February 21st, 2014, 03:38 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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My streetfighter conversion
So I've had this 2007 Ninja 250 for a little while now, and I was in the mood for a change of style.
I stumbled across this guy's build and thought it was all kinds of sexy, so I used it as my main source of inspiration. here she is when i first got her. in her latest iteration I ripped the speedometer and temperature gauge from the old dash and fashioned a new housing from a tin can and a jam jar. However, I've since ordered a trailtech vapor that should be here in a few days. my tail mount. Pretty easy to make. Got the metal from home depot, bent and cut it to shape, and mounted it with Jbweld. it's sturdy, light, and full of holes for versatile mounting. My blinkers are plugged into the sides and I attached my old tailight and license plate with zipties while I wait for my led light to ship from amazon. needs to be spray painted potential plans for trimming the side fairings. sooo yeah. Tell me what you guys think! I'm only a few days into this and I imagine it's going to change a bit more over the next couple of weeks. I only had a hacksaw for the cutting, so the detabbing isn't as clean as it could have been. I plan on borrowing a friend's dremel to finish it off and make it look nice. However, after spray painting it, you can barely notice the nubs from a few feet away. |
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February 21st, 2014, 03:39 PM | #2 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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February 21st, 2014, 04:09 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: S
Location: CA/MA, usually
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2007 Ninja 650R, 2001 F650 Dakar Posts: A lot.
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Nice job! I really like it.
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February 21st, 2014, 04:33 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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thank you!
I've got some fork boots that I'm too lazy to put on, as well as a steel brake line and new calipers. I plan on eventually swapping out the shocks for that of the newer gen ninja. |
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February 21st, 2014, 05:07 PM | #5 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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Needs dirt handle bars
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February 21st, 2014, 06:59 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Lee
Location: Monroe, LA
Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): Rebel 250s, Ninja 250s VN750s (currently nine total) Posts: 465
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Not sure that JB weld is going to hold up to what it's subjected to.
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February 21st, 2014, 07:32 PM | #7 |
Intrepid Adventurer
Name: Josh
Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.
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looks cool. Nice naked fighter look . jack up the back end
and be warned JB WELD IS NOT STRUCTURAL !!!!! PLEASE FIND A FRIEND WITH A WELDER !!!!!! AND WELD IT >>> very resourceful though.... I wish you wouldve found a crashed bike to chop up haha.. but you are making it your own. ride safe
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February 21st, 2014, 09:05 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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I know, I had a few moments where I felt a little bad about hacking her up. Riding is awesome though. Loving the open feel of no fairings. Feels more raw.
And I was totally skeptical about the jbweld. I'm going to keep an eye on it, see how it holds up with time and all of the vibrations, but so far I'm thoroughly impressed with its strength. I've picked up the back end with it and drilled the holes for the turn signals wider and it was solid. I figure the weight of the taillight shouldn't be a problem (the seat doesn't actually rest on it, there's a 2 mm or so gap). |
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February 21st, 2014, 09:13 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: brent
Location: NOVA/ LYNCHBURG
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 93 ninja 250 Posts: 111
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what headlight did you use/ what mounts?
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February 21st, 2014, 10:04 PM | #10 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
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Very nice, I like the way it looks. All it needs is some new bars either straight bar (like a dirt bike) or some clip ons would do a lot to the way the bike looks and feels to ride. I'd recommend dirt bars though since those are more comfortable for every day riding.
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February 21st, 2014, 10:16 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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I considered clip-ons but read that there are clearance issues with the tank. How would the dirt bars affect the handling? That's something I'd need to feel out in person before I made the commitment. I've never actually been on a dirt bike before (though I really want to, not sure how to get into that kind of hobby on a budget).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 But if I could do it again, I would much rather get this. the black paint isn't worth the price premium. Unfortunately I didn't see the cheaper one until a little while later. Our forks are 36 mm, so I went with the 35-43mm brackets, but after installing them, I think you might be okay with the 28-34mm ones. Mine aren't loose, but I think it would look better if the mounting point made more contact with the fork. |
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February 21st, 2014, 10:20 PM | #12 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
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It's basically the opposite of clip-ons. clip-ons put you in a more agressive position which sacrifices low speed maneuverability in favor of a better position for high speed cornering when you're hunched over and such. dirt bars give you great leverage for low speed stuff but in comparison to the stock bars it actually improves your body positioning in terms of higher speed cornering as well. They're the superior bars for all around use, pretty much all of the naked bikes (triumph street triple, yamaha fz-9/mt-9, etc) use bars that are similar to dirt bars because they're the superior all around handlebars.
