Lightening her up - Page 2

Somchai · March 14th, 2013, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagobob

I removed a little more - the seat latch mechanism and its frame plates, and the bungee clip mounts. The seat now is held on by a wingnut through the rear crossmember. Shaved off a little more weight this way, and it looks pretty good, too.

Sorry about my thumb over the top of the pic - This was one of the first photos I took with my new iPhone.

Really nice bike - congrats, did u see this? http://bluecollarbobbers.com/web/ind...hk=1&Itemid=24

Chicagobob · March 14th, 2013, 07:27 AM

Thanks. Just replaced the chain and sprockets last night. It illustrated one of the great things about the design of this bike - it was only a 30-minute job.

The bluecollarbobbers bike seems to be just a photoshop picture, but it's a good idea.

Anyhow, here's a before and after comparison:

TBC · March 14th, 2013, 08:40 AM

That looks fantastic! You're giving me crazy ideas of things to try with my own bike

.

Any plans to bondo the fairing mount holes on the gas tank?

Chicagobob · March 14th, 2013, 08:51 AM

Thanks.

We have no plans to deal with the holes. The tank paint still looks pretty good, and we wanted to keep the job simple, even though that's a pretty big tank for around town. We could have saved more weight with a Muzzy exhaust, but that would have required rejetting and too much money.

I'd someday like to see if we can create a cafe racer feel by finding a 70s-vintage tank that will fit the stock front frame mounts, and combine that with a new bolt-on rear subframe and cafe-style seat. The stock petcock is in the traditional location, and the tank mounts with the traditional rubber biscuits on the frame backbone, so almost anything should fit with a fabricated rear mount (already just a bolt-on), so we'll be on the lookout for something else.

If we do find such a tank, then the original tank will be easier to sell if left intact.

Clip-ons and bar-end mirrors would also be a nice addition, and would save weight. Woodcraft clipons weight about 1.5 lbs less than the stock handlebars, but my daughter is a new rider, and she's comfortable with what's on there now.

aharnak · April 30th, 2013, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somchai

Really nice bike - congrats, did u see this? http://bluecollarbobbers.com/web/ind...hk=1&Itemid=24

I realize I'm digging up an old thread, but this is awesome. I love the look! Nicely done!

Chicagobob · April 30th, 2013, 07:26 AM

Thanks. Latest work is to trim or replace the front fender. I have it off at the moment, and kind of like just the bare fork brace.

I think I'll also finally remove the PO's pale yellow rim tape.

choneofakind · April 30th, 2013, 08:03 AM

That's not really a fork brace. That's just the aluminum fender bracket. It doesn't do anything structurally.

this is a fork brace:
http://www.superbrace.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4431
I just found one really cheap on ebay so I decided to give it a go.

Bike looks pretty good though. Any idea on what it weighs now with a full tank?

Chicagobob · April 30th, 2013, 08:12 AM

We haven't weighed it, but we did weigh all the parts we removed, and the new ones, and it's now about 30 lbs lighter than before

choneofakind · April 30th, 2013, 08:16 AM

Very nice!

Chicagobob · April 30th, 2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

That's not really a fork brace. That's just the aluminum fender bracket. It doesn't do anything structurally.

this is a fork brace:
http://www.superbrace.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4431
I just found one really cheap on ebay so I decided to give it a go.

Bike looks pretty good though. Any idea on what it weighs now with a full tank?

I think it is a brace, just not a very beefy one. It's only a 250, remember. The piece is POP-riveted to the fender, so it's easy to remove the plastic without damage to either part. The "brace" is pretty substantial in itself, although I admit the mounting points to the fork legs do not look like they were designed to provide much leverage against stress.

akima · October 1st, 2013, 08:17 AM

You've done a great job. That's a really special pre-gen you've created. I'd love one of those.

How much time have you spent in total?

What does your daughter think of the finished job? Has she passed her test and ridden it much yet?

LNasty · October 1st, 2013, 08:56 AM

not a fan of the pregen's, but that is one that I would be proud to own. You made it look like a complete different bike. I want one now

Chicagobob · October 1st, 2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

You've done a great job. That's a really special pre-gen you've created. I'd love one of those.

How much time have you spent in total?

What does your daughter think of the finished job? Has she passed her test and ridden it much yet?

Thanks.

We spent about $300 for the headlight, taillight, turn signals, and speedo/tach. The mirrors came from the parts stash. We also had to buy new tires, chain and sprockets. We got about $400 for the unused stock parts (fairings, rear fender, lights, gauges, hardware) on eBay.

She passed her test with it and rides it all the time. She went with me and some friends on a half-day ride a few weeks ago, and enjoyed it but complained about the seat (it's the stock seat)

We've switched back and forth between the stock handlebars and clip-ons, and we both seem to feel that the stock bars are more comfortable and better for a small person, around town anyhow.

I ride it, too, when it's available.

Aleshire5901 · October 7th, 2014, 09:04 AM

What headlight did you use? And where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking..

