Basic weight reduction questions

[MentalFacility]

Basic weight reduction questions

Now with more than 3000 km on the clock and no signs of burning oil I want to start moding my lovely bike. Main focus is to make it even lighter. And so I have some questions.

1. I have seen people remove their brake fluid reservoirs. How safe is it to do that?
2. A lot of riders claim that an aftermarket pipe can save up to 5 kg. Is that true? Do you need a FULL SYSTEM for that? If true what brands are better in terms of value?
3. Do I need a power commander and the ignition module to get any extra power out of a new exhaust (if I get one).
4. Alloy components. Where are the places where these can be used effectively and efficiently?
5. After market magnesium wheels. Do they really provide so much difference for the money?
6. After market body kits. How much weigh to they save?
7. How do I better approach suspension set up? I’m about 83kg in all gear and the bike feels alright as it is (factory settings). Should I bother? If I should, then is there a way of doing it yourself without fucking it all up?
8. My pillion pegs are likely to STAY.
9. I also need my mirrors and I don’t want to remove them.
10. Anything else I forgot to mention?

Oh and I DO go to the gym.

[hospitalfood]

what sort of bike ?

[xwhatsit]

Sell your porky modern bike and buy an RS125. Or even a CB250RS!

[Blackshear]

Just a quick 2c worth.
Exhausts can cut a fair amount off the bike. Some (But no names from memory) can cut off as much as 10kg by going with a thinner walled and de-baffled unit.

1x 6m 316 2mm tube = can pick up with hands
1x 6m 316 5mm tube = arm wobbles
With something like an exhaust, i'm pretty sure sweet fuck all relies on its structural rigidity.

I reckons the wheels and exhaust hold the greatest price/weight loss ratio.
CF rimz and thin walled loudasfuck titanium exhaust = lighter by lots. Poor wallet.

[SixPackBack]

Save your money for track days and rider training. 2

[MentalFacility]

Save your money for track days and rider training. 2

cant see what question on this list this comment is relavant to.

[jtzzr]

Sell your porky modern bike and buy an RS125. Or even a CB250RS!

Only a select few can handle those kind of horses, and I`m sure the bike weighs more than you bro.

[SixPackBack]

cant see what question on this list this comment is relavant to.

Spending lots of cash to make it lighter is a waste of money unless you are a superlative rider. Trackdays are something you can take with you to the next bike and makes you fast [and safe].
Unless of course you want a candy bike with demon chicken strips?

[MentalFacility]

Spending lots of cash to make it lighter is a waste of money unless you are a superlative rider. Trackdays are something you can take with you to the next bike and makes you fast [and safe].
Unless of course you want a candy bike with demon chicken strips?

What if im planning on having a candy bike AND taking it to the track?

[LBD]

:confused:
what sort of bike ?

Ditto, you gotta answer this one first, ie no good suggesting a lighter radiator for an air cooled bike now is there?

Value for money, cant beat a gym membership/beer gut reduction followed by lighter components.

Carbon wheel, are expensive but good because they are much lighter and therefore improve handling by reducing the gyroscopic affect and b) improve acceleration because less mass to spin up.

Lighter exhaust, intake and fueling mods would be next.

LBD

[MentalFacility]

what sort of bike ?

cbr1krr 08

[jtzzr]

cbr1krr 08

Yeah gotta get the weight down on those porkers, If I need to lose weight on my bike , I give it to someone else to ride p/t

[Nutter34]

Have you had a look on any Blade sites? CBR.net or something like that?

You are bound to find more relevent information there.

As for wheels, one of the mags did some tests a few years back. They do make a difference but not as much as they thought they would.

I would actually advise you start with getting the suspension sorted. Bikes come with compromised suspension from the factory, so to get it 'tuned' for your weight, would make a bigger difference...
That said, if you are going to lob weight by getting a pipe etc, you may do it afterwards...

[LBD]

Have you had a look on any Blade sites? CBR.net or something like that?

You are bound to find more relevent information there.

As for wheels, one of the mags did some tests a few years back. They do make a difference but not as much as they thought they would.

I would actually advise you start with getting the suspension sorted. Bikes come with compromised suspension from the factory, so to get it 'tuned' for your weight, would make a bigger difference...
That said, if you are going to lob weight by getting a pipe etc, you may do it afterwards...

Can you remember the mag with the wheels article? I have been saving for a set of BST...More info the better.

LBD

[nosebleed]

1. I have seen people remove their brake fluid reservoirs. How safe is it to do that?

Seriously?
Any pic's?

Coz the way thats written I see no (substantial) weight savings, except when your brakes are sucking air and the weight loss is you coming off.

