redkow97

Truth. The 454 was basically half of the Top Gun "Ninja" ZX9 (really a 908). Then they bored out the 454 to 498 in 1987. That's why it's so hard to get (reliable) power out of the EX engines. They're already bored to the point that the cylinder walls are pretty thin.

See, I don't like feeling like a spectacle. Makes me self-conscious I guess. Then again, I was never really on a street bike worth bragging about.

Track Wraps are made to be removable for the first 40 hours or so. This is explicitly so that you CAN make some mistakes, and still fix them. A second set of hands and a heat gun or torch helps a LOT. It's not a simple install, but it's entirely possible to make it look pretty damn good. The adhesive Track Wraps uses is different than most though. They ahve a video out there where they literally ball up a sheet, and then spread it back out and apply it to a gas tank.

^ NTTAWWT

if you've got the bike apart and have welding equipment, gusseting the frame may help, and get you your money's worth out of the better suspension bits. you might also consider going up a tooth or two in the rear to compensate for the fact that you increased from 16" to 17" rims. Not vital, but I think it would make all the difference in the world as far as the butt dyno is concerned. It will FEEL quicker. As long as it doesn't cruise over 7,000 RPM on the highway, I'd keep it that way.

it would be cool, but some asshat would screw it up. I am surprised no one in that group ass-packed anyone when the guy did the rolling burnout. the more people you have, the greater the chances of douche-baggery.

my parents have a buckeye tree in their yard if you're serious about this. A buckeye on the end of it might be kinda cool. The tree is badly frost cracked and will likely be taken down in the next year or two, so let me know.

I'm more of a gear nazi now that I don't street ride. It's easier to avoid being a hypocrite i don't know what I was thinking when I was 22, but I rode with just a helmet for a while. I don't know if I just didn't know any better, or if crashing just never occurred to me. But I was an idiot. I did buy gloves and a jacket, but I never rode with proper boots or pants. I didn't ride in shorts, but it's not like the pants would have really protected me anyway... I also rode home drunk at least twice that I can think of. Even smart people do dumb things. now I feel weird riding w/o full leathers... I rode my bike in the paddock on Sunday w/ shorts on, and no helmet. It was surreal. I was idling in 1st gear, but still nervous about it.

semi-serious post' date=' but a guy I know who used to own a 1098R (and an 848 before that) owns a printing company. After 1 wreck w/ the carbon fiber lower, he made up this stuff to avoid paying a billion dollars for replacement. [url']http://www.trackwraps.com/gallery.htm Their CF wrap looks very real.

upgrading from 16" to 17" wheels is worth the hassle on an EX500, but the suspension upgrades might be more than the flimsy frame can handle. I highly doubt you'll hurt anything, but it may not improve as much as you're hoping. If you manage to work out an undertail exhaust that looks half-way decent, you could sell a "kit" on www.ex-500.com for big bucks. If I hadn't sold my EX to fund my track riding, I was planning to slap a circular headlight on it, and rig up some kind of under-body exhaust like the EX650. Just rat the bike out and turn it into a hooligan machine Good luck w/ your build. Lots of parts on ex-500.com too, if you're needing something. Parts for the first generation can be slightly harder to come by, but there are a fair number of them on that site.

the R1 is going to feel a lot bigger and heavier, but that extra 45 horsepower will make you forget. The 190 tires are going to be more expensive, and you'll go through them quicker as well. Soon enough you'll get used to the extra bulk of the R1, but it will be more expensive to ride (gas + tires, if no insurance). It's not a change I'd make, but if you want more power, you're going to get it.

sounds like a great deal, but it's still going to be too heavy, and I still have no place to store it. the big appeal with the harbor freight model is that it folds in half and is currently upright against a wall in my garage. plus a 5x8 enclosed just seems like the middle-child of the trailer family. If I'm going to buy an enclosed trailer and upgrade tow vehicles, I will likely take a larger step and pick up a 6x10 or 6x12. Never should have let my wife talk me into selling my Ranger 4.0

I completely agree. We're a community. I haven't met more than 10 or 12 ORDN members, but (believe it or not) my reputation on this site means something to me, and I generally respect (if not like) most of the regulars here. Ripping people off is no way to make myself look good, and you damn well better believe I am going to look out for you guys and call a rip-off a rip-off when I see it. Personally, I find it insulting to our intelligence when people post bikes "for their friend" for twice what they're worth. There's also part of me that just thinks it's wrong to cheat people. Profit? Sure; but a fair deal is a fair deal, and a bad deal is a bad deal. I was a know-nothing 22 yr old shopping for a bike not that long ago, and I'm lucky as hell I didn't get taken. If I can help keep someone else from being ripped off, you bet I'm going to do so. And no, just because the dealership ripped you off and you own $5000 on your GS500 doesn't mean that it's less of a dick move to try and sell it to some other newb for $5k. Getting ripped off isn't a valid excuse to rip off someone else. people expect that shit on Craigslist because it's a truly public forum. You may not need any kind of "credentials" to post here, but this is supposed to be an online community of people who enjoy riding. Implicitly or explicitly, there ARE things you just don't do here that you'd be fine doing on Craigslist. /rant.

