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Message started by Scott McCrory on 05/05/12 at 14:47:07

Title: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/05/12 at 14:47:07

Hi All, I'm one of the newest of the newbies here, but since I'm learning so much from everyone, I thought I'd share a few easy modifications that I've been enjoying.

The first one is a Koso digital tach for just under $60. I found that at higher speeds wearing a full helmet, I couldn't hear the engine over wind noise and wanted confirmation that I'm running within good power bands. I love it, and although it doesn't say it's waterproof, I did ride a half hour in sprinkles last week and didn't have any problems with it whatsoever. Do a google for Koso Motorcycle Tach and you'll find a few options. This one worked right out of the box.

The second mod is a handlebar-mounted quartz clock (same photo) - I think it looks good and it sure is handy when I'm riding and don't want to get too far past dinner time... ;) I found it on eBay for I think around $40. Not cheap, but it's a real Seiko movement, is totally waterproof and is inset into a really nice milled case.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/05/12 at 14:49:31

The third mod is a couple of highway pegs attached to my stock engine guard. They don't have the same effect as forward controls, but it's really nice to put one or two feet up to stretch the muscles a little. I got these at Iron Pony in Columbus (a 5 minute ride!) but plenty of similar pegs are available everywhere for under $30.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/05/12 at 14:56:19

The fourth mod is an Air Hawk 2 cushion for small cruisers - Amazon has them for $88 at http://www.amazon.com/Airhawk-Motorcycle-Small-Seat-Pad/dp/B0045WHM7S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_5 but I got mine for a little more at Iron Pony for local convenience. I had to take off the seat and custom-adjust the straps, and play with the air pressure a little until I liked it, but now I think it's working out nicely. The internal bladders move air around to cup one's butt, and since I've been using it, I haven't had a numb arse yet. Tired back muscles after a long ride, yes, but no numbness. It probably isn't as nice an option as Corbin, but it's $200 less and seems to be working out fine so far.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/05/12 at 14:59:44

The fifth mod is a pair of mirror lifts/extenders. I don't know if my mirrors are stock or not - they came with my used '06, but I couldn't see more than half the road behind me aside from my shoulders. No amount of mirror adjustment helped. So, I bought these little things for about $25 shipped, off eBay, and they've made a world of difference! They're solid, made out of billet aluminum, and took no time to install. I did use a little blue loc-tite on the mounts to make extra sure nothing wiggled around, and have been really happy with them.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/05/12 at 16:46:22

I like all of them,, If someone said I could just have 4 of them, Id pass on the seat,, no,, the clock,, wait, no,, I like the clock,, dangitt! Ill take all 5,,

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Serowbot on 05/05/12 at 17:10:20

Now,.. you've got the bug... ;D...

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by damiancds on 05/11/12 at 09:13:14

I like the clock and will definitely do something similar for the mirrors. May do the tach, not sure though.

also, where did you get that clock, I can't seem to find it very easily...

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Cavi Mike on 05/11/12 at 23:08:40

I really like that clock. It's just simple and clean.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Clock-made-by-Clocks4bikes-/160597337953?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item256458e761&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by heroicseven on 05/12/12 at 00:36:11

what is involved with installing that tach? I likey

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by prechermike on 05/12/12 at 05:23:40

Good job on those things. I got a watch for Christmas and strapped it to the bars. I need to do something like yours for the mirrors, though.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by bill67 on 05/12/12 at 06:18:17

I've always strapped a watch with leather band around the brake reservoir.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/12/12 at 07:00:50

Strapping a watching on the brake reservoir is a great idea and I would have probably done that with a spare Timex Ironman had I remembered it, but I'm also really happy with the one I got - looks like a part of the bike, I think.

The tach was SUPER EASY to install. Just pull the plastic battery tab, clean the reservoir top with acetone or whatever you have handy, apply the tach's velcro to the reservoir and get it positioned the way you want, then be neat and tidy with running the wire towards the spark plug line. I followed existing cabling and used small black wire ties to be inconspicuous, also remembering to test full handlebar deflection to make sure I wasn't assuming lengths incorrectly. I then ran the black ground wire to the regulator and the red pickup in a tight coil around the spark plug line, tieing it off and placing just a little RTV on it to make sure it wouldn't unwind under vibration.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by runwyrlph on 05/12/12 at 13:29:38

mirror extenders = great idea i'll have to look for those

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/12/12 at 15:56:12

23342A2424283E470 wrote:

mirror extenders = great idea i'll have to look for those

He has more of course: http://www.ebay.com/itm/190590307029?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Here's the tach for $60 with free shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Koso-Mini-LCD-Tachometer-Universal-Fitment-/360456963386?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53ece8c53a&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_922

(Just posting for easy reference - I don't have any financial interest!)

Scott

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/12/12 at 16:09:34

2B2C3D3D3C2B3F3C3C2D590 wrote:

Quick followup report - after 200 miles with the seat, I have to say I really like it for the money. I haven't experienced numb butt even once. The key for me was to position the pad so that my butt bones (a medical term) rest in-between air bladder rows. The picture above is pretty much where I landed. I also had to adjust the air pressure three or four times so that I neither floated (which provides insufficient "command" of the bike") nor bottomed out on the underlying seat, pun unintended.

I can't say if it's a better or worse solution than Corbin, HD Sportster or gel options since I haven't tried those, but for $100 I think it's a good way to go. The only down-side I see is that solid seats are easier to wipe dry after a mid-day rain than this cushion would be, so it's likely I'll suffer from wet butt returning from work someday...

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by prechermike on 05/13/12 at 16:34:27

Scott, you are costing me money. I ordered the mirror extenders.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by Scott McCrory on 05/13/12 at 16:44:50

5D5F484E45485F404446482D0 wrote:

Scott, you are costing me money. I ordered the mirror extenders.

I think you'll love them. The enhancement to safety is totally worth it.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by prechermike on 05/20/12 at 12:08:03

I got the mirror extenders Thursday and put them on. Friday I was able to ride, man did they make alot of difference.

I found them from a different seller, a little cheaper and closer to home, but they are the same deal.

I too hightly recomend them.

Title: Re: A few easy mods that seem to make a nice diff
Post by LJac05 on 07/10/12 at 07:45:24

Got the watch and love it. Looks like it could be stock on the bike ;) . Already got a compliment.

Am going to get the mirror extenders once I wrap up a couple other projects. Doing to many things at once.

Thanks for the suggestions :D