SuzukiSavage.com - Best/worst modifications?

WD

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Best/worst modifications?
03/21/05 at 02:48:38

We've all done great things to our bikes. We've all tried not so great things on our bikes.

My best mod: leather solo seat and apehangers. I now fit the bike better.
My worst mod: kind of a toss up between JC Whitney exhaust, JC Whitney grip/lever trim, and a Cheng Shin rear tire. All are pure, undeniable garbage.
Take it or leave it mod: Stainless brake hose; Looks okay, probably works better, takes forever to bleed the air out. Honda headlight; the stock plastic LS unit snapped off, the Rebel light looks good, is made out of metal, and works great if I want to go raccoon poaching.

Anyone else care to share your good and bad parts so someone else doesn't make the same mistakes?
-WD

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sluggo Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline big singles lead, twins follow the pack Posts: 4744 moses lake washington Gender:	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #1 - 03/21/05 at 10:15:00 you all have seen the best, now here's the worst. that baseball sized dent in gastank. it wasn't an intentional mod, just kinda happend in the "high ho silver away" incident. :'( i'll fixit one day. i've got a tank that i'm practicing on. when i get good enough i'll take on the real tank.
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Goose Ex Member	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #2 - 03/21/05 at 18:05:57 do not waste your money on bargain bags of any type!
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sluggo Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline big singles lead, twins follow the pack Posts: 4744 moses lake washington Gender:	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #3 - 03/21/05 at 18:08:46 Goose wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03: do not waste your money on bargain bags of any type! are we talking about motorcycles or somthing else when i'm looking i try to find "HIGH PRICED BAGS" quality is much better that way. (and no seeds) 8)
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Goose Ex Member	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #4 - 03/21/05 at 18:11:27 yea Sluggo im talking about bags to go on the bike not the left kind of bags@
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Goose Ex Member	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #5 - 03/21/05 at 18:12:21 but im cool with it
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sluggo Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline big singles lead, twins follow the pack Posts: 4744 moses lake washington Gender:	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #6 - 03/21/05 at 18:16:05 at 48 years old and never having drank, i appreciate you're being cool with it. i wish more were. you see i'm pretty kewl with people who drink right up till the point they get behind the wheel. then that changes.
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bentwheel Serious Thumper 2005 No Login Offline Ride free, citizen Posts: 658 Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Gender:	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #7 - 03/21/05 at 18:24:10 Goose wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03: do not waste your money on bargain bags of any type! I am about to pull the trigger on these bags for $40. What do you know about cheap bags?
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sluggo

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Re: Best/worst modifications?
Reply #8 - 03/21/05 at 18:26:43

bentwheel wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:

I am about to pull the trigger on these bags for $40. What do you know about cheap bags?
http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/54/53658/sd40031.jpg

stiching and rivet quality are important. take the time to look them over carefully for any imperfections.

and 40 dollars is the number i look at when looking for a bag 8)

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Gitarzan Serious Thumper 2004 No Login Offline ! Posts: 827 Columbus, Oh, Earth, Solar Sys Gender:	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #9 - 03/21/05 at 20:18:06 WD wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03: Anyone else care to share your good and bad parts so someone else doesn't make the same mistakes? -WD No matter how good it looks in the JCWhitney catalog, it ain't.
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Gitarzan

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Re: Best/worst modifications?
Reply #10 - 03/21/05 at 20:24:22

bentwheel wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:03:

I am about to pull the trigger on these bags for $40. What do you know about cheap bags?
http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/54/53658/sd40031.jpg

They look OK for cheapies. I've a similar fork bag and sissy bar bag. I've found the inexpensive leather tends to be stiff and dry. I've not done it myself self but I's think a waxing down with saddle soap and a good leather polish might go a long way towards preservation and appearance.

If those are priced like Sluggo advises, it might be an OK deal. I've seen some real sweet looking bags for $80 at local bike parts shop. Much much nicer for just a little more.

But, those might be just fine for carrying a camera, cell phone, water, spare shorts, condoms, etc.

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2001 Cherry Red and Ivory Yamaha VStar 1100

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short round

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mid Missouri
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Re: Best/worst modifications?
Reply #11 - 03/21/05 at 22:03:51

It looks like the lid may not seal too well over the sides of the bag if you are carrying electronics, camera, etc.. You could put them in a ziplock type bag if needed. Also, Snow Seal works real good to soften leather and make it waterproof. Until it dries it does attract dust and dirt but it doesn't take long to dry and then you can wipe it clean.
I used a bicycle bag for a handlebar bag behind the windshield. It is nylon and has zippers to close it up good. I carry gloves, hat, map, grease pencil (for mileage) and a mirror for checking oil. No condoms! The little woman (who is 5" taller than me) wouldn't like it and they are not needed!
The leather definitely looks better though!

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Ron
South Central Missouri

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WD

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Re: Best/worst modifications?
Reply #12 - 03/22/05 at 01:15:47

Sluggo, we need to have a little chat...

No, not about that! Let me know how your tank repair turns out, you can't tell in the photos, but roughly 25% of my tank has been caved in. Bike took exception to being on a trailer, fell onto the tire that wasn't covered by a fender. Bondo'd the dent, want the gas capacity back. I used to dump the gas and touch off a model rocket igniter in the petc0ck hole...works maybe 1 in 20 tanks...
-WD

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On 2 wheels since 7/87

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Ed L. Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline "We All go a Little Crazy Sometimes" Norman Bates Posts: 2808 Sunny Florida Gender:	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #13 - 03/22/05 at 15:48:02 Uh, dare I ask, what happened to the other 19 tanks when it didn't work. ??? Your not performing the "big bang" theory of motorcycle repair are you?
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savagethumper Ex Member	Re: Best/worst modifications? Reply #14 - 03/22/05 at 16:11:26 WD, didn't I see you in a safety film about what "not to do" when making repairs? Please film it the next time you do this, I, along with everyone else here, would love to see this. Maybe you'll be on the next episode of Max Exposure.
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