QuoteDo you honestly believe I asked you about the zipties because I didn't see what they were connected to?

Uhhh...yeah...because you asked.  But I need help with "commanding the English language"?

QuoteCurious about which it is.

Quotewhy bother with the articles?

metaphor, Mr. Pablo...I only deal with customers who will read ALL the commentary associated with available illustrations.  Sometimes you have to read the text beneath the picture to get the full impact of what's going on.

Quote from: makenzie71 on November 17, 2006, 12:50:39 AM

QuoteDo you honestly believe I asked you about the zipties because I didn't see what they were connected to?

Uhhh...yeah...because you asked.  But I need help with "commanding the English language"?

Yes, Mak...I still believe YOU are the one needing advancement in your command of the English language.  As you stated yourself, it is undeniably clear you used the ties to attach the plastics.  This is evident to anyone that can see clearly enough to decipher these pixels into letters and form words out of them.  It is, therefore, quite obvious (at least to me), that I was not asking you what the actual purpose of the ties was, but rather pointing out to the readers of this thread (and hopefully yourself, but I apparently failed in this regard) that you needed to use zip ties to secure the plastics at all.

Quite ghetto rigged, if you ask me, as I sustain that entire bike being.

If you'd like to continue insulting my communication skills, would you like me to go through this thread and show how ineffective you have been at utilizing the English language, or would the fact that I would be questioning your very e-life's skill in another area push you away from wasting your precious time responding to this "illiterate twit"?

Back to the real issue at hand; the bike.  I don't believe you were around at the time when aplitz made a racket (deservedly so, I believe) about Srinath's production of handlebars/clipons/other parts greatly depended upon by the rider and motorcycle itself to be a safe vehicle.  He pushed for testing, and some assurance that these parts would not fail during any sort of either routine or emergency maneuver and preferably even after experiencing a crash/low-speed drop.  You are not producing handlebars.  You are not producing clip-ons.  Granted, the exhaust system is not something safety related, but your SSSA conversions certainly are.  Just the fact that you have been advertising them in your signature here, thereby associating yourself with this website (which I have been a member/poster of for much longer than yourself), is almost crossing the line of appropriateness, especially considering it is not for the prominent bike we all come here to discuss.

QuoteIf you'd like to continue insulting my communication skills

No...see this is what I'm talking about.  The only thing I've insulted was your abillity to read.  This is something that you've made apparent rather repeatedly.  Such as with the commentary about the swingarm being "unsafe" based on the fact that you believe my jigs aren't "pretty" enough for you.  Well the combined 54,000 miles on all the kits I've saold says they're safe.  ELF Europr/Japan says they're safe.  Ducati says they're safe.  Honda says they're safe.  The only fully fabricated parts that have anything to do with the running condition of the bike are the pivot bolt (4140 tempered steel) and the suspension bracketry (1/2" 1050 plate).  Yeah...they're way mondo super unsafe.  This, by the way, is also information that I've already posted numerous times (goes along with that whole "you don't read anything" catagory).  If they're unsafe, it's because the guy who installed it did something wrong which is why I have clearly posted in my listings:

QuoteAfter installation of this kit it is strongly suggested that it be first taken to your mechanic for propper inspection. I will accept no responisbillity for accidents or damage as a result of the customer not installing it correctly.

This is why, when it's possible, I insist on installing the kits personally.

The customer's safety is always a prime concern of mine...and it's why I refused to build the kits for the TLR.  The suspension bracketry wasn't compatible, and nothing else can safely support the bike using the suspension I've chosen.

Anything else?

And to add...

Quote from: Mk1inCali on November 17, 2006, 01:17:00 AM
Yes, Mak...I still believe YOU are the one needing advancement in your command of the English language.  As you stated yourself, it is undeniably clear you used the ties to attach the plastics.  This is evident to anyone that can see clearly enough to decipher these pixels into letters and form words out of them.  It is, therefore, quite obvious (at least to me), that I was not asking you what the actual purpose of the ties was, but rather pointing out to the readers of this thread (and hopefully yourself, but I apparently failed in this regard) that you needed to use zip ties to secure the plastics at all.

...just because I love this (since we're going to bicker about which one of us has a problem with English):

Quotelikely wht you're seeing are the ties I had just put on to hold the undertail tray to the subframe.

Yeah nowhere did I say anything about using the ties to hold anything plastic on or down or whatever.  My actual words were "to hold the undertail tray to the subframe"...incidently, this is how it's supposed to be held on; with zip-ties.  I mean the pic of the undertail shows the ties pretty clearly.  Considering your tendency to look but not read I would have thought you'd caught that.  You shouldn't try to attack things you don't understand.

At any rate, you can feel the bike's as ghetto as you want...the only things remotely "ghetto" are the TLR tank and the seat I had to cut down to fit the tank, but believe whatever you want.  Why don't you take a few minutes sometime and check out how many 128rwhp TL1000S' there are out there (stock TLS block)...real ghetto I know.  I'm also sure lots of "ghetto" bikes out there are built around Ohlins, Yoshimura, Race-Tech, Showa, K&N, RK, Brembo, Galfer, Elf and lots of carbon fiber bits...

ok this is rediculous.

