Thinking of modifying the Gixxer.

[onearmedbandit]

Was weighing up the options the other night of buying a new bike (no real motivation to do that currently) or spending some money on doing up my current steed. I'm thinking of dropping some weight from her and maybe upping the power at some stage.

Ideally I'd like to drop between 15-20kg from her. Which means a lot of work and dollars, but hey you've got to set goals! So far I've considered dropping all unnessecary extras on the bike to lose a few kg's, dumping the std fairings for replacement carbon fibre fairings, replacing the std rims with either Marchesini magnesium rims (about US$500 a rim) or going the full hog and sourcing carbon rims (big big $). I also intend to replace the suspension with Ohlins or Penske at the rear and either sourcing a new set of forks (would be ideal as then I can replace the std calipers) or just putting new internals in the std ones.

So can anyone help with local contacts or even international contacts for going ahead with this sort of task? I'm doing the usual ie searching ebay and google, but there is a sea of info out there so if anyone can help by weeding out for me some worthwhile companies to contact I'll be very greatful.

[TonyB]

Tell you what, swap the GSXR for my FZR. Then it'll be far easier to shed 20kg from it

You do know that Don has carbon fibre rims at Pitlane eh?

[onearmedbandit]

No, no I didn't. I'll be ringing him tomorrow then. It'll probably cost over $6000 for carbon rims, but the performance gains are supposed to be pretty impressive.

And thanks for the offer Tony, but um, err, no thanks.

[saul]

Was weighing up the options the other night of buying a new bike (no real motivation to do that currently) or spending some money on doing up my current steed. I'm thinking of dropping some weight from her and maybe upping the power at some stage.

Ideally I'd like to drop between 15-20kg from her. Which means a lot of work and dollars, but hey you've got to set goals! So far I've considered dropping all unnessecary extras on the bike to lose a few kg's, dumping the std fairings for replacement carbon fibre fairings, replacing the std rims with either Marchesini magnesium rims (about US$500 a rim) or going the full hog and sourcing carbon rims (big big $). I also intend to replace the suspension with Ohlins or Penske at the rear and either sourcing a new set of forks (would be ideal as then I can replace the std calipers) or just putting new internals in the std ones.

So can anyone help with local contacts or even international contacts for going ahead with this sort of task? I'm doing the usual ie searching ebay and google, but there is a sea of info out there so if anyone can help by weeding out for me some worthwhile companies to contact I'll be very greatful.

Hi mate 15-20 is as you've pointed out a hell of a lot money and work to shed.

How about losing a few kilos yourself and just continuing to thrash that baby.

I have just finished reading an older PB mag where they were doing the same thing to a 750 and while it was interesting it seemed like a huge hole for money to disappear into

Have you checked out bugmans site for some links and clever ideas.
http://www.81x.com/bugman/gixxermods

Cheers

[Patch]

15-20kg A. Thats gonna take some work on the treadmill

With the way the dollar has been bouncing around, prob easier to use someone local unless you buy this and then bolt this on

Those are the first two serious mods I would consider the rest is just bling for ya ride.


I've found these guys very reasonable and more than willing to ship here.

[bobsmith]

Exercycle should also take about 5-10kg off the weight, if you're really keen about dropping weight...

Jokes aside, good luck on the work you want to get done on your bike, and let us know how it all goes, I also wanted to tell you, when I first started looking at getting into motorcycles, seeing your video clips and realising (after a looong time....) that you weren't called OAB for no reason was a real eye opener and an inspiration.

[texmo]

Just curious, wouldnt it be easyer to up the power rather than drop weight. Also why not get a new bike wouldnt it be a lot cheeper?

[onearmedbandit]

lol, yeah I don't think I could lose 15-20kg, I might disappear! Maybe could afford to lose 3-4kg in that department.

I'll check out his site now. It maybe that I'm disillusioned and decide that it is too much expense. But I'm seriously entertaining the idea. With the right mod's and $$ I think a 160hp 150kg thou would be a lot of fun.

[onearmedbandit]

Just curious, wouldnt it be easyer to up the power rather than drop weight. Also why not get a new bike wouldnt it be a lot cheeper?

Thing is texmo, I don't use all the power that is available now all the time. However I do use all the bikes weight everytime I ride it. Dropping weight gives better acceleration, improves stopping, and improves handling including flicking from left to right etc. All things that adding more power can not do other than acceleration. And why not just buy a new bike? Yeah sure it would be cheaper, but I like the idea of having a bike modified by myself that is unique. IE trick wheels, carbon fairings, etc etc.

And because I can.

[TonyB]

No, no I didn't. I'll be ringing him tomorrow then. It'll probably cost over $6000 for carbon rims, but the performance gains are supposed to be pretty impressive.

And thanks for the offer Tony, but um, err, no thanks.

Yep he definitely has, I won't post what I think he's asking for them as I could be wrong, but I recall it was a whole lot less than $6k

[texmo]

Thing is texmo, I don't use all the power that is available now all the time. However I do use all the bikes weight everytime I ride it. Dropping weight gives better acceleration, improves stopping, and improves handling including flicking from left to right etc. All things that adding more power can not do other than acceleration. And why not just buy a new bike? Yeah sure it would be cheaper, but I like the idea of having a bike modified by myself that is unique. IE trick wheels, carbon fairings, etc etc.

And because I can.

Makes a lot of sense to me. but isnt your bike already unique to yourself? i mean not every bike has clutch on the right side do they?

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks Tony.

Yeah you're right texmo, but I want better handling, the unique part is the cherry on the top. During some spirited riding the other day chasing a 999R I found the bike somewhat reluctant at speed to change direction quickly. I'm running a good set of Pilot Powers, so I don't think the tyres are to blame, more the inertia the bike is carrying. And changing to light weight rims makes a big difference there. So would tuned trick suspension, and making the bike lighter over all. The more I think about this the more I want to do it.

[texmo]

Yeah fair enough. You should contact loosebruce about some white power gear for your bike. Alwase a good step in the right direction. Would be nice to see a fully carbonfibered up gixxer out there too. and mag rims look the part too. good luck with it anywho.

[James Deuce]

Concentrate on unsprung weight. The ratio runs to something like 1:8; that is for every kilo of unsprung weight you lose it is equivalent to losing 8kg of sprung weight.

Wheels, brake discs, calipers, brake lines, swing arm, linkages and axles can all have a huge effect on suspension control if replaced with lighter, stronger, quality parts.

The other ideas you have are great, but you can also shed a heap of weight by going to titanium bolts, screws and fasteners. Just don't get anodised ones. Or we'll have to call you rude names.

Don't forget to use that special motorcycle air in your tyres, because it is much lighter than standard car air.

I need to lose 30kg of sprung weight. Race to the Pies might be the last hurrah.

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks Texmo, I'll pm Bruce.

Jim2, that's the line of thought I was on as well, reducing unsprung weight. Even if I don't go the full carbon rim jobbie (but I will look into it) I'll definitely pick up a pair of Marchesini rims. Just what colour to choose...

Also the titanium bolts, screws and fasteners is on my list. Should be able to pick up a complete kit somewhere. My wife is going back to Japan at the end of the year for four months and I will probably go over for a period as well, and I've seen kits over there. Might have to email my contact at Racing World if I can't 'weight' that long!

Dropping things like pillion pegs (wife won't like that!), factory brake light set up, std footpeg hangers, etc will all add up. Add in carbon fairings, light weight rims and other bits and pieces I think should get me around 8-10kg off. I'll have to start looking harder to get those extra kg's.