Chicagobob · October 7th, 2014, 09:42 AM

It was the basic steel 7" round headlight that is available from many sources. We got ours from Speedmotoco.com. They sell a package that includes the light, the mounting brackets and a pair of those aluminum turn signals.

It's a good headlight, because has an H4 bulb that fits the bike's headlight wiring connector, and it shines a very bright, well-directed beam, in addition to looking good on the bike.

Roark · October 7th, 2014, 10:02 AM

Any update with the wheel tape removed?

Really like this pregen! A+ chopping

Chicagobob · October 7th, 2014, 10:53 AM

No, we never bothered to remove it. Tried a small section, and it was really on there, so we're just leaving it be for now.

A black Sharpie might be of some use here.

BlownWideOpen · October 7th, 2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagobob

No, we never bothered to remove it. Tried a small section, and it was really on there, so we're just leaving it be for now.

A black Sharpie might be of some use here.

Or a heat gun and some goo gone...

March 14th, 2013, 07:27 AM	#42
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	Thanks. Just replaced the chain and sprockets last night. It illustrated one of the great things about the design of this bike - it was only a 30-minute job. The bluecollarbobbers bike seems to be just a photoshop picture, but it's a good idea. Anyhow, here's a before and after comparison: Last futzed with by Chicagobob; March 14th, 2013 at 09:21 AM.

March 14th, 2013, 08:51 AM	#44
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	Thanks. We have no plans to deal with the holes. The tank paint still looks pretty good, and we wanted to keep the job simple, even though that's a pretty big tank for around town. We could have saved more weight with a Muzzy exhaust, but that would have required rejetting and too much money. I'd someday like to see if we can create a cafe racer feel by finding a 70s-vintage tank that will fit the stock front frame mounts, and combine that with a new bolt-on rear subframe and cafe-style seat. The stock petcock is in the traditional location, and the tank mounts with the traditional rubber biscuits on the frame backbone, so almost anything should fit with a fabricated rear mount (already just a bolt-on), so we'll be on the lookout for something else. If we do find such a tank, then the original tank will be easier to sell if left intact. Clip-ons and bar-end mirrors would also be a nice addition, and would save weight. Woodcraft clipons weight about 1.5 lbs less than the stock handlebars, but my daughter is a new rider, and she's comfortable with what's on there now. Last futzed with by Chicagobob; April 15th, 2013 at 09:08 AM.

October 7th, 2014, 10:02 AM	#56
Roark ninjette.org sage Name: James Location: Lakeland Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninjette Posts: 809	Any update with the wheel tape removed? Really like this pregen! A+ chopping __________________________________________________ "That's what" -she

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March 14th, 2013, 08:40 AM	#43
TBC ninjette.org guru Name: Dave Location: Pittsburgh Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250F Posts: 308	That looks fantastic! You're giving me crazy ideas of things to try with my own bike . Any plans to bondo the fairing mount holes on the gas tank?

April 30th, 2013, 07:26 AM	#46
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	Thanks. Latest work is to trim or replace the front fender. I have it off at the moment, and kind of like just the bare fork brace. I think I'll also finally remove the PO's pale yellow rim tape.

April 30th, 2013, 08:03 AM	#47
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	That's not really a fork brace. That's just the aluminum fender bracket. It doesn't do anything structurally. this is a fork brace: http://www.superbrace.com/proddetail.asp?prod=4431 I just found one really cheap on ebay so I decided to give it a go. Bike looks pretty good though. Any idea on what it weighs now with a full tank?

April 30th, 2013, 08:12 AM	#48
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	We haven't weighed it, but we did weigh all the parts we removed, and the new ones, and it's now about 30 lbs lighter than before

April 30th, 2013, 08:16 AM	#49
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Very nice!

October 1st, 2013, 08:17 AM	#51
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	You've done a great job. That's a really special pre-gen you've created. I'd love one of those. How much time have you spent in total? What does your daughter think of the finished job? Has she passed her test and ridden it much yet?

October 1st, 2013, 08:56 AM	#52
LNasty Daily Jap rider Name: Lance Location: La Porte Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: A lot.	not a fan of the pregen's, but that is one that I would be proud to own. You made it look like a complete different bike. I want one now

October 7th, 2014, 09:04 AM	#54
Aleshire5901 ninjette.org newbie Name: Lance Location: Fort Bragg, NC Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Kawasaki ninja 250r/ 1969 yamaha as1c (125cc) Posts: 1	What headlight did you use? And where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking..

October 7th, 2014, 09:42 AM	#55
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	It was the basic steel 7" round headlight that is available from many sources. We got ours from Speedmotoco.com. They sell a package that includes the light, the mounting brackets and a pair of those aluminum turn signals. It's a good headlight, because has an H4 bulb that fits the bike's headlight wiring connector, and it shines a very bright, well-directed beam, in addition to looking good on the bike.

October 7th, 2014, 10:53 AM	#57
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	No, we never bothered to remove it. Tried a small section, and it was really on there, so we're just leaving it be for now. A black Sharpie might be of some use here.