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1,581 Posts
ok so all this modding and personalization stuff sounds really awesome but... what if one is say, mechanically illiterate as i am? I say illiterate because i'm not inept; i can generally do maintence, once i see how it is performed and done. it's just, reading the instructions and posts about stuff doesn't really help me educate myself on mechanical issues. it's like my riding; i can read all the articles in the world yet until i practice them myself, it's just words and themes with no practical application.
that said, what are some really simple, easy mods i can do or attempt to do to get my feet wet? i've been meaning to buy the service manual just for continued education i just haven't gotten around to it yet. i do know personally that i would definitely like to swap out the exhaust (don't know enough about them to spring for a full-swap so a slip-on is fine for me), but everything else thus far i am happy with, probably because i am still a newbie and thus am still learning a lot about riding and the bike and lack any concrete opinions on what works and what could be better or how i could make it better for me. the levers on the handle bar works great for me and are comfy, i'm comfy with my seat, the gearing doesn't really cause me issues or grief. aside from the muffler, i'm very pleased with how the bike looks and performs.
i can't help but feel that i'm missing out on part of the thrill of motorcycling simply because im happy with 99% of the stock bike. educate me, o mechanically talented; what am i missing out on? none of the riders i know as friends do much of their own work; they always paid a shop to do it for them. that seems kind of silly to me to pay a shop to slip a few bolts and put a new can on the exhaust, unless there's more to it of which i am unaware. in any event, i'm open to new ideas and concepts to personalize the bike even more for me.
Forgot to mention the rear-fender; i also want one of the elimination kits, but with my ignorance, i'm confused. i've seen posts about people having to cut the body and re-wire and solder, then i've also seen posts that are a simple plug and play swap with no body work or electrical engineering required. but in any event i DEFINITELY want that rear fender gone. aside from the sound of the can, that is the biggest eyesore on the bike; it's just easy to overlook when youre on the machine since obviously you're eyes up and forward not down and back...
that said, what are some really simple, easy mods i can do or attempt to do to get my feet wet? i've been meaning to buy the service manual just for continued education i just haven't gotten around to it yet. i do know personally that i would definitely like to swap out the exhaust (don't know enough about them to spring for a full-swap so a slip-on is fine for me), but everything else thus far i am happy with, probably because i am still a newbie and thus am still learning a lot about riding and the bike and lack any concrete opinions on what works and what could be better or how i could make it better for me. the levers on the handle bar works great for me and are comfy, i'm comfy with my seat, the gearing doesn't really cause me issues or grief. aside from the muffler, i'm very pleased with how the bike looks and performs.
i can't help but feel that i'm missing out on part of the thrill of motorcycling simply because im happy with 99% of the stock bike. educate me, o mechanically talented; what am i missing out on? none of the riders i know as friends do much of their own work; they always paid a shop to do it for them. that seems kind of silly to me to pay a shop to slip a few bolts and put a new can on the exhaust, unless there's more to it of which i am unaware. in any event, i'm open to new ideas and concepts to personalize the bike even more for me.
Forgot to mention the rear-fender; i also want one of the elimination kits, but with my ignorance, i'm confused. i've seen posts about people having to cut the body and re-wire and solder, then i've also seen posts that are a simple plug and play swap with no body work or electrical engineering required. but in any event i DEFINITELY want that rear fender gone. aside from the sound of the can, that is the biggest eyesore on the bike; it's just easy to overlook when youre on the machine since obviously you're eyes up and forward not down and back...