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February 22nd, 2014, 05:38 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: brent
Location: NOVA/ LYNCHBURG
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 93 ninja 250 Posts: 111
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February 22nd, 2014, 07:22 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bob
Location: Chicago
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315
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I've done both. Clip-ons will not hit the tank if you angle them right, and dirt bars give a different wrist angle and wider stance, making the steering more sensitive. Depends on your taste. One benefit of tubular bars is the amazing choice in shapes and widths.
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February 22nd, 2014, 07:59 PM | #15 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Carlos
Location: NC
Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R Posts: 38
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Quote:
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February 22nd, 2014, 08:01 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Carlos
Location: NC
Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R Posts: 38
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Looks very nice "jenkem"!!!
Do you guys feel any tremendous difference on highway speeds without the fairings? |
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February 22nd, 2014, 10:09 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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Well I'm completely sold on the idea of dirt bars. After I get the stuff I've already ordered on and save up some money, that'll be the next little project.
I know right. It just works so well. Quote:
It also feels more agile at slower speeds. A bit lighter and more flick-able. Not sure how much of that is a placebo, but chicagobob mentioned removing about 30 pounds, most of it from the top of the bike. |
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February 23rd, 2014, 12:07 AM | #18 |
Private Joker
Name: Ben
Location: Towson, MD
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '14
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^ The pregen stock windscreen doesn't really do much anyway so the difference is fairly minimal. If it were from a touring bike w/a massive screen to a naked style then the difference would be very noticeable. As for the more agile at slower speeds that makes sense when you think about the sheer amount of weight that you've taken off of the bike, every gram makes a difference and those differences add up quick.
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February 23rd, 2014, 01:07 AM | #19 |
InfoWhore
Name: Melashi
Location: 75081
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 StreetFighter ~~~~ 2005 KTM 450 EXC Posts: 628
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Replace those mirrors!Bar end mirrors wold look so much better.
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February 23rd, 2014, 12:29 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: bob
Location: Earf
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642
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Might think about doing this to the back to hide the frame a little more.
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February 23rd, 2014, 09:29 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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While I love the idea of doing a complete cafe racer conversion(laziness and a budget are the only things stopping me) I personally really like the look of the exposed frame under the seat. I might eventually start chipping further into the bike. Maybe replace the airbox with pods, budge the battery a bit further in, and so forth, in order to create more empty space beneath the bike.
On another note, the trailtech vapor/dash just came in, and the rear shock of a ninja 300 should be here in a day or so. I'm kind of enjoying the riding side of owning a motorcycle so I'm procrastinating installing everything for a bit. I'm wondering if it might be a bad idea to stiffen the rear suspension without doing anything to the front? Would any improvements just flip flop on me and turn into a badly balanced bike? and here's another picture. If you click on it you'll get a higher resolution and you can see where I mounted the rectifier underneath the brake fluid reservoir. |
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February 23rd, 2014, 09:34 PM | #22 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: bob
Location: Earf
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642
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February 24th, 2014, 08:37 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bob
Location: Chicago
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February 24th, 2014, 08:38 AM | #24 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bob
Location: Chicago
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315
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Quote:
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February 24th, 2014, 08:44 AM | #25 | |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Especially in heavier traffic areas like around Chicago (lived there for 20 years) you need to be able to keep your head and eyes up and be able to get a good view from your mirrors quickly. The barends also add width - which isn't very handy at times either. |
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March 2nd, 2014, 07:24 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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I've been really busy with school and the only thing I've had time for was swapping in the ninja 300 shock.
By far the easiest, cheapest, and best upgrade you can do to this bike. Took about 15 or so minutes and the change is noticeable the second your butt hits the seat. It feels way more planted and capable while riding, like I was riding a new bike. I'm absolutely thrilled with the improvements and I'm ordering some stiffer springs for the forks as soon as I can. Also I half installed the vapor gauge. I've got it mounted to the handlebars with the included plastic mount and the speedometer set up, but that's it. It's been raining a lot lately and I was pretty nervous, but I haven't had any electrical issues so far. A spot on the rear frame that I didn't paint rusted in about 2 seconds though. |
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March 2nd, 2014, 07:35 PM | #27 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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How many miles do you have? Just saw this thread again and realized how clean this bike is!!!
