 |
|
 |
|
|
| Author |
Message |
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :  
|
 Posted: 11:02 - 30 May 2011  Post subject: Modding the look of YBR 125 |
 |
|
Hello everyone 
I've got a Yamaha YBR 125, can't ride it yet (17 in July) but I was wondering if there are any mods that I can do for the appearance?
I already have different headlights to the normal lamp which I like.
I can't seem to find anything different for the bike - so are there any parts from other bikes that I could make fit this one?
I don't really mind what I can put on it, just want to make it look a little different.
Would love to do something nice with it, seeing as I'll have the bike for at least a year
Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
   |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
 |
| G |
This post is not being displayed .
|
G
The Voice of Reason
Joined: 02 Feb 2002
Karma : 
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| neil. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neil.
World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Karma :  
|
|
| Back to top |
 |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| Teflon-Mike |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Teflon-Mike
tl;dr
Joined: 01 Jun 2010
Karma : 
|
Posted: 13:12 - 30 May 2011  Post subject: |
|
|
Josh,
What G there is trying to say in his infinite wisdom, is that... well, going throughthe M&P catalogue and sticking loonie lights and purple handlebars, and anodised anodised bar ends, and crash bungs and all that 'stuff'.... TENDS not to make bikes look 'better'...... merely 'Naff'.
End of the day, the world of the 'custom' motorcycle knows no bounds.... people have been at it for decades, creating everything from Cafe Racer's to hard tail chops, Rats & Survival specials, Street-Fiighters, Street-Scramblers, Motards, What-EVA....
All it takes is a little imagination, some inginuity and a LOT of consideration and effort to make them 'look' good.
Shamlessly whoring my other half's bike YET again.... this is Snowie's 'Pup'.
| SnowTigeress wrote: | This is the Mods I did to the pup:
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/odds%20and%20sods/mkd-02.jpg
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/odds%20and%20sods/mkd-01.jpg
Feature List
1) Cusomised Dashboard, with Wolf Design Clock Fascias & Transparent 'floating' Needles
2) Handlebar Mounted, Garmin GPS Sat-Nav
3) Digitally Controlled Oxford Heated 'sport' Grips
4) Waterproof Marine Cigar-Lighter accessory Socket
5) Illuminated Hazard Warning Lamp Switch (For custome Wired Hazard Warning light circuit)
6) Engine Protection BArs
7) Customised MX Handlebar Guards
8) Full Low Wattage LED Lamp Conversion (Dash Lamps & Equipment)
9) Customised Alarm-Imobiliser System
10) Custom Paint & Decals (Bike AND Helmet!)
11) Hard Wired Multi-Phone Charger + Emergency 'Phone, wind-up Torch Tool-Kit & cargo Net (Under Seat)
12) Luggage Rack |
Look at it, look at it again..... doesn't look 'modded', does it... doesn't look 'different'..... you SEE 'something' and go look, THEN you spot something else, and something elce and something elce....
THAT is a 'good' custom, each little detail, deligting and exiting, and intreguing, rather than some BIG bold statement that people may or may not like..... and which probably wont bear closer scrutiny when ragged edges and little bodges appear.
Snowie's bike, DELIBERATELY looks, at first glance 'show-room'.
It's not... its far from it. It's been repainted, and in non standard colour.... looks black, but it's actually very dark metalic purple, and in the right light (rainy day that pic was taken on wasn't 'the right light!) you see the colour coming through. Decals, LOOK like the factory originals.... they aren't.... Snowie's bike is an early TD-C, should have simple straight flashes down the tank and tail, and a 'block' CB125 badge on teh side panel. The decals 'look' like the livery of a later TD-E model.... but they aren't! They follow the lines of that livery, but they were custom made, and bits of teh actual design have been 'diddled' and colours moved around....
There are a few 'obviouse' things in there, like the engine crash bars, and the rack..... simple bolt on accessories.... Rack, note isn't 'chrome'... This bike is 25 years old, and been out of production for 20... getting stuff out of teh catalogues isn't easy. That rack was a very rusty second hand one off e-bay.... cleaned up and powder coated, but not dunked 'black' it was done with the wheels..... which were originally manky anodised aluminium.... powder coated, they match the silver stripe in the livery and the rack..... see all very small subtle 'queues' linking bits of teh scheme for overall effect!
