First drop! :)

[StevenDavisPhoto]

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111353

so, should i convert it to a naked bike? or just leave the cosmetic damage?

if i convert it, what parts do i need? and is there a guide for the conversion somewhere? i just want the one big round headlight in the front.

[crzydood17]

easy fix... leave the rash for now new mirror and emblem and your golden...

[StevenDavisPhoto]

oh, does anyone know why my tachometer will be fine one minute, and then jump all over the place for several minutes, then go back to normal. this happened most of the day today. the bike rode fine, the engine didnt fluctuate at all, but the tach was all over the place sometimes. not sure. it was happening before i dropped it too. only today. never before.

[joelmath]

Go naked. IMHO, that's the way these bikes are supposed to look. It's the first thing I did when I bought my 2006. It's really easy to do. All ya need is a headlight, headlight bracket, front signals, and mirrors. Now you have the opportunity to put your own personal touches on the bike in regards to styling. You could go single headlight, dual, or something totally custom. Bar end mirrors or something that looks more stock. There are all kinds of styles of turn signals. Plus you can sell some of the parts you took off and make back some of the money you spent on new stuff, like I did. For instance, I bought a new all-in-one set digital gauges for $110 and sold my stock ones for $120. Have fun!   

[StevenDavisPhoto]

Go naked. IMHO, that's the way these bikes are supposed to look. It's the first thing I did when I bought my 2006. It's really easy to do. All ya need is a headlight, headlight bracket, front signals, and mirrors. Now you have the opportunity to put your own personal touches on the bike in regards to styling. You could go single headlight, dual, or something totally custom. Bar end mirrors or something that looks more stock. There are all kinds of styles of turn signals. Plus you can sell some of the parts you took off and make back some of the money you spent on new stuff, like I did. For instance, I bought a new all-in-one set digital gauges for $110 and sold my stock ones for $120. Have fun!   

dang that's cool. what gauges did u get? can u post a link or pic?

i'm only worried about all the wind from not having a fairing, and if i drop it again, wouldnt it just scrape up the metal? that seems worse the scraping up plastic.

[joelmath]

I bought this one:
http://www.dan-moto.com/danmoto-180-digital-cockpit-product-389.html?zenid=cuidnrua4vkrvtenjcj21o7nr7

But please note: I went the cheap route here. This guy in China has started his own business and has been making his own stuff. It seems to be of decent quality. I've been running it for about 3 months now and so far, so good. Truth be told, I love it. It's so small and looks really cool at night. The instructions were kinda tough to get through cause the English is terrible. But I've got a Haynes manual with wiring diagrams so that made the installation much easier. The really cool thing is that it replaces the entire gauge set up including the indication lights. Also, now I have a separate left and right turn signal indicator. My first choice would have been the Trail Tech Vapor but you have to buy the "dash" too and it get's pretty pricey. I've been meaning to get pics and a brief write-up of all the stuff I've done so far so hopefully I'll do that soon. 

[StevenDavisPhoto]

nice. i don't think i really wanna go that custom, as i'd like to sell it mostly stock as possible, but that IS freakin cool.

what about the wind issue removing the fairings? did it cause any issues for u? that's the only thing i'm worried about.

[joelmath]

No there's no wind issue. These bikes were produced for something like 13 years without fairings. So definitely no "issues" but is there a difference? Yes, of course. You'll feel the wind more, and you'll have a bit more drag at higher speeds, but these aren't crotch rockets.

[StevenDavisPhoto]

haha. it's already pretty harsh at 80mph on the freeway. i think it looks cool too. just gotta find a way to make those rusty headers look better. maybe a belly pan or something.

[joelmath]

Rusty headers? Very easy fix: Paint it!
They make high temp paint that works great. I actually used flat black grill (bbq) paint found at the hardware store. But you can also get high temp paint at auto parts store in different colors.
Just take the exhaust off the bike (it's super easy), tape off the shiny parts or anything else ya don't want to paint. And start spraying. Mine came out great. It makes a really big difference. 

[StevenDavisPhoto]

cool. so i can just buy the stuff that comes for the non-faired version and slap that on?

[crzydood17]

to see how the wind is different... ride your bike with fairings on... sit up at 70-80 mph... then tuck into your fairings.... thats the difference fairings make... also water protection is nice... I ride 60 highway miles to work and back a day... I would never do that on a naked bike...

[StevenDavisPhoto]

to see how the wind is different... ride your bike with fairings on... sit up at 70-80 mph... then tuck into your fairings.... thats the difference fairings make... also water protection is nice... I ride 60 highway miles to work and back a day... I would never do that on a naked bike...

i DON'T tuck in ever haha. i've tried it, but it's just louder cuz the wind is rushing over my helmet vents. i find it weird to lean over. so i probably feel how i would with a naked bike anyways. no wonder i don't like slabbing it.

[joelmath]

to see how the wind is different... ride your bike with fairings on... sit up at 70-80 mph... then tuck into your fairings.... thats the difference fairings make... also water protection is nice... I ride 60 highway miles to work and back a day... I would never do that on a naked bike...

True dat.

I have chosen form over function. Plus I have a shorter commute.

[crzydood17]

yup if ya dont use the fairing then your good, and theres bigger nakeds when ya move up

[yamahonkawazuki]

haha. it's already pretty harsh at 80mph on the freeway. i think it looks cool too. just gotta find a way to make those rusty headers look better. maybe a belly pan or something.

either wrap< or jet coating, or hi temp paint

[mister]

All you "I cannot handle the wind" people need to harden the fack up. Seriously, it's NOT a friggin issue at all. But you all go on and on and on like it's the worst thing in the world and how you cannot handle it.

I don't know. Maybe the air down in Australia is different.  I've got Two naked bikes and don't have any issues whatsoever with wind. And NONE of the people I ride with who have naked bikes ever complain about the wind either. And a good number of the ride a bit quicker than 80mph I can tell you.

Steve... forget about the damn wind. It's nothing.

Michael

[xunedeinx]

Just took my fairings off, and the wind is not an issue.

And, I'm a new rider.

Heavy storm winds at 70mph blowing you sideways, and it still isnt bad.

Man up.

[kininja]

Wind isn't an issue until it's cold. That's when I really love having the fairing.

--
kininja

[sledge]

oh, does anyone know why my tachometer will be fine one minute, and then jump all over the place for several minutes, then go back to normal. this happened most of the day today. the bike rode fine, the engine didnt fluctuate at all, but the tach was all over the place sometimes. not sure. it was happening before i dropped it too. only today. never before.

On the F`s with the elctronic tachos this can be an indication of low voltage in the electrical system, the electronics are not happy and run home to mummy unless they see the full 12v......When you went over did you loose any acid out of the battery??