Inexpensive/free modifications - Page 2

Mauchner · March 25th, 2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Mauchner,

My question is, what are you looking to get out of this bike?

So give us some more info; are you going for a certain look? a more aggressive bike in the twisties? a better bike for touring/commuting? how much do you weigh and what are your thoughts on the bike so far/what feels odd to you? etc etc.

I hope this helps you get the answers you're looking for so you can get the bike you want. Modding a bike is cool, but modding just to mod sounds silly to me.

I'm not really looking to get anything out of it per-say. It's my first bike and I just want to tinker with it a bit. I'm strapped for cash after just paying for all my licensing, insurance up front, gear, bike etc etc so looking for something I could do thats free/really inexpensive.

I am 6 foot and weigh between 155-175 usually. I actually am just modding to mod, I love to mess around with stuff and its a good way to learn what's inside the bike.

choneofakind · March 25th, 2013, 01:00 PM

My suggestion for freebies:

snorkel removal and adjust the needle height.
Take some time to really get the mix screws perfect since you have an interest in tinkering.
Doing the ziptie mod (or using PVC) to your throttle tube is also free.
Drilling slides is free and seems to work well on the newgen.
Wiring the turn signals as DRL's and turn signals is inexpensive, plus it makes you more visible to oncoming traffic.
Adjust the preload on the rear shock to your liking.

Then when you get a little more paper, go for fork springs/thicker fork oil if needed and good tires. Those will make the biggest difference to how the whole bike feels for the money you're spending. Then SS lines if you're feeling like you want a little more finesse on the brakes. Splurge for Vesrah sintered pads on the front next time you need to replace pads.

You can tinker with anything, the question is just your level of comfort while doing so.

Learn as you go.

Jesse8931 · March 25th, 2013, 04:05 PM

Best free mod you can do is become a better rider.

choneofakind · March 25th, 2013, 04:12 PM

^^^ well yes! Like they say, it's not the bike it's the rider.

But I'm not going to tell someone not to tinker with their new toy if tinkering in their blood. That would be somewhat hypocritical of me.

desrik · March 25th, 2013, 06:49 PM

cant seem to find a link but i know I saw a front fork preload spacer made from PVC and washers

LoneRonin · March 25th, 2013, 08:38 PM

spraypaint the windscreen black, just make sure you get proper spraypaint for plastic...

choneofakind · March 25th, 2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desrik

cant seem to find a link but i know I saw a front fork preload spacer made from PVC and washers

This one?
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Where_c...oad_spacers%3F

Only use preload spacers if you need more preload. Preload is not a substitute for stiffer fork springs. That's one modification I won't recommend unless it's needed.

Mauchner · March 25th, 2013, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Doing the ziptie mod (or using PVC) to your throttle tube is also free.

Wiring the turn signals as DRL's and turn signals is inexpensive, plus it makes
you more visible to oncoming traffic.

Adjust the preload on the rear shock to your liking.

Here we gooooo. That's the stuff. Ziptie mod I've never heard of. No idea what you're talking about so here comes a Google search.

Wiring turn signals to act as daytime runners I've also never heard of, another google search on the way.

Never thought to adjust the rear shock, could probably be a bit stiffer now that I think about it lol. THanks man!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse8931

Best free mod you can do is become a better rider.

mhmmmm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

spraypaint the windscreen black, just make sure you get proper spraypaint for plastic...

Yes, another good one. Had this planned but totally forgot about it. I've actually got some gloss Krylon that will work good.

Thanks guys!

choneofakind · March 25th, 2013, 09:19 PM

DRL's:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/I_want_...pods_into_DRLs
or the easier method:
...which I can't find. Let me keep searching tomorrow.

Ziptie:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26270

Mauchner · March 25th, 2013, 10:59 PM

Awesome, thank you

choneofakind · March 26th, 2013, 07:17 AM

Easier method for running ligths:
http://www.customled.com/products/ma...ic_blinker.htm

If you don't already have wiring/solder/shrink tubing/soldering iron, the first method I listed will end up about as expensive as the pair of magic blinkers. I should have just used those to save space.

NevadaWolf · March 26th, 2013, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauchner

Ah! That's not really cheap though. I'd love one, my suspensions filthy...

FYI CBR 250 tire hugger/chain guard from the Honda dealer <$13
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/blog.php?b=1099

Mauchner · March 26th, 2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Easier method for running ligths:
http://www.customled.com/products/ma...ic_blinker.htm

If you don't already have wiring/solder/shrink tubing/soldering iron, the first method I listed will end up about as expensive as the pair of magic blinkers. I should have just used those to save space.

I've got one! Thanks for the link.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

FYI CBR 250 tire hugger/chain guard from the Honda dealer <$13
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/blog.php?b=1099

13 bucks? lol someone lives in the states. I'm pretty sure the cheapest thing with HONDA on it from a dealer here would be a screw set at 25 bucks

I'll look into it. This, along with blacking out my windscreen and washing my bike I think are my next tasks when I am in town next

NevadaWolf · March 26th, 2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauchner

13 bucks? lol someone lives in the states. I'm pretty sure the cheapest thing with HONDA on it from a dealer here would be a screw set at 25 bucks

I'll look into it. This, along with blacking out my windscreen and washing my bike I think are my next tasks when I am in town next

Oh I keep forgetting to look at the location thing, sorry. :snark: You're close enough, just pop down to the states and pick one up.