The typical Harley Rider probably hasn't done a handful of trackdays on a nicely sorted F4i. Your perspective is going to be a LOT different than people who have only dealt with stock suspension bits and accepted their shortcomings as "normal." I hope all the new parts deliver the ride and handling you were hoping for.

I'd like to fit the majority of the "stuff" that just gets thrown in my car because i'm worried it will blow away on the trailer. This includes a LOT of crap, including: - EZ up - sleeping bag - 200 piece socket set - medium sized tool box. - spare trailer tire - loading ramp for the bike - probably a generator soon (although that would be expensive enough to keep in the car) - riding boots - back protector - chest protector - gloves - air mattress I have a big tupperware foot-locker now, but strapping down tupperware isn't as easy as it may sound. There is no anchor point for bungies or ratchet straps. with a big wooden box, I can put eye-bolts in the corners and use carbeiners to hold things firmly in place. -

actually talking things through has kind of made me think that sleeping in the car is the better option At this point I'm thinking my 1 big project has turned into 2 smaller projects: 1) find a way to put bug screens on my car windows, and then also keep rain out (tarp + bungy cord + luggage rack?) 2) make a big ass wood box that fits perfectly next to my bike on the trailer. This will be removable so I can load and unload the bike, but will also enclose some of my stuff taht would otherwise have to be inside the car, thus freeing up space for more stuff in the car, and giving me exterior locking storage that is still protected from the elements.

My plan would be something along the lines of this, except a 20" taller, and I was planning to do floor-to-ceiling supports in the CORNERS, and only use the side anchors as a means of holding the whole thing to the deck. if the side pieces are flexing, a simple ladder frame should strengthen them up easily enough. 2 edge bars length-wise, and then 3 'rungs' total across the center. that'd be enough, no?

I'm surprised so many people are thinking this can't be done. Looks like somebody already had this idea w/ the same trailer

yeah, I just think ~850 lbs. empty is going to be too much. add a bike, and I'm already well over 1200 lbs. Part of the point is to be able to put MORE on the trailer, and less in the car w/ me, so the wife and the dog can come along. I may be better off just buying a nicer tent, and then building an enclosed box for more of my 'stuff' on the trailer.

What does Pauly's weigh? I bet it's as much or more EMPTY than my current setup is fully loaded with a bike and other "stuff." max towing capacity is 2,000 lbs. for my SUV with a small V6. (1,000 w/ the 4 cylinder model). I'd prefer not to tow more than 1,500 if I can avoid it, and the option to have 2 bikes loaded is one I'd like to maintain.

some people are just ignorant, and others don't care. I also cringe when I see passengers without gear. What REALLY pisses me off is when the male rider has a helmet on, but his female passenger doesn't. Chivalry may be mostly dead, but either give your passenger the helmet, or don't give them a ride - plain and simple.

a traditional enclosed that does not disassemble is not an option. Nowhere to store it. a factory built 5x8 is also going to weigh a LOT more than I can afford with my current tow vehicle, and it will catch the wind terribly. sleeping in the car is an option, but the lack of ventilation (or plethora of bugs - take your pick) makes it a non-option in hot weather. I suppose rigging up some kind of screen for the car windows is probably less risky though.

downloading google sketchUp. If i can figure out how to use it, I'll have some drawings to share. Hopefully get us all on the same page. I really do appreciate the devil's advocate responses BEFORE i've spent any money keep 'em coming. Like I said, hopefully I'll have some 3D images to share if work is slow.

if i want to get really fancy, I could install one of these on each side too. http://www.homedepot.com/Doors-Windows/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaqih/R-202033266/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&superSkuId=202766046

the roof would be 100% removable, so no issue there. I might just use eye-bolts and ratchet straps to keep the roof on. Still thinking that one through. I also don't use straps. the pit-bull TRS means all I have to do is walk it in and latch the pins.