Mine reposted - now with pictures
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:35 pm
Some of you may remember the post I made detailing what I'd fiddled with.
Well, here it is in a new home with new shiny pictures.
Well, now my bike has fewer bits that were as Honda made them in the factory, I thought I'd post an update of what shiny bits I've put on and a brief overview of why I did it and what benefits I've gotten from it.
Engine & Drive Train mods:
K&N Air Filter - Fitted to make best use of the stock engine. Honda's airbox is pretty good, but doesn't breathe well enough if you put aftermarket pipes on.
Stage 1 Carb Kit - (not an Atkins diet product) From Dynojet. Fitted to combine with the aftermarket filter and exhaust for best results. Requires setting up properly but is well worth it.
I'm so not bothering stripping the tank off to photograph these.
Custom Hand Made Exhaust - Fitted as I tried 4 different exhausts to find one that has exactly what I want in terms of look, riding position, noise and performance.
The above combined with a proper set up by Revolution Racing has yeilded more power, better throttle response, smoother and stronger pull and better fuel useage as a nice bonus.
Here's what they sound like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPJ4aV8_omg
APE Cam Chain Tensioners - Original set started to make funny noises. Replacement set with upgraded springs did the same. Fitted solid state racing adjusters and can now banish CCT concerns permanently. Anodised in red for extra bling.
Renthal Sprockets and Tsubaki 530 Gold X-Ring chain. Ratios are 15/42 which is 1 tooth down on the front and 1 up on the rear over standard. Heavy duty chain for good mileage vs. lighter 520 ones and less faff in converting. Much better pull now with improved acceleration and most noticeably in top gear. Pulls same speed as stock about 500rpm higher, so not too bad a compromise on distance cruising ability. Gold chain looks bling too.
Chassis Mods:
Front Forks - modified by Revolution Racing using custom springs and valves developed to suit the FireStorm and my weight. Cheaper and arguably more effective than a complex front end swap. Doesn't look as bling though.
Exactly the same as normal forks with custom internals, so nothing special to photograph.
Penske Shock - Vast improvement over stock item, fitted and set up to match with the equally vastly improved front end. Remote adjustment is handy too.
.. 
Ancilliary Mods:
Front Calipers Suzuki GSXR1000 K1 6 pot Tokico - Looks ultra bling and has much larger pad area than standard. Improved braking power and a world of 1 finger stoppies awaits. Fits straight on with no messing too.
Front Master Cylinder Honda SP1 19mm - Larger bore than standard. Fitted to provide a better partner to the GSXR calipers in providing more power and large bore size for maximum feel at the lever. Also fits straight on with no messing.
Braided Steel lines - Front brake, rear brake and clutch all wear braided steel hoses. Harder wearing, slightly increased performance, blinger look, and no pressure bulging vs. standard rubber hoses.
No photos of these, but you can see them in the other pics.
2 Bulb HID type headlight - custom built direct replacement in an original headlight housing. Not pukka HID lights, but 2 H3 bulbs with HID lenses.
Clear Alternatives LED rear light - Clear lense matches silver bodywork much better. LED unit so no more replacing bulbs and plugs straight in to standard fittings.
Clear Flush Mount Indicators - front and rear. Much nicer look and profile than bulbous standard ones. Might upgrade them with LEDs instead of bulbs in future.
Speedo Healer - now my speedo reads 100% true, even with the altered gearing and my mileage is correct too.
Yamaha R1 Regulator/Rectifier - fitted to replace the woeful Honda original. Later models got a better one, but this one is huge.
Optimate Battery Conditioner (plus new battery) - Coupled with the rectifier, my electrical system is now ace. Optimate's are great, fully charged battery all the time and just a lead to plug in.
No pics of the electronic gubbins.
Motohaus Mirror Extenders Nicely engineered, looks fine and I can see behind me. Bonus.
Bodywork and Cosmetics:
Front Mudguard - Replaced with a standard item, but in black to match the bellypan and hugger. Looks nice.
See it on the large pics at the top.
Skidmarx Moriwaki style Bellypan - Looks nice too. As bellypans go, its small and slim and looks right for how I wanted. Larger bellypans are probably better in a practical sense.
Pyramid Plastics Hugger - Also nice. Keeps the crud off my lovely shock too.
See it on the large pics at the top too.
Powerbronze Undertray - After terrible experience with cheap undertray, bought a proper one. Fits well, and really tidies up the back end. Looks nice.
See it on the large pics at the top also.
Ermax Double Bubble Screen - Besides looking nice, it really does make a difference to windblast. Very little buffeting and a much more comfortable ride especially on motorway slogs.
So there you go. Hope you like it as much as I do.