BTW I wasn't sure how the blacked out windshield would work so I used Plasti-Dip to be able to remove it at a later date if I needed to. Just an idea if it's available.

alex.s · March 26th, 2013, 08:59 AM

buy pvc, cut new spacers for your forks, change the fork oil -- $15
buy quarter inch thick 1 inch wide steel strip, make new dogbones that are 0.5" shorter to give you a 1 inch raise in the rear - $5
if you want to get fancy, buy an ebay gsxr rear shock... probably wanna respring it. you'll need the bones even shorter for that one. i believe its 1" shorter so make the bones 1.5" shorter than stock - $30
pull the snorkel, rejet 1 size up with jets from jetsrus.com - $20
buy some ebay sv650 clipons and get rid of those weird street bars, then lower the forks 15mm in the triple. - $50

now your rake is set to 23.5 degrees with 3.75" trail. the same as a motogp bike. total cost: $120. result: an actually ride-able bike.

Mauchner · March 26th, 2013, 09:09 AM

Just looked into the tire hugger anddddd, 150 bucks... Damnit. Was really looking forward to that one

Mauchner · March 27th, 2013, 02:32 PM

Anyone want to buy me that cbr tire hugger and ship it to me in Canader?

Joshorilla · March 27th, 2013, 02:36 PM

My favourite inexpensive upgrade would be the £20 Phillips x-treme vision 100% bulbs. They are a lot brighter, almost too much, the definition I get on the road highlights every crack and they light at night time is a perfectly neutral white.

March 25th, 2013, 01:00 PM	#42
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	My suggestion for freebies: snorkel removal and adjust the needle height. Take some time to really get the mix screws perfect since you have an interest in tinkering. Doing the ziptie mod (or using PVC) to your throttle tube is also free. Drilling slides is free and seems to work well on the newgen. Wiring the turn signals as DRL's and turn signals is inexpensive, plus it makes you more visible to oncoming traffic. Adjust the preload on the rear shock to your liking. Then when you get a little more paper, go for fork springs/thicker fork oil if needed and good tires. Those will make the biggest difference to how the whole bike feels for the money you're spending. Then SS lines if you're feeling like you want a little more finesse on the brakes. Splurge for Vesrah sintered pads on the front next time you need to replace pads. You can tinker with anything, the question is just your level of comfort while doing so. Learn as you go.

March 25th, 2013, 08:38 PM	#46
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	spraypaint the windscreen black, just make sure you get proper spraypaint for plastic... __________________________________________________ ”Any man dies with a clean sword, I’ll rape his f*ing corpse!”- The Hound

March 26th, 2013, 08:59 AM	#55
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	buy pvc, cut new spacers for your forks, change the fork oil -- $15 buy quarter inch thick 1 inch wide steel strip, make new dogbones that are 0.5" shorter to give you a 1 inch raise in the rear - $5 if you want to get fancy, buy an ebay gsxr rear shock... probably wanna respring it. you'll need the bones even shorter for that one. i believe its 1" shorter so make the bones 1.5" shorter than stock - $30 pull the snorkel, rejet 1 size up with jets from jetsrus.com - $20 buy some ebay sv650 clipons and get rid of those weird street bars, then lower the forks 15mm in the triple. - $50 now your rake is set to 23.5 degrees with 3.75" trail. the same as a motogp bike. total cost: $120. result: an actually ride-able bike. __________________________________________________

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March 25th, 2013, 04:05 PM	#43
Jesse8931 ninjette.org guru Name: Jesse Location: Ann arbor mi Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250r Posts: 374	Best free mod you can do is become a better rider.

March 25th, 2013, 04:12 PM	#44
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	^^^ well yes! Like they say, it's not the bike it's the rider. But I'm not going to tell someone not to tinker with their new toy if tinkering in their blood. That would be somewhat hypocritical of me.

March 25th, 2013, 06:49 PM	#45
desrik ninjette.org member Name: Donnie Location: Jesup, GA Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Ninja 250R Posts: 59	cant seem to find a link but i know I saw a front fork preload spacer made from PVC and washers

March 25th, 2013, 09:19 PM	#49
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	DRL's: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/I_want_...pods_into_DRLs or the easier method: ...which I can't find. Let me keep searching tomorrow. Ziptie: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=26270

March 25th, 2013, 10:59 PM	#50
Mauchner ninjette.org member Name: Kyle Location: Kelowna Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250 Posts: 115	Awesome, thank you

March 26th, 2013, 07:17 AM	#51
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Easier method for running ligths: http://www.customled.com/products/ma...ic_blinker.htm If you don't already have wiring/solder/shrink tubing/soldering iron, the first method I listed will end up about as expensive as the pair of magic blinkers. I should have just used those to save space.

March 26th, 2013, 09:09 AM	#56
Mauchner ninjette.org member Name: Kyle Location: Kelowna Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250 Posts: 115	Just looked into the tire hugger anddddd, 150 bucks... Damnit. Was really looking forward to that one

March 27th, 2013, 02:32 PM	#57
Mauchner ninjette.org member Name: Kyle Location: Kelowna Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250 Posts: 115	Anyone want to buy me that cbr tire hugger and ship it to me in Canader?

March 27th, 2013, 02:36 PM	#58
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	My favourite inexpensive upgrade would be the £20 Phillips x-treme vision 100% bulbs. They are a lot brighter, almost too much, the definition I get on the road highlights every crack and they light at night time is a perfectly neutral white.