Essential mods for 929 for riding every day?

[MementoMori]

I'm training as an instructor atm and for a while I was doing it on a 2010 Gixxer 750 which was perfect but now I have my Blade back on the road, I need to tweak it a bit.

I think I would benefit from a lowering kit for the sheer amount of manouvres and town riding but do lowering kits really affect the handling that much because I do like to go for a razz every now and again?

Also my clutch is quite heavy and just a jaunt through town sends shooting pains up my arm after a while. How can I loosen the clutch lever to make it easier to manipulate?

Should I invest in some sort of chain lubricating device? I don't think I've got the money for a Scottoiler atm but Titz linked BCF to a cheap one ages ago that seemed good, just have to turn it on and off.

The 929 seems to heat up quite quickly and gets really hot in town. Fan comes on at about 104 and off when it goes below 100. Are there any tips and tricks I can do about that or is it simply the way it is?

The instructor I'm learning under rides a 954 with ease like it's a 125 or something and I know the more time I spend on my Blade, the easier it will become but if I can tinker with the bike a little just to make my life a bit easier, I'm not gonna turn the idea down.

Can anyone help with the things I've already suggested or possibly make any more suggestions about things I could do to it?

Thanks in advance, hope you can help.

Cheers,
Steph.
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The tiger who came for a pint

[G]

What's actually different between the GSXR and the blade?
I wouldn't have an issue doing 'manouvers' on either - had you considered bigger boots rather than lowering the bike?

Saying that; lowering shouldn't cause big issues (if done the same both ends, done properly, etc) with going out for a fun ride unless you're on track or really going silly-fast around corners. (Blades often do ground out a bit early actually, so may need a bit of extra hanging off.)

You can get inline devices that give you a gentler clutch pull, I presume at the expense of more travel. You could try just changing the position - or using the clutch less.

There's quite a few cheap oilers. Loobman is one - it'd be quite easy to make a similar device yourself too.

The heating up isn't surprising at this time of year - but shouldn't actually really be a big issue, providing the fan does come on and keep it cool.

[DrDonnyBrago]

Mirror extenders are useful if your blade has mirrors as crap as my CBR600, you can make your own for less than £5 with a few basic tools.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=225080


Luggage would be a good idea, even a tank bag would be a good start.

Bar risers would make the bike more comfortable over long periods but they aren't cheap.

Chain oilers - the tutoro and loobman are common, my brother had the tutoro and binned it after a month as it was shit. I have a scottoiler and it has been great, I'm sure you could pick one up on ebay secondhand.


Heating up: just make sure the coolant is fairly fresh and topped up, my fan comes on at 107C, have had it up to 114 on a hot day, they just get warm, not much you can do.

[sickpup]

Have you considered getting a bike you can actually ride that's appropriate for the job you wish to do?

[L-Jam]

^^ this I.E. not with clip ons... when are you ever going to use any of the blade's potential when teaching? Get a hornet 900 or something.
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Journalist, student, egotist.
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Skp 50 --> GS 500 --> CBR600F with custom HRC paint jobby --> GSX-R 750 K7, beautiful!

[MementoMori]

Thanks for the replies.

The Gixxer's seat was thinner than the Blade so I found it much easier to get my feet planted whereas on the Blade I'm on my tip toes at times, certain cambers etc, and it's a bit of a ball ache sometimes.

The Gixxer's clutch was fairly light too imo and it didn't hurt my wrists at all.

Despite some of the comments on here, it was a really good bike for that purpose.

I have had my Blade for years now, since way before I decided to do my instructing and unlike most of BCF, I'm not made of money and can't just go and buy a second bike off the bat.

I am looking for a cheap bike like a CB500 or an ER5 or something but it has to be dog cheap and now isn't the best time of year to go looking for cheap bikes that run.

In the meantime I need to use the Blade.

Thanks for the helpful replies. Mirror extenders are a fantastic idea as you're right, the mirrors on the Blade are utterly shocking and most of the time I can just see my arms in them. I have a tank bag, this gets used loads.

I will keep an eye out for used Scottoilers and see if I can push to get a proper one fitted. It would be better, just dunno if I can afford it. Will have to have a look.

Coolant needs a top up I think. Will get that sorted while it's still fresh in my brain.

Thanks for the help.
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The tiger who came for a pint

[G]

Have you had 'heavy duty' clutch springs fitted at any point?
Not uncommon when replacing a clutch.
My zx9 was certainly a fair bit heavier than the GSXR1000, but the '9 definitely did have heavier springs fitted.

If I was short enough for it to cause a problem and was looking for riding for a job, I'd definitely be considering some bigger boots.
You could look at cutting down the blade seat, but not all seats cut down that well (for instance I suspect the SV650 would be ideal to be cut down as it has plenty of padding ontop and at the sides.

I got halfway through making al electronic chain luber that comes on with the engine running. Reckon total cost would have been under £30 including adjustable flow etc. However this was totally 'DIY', not from plans etc so will require a bit more effort.

I did consider doing some DIY bar risers for the ZX9 when I was getting back/neck ache. A couple of bits of 7/8" bar and make some clamps by drilling the 7/8" in to a chunk of metal and then cutting in half with bolts through the other way to clamp it on. However, turns out it was just my heavy helmet, so I used a lighter helmet instead. I'd be quite happy riding my 06 GSXR daily for long periods in such a position I reckon - though, having a small bike is probably less of an issue then, but the power delivery would be perfect, if the fuel economy less so.

[Tarmacsurfer]

[The Tot]

Essential mods?

1) Stompgrip - I used to carry a lot of pillions and in stop start traffic in town, they helped a LOT with minimising unwanted weight transfer

2) Single seat cowl - You know how big the storage space is under the seat? Make it even bigger with a single seat cowl (not an overcover for your pillion) - I've got a comprehensive tool kit, several cans of lube, PCIII, Alarm, 2 disk locks and room for a drawstring full of my wallet/phone/camera.

3) Fake Spazzo levers - I hated the heavy clutch feeling so I found that since swapping the levers, there's a lot less effort needed on the clutch hand. I went for the long span levers because of how i brake.

4) Tutoro - Mines been on the bike for 3 years and it's fine!

5) If your suspension is shot, get it overhauled and set up for your weight/riding - best mod ever. No need for fancy shocks, OEM with matched springs does the job as good as anything else.

Okay, if you're silly enough to use your blade in town for prolonged periods of time, expect things to pop.

1) Make sure every element of your charging system is in check. Altenator, Battery and Reg Rec. I found to my cost that when my reg rec went, I didn't check the altenator. And then to make things even worse, my battery got replaced/swapped for something inferior. Run your lights in town on your own peril because the moment the fan kicks in, it's asking a lot from your charging system.

2) My mate Harley suggested to swap clutch plates and springs for a heavy duty kit from Barnett. Town use will knacker the clutch since 1st gear is pretty tall.

When I lived in london and commuted the 12 miles to work from Barnet to Warren Street, it was in the workshop for at least 3 weeks... all for isolated electrical issues.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[sickpup]