Well, here it is in a new home with new shiny pictures.
Well, now my bike has fewer bits that were as Honda made them in the factory, I thought I'd post an update of what shiny bits I've put on and a brief overview of why I did it and what benefits I've gotten from it.
Engine & Drive Train mods:
K&N Air Filter - Fitted to make best use of the stock engine. Honda's airbox is pretty good, but doesn't breathe well enough if you put aftermarket pipes on.
Stage 1 Carb Kit - (not an Atkins diet product) From Dynojet. Fitted to combine with the aftermarket filter and exhaust for best results. Requires setting up properly but is well worth it.
I'm so not bothering stripping the tank off to photograph these.
Custom Hand Made Exhaust - Fitted as I tried 4 different exhausts to find one that has exactly what I want in terms of look, riding position, noise and performance.
The above combined with a proper set up by Revolution Racing has yeilded more power, better throttle response, smoother and stronger pull and better fuel useage as a nice bonus.
Here's what they sound like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPJ4aV8_omg
APE Cam Chain Tensioners - Original set started to make funny noises. Replacement set with upgraded springs did the same. Fitted solid state racing adjusters and can now banish CCT concerns permanently. Anodised in red for extra bling.
Renthal Sprockets and Tsubaki 530 Gold X-Ring chain. Ratios are 15/42 which is 1 tooth down on the front and 1 up on the rear over standard. Heavy duty chain for good mileage vs. lighter 520 ones and less faff in converting. Much better pull now with improved acceleration and most noticeably in top gear. Pulls same speed as stock about 500rpm higher, so not too bad a compromise on distance cruising ability. Gold chain looks bling too.
Chassis Mods:
Front Forks - modified by Revolution Racing using custom springs and valves developed to suit the FireStorm and my weight. Cheaper and arguably more effective than a complex front end swap. Doesn't look as bling though.
Exactly the same as normal forks with custom internals, so nothing special to photograph.
Penske Shock - Vast improvement over stock item, fitted and set up to match with the equally vastly improved front end. Remote adjustment is handy too.
.. Ancilliary Mods:
Front Calipers Suzuki GSXR1000 K1 6 pot Tokico - Looks ultra bling and has much larger pad area than standard. Improved braking power and a world of 1 finger stoppies awaits. Fits straight on with no messing too.
Front Master Cylinder Honda SP1 19mm - Larger bore than standard. Fitted to provide a better partner to the GSXR calipers in providing more power and large bore size for maximum feel at the lever. Also fits straight on with no messing.
Braided Steel lines - Front brake, rear brake and clutch all wear braided steel hoses. Harder wearing, slightly increased performance, blinger look, and no pressure bulging vs. standard rubber hoses.
No photos of these, but you can see them in the other pics.
2 Bulb HID type headlight - custom built direct replacement in an original headlight housing. Not pukka HID lights, but 2 H3 bulbs with HID lenses.
Clear Alternatives LED rear light - Clear lense matches silver bodywork much better. LED unit so no more replacing bulbs and plugs straight in to standard fittings.
Clear Flush Mount Indicators - front and rear. Much nicer look and profile than bulbous standard ones. Might upgrade them with LEDs instead of bulbs in future.
Speedo Healer - now my speedo reads 100% true, even with the altered gearing and my mileage is correct too.
Yamaha R1 Regulator/Rectifier - fitted to replace the woeful Honda original. Later models got a better one, but this one is huge.
Optimate Battery Conditioner (plus new battery) - Coupled with the rectifier, my electrical system is now ace. Optimate's are great, fully charged battery all the time and just a lead to plug in.
No pics of the electronic gubbins.
Motohaus Mirror Extenders Nicely engineered, looks fine and I can see behind me. Bonus.
Bodywork and Cosmetics:
Front Mudguard - Replaced with a standard item, but in black to match the bellypan and hugger. Looks nice.
See it on the large pics at the top.
Skidmarx Moriwaki style Bellypan - Looks nice too. As bellypans go, its small and slim and looks right for how I wanted. Larger bellypans are probably better in a practical sense.
Pyramid Plastics Hugger - Also nice. Keeps the crud off my lovely shock too.
See it on the large pics at the top too.
Powerbronze Undertray - After terrible experience with cheap undertray, bought a proper one. Fits well, and really tidies up the back end. Looks nice.
See it on the large pics at the top also.
Ermax Double Bubble Screen - Besides looking nice, it really does make a difference to windblast. Very little buffeting and a much more comfortable ride especially on motorway slogs.
So there you go. Hope you like it as much as I do.
I like the different mods you've done. The suspension must be great with both front and rear done 
Is it a stop/tail plus no plate light and is it as bright as the standard one