But look at the handlebars. There is a LOADS of crap on them. Bike's been loaded up with just about ALL the widgets and gadgets you can get, and 'slapped on' it would have looked cluttered, and messy and a complete abortion.... LOTS and LOTS of hours of fiddling, fettling and pondering have gone into JUST making everything 'fit' line up, work, and look 'right', there.
The custom fascia clocks are a particular 'feature' but actually, apart from the time trying to get the pictures 'right' and making needles to look right on them.... not a lot more effort than was needed just to take the thing apart and clean it and replace teh seal that was letting it fill with water!
Heated grips... after market accessory... obviouse with the switch cluster stuick on the handlebars, but making it look like it BELONS there, took a lot more effort than just following teh instructions in the box! Actually buying a high end kit, it DID actually go on surprisingly easily, but even so.... we changed screws and painted little plates and spacers, so it didn't look like it was just chucked at the bike.
Cigarette lighter socket... THAT took a lot more injinuity. Socket, is a water-proof, marine item, something like £5 off e-bay. But to mount it so you can push a GPS power suply into it and not have it bend or wobble? Or held on with jubilee clips like a garden hose or something.... pair of handlebar yoke clamps, turned back to back, filed to actually 'clamp' round the bar, then bolts ground to length nuts ground so they fit in anoying corners, so it all fits neatly.... and the wiring? Well LOADS of rewiring was needed. Wires aren't a couple of bits of bell wire to twists round the battery terminals, but through the loom and to a multiway blade fuse box! THAT one mod took MANY days head scratching to work into the greater scheme of things!
But probably the best illustration of the customisers 'Art', is the handlebar guards.
Look at those pics Snowie has posted, and they are not 'obviouse'.. they meld into the overall scheme, and dont look out of place.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/the%20pup/104_0357.jpg
That is what they looked like when first fitted up during fettling... yes that's my living room! and YES they ARE bright orange, and just LEAP out of the photo' at you!
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/the%20pup/101_0051.jpg
Here they are, on the finished article, all painted up..... looking like they 'Belong' blending 'in' to the overall scheme of things, and looking 'right' rather than like a big bold statement or after thought.
THAT is the subtle little difference.... Bought the 'Orange' one's becouse they were £10 cheaper..... than plain black or other colour.... but even a more subdue'd colour, say 'black' would have looked heavy and out of place... and screamed 'MX guards?!?! on a ROAD bike?!?!
Making them fit, took a little bit of work with the hacksaw and file, to get them to fit up neatly and line up, without fouling cables or hoses or wires or anything, and to make them 'sit' in the end of teh handlebars neatly.... a little effort that made a BIG difference to just 'slapping them on'. Out the box, the bar end mounts were a bit... 'yuk', and didn't sit nicely in the ends of the bars... five minutes with a file, and they did.... THAT is where you get the 'look' from.
THEN paint! Look at the difference. The plastic baskets were taken off, and painted. Inside went plain black to create a 'shaddow' from the inside and make them less 'distracting'.
On the outside, they were 'two toned'... following the natural lines of the moulding, they were first painted silver..... matching the powder coated wheels, rack, and decal stripes..... then they were masked, and insets of the body colour dark purple added, to break up the shape.... creating something a lot less 'heavy' and so obviouse, and at the same time, fitting in with the rest of teh colour scheme and general 'look' of the bike, integrating them and making them 'look' like they belonged and weren't an after thought.....
On THIS bike, its is ALL the little details like that that create the overall effect, and make it a 'good' custom.... it also all has 'purpose', the mods done all have reason.
Heated grips are becouse Snowie is an all weather rider, and with little hands cant get on with thick gloves. MX guards, are there to save levers when she brings the bike down the side of the house in teh dark, or drops it on MOD 1 training (aided by engine bars!) But also to hold open the bar muffs she has to keep her mitts warm in winter.
GPS is becouse she is always getting lost! Fag lighter socket... to power GPS! The picture fascias for the clocks are a pure decaration... but why not? Makes it 'personal'... and THAT is the main thing about a Custom...
