Modifying bikes - do you do it?

[Motu]

If your budget runs to it, get Ohlins.

Fortunately my budget doesn't run to Ohlins,so I was able to use Motu shocks,modified by him to suit my purposes.

[baptist]

Don't do much, don't have the time to be honest, put a set of forward controls (moved 4") on my S40, I might have a hobbit's inside leg measure but I still felt cramped up until I did it.

[nzspokes]

My bikes such a classic I have to mod it to keep it going.

[cs363]

If your budget runs to it, get Ohlins. Both my recent bikes (BMW R1150GS and F800ST) have been okay, until I Ohlined them, after which they were F****ING amazing.

Best bang for your buck. Lots of bucks actually, but you'll never go back to OEM.

Agreed, regardless of brand (though Ohlins is undeniably the cream of the crop) aftermarket or modified suspension to suit the individual rider is the best money you can spend on a bike, regardless of skill level or usage.
When it comes to suspension one size definitely does not fit all, anyone that would argue with that has obviously never had suspension modified to suit them.

[Zedder]

Different head (600 has bigger valves), 600 has bigger port sizes on the head, oil cooler on the 600, different shift forks, bigger carbs for 600.
The 400 also has a 180km/h limiter, I can send you details of how to remove it correctly.
The 600 conversion is easy, just get motor, carbs, headers and oil cooler. Swaps straight in, same airbox too

Thanks for the info and I'll get in touch further on in the project regarding the limiter (purely for technical reasons of course).

[ducatilover]

Thanks for the info and I'll get in touch further on in the project regarding the limiter (purely for technical reasons of course).

I did it for those private road moments.....it got in the way with the 600 motor in it

[Hitcher]

I've got a tank protector and other serious performance enhancing mods. Phoar.

[Blinkwing]

Don't do much, don't have the time to be honest, put a set of forward controls (moved 4") on my S40, I might have a hobbit's inside leg measure but I still felt cramped up until I did it.

One thing I've always wanted to do to a S40 is this.

[Gremlin]

If your budget runs to it, get Ohlins. Both my recent bikes (BMW R1150GS and F800ST) have been okay, until I Ohlined them, after which they were F****ING amazing.

Best bang for your buck. Lots of bucks actually, but you'll never go back to OEM.

Unless you have electronic suspension... I'd lose functionality if I went to Ohlins... already spoken to Robert about it. Actually, I'd hate to think how much it would cost if Ohlins did make suitable suspension for the ESA bikes.

[Conquiztador]

Very few (any???) of bikes that have been in my ownership through the years have been left as they came. Reasons for modifying are as varied as bikes:

- Bikes have been customised for shows. Have built some from scratch where all bits have been handbuilt. Chrome bits, paint bikes, fit carbies, exhaust, extend, rake, stretch and list goes on.

- Others have had bits added/removed to make the bike more suitable for the purpose.

- Crashes and damage to bikes have sometimes guided any changes as if a bit is damaged beound repair then often something from the "good to have" box will be fitted, at times improving the looks/performance.

- Two have been made in to one becoming a "hybrid". Could be a working motor has been fitted to a rolling frame.

Much of this was done before the rules became tougher for us who loved to tinker and change bits. Now there is a need for paperwork if changes are done and you want to stay legal. Joy killers they are!

I also agree with an earlier poster who mentioned that he woke up one day and concluded that he wanted to ride more than spend time in the workshop. I used to live on a road where groups of bikers would pass every weekend. I would stand in my backyard with grease on my hands working on some project in the weekends when the riders went past. Initially I only realised that there was something wrong with the picture, but I just did not get it. Now I do. So I have come up with the ideal solution: Have decent bikes that needs no tinkering and run, and have others that are projects. This means that I can do both: spend time in the backyard tinkering and having a beer if I want to (and does not matter if the bike is not on the road) and if it is a day I want to ride I just grab a bike that is complete and ridable.

[Madmax]

1) Horn that is actually audible:unless you have hit already
2) Heated grips - helps with the Dupeytrens scarring in the right hand:1/4 twist trottle helps my mangled wrist
3) GPS, mount and power source: i know were i am (as a rule)?
4) Radar Detector, mount and power source:/Na
5) Ciggie socket to power mini compressor in case of puncture.:/Na
6) Distribution box to run all those accessories:/Na
7) Speedo-healer if the OEM is too inaccurate:bugger wont read past 300 kp\a
8) After market zorst yes

[Conquiztador]

One thing I've always wanted to do to a S40 is this.

Thanks for that link! I like what they have done with the Savage!

[short-circuit]

One thing I've always wanted to do to a S40 is this.

Amazing! Not sure about how it will ride after those mods considering it's original design, but certainly proof that (cosmetically at least) you can polish a turd

[baptist]

One thing I've always wanted to do to a S40 is this.

The S40 has it's own web forum in the USA, look at what some of those guys do to them, cafe racer mods are not that uncommon, but the Ryca is rather smart... not sure how my back would like it bent over like that though!!!!!

Amazing! Not sure about how it will ride after those mods considering it's original design, but certainly proof that (cosmetically at least) you can polish a turd

My S40... it was the best I could get for my money that was not a hundred years old

[Banditbandit]

One thing I've always wanted to do to a S40 is this.

Love it ...