Mak, the only problem here is that you continuously refuse to accept criticism.

With regards to your GS exhaust, people critiqued it and made suggestions on how to improve it. I know I myself made suggestions, and your response was something along the lines of it being finished no matter what anyone thinks. So how many of them have you sold again?  If that's your attitude then you're gonna get blasted for trying to pull off some crap like that. You posted the pictures on the site thinking that people were going to drop their pants and bend over to purchase it from you. What you got instead was a general response that it sucked and you are a hack; mainly because of your attitude against improving it. Your exhaust was horrible. It had little-to-nothing to do with it being unfinished. It sucked in general.

I'm sure you're pissed & it hurts when you know (in your own mind) that your skills are much better than what people are thinking.

WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR YOU TO PROVE THAT TO US!


Yet, for some reason, you keep posting pictures of complete HACK jobs on your bikes. Of course people are going to raise an eyebrow and question/criticize your work. If you refuse to accept peoples' opinions and improve the quality of your work, then you're gonna get laughed at because your defensive, stubborn attitude is pretty sad.

Your project bike is completly ghetto-rigged. NOT because you have 10 different projects going on at once, but because all of your projects appear to be hack-jobs from the pictures you post.

It's really sad and an obvious indication of your lack of character, when your only response is insults and calling people "illiterate twits".

Try improving the quality of your work.

I have no problem with criticism...would "ok" be a better response to "your swingarms are unsafe"?  Sorry...cant do it.

Quote from: l3uddha on November 17, 2006, 11:06:24 AM
So how many of them have you sold again?

None...and I'm not worried about it.  People here can't make up their mind what they want and, I'm sorry, but I can't cater to the impossible.  Everybody's idea od the "perfect" setup wasn't an accomplishable feat without permenent modification to the bike.  You can't do a traditional high-mount AND keep the rear peg without sacraficing tubing size to the extreme of pointlessness.  I should have built a better low mount, but no one was interested in that.  Lack of interest in customer base = lack of interest in production.  Simple business.

Whether you believe anything about the bike is "ghetto" or not is irellevent...though I think you'll have to do better than a couple zip ties and some mud to be convincing.  I feel people like you will have something negetive to say about any work not done with a TIG machine or with lazer cut pieces and all that nonsense.  I build my products to appeal to people who want to modify something without sacrificing Jr's meal ticket.  This leaves me with hand cut components, MIG welding when I have access (Stick if not), using mild and aluminized steels, cheap south american circuitry, lower grade wire, salvaged harness plugs, etc.  The swingarm kits are the only exception to the "cheap as possible" routine.  I can't afford to make high dollar personal projects anymore than my customers can afford them.  Even my carbon fiber bits are made from materials from "the lowest bidder".

Quote from: makenzie71 on November 17, 2006, 01:48:14 AM

QuoteIf you'd like to continue insulting my communication skills

No...see this is what I'm talking about.  The only thing I've insulted was your abillity to read.  This is something that you've made apparent rather repeatedly.  Such as with the commentary about the swingarm being "unsafe" based on the fact that you believe my jigs aren't "pretty" enough for you.  Well the combined 54,000 miles on all the kits I've saold says they're safe.  ELF Europr/Japan says they're safe.  Ducati says they're safe.  Honda says they're safe.  The only fully fabricated parts that have anything to do with the running condition of the bike are the pivot bolt (4140 tempered steel) and the suspension bracketry (1/2" 1050 plate).  Yeah...they're way mondo super unsafe.  This, by the way, is also information that I've already posted numerous times (goes along with that whole "you don't read anything" catagory).  If they're unsafe, it's because the guy who installed it did something wrong which is why I have clearly posted in my listings:

QuoteAfter installation of this kit it is strongly suggested that it be first taken to your mechanic for propper inspection. I will accept no responisbillity for accidents or damage as a result of the customer not installing it correctly.

This is why, when it's possible, I insist on installing the kits personally.

The customer's safety is always a prime concern of mine...and it's why I refused to build the kits for the TLR.  The suspension bracketry wasn't compatible, and nothing else can safely support the bike using the suspension I've chosen.

Anything else?

Who says that the 1/2 inch 1050 plate is sufficient?  You?  I'm supposed to trust my bike to some internet yahoo that says so?  No thanks.

The combined mileage statement means bull if you've sold 10 kits.  I'm fairly certain you could empty the bikes of all oil and coolant and still get at least 5K miles out of each one before it blew up. 

Just the fact you are calling TIG welding and laser machinery nonsense scares me when you say you are in the production business.  Your statements after the Jr's meal ticket make no sense to me.  If someone can't afford to make proper bolt ons/major work done by businesses that are forced to go through product testing and have a real responsibility and accountability towards their customers (not simply posting some BS disclaimer against faulty installations) then I firmly believe they shouldn't be hacking their bike apart to modify it.  Simple common sense.