HAS to be 'YOUR' idea of what a bike shuld be, or look like, and ought to say SOMETHING about your aspirations, personality and ability......
Snowie wants to get back into teh Rally scene, and it may only be a 'tiddler' but it's been built with Rally's in mind.... AND it's been built with the idea that it CAN be put into concourse.... and if we DO get to any this year, I would love to stick it in the show tent.
Against pure show chops, it does NOT look much.... BUT.... that bike, COULD take rosettes.
Probably wouldn't gather many crowds.... but scoring in concourse, is NOT all about visual impact.
Marking is on 'concept', then on 'engineering' than on 'execution'.
Against a full on Show Chop, you'd be surprised, at how the Judge's would critique it.
Building 'something' like the do on 'Orange County Choppers' on TV... you dont get an AWFUL lot for 'Concept'... the brief is simply 'Stunning chopper'... Snowie's 'Pup' has a much more constraining mandate, that bike is built to live in the real world.... SCORE ONE... straight away, there is a very BIG thing at the moment (mainly through the evolution of the pure show bike) for 'real world' ride to show, show bikes. concept for the ultimate show-chop, is visual impact.... and they HAVE to get it right for it to achieve that in engineering & execution.... Snowie's bike, concept was form-follows function.... so the 'standard' bike, pretty much did that, to begin with, it was a case of 'enhancing' what was already there, rather than trying to create something audaciousely different..... playing it safe, BUT playing safe and succeeding, is more likely to score points than trying to be audaciose and failing... Score 2. Score THREE, for the fact that, in 'concept' its a harder mandate to work with what you have, than simply chuck it away and take 'inspiration' from catalogue parts and other bikes in magazines.... So, on to engineering...... Pure show chop, actually doesn't HAVE to have a lot of engineering go into it. and its here that some REALLY awful looking bikes, actually take awards against really stunning looking show chops... very EASY to avoid doing any 'real' engineering, using catalogue frames and components.... building your own, takes a lot more 'engineering'.... BUT... frame and forks and 'stuff' isn't the ONLY place there is engineering on a bike! Might be the obviouse stuff, but that little bracket for Snowies cigar lighter socket, is STILL engineering.... and there's plenty of other little details in there to show engineering 'done'... she's unlikely to score highly, but she will still score. wont score like a 'scratch build' hard tail, but likely to score as much as a kit build... then onto execution, and again. all the little details, all carefully considered and mnade to meld... THAT is where this bike will score...... OK, so no fancy mural oaint scheme, but it DOES have a custom paint scheme... and again, following the theme, one that will garner the odd mark.
Hardly likely to win best in show, but, it IS a bike that could take rosettes for elements of its build. So its NOT just a nice little, well rebuilt bike, or mild custom, it Is a bike that has real chance of being a 'propper' show bike....
And it is ALL down to 'those little details'....
which is all taking it a long way from where you are at.... BUT..... point is... there are some lessons to be learned here.
First: Customisation is ALL about doing it YOUR WAY!
Second: It doesn't have to be FANCY, it just has to be 'good'.
Third: It's ALL about imagination, clear ideas, and HOW YOU DO IT!
We can give you ideas, and inspiration..... but at the end of the day, its YOUR bike.
And start by chucking teh fucking catalogues and magazines away, forget e-bay exists, and just go LOOK at the bike...... THINK about what you want to DO with that bike, and what you want that bike to SAY about you.... and what you MIGHT do to it to make it better for what you want to do, and how you might change the look to suit your ideas of what it should do, how it should do it, and what you want it to say about you, when you get on it.
THEN go PLAY.... have fun, and enjoy.....
There are a LOT of very shit looking bies out there, that are SOME-ONE's pride and joy.... and we can ridicule them to death... he says, thinking about all the piss taking I have done on the 'Audio set-up on a Vivacity 100cc Thread on Show & Tell..... mainly becouse it's done badly, and he's kidded himself over the 'concept' trying to justify it for some reason! But, its his bike, or in your case, yours, to do with as you please.... as as you 'first'... it probably WILL end up looking a bit 'daft.....if its the bike I think it is, with that alienesque headlamp, already does TBH!... BUT, doesn't MATTER.... it's YOUR bike... for you to adapt how you see fit, and being your first to try stuff out on, and fathom out what works and what doesn't, and start learning some of thes subtleties of the custom 'art'.
