain and wet roads are very common.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by ryanG19

Justin,

I think you are getting confused about which direction the wheel is spinning. The hugger doesn't do anything to keep water from "flinging" up onto your back, it would only protect the bottom of the rear fairings/undertail. The wheel will reload with water on the way around and whip it right back into the air.

This is the reason why I just did a chop right at the license plate. In Ohio, rain and wet roads are very common.

haha I think you are right....

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by ryanG19

In Ohio, rain and wet roads are very common.

wimp. rooster tail's are sexy donchya know?

[ryanG19]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

wimp. rooster tail's are sexy donchya know?

Haha Ill remember that if I ever see you riding behind me in the rain. Anyone know how to attach a rear-facing water cannon to a Ninja? Or this might do...

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by ryanG19

Haha Ill remember that if I ever see you riding behind me in the rain. Anyone know how to attach a rear-facing water cannon to a Ninja?

Ha! you should be worried about following me. I'm the one without the fender


You better have gotten out yesterday and today. It's beautiful! everyone's out on the tundra

[Ninja Chris]

Turns out my first mod is a OEM Double Bubble Windscreen It was simple to do and I'm pleased with the results. I no longer have to do a full tuck to get out of the wind. Once I'm under the air flow it gets really quite

[gfloyd2002]

Along with rim stripe theme of safety that looks good, you may want to consider a brake light modulator. Really helpful to get cars to take notice when you are slowing down. Install is plug and play, takes about 10 minutes total and no mechanical ability. I recommend ModMy250.com. Tri is a member here and does good work making the stuff easy to install.

[Ninja Chris]

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

Along with rim stripe theme of safety that looks good, you may want to consider a brake light modulator. Really helpful to get cars to take notice when you are slowing down. Install is plug and play, takes about 10 minutes total and no mechanical ability. I recommend ModMy250.com. Tri is a member here and does good work making the stuff easy to install.

Thanks for the suggestion Floyd. This mod was on my list before I even had Constance I'd like to do the fender eliminator and LED replacement at the same time. Leaning toward a Yoshimura kit.


After logging some longer riding sessions I'm seriously considering adjustable levers as well. Brand suggestions and real world experience with adjustable levers are welcome

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by Ninja Chris

Brand suggestions and real world experience with adjustable levers are welcome

On advice from @alex.s, who has them on his track bike, I bought the2wheel adjustable levers off ebay. I'm NOT a fan of ebay parts purchases, but found a few others besides Alex with good experiences with them. Service was good, quality was good, price was right. Fit perfect, easy install, all milled 6061 T6 aluminum. Recommended. (And they match my paint. )

[alex.s]

the anodizing isnt the best but everything else is great
if it fades maybe get them powder coated

[choneofakind]

^^ I also just bought a set of those based on others experiences. Hop on the bandwagon with us!

[Ninja Chris]

Originally Posted by alex.s

the anodizing isnt the best but everything else is great
if it fades maybe get them powder coated

I've considered powder coating, but I've got a bit to learn before I take that route. Little items like passenger pegs, levers, bar ends... touches that will accent the black and yellow

[massacremasses]

powder can fade to but unless you are leaving it out in the hot sun all the time it will not. Your paint will become faded and nasty before powder.

Hey Chris just keep in mind home powder coating kits will not come out as good as taking it to someone. Alex may disagree but I have seen both and even the guy who does his own home stuff has me too stuff for him. I use high quality powder (as do the other PC shops) and finish and quality is noticeably different.

[Ninja Chris]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. New question; does anyone here use a shorty lever for shifting? I thought about it for my brake lever but I like the option of being able to use all 4 fingers if necessary.

Originally Posted by massacremasses

Hey Chris just keep in mind home powder coating kits will not come out as good as taking it to someone.

In this instance going the professional vs DIY route is not a problem. I have a laundry list of things I'm going to learn how to do while working on my bike and powder coating isn't on it (at least for now lol that may change after I see what it can do

This Gixxer is the closest style match I've found to the picture I have in my head for my 2012 SE Black/Yellow Decal (Constance).

[gfloyd2002]

The blonde is definitely an farkle worth getting for your bike.

I use shorty levers for both shifting and braking. I used to use four fingers, and have a post in this forum somewhere complaining that I just wasn't built for two finger shifting. Some others were the same, needing four for a better control engaging the clutch. I've played with it a bit, and now use nothing but two. Using four seems uncomfortable to me, and I've decided that I like as many fingers as possible gripping the bars, while allowing me to still work the clutch to keep the bike in the power band. Not that it is usually advisable to be turning the bars and shifting, just comforting somehow to have good control of both at the same time.

I think it is just what you are used to.

There have been a couple of things like that for me on the Ninja. Used to hate pushing all the way back in the seat, despite a respected riding coach saying it was best. Just felt awkward. But the reasons behind it were solid (putting weight on the back wheel, giving my arms and body more room to shift inside on the corner) so I did it anyway. Now I'm always way back on the seat, and sitting up too close feels wrong. Also forced me to weight my pegs more, which was also beneficial to my riding.

Not saying that two finger clutch is right and four is wrong - it is preference. Just saying that what is comfortable for you today may not be tomorrow. You can adapt easily to shorties on both brake and clutch. For me, after playing with it and resisting 2 finger control for a while, I've decided shorties make shifting easier while giving more control on the grips. But YMMV.

[massacremasses]

Ill take the blonde...

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

Ill take the blonde...

awesome! you two share the blonde, I'll take the yellow and black beast she's sitting on. Cool beans!

[Ninja Chris]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

awesome! you two share the blonde, I'll take the yellow and black beast she's sitting on. Cool beans!

I'm with you there. lol I knew when I found the picture that would be the first detail pointed out. If I can get Constance anywhere near the style this bike, I will be ecstatic. As a matter of fact, this bike marks the first time I've even remotely considered a Gixxer, and that is based solely on looks

Good stuff Floyd, just the kind of info I was looking for. I feel comfortable making the switch to shifting with a shorty. I've also practiced emergency braking with two fingers and all four. Typically I ride using two on the brake, but I like having the option of more force at my fingertips (that force coming from my arm, not the braking system)

Oh, here's another angle on the Gixxer. For anyone who might know...
Are the rims most likely painted or powder coated?
How much of the body work is painted vs. vinyl?
How many of you guys have gone the custom seat route for comfort AND looks?

I've checked out a lot of the custom seat threads both here and over at the Kawiforum, but most of the business links I've tried are either dead or inactive (pages loads, but no recent updates).

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Ninja Chris

Oh, here's another angle on the Gixxer. For anyone who might know...
Are the rims most likely painted or powder coated?
How much of the body work is painted vs. vinyl?
How many of you guys have gone the custom seat route for comfort AND looks?

Most likely painted since its two tone. or just the lip is painted with the PC rim.

Looks like the body is painted.

Havent dont custom seat, if I did I would do it for looks not comfort.