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March 2nd, 2014, 07:52 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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Yeeaahh it looks better in person. I probably shouldn't have filled the first post with close ups of my sketchy diy jobs. it's at about 14,000 miles
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March 3rd, 2014, 07:53 AM | #29 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bob
Location: Chicago
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315
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Quote:
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March 3rd, 2014, 09:21 AM | #30 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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It's looking good!
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March 4th, 2014, 03:14 PM | #31 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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Before I bought the trailtech I cut some of the dash wires messing around with diy configurations, so I had to rewire everything, which was easy but annoying.
But the dash is mounted, everything's plugged in, the wires are tucked away, and the front is nearly how I want it. I painted the bottom edge of the middle fairing black and I like the way it smoothed out the lines. However, I'm still not sure how I feel about the overall look. I'm still waiting on a dremel to trim the front fender, which will hopefully pull it all together. I copied chicagobob's mount location for the vapor, but since I'm a lazy bastard lacking professionalism, I just attacked it with jbweld. I'm still waiting on my rear light/license plate mount to ship from china, so I'm using a portion of the original rear light and some zipties to keep me "legal." legal being very subjective considering the angle of the plate, but I haven't been pulled over yet.. Thoughts? I also have some high heat black spray paint for the headers/exhaust. I'm not sure how I'm going to go with the overall color scheme. Overall black/blue, or maybe paint the rims white, sand the headers shiny and clear coat it. rim tape? |
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March 5th, 2014, 10:32 AM | #32 |
#squid
Name: nickypoo
Location: Five Guys
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jul '16
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JB Weld might not hold it well.
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March 5th, 2014, 10:35 AM | #33 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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I got nothing to add here aside of good work and that jenkem's avatar is awesome!
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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March 5th, 2014, 10:44 AM | #34 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bob
Location: Chicago
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315
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Looks great! I wish mine had silver wheels and no rim tape.
I trimmed my front fender with a Sawzall (with a fine-tooth blade) and a belt sander. I wanted to remove the strange part that wraps around the fork sliders, and a Dremel seemed too tedious. You can remove the fender without removing the wheel, if you have good fingers. Tape it, mark it with a Sharpie, clamp it down somewhere, and cut away. Here's mine, before I painted the remaining mounting flange black: |
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March 5th, 2014, 07:27 PM | #35 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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hmmm. Ive never actually worked with a dremel. I've got a couple hand saws that are great for straight lines but can veer off unexpectedly when attempting curves. I'll start asking around for a sawzall instead, but I already feel that I'm just going to end up hacking away at it with the hand saw.
In other news, I'm totally loving the rear shock, and I've ordered some sonic springs and racetech emulators. I've definitely stretched my budget with that last purchase, but I plan on keeping this bike for a while, so better now than later when I'll just kick myself for not doing it earlier. |
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March 5th, 2014, 07:57 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org member
Name: terry
Location: SW fla
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 94
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Chicagobob,
That front fender looks great. Min nin. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 11th, 2014, 07:14 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kyle
Location: Kansas city
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 02 Aprilia RS70 97 Ninja 250 Posts: 53
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Man, cover that back end!
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July 30th, 2014, 10:17 AM | #38 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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Allllright
I've been tinkering these past few months and the bike is slowly getting closer and closer to my imagined goal. I was in a bit of a tumble that provided opportunity for some woodcraft lowered risers and I absolutely love the way they feel. I also finally got around to installing the racetech emulators and sonic springs. The result isn't what I expected. I thought it would feel overly stiff and aggressive until I got used to it and learned to love it(cough woodcraft risers cough). Instead, it just feels totally sophisticated and as if it should have been this way the whole time. It's kind of bizarre actually, how it feels both stiffer and smoother at the same time. Tangibly more planted through corners, soaks up bumps like a dream. next step is to finally install the new brake pads and steel lines |
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July 30th, 2014, 10:19 AM | #39 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: bob
Location: Earf
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250, 2006 SV650N Posts: 642
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I have to get me one of those front stands. Nice work. You don't really need the steel lines for the back brakes IMO but it works wonders on the front.
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July 30th, 2014, 10:35 AM | #40 |
ninjette.org member
Name: really
Location: california
Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 80
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Had a close call with a spider living in the bark but we're homies now.
And yeah good catch, I'm only planning on doing the front. If anyone's wondering, I managed to get the damper rods out with a mini golf putter I drunkenly took home a few years ago. The rubber handle gripped it like it was born to. |
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