Just ONE thing to think about though.... you anticipate keeping the thing a year or more..... you have about fifteen months until the new learner laws are likely to 'happen'.... and if you dont want to be stuck on a 125 for the next three years... you need to be planning taking tests at some point in that time frame.... or you wont be able to take the test for A2 until you are 19 to get a licence to ride a 500.....
IF you have the notion to present for test on this bike...... remember..... Motorcycle Examiners aren't NOTED for thier 'imagination'.... and they are HARD to impress, and turning up on something that says a 'lot' about YOU.... might not help your chances much...... How you work around that... up to you... but worth thinking about!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?' |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| Teflon-Mike |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Teflon-Mike
tl;dr
Joined: 01 Jun 2010
Karma :
|
| Posted: 18:45 - 30 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| joshdudeha wrote: | Thanks for your replies, especially Teflon-Mike.
A very detailed reply and I quite like the subtle things that you have done with the bike.
That's the thing, I want it to be subtle. But something that makes it stand out from the rest.
It has the headlights, I'm thinking of changing them to something a bit bigger - as you said it does look quite alienesque.
I'm not sure if I'd like to make the bike look *slightly* meatier. And that is basically my question.
Could I use spare fairings or headlights or just little things from other bikes and adjust them to my bike? If it isn't impossible to do this then it opens my possibilities so much!
Also, as for your comment about the new laws. I'm hoping to be able to take my test in August or September. I want to be passed as soon as I can. But I don't want to get rid of my 125 straight away after, as I have worked really hard for it this past year.
Thanks again |
Snowie is grumbling at me, because she has read "the things you have done with the bike" YOU meaning me, rather than YOU meaning the 'two of you'  WOMEN! so quick to take offence!
It is HER bike, and it was all HER ideas, I just helped her see them into reality and helped her figure out the details to make them 'work' and nagged her incessantly to apply that bit of extra effort to deal with the 'little things' that make the difference!
ANYWAY!
And of the day, its a 'small' bike... by nature its 'spindly' ...
Working with what you've got, you have to try and sort of acentuate the 'nature' and refine the 'look' from it.
You wont make it look bigger, without it looking like something it's not. It's all about proportion.
You could try and take fairings off other bikes and bracket them up to make it look different, but ... you have to be very careful doing stuff like that, you dont end up with something that LOOKS like you have taken a YBR125 and slapped VFr400 fairings around it....
This is the Kawasaki AR125 I had when I was 19
https://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w269/teflons-torque/00_genral/BIKE_024.jpg
I was accused of trying to make a 125 look like a GSXR750.... mainly becouse it did actually fool a few people... and TBH if you look, it DOES have a bit of 'pretence' about it....
I was always uncertain whether painting it would make it look better, and more integrated or simply 'more' like I was trying to dress up something as what it wasn't... you know, like the 16 year old with bum fluff moustache......
It was actually 'done' with a 'kit' aftermarket fairing, whcih wasn't 'cheap' by any stretch of the imagination. 1990, and the bike, brand new was £1500, fairing kit cost I cant remember a nadgings one side or other of £300.... which was what many spent on whole bikes, and GOOD ones!
Reason was not for asthetics... or not entirely. Bike had been stolen and written off by the insurance company, would now be a 'Cat-C'.....basically locks were all chisseled out, fairings all smashed and the forks bent.
cost of fairings was what wrote it off, and I could have stucka loonie light or something on it, after fixing the forks, but would have LOOKED like it had been crashed. aftermarket 'patern' fairings weren't available, and the 'universal' Power-Bronze was the next best thing..... would have fitted up with the original headlamp and headlamp sub frame, only that had been mangled in the smash too... hence as cheap and easy to get the twin beam version with the Cibies in it!
Now, from where you are starting..... THAT bike already had some better ingredients, it was a Sports 125 in its day, and had fairings as standard.
But still, while it looks pretty good, still looks like a bit kiddie tash!
Remember, form follows function......
And you are starting from teh wrong end, asking what you could do to make it LOOK different.....
You should be looking at what you got, and asking yoruself what you want it to do for you, and how you want it to do it.
