The dogs' Hornet mods

[AllanB]

Concept is the same for the top tree but I'd be mounting the clip-ons under the tree - get ones with risers. That example has the forks slid way too far up the clamps must be a good 30mm!!! Be surprised if the front guard does not meet the radiator and the handling would be significantly changed.

Yep - 'second' cover on TM. Cheap as chips if you don't mind a fiddle getting the stitching completed.

[nzspokes]

Concept is the same for the top tree but I'd be mounting the clip-ons under the tree - get ones with risers. That example has the forks slid way too far up the clamps must be a good 30mm!!! Be surprised if the front guard does not meet the radiator and the handling would be significantly changed.

Yep - 'second' cover on TM. Cheap as chips if you don't mind a fiddle getting the stitching completed.

No, you can still go on top with the stock fork at stock height. Look the same as the photo without the geometry change. You can extend the Hornet fork internally with little trouble. I would never do it pulling 30mm through the forks.

I was very close to doing it but wanted some adjustability.

[Drew]

No, you can still go on top with the stock fork at stock height. Look the same as the photo without the geometry change. You can extend the Hornet fork internally with little trouble. I would never do it pulling 30mm through the forks.

I was very close to doing it but wanted some adjustability.

This extending, does it require new staunchins or tubes? Because losing 30mm of overlap between the two is just asking to have the front wheel part compnay with the bike I reckon.

[nzspokes]

This extending, does it require new staunchins or tubes? Because losing 30mm of overlap between the two is just asking to have the front wheel part compnay with the bike I reckon.

Ive read a couple of guys in the US have set them up as adventure bikes so have put 40mm spacers under the cartridge. They say they have measured it all up and the tube is more than long enough. Only read a little about one but the other does a lot of miles on the bike and hes not dead yet.

[nzspokes]

So for this week ive fitted spools and some adjustable bars.

[speeding_ant]

So for this week ive fitted spools and some adjustable bars.

How'd you fit the spools? This is something I'd like to do for mine.

[nzspokes]

How'd you fit the spools? This is something I'd like to do for mine.

Drill and tap. The swing arm is think enough for it. The bolts are under shear load so they are fine.

[nzspokes]

So today shortened chain and fitted 15t front sprocket.

And want to make this......

[nzspokes]

On interesting mods, these guys rebuild the rear shocks and fit F4I cans to them to give low speed compression adjustability. They fit high flow pistons as well. A guy in the US got one done for $305usd.

http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/

Very interesting. Im going to e-mail them and see if I can just buy the parts as sending my shock there and back would cost to much.

[AllanB]

For the $ you may be better off looking here - by the time the VAT is removed it prob covers half the shipping.

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalo...?partno=M61099

Or contact RT for some Swedish Gold like I did a couple years back.

[nzspokes]

For the $ you may be better off looking here - by the time the VAT is removed it prob covers half the shipping.

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalo...?partno=M61099

Or contact RT for some Swedish Gold like I did a couple years back.

Hagon are emulsion shocks so as they heat they cavitate.

Ohlins is way to much on a cheap bike.

[gijoe1313]

Hahah! Ask Gremlin about Ohlins on Hornets as being the dog's bollocks! But then, Gremlin and anything techy is par for the course!

[AllanB]

Hagon are emulsion shocks so as they heat they cavitate.

Ohlins is way to much on a cheap bike.

Depends on lots of factors.

It's only a cheap bike if you can afford another - I can't so it's worth to me is the equivalent of what I'd have to pay to replace it with a immaculate example loaded with all the same goodies .......... feck if I was replacing I'd be looking at different options too - I'd like to naked a lateish model sport bike, or modify a Bonnie (I know they are caulk and cheese!). Ha the Bonnie would cost me pretty - wider rims for sportier rubber, suspension then cosmetics ...........

I knew baring a lotto win or a inheritance the Hornet will be in my garage for some years so the grand on the rear shock was good value. Plus the big O has very good resale value and depending on the 'replacement' bike it could be modified by RT to suit another.

Also once I'd replace the stock fork springs with Ohlins and fresh oil the short comings of the standard rear shock became intolerable. I looked around the net - there are options around ex Europe that depending on the exchange rate are attractive and would no doubt be a lot better than the stocker but RT built up the unit based on my specs etc offers servicing and backup and effectively 'correction' if I was not happy with the set up. It arrived set where he estimated a good starting point and bugger me it was spot on - I tweaked and adjusted to experiment but ended up set exactly how it arrived.

I'd state that the stock shock has inbuilt limitations that will always restrict it from being more than 'adequate' - same as a SV1000 unit or bikes built to a similar price point. Starting with a better unit from a different Honda makes sense and some of the sportier units are very re-buildable.

I'd be inclined to drop a e-mail to Mr Taylor as he is a walking hard drive of suspension info and may know what ones are worth considering modifying. Plus he is surprising willing to offer advise and info on his favourite subject.

[AllanB]

Couple goodies I've made for the 900.

Poor man's rear-sets - adaptor to move the stock peg holders back 35 up 5mm. Started as wooden masters sand cast and cleaned up. Work a treat.

Cover for the rear master cylinder. Bling really.

[nzspokes]

I'd state that the stock shock has inbuilt limitations that will always restrict it from being more than 'adequate' - same as a SV1000 unit or bikes built to a similar price point. Starting with a better unit from a different Honda makes sense and some of the sportier units are very re-buildable.

I'd be inclined to drop a e-mail to Mr Taylor as he is a walking hard drive of suspension info and may know what ones are worth considering modifying. Plus he is surprising willing to offer advise and info on his favourite subject.

Apart from the pistons what is holding it back?