[MentalFacility]

1. I have seen people remove their brake fluid reservoirs. How safe is it to do that?

Seriously?
Any pic's?

Coz the way thats written I see no (substantial) weight savings, except when your brakes are sucking air and the weight loss is you coming off.

Dont have any pics(

Ive seen this sorta thing on biggles08's zx6r

[AlBundy]

Heard of these...

HRC kits. A clear hose that clamps to the rear master cyclinder instead of the ugly black line and huge reservoir...

That the one?

[nosebleed]

by hokey... http://tyga-performance.com/site/product_info.php?products_id=459

[AlBundy]

by hokey... http://tyga-performance.com/site/product_info.php?products_id=459

Them's the ones.

[Brian d marge]

cant see what question on this list this comment is relavant to.

trust me hes right .......

start with the frame ,,, ..bikes are made with Volume production in mind , and CHEAP volume at that .. add back onto the frame ONLY what is necessary to make the bike go and stop... try and get one part to do multi functions , finally Steel is a good material

Decide what you want to achieve .... and work towards that ..

BTW 1/2 fill the tank full of gas and there's a weight reduction of a few kilos ,, say 4..or 5 right there ,,,THAT is more than you will save by replacing with alloy stuff

Stephen

[AlBundy]

I don't know how much you want to spend on a pipe.

I bought a pipe for the KTM, a full system. It saved about 8kg's in total due to going to a single can, from a dual can setup. I don't know how your gains/losses will compare but there will be some.

[Ixion]

If I was desparate toi save weight, I could chop off my dick, and save 5 kg or so. You could try doing that should save you a few grams . After all you've got nothing to lose.

[The Stranger]

Basic weight reduction questions


2. A lot of riders claim that an aftermarket pipe can save up to 5 kg. Is that true? Do you need a FULL SYSTEM for that? If true what brands are better in terms of value?
3. Do I need a power commander and the ignition module to get any extra power out of a new exhaust (if I get one).


7. How do I better approach suspension set up? I’m about 83kg in all gear and the bike feels alright as it is (factory settings). Should I bother? If I should, then is there a way of doing it yourself without fucking it all up?


Oh and I DO go to the gym.

2 A can will usually save some weight and a full titanium race system usually more again. Most of the manufacturers can give you figures on the weight saving. If I recall correctly HDTboy weighed Two Smokers full titanium system against the original and it was of the order of 10kg saved.

3 Each bike is different, as is each exhaust so actual results will vary. Some aftermarket cans on some bikes have been known to drop power output. The PC should ensure that don't happen.

7 Get hold of someone who knows what they are doing with suspension set up. I gather Robert Taylor or Shaun Harris know something about suspension.

It's a loosing game trying to lighten a modern SS type bike.
The savings you make will be small as will the effect - without huge cost.
You will get best results if you go on a diet. You may very well put on weight going to a gym.

[Tony.OK]

After market wheels........................should be high on the list, talking from experience they would be # 1 on my list.
1kg of rotating mass is equivalent to 3-4kgs of normal mass. I had some Carrozeria rims on my 06, big gains in handling, braking and acceleration was improved alot too.
Just have to be careful when committing the $$ as new OEM rims are getting lighter all the time.
Compare the cost with a quality full exhaust system and theres not much difference and the handling will far outweigh any HP gains.
Carbon would be the bee's knees but do ya trust your tyre shop not to wreck 'em.

[hospitalfood]

i would leave the brake reservoir
muffler
wheels
pillion pegs and mounts ( perhaps you could do some quick release method )
then you start to spend large for small the weight loss gains
bodywork
brake disks
airbox
etc

drilling holes in things can lose a bit of weight without spending, you can drill holes in all sorts of metal parts, think about where the load will be on the part first, as a general rule drill in the centre of things.

[HungusMaximist]

I vouch for weight loss. Jenny Craigs.

[The Pastor]

those "HRC" brake pipe things are a complete waste of money, you save about 100 grams. And they leak. - but they look cool

Not suitable for road riding.

[MentalFacility]

If I was desparate toi save weight, I could chop off my dick, and save 5 kg or so. You could try doing that should save you a few grams . After all you've got nothing to lose.

wow dude. Nice advice and all but keep it to urself.

[MentalFacility]

those "HRC" brake pipe things are a complete waste of money, you save about 100 grams. And they leak. - but they look cool

Not suitable for road riding.

are they really that bad?

[CB ARGH]

If you want to loose a bit of weight, just go on that diet.

If you're going to be taking things off and swapping things around, just make sure they're safe and warrantable :whistle:

[Forest]

Definitely agree with going on a diet.

Look at the MotoGP and Superike riders. All of the top guys are midgets.