You WONT get any propper answers until you start riding it, though.... so dont rush!
ONCE you start putting miles under the wheels, THINGS will start to clarify.....
How do you carry your college books? How do you keep your hands warm? Where do you store your pad-lock and chain? How do you keep your mates from pranking you, reaching under the seat and swapping the indicator wires round... (I was a student TOO once.... though that one was actually done on me by the lads in 'maintenence' at a work placement!)
Work on solutions to THOSe kind of practicalities, and you will start making the bike unique, and yours, and LOOK different... and FORM should follow FUNCTION.
Being a little bit 'grown up' with you.... bottom line is a YBR is NOT a posey bike.... its a hardy, cheap, utiliterian commuter.
If you wanted fast, or the look of fast, then you'd want an Aprillia or NRS or something. Or sacraficing useability for style and kicks, a DT Dirt bike or similar, of for pure 'pose' a chromed cruiser.
Going in any one direction, 'posing' it up.... you risk making it look like you WANTED a DT or NS or Marauder, but like the T-Shirt, all your Daddy bought you was this 'lousy' T-shirt... Sorry, YBR!
So, again... Form & Function.... working with what you have, play to the bikes strengths and natural charecter.
Its a slightly built, utiliterian commuter bike..... work with it..... its designed for practicality, go with that theme.... make it MORE practical, make it more comfortable, make it more useful....
DONT worry so much about the looks.
When I'm building a bike...... first things that get attension are tyres, brakes steering and suspension... THOSE are the important bits.... dont matter even if the engine runs, BEFORE you 'go' you make sure you can stop, and IF you can go, that you can go in the direction intended!
!25's and teenager's 125's particularly SUFFER severe neglect in basic maintenence, more in clumsy mechanics, and even more in improvised repairs and shear botchery.......
AND far too common..... and NOT just with teenagers.... its argued that "I dont have the money!" to pay for tests, get new tyres, buy a spark plug.... whatever..... YET... inrcredible they find the money to be standing in the queue at ASDA to get the first release of the new Call of Duty game, or buy posey Monster-Power sticker packs, or grab 'bargains' of e-bay by way of fancy jackets or race bobbins!
ALWAYS astounded me, particularly when I was in the trade, I'd have people come in the shop, and paw all over £300 crash helmets or £200 Jackets, or £70 accessories.... and outside they would have a bike with sqared off tyres and a slack chain!
"OH! I cant afford to soet them at the minute.... dont matter MOT's not till next month..... I'll do them then!"
Ie they spent thier money on stuff to LOOK good, and FEEL good... NOT the 'sensible' stuff to keep the bike looking good, working good, going well, AND be safe.......
DONT fall into that trap....... the 'pretty bits' are the LAST thing on the list of priorities...... by all means have fun, its all part and parcel of what biking IS.... but don't let the looks be the driver...... YOU are the driver..... think about looking after YOU first and foremost.... don't SUFFER and certainly don't fucking CRASH for the sake of some small, and often unapreciated bit of 'Vanity'....
When it comes to 'looks' and being different, believe me, being the ONE bike in the college bike shed with clean body work, un sticker splattered, with a properly tensioned chain and decent tyres.... WILL be different enbough for people to say "Nice bike Mate!" AND actually MEAN it!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?' |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
| Posted: 19:58 - 30 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks again for your reply Teflon-Mike. It really has kinda made me see sense as it were. I guess I'm just really excited about getting on it and things I can do for it. But like you said, I should wait until I get some miles under my belt before I even think of it.
Also, maintenance is something I am really going to be strict on. I am going to put a new chain and sprockets on it before I ride it anywhere as they've definitely seen better days, get the oil changed etc. The basic things and just look after it. That's the thing with people my age, they thrash the hell outta the bikes and wonder why they break down.
With a bit of luck I'll be making money as a part-time web developer (this is what bought me the YBR) so the maintenance won't be a problem.
Just gonna look on eBay for some neons to put on it  LOL!
Thanks again ! |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| DrDonnyBrago |
This post is not being displayed .
|
DrDonnyBrago
World Chat Champion
Joined: 03 Jan 2010
Karma :
|
| Posted: 07:07 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| joshdudeha wrote: | Thanks again for your reply Teflon-Mike. It really has kinda made me see sense as it were. I guess I'm just really excited about getting on it and things I can do for it. But like you said, I should wait until I get some miles under my belt before I even think of it.