Not to add further insult to injury man, but f%$k...I'm drunk as hell and I've deleted almost as many characters as I have successfully typed tonight, but I still believe my post here is more coherent than most of your posts.



In response to your "I have no problem with criticism..." I think you are full of something...I've never seen you say "Oh, that's a good idea, I'll implement that right now.  Not asking you to prove to me that you are flexible and understanding of your potential customer's requests, but shaZam! man...

Quote from: Mk1inCali on November 18, 2006, 02:08:30 AM
Who says that the 1/2 inch 1050 plate is sufficient? You? I'm supposed to trust my bike to some internet yahoo that says so? No thanks.

Simple math.  The supporting bracket is subject to 673lbs of force.  This is roughly 1/3 the materials threshold giving the plate's design.

QuoteThe combined mileage statement means bull if you've sold 10 kits. I'm fairly certain you could empty the bikes of all oil and coolant and still get at least 5K miles out of each one before it blew up.

Four.

QuoteJust the fact you are calling TIG welding and laser machinery nonsense

They're costly processes that defeat my intentions.  The cost of adequate TIG machinery and having bracketry lazer cut means I have to charge more...which means they could get stuff from mainstream manufacturers.  My exhausts have provided numbers comparable to mainstream manufacturers, when I've built them with competition in mind, at the sole expense of being made of mild steels and stuck together with MIG machinery.

QuoteIf someone can't afford to make proper bolt ons/major work done by businesses that are forced to go through product testing and have a real responsibility and accountability towards their customers (not simply posting some BS disclaimer against faulty installations) then I firmly believe they shouldn't be hacking their bike apart to modify it.

rofl I had 6000 miles on mine before I delivered a swingarm kit, and I've been building exhausts for 10 years using the same principals.

QuoteNot asking you to prove to me that you are flexible and understanding of your potential customer's requests, but shaZam! man...

Don't have to ask...just look at the GS high mount I built.  That entire thing was an accumilation of potential customer's requests...nothing like what I wanted to build myself.

The simple fact here is that you think something is ugly, therefor unsafe.  That a person's "quality of work" can be judged by the fact that an undertail is held on with zip ties or that there's stacked welds instead nice, pretty TIG welds or that parts are cut with acetylene and ground down...your strongest argument is trivial.  Simply don't buy anything from me.  Your problem's solved.

Hey all,

I just want to jump in here and say that I enjoy seeing what Mak's up to.  I'm glad he shares photos of his project.  Let's face it, most of us feel pretty damn proud when we bolt on some aftermarket accessory.   ("Woo Hoo, look at me--I just added some CRG wannabe bar-end mirrors from ebay!"--btw, they turned out to be total p.o.s.  ).

It's cool that Mak cuts, welds, and experiments with his bike.  He has the tools, abilities, time, and space that many of us could only dream of.  I would hate for Mak or anyone else to stop sharing their photos for fear of criticism or attack.  Hell, I would wager that many of us are vicarious onlookers in Mak's and others' garages.

Mk1inCali, I'm certainly not suggesting that you curb your feedback.  After all, that's the way most of us grow and learn.  But take a moment to honestly look at the tone of your first e-mail in this thread.  A little bit of tact would have gone a long way.

Anyway, back to your on-line version of roshambo http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=roshambo, gentlemen.  Just wanted to add my two cents.

Chilly

Thanks Chilly!

Basically people comment on your work Mak. And to be honest you say you take them into consideration but all i've heard is everyone who criticises you been told to STFU.

As for the high mount its a fantastic idea. However you don't just ask a customer what they want - get told its a custom high mount then you go make it and say its done like it or lump it. It's called product development. You pilot the first ones see what people think then you make changes as is needed. Your high mount could have potentially been a huge money making venture on GStwins if you had taken the time to develop it properly. Obviously though you would rather start another couple of projects for your enjoyment.

Also if you've been making exhausts for 10 years and are welding all the time to make all your customer stuff why not just invest in a bloody TIG man. . .

If your going to make your products to the masses then fine pilot your stuff with cheaper materials - talk to your customers about the functionality of the products - make design changes and upgrade qualities of materials to match what your customers will pay. Its common sense.

If you want to make products people will like then stop basing this all on luck of throwing something together which will sell and put a buisness head on.

Chilly and Kasumi, good stuff.


Mak- I simply request that you continue to do the work to the best of your ability and if I see something I think isn't cool I'll speak up but otherwise I'll stfu about how your stuff looks completely hack and ghetto.  I know welding, I have taken a couple classes and used TIG stuff before, even though it's not regular real-world practice, I was always within the top 3 on our weld strength tests, from stick to oxy-ace to MIG.

So...continue on...


::shrugs::

Quote from: Kasumi on November 18, 