Also, maintenance is something I am really going to be strict on. I am going to put a new chain and sprockets on it before I ride it anywhere as they've definitely seen better days, get the oil changed etc. The basic things and just look after it. That's the thing with people my age, they thrash the hell outta the bikes and wonder why they break down.
With a bit of luck I'll be making money as a part-time web developer (this is what bought me the YBR) so the maintenance won't be a problem.
Just gonna look on eBay for some neons to put on it LOL!
Thanks again ! |
Spend your money on petrol and enjoy the bike for what it is, it is an efficient, friendly and reliable first bike so do what it was built for and rack up some miles. You will enjoy that muchy more than some bolt on shiny bits  .
If you are really concerned about how it looks and have THAT much money to blow then get some lessons/tests booked and work on getting rid of the ugly big red L plates  . There is however something to be said for getting your bike looking clean, well maintained and presentable. If you are looking for some bike-human bonding then a few hours with a cloth and some autosol chrome polish will go a long way. Do the exhausts, bars, mirrors etc etc etc and if you are getting a feel for it then get a polishing mop and do your engine casings. Even small things like stripping down your footpegs, gear lever, brake lever etc to clean and regrease takes an age to do and it is the sort of thing that never gets done.
Enjoy the bike fella and ride safe . |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
| Posted: 15:22 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| DonnyBrago wrote: | | joshdudeha wrote: | Thanks again for your reply Teflon-Mike. It really has kinda made me see sense as it were. I guess I'm just really excited about getting on it and things I can do for it. But like you said, I should wait until I get some miles under my belt before I even think of it.
Also, maintenance is something I am really going to be strict on. I am going to put a new chain and sprockets on it before I ride it anywhere as they've definitely seen better days, get the oil changed etc. The basic things and just look after it. That's the thing with people my age, they thrash the hell outta the bikes and wonder why they break down.
With a bit of luck I'll be making money as a part-time web developer (this is what bought me the YBR) so the maintenance won't be a problem.
Just gonna look on eBay for some neons to put on it LOL!
Thanks again ! |
Spend your money on petrol and enjoy the bike for what it is, it is an efficient, friendly and reliable first bike so do what it was built for and rack up some miles. You will enjoy that muchy more than some bolt on shiny bits .
If you are really concerned about how it looks and have THAT much money to blow then get some lessons/tests booked and work on getting rid of the ugly big red L plates . There is however something to be said for getting your bike looking clean, well maintained and presentable. If you are looking for some bike-human bonding then a few hours with a cloth and some autosol chrome polish will go a long way. Do the exhausts, bars, mirrors etc etc etc and if you are getting a feel for it then get a polishing mop and do your engine casings. Even small things like stripping down your footpegs, gear lever, brake lever etc to clean and regrease takes an age to do and it is the sort of thing that never gets done.
Enjoy the bike fella and ride safe . |
Thanks for the post! Yeah this threads made me think more about it so I'll just keep it as it is. Been on it today near my house god I'm so excited. 35 Days  |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| Teflon-Mike |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Teflon-Mike
tl;dr
Joined: 01 Jun 2010
Karma :
|
| Posted: 16:33 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| joshdudeha wrote: | Been on it today near my house god I'm so excited. 35 Days |
THAT feeling.... you know it doesn't always go away......
Grown up hat on; enthusiasm DOES need to be tempered with caution, because it can easily get you doing something 'stupid', without thought, or letting the devil get the better of you....
Life is LONG.....
Well. at YOUR age... life is long!
There's plenty off it, don't wish it all away.... enjoy the anticipation, use the time, find stuff to do, it WILL fly past.
BELIEVE ME... it will FLY past!
Phoned up to order some head-phones today.... company I have used before.... "Yeah, Yeah, should be on your system, bought stuff off you loads of times...."
"Nope... not on the system... give me the details again.... we updated the system couple of years back"
Chatting about it, HIS 'couple of years'... was five.... my 'couple of years' finding the label on the back of the last thing I bought from them..... EIGHT!
35 days?
Its the blink of an eye, kid.... but while it still feels an eternity.... ENJOY!
Go adjust brakes, and chain, and check the oil, take the speedo cable off and grease it..... get a pot of coppa slip and do some prevantative on you brake caliper pins and chain adjustors, and 'stuff'.....
Tomorrow? Do some more.... day after... well if its not raining, wash it?
Day after that? check all the bodywork fastners are tight.....
Rainy day? Read the workshop manual....
then SUDDENLY..... you'll be 33, have two point eight kids, a mondeo and a mortgage,. and you'll be thinking "I'm SURE I had a motorbike ONCE!" and your brain will be rebelling, becouse in the muddled up jumbled recollection of a mere three or four years, SO MUCH will have happened, changed, been 'done'... you'll wonder how you ever fitted it all in!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?' |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
| Posted: 17:17 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| Teflon-Mike wrote: | | joshdudeha wrote: | Been on it today near my house god I'm so excited. 35 Days |
THAT feeling.... you know it doesn't always go away......
Grown up hat on; enthusiasm DOES need to be tempered with caution, because it can easily get you doing something 'stupid', without thought, or letting the devil get the better of you....
Life is LONG.....
Well. at YOUR age... life is long!
There's plenty off it, don't wish it all away.... enjoy the anticipation, use the time, find stuff to do, it WILL fly past.
BELIEVE ME... it will FLY past!
Phoned up to order some head-phones today.... company I have used before.... "Yeah, Yeah, should be on your system, bought stuff off you loads of times...."
"Nope... not on the system... give me the details again.... we updated the system couple of years back"
Chatting about it, HIS 'couple of years'... was five.... my 'couple of years' finding the label on the back of the last thing I bought from them..... EIGHT!
35 days?
Its the blink of an eye, kid.... but while it still feels an eternity.... ENJOY!
Go adjust brakes, and chain, and check the oil, take the speedo cable off and grease it..... get a pot of coppa slip and do some prevantative on you brake caliper pins and chain adjustors, and 'stuff'.....
Tomorrow? Do some more.... day after... well if its not raining, wash it?
Day after that? check all the bodywork fastners are tight.....
Rainy day? Read the workshop manual....
then SUDDENLY..... you'll be 33, have two point eight kids, a mondeo and a mortgage,. and you'll be thinking "I'm SURE I had a motorbike ONCE!" and your brain will be rebelling, becouse in the muddled up jumbled recollection of a mere three or four years, SO MUCH will have happened, changed, been 'done'... you'll wonder how you ever fitted it all in! |
Lol that made me chuckle. I go out to it every day and look at everything and check it all over to see if it's ok lol. It's my pride and joy at the moment. I'm trying to make myself busy by getting work done for college etc so it should be ok and go fast like you said. Shouldn't wish my life away
By the way, how hard is it to tension the chain up a little? I've never done it before and don't really know where to start. |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| neil. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neil.
World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| neil. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neil.
World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Karma :
|
| Posted: 20:07 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
PM sent.
IMO The '05 YBR is the better model - carb is very reliable, brake caliper has very good dust seal, 'corrigated' like on a lot of car calipers, keeps more crud out. I think you have 1 or 2 more hp than the '07 FI model. The engine is bomb proof - I only ever did oil changes every 2000 miles and valve clearances every 4000. Never had a single issue with it over 40'000 miles, besides clicking at the top end which turned out to be a loose exhaust header. Forks have been really good, never changed the seals, but I did fit gaiters early on.
Weak points are that the paintwork is pooly done and flakes off after a while, rust creeps in quickly if you use it in winter and don't clean/treat it with something like ACF-50. The exhaust is really prone to rusting, but you can buy a stainless one from Motad. The swingarm bushes can be a bastard to grease as by the time you get round to it, they're seized and you can't get the spacers out, as well as having to disassemble half the bike to get to them in the first place (should have a grease nipple)! The back brake can seize at the cam after a long time, especially in winter, but all drum brakes are prone to this.
One other hint is check what tyres you have. If they are Cheng Shin, get rid of them as they're death-traps, and fit some Michelin Pilot Sportys, which are absolutely fantastic (google for reviews, don't just take my word for it). |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
| Posted: 20:14 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| neil. wrote: | PM sent.
IMO The '05 YBR is the better model - carb is very reliable, brake caliper has very good dust seal, 'corrigated' like on a lot of car calipers, keeps more crud out. I think you have 1 or 2 more hp than the '07 FI model. The engine is bomb proof - I only ever did oil changes every 2000 miles and valve clearances every 4000. Never had a single issue with it over 40'000 miles, besides clicking at the top end which turned out to be a loose exhaust header. Forks have been really good, never changed the seals, but I did fit gaiters early on.
Weak points are that the paintwork is pooly done and flakes off after a while, rust creeps in quickly if you use it in winter and don't clean/treat it with something like ACF-50. The exhaust is really prone to rusting, but you can buy a stainless one from Motad. The swingarm bushes can be a bastard to grease as by the time you get round to it, they're seized and you can't get the spacers out, as well as having to disassemble half the bike to get to them in the first place (should have a grease nipple)! The back brake can seize at the cam after a long time, especially in winter, but all drum brakes are prone to this.
One other hint is check what tyres you have. If they are Cheng Shin, get rid of them as they're death-traps, and fit some Michelin Pilot Sportys, which are absolutely fantastic (google for reviews, don't just take my word for it). |
I prefer having a carb, gives you that little more control over starting and everything albeit it may not be as efficient as FI.
I must be lucky because the paintwork is in very good condition and no flaking.
Also with the tyres, it has City demons on it at the moment but I will think of getting the sporty's when it comes to fitting a new tyre.
I'll be replacing the chain soon, looks like it's seen better days but I have enough time to do that.
Thanks again for helping  |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| neil. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neil.
World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| Nexus Icon |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Nexus Icon
World Chat Champion
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| m0l0t0v |
This post is not being displayed .
|
m0l0t0v
World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
Karma :
|
| Posted: 20:30 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
| joshdudeha wrote: | Thanks again for your reply Teflon-Mike. It really has kinda made me see sense as it were. I guess I'm just really excited about getting on it and things I can do for it. But like you said, I should wait until I get some miles under my belt before I even think of it.
Also, maintenance is something I am really going to be strict on. I am going to put a new chain and sprockets on it before I ride it anywhere as they've definitely seen better days, get the oil changed etc. The basic things and just look after it. That's the thing with people my age, they thrash the hell outta the bikes and wonder why they break down.
With a bit of luck I'll be making money as a part-time web developer (this is what bought me the YBR) so the maintenance won't be a problem.
Just gonna look on eBay for some neons to put on it LOL!
Thanks again ! |
More sense than I did when I was your age
Also, whereabouts are you based, generally BCF people are more than happy to help
____________________
'99 Hornet 600  , VFR 400 NC30 '92  , Kasawamasaki GT 550  , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| neil. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neil.
World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Karma :
|
| Posted: 20:43 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| neil. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
neil.
World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Karma :
|
| Posted: 20:47 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
Yes it's a Motad. Sadly sitting my my garage with a big dent and other nasty marks on it since some dozy driver decided to drive their car into it. 
What on earth is going on with your front headlight/indicators etc?! |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| joshdudeha |
This post is not being displayed .
|
joshdudeha
Scooby Slapper
Joined: 22 May 2011
Karma :
|
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
| m0l0t0v |
This post is not being displayed .
|
m0l0t0v
World Chat Champion
Joined: 20 Sep 2006
Karma :
|
| Posted: 21:06 - 31 May 2011 Post subject: |
|
|
I'd change that headlight.
125 lights aren't amazing at the best of times but those will be shit! (night time riding)
also... I wouldn't post videos of you riding without a licence, insuring, etc, right by your house!
Easiest way to get caught
And Luton seems to be an hour from me, so not overly far. If you are ever stuck on something and I can help I'll happily come along. I live 20 mins from Aylesbury
Beware though. I am expensive.
It'd have to a be damn good hot chocolate!
____________________
'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed |
|
| Back to top |
| |
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
 |
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 14 years, 82 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
 |
|
|
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum
|
Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.20 Sec - Server Load: 1.5 - MySQL Queries: 14 - Page Size: 174.64 Kb
|
Help & FAQs
Search BCF
Members
Groups
Events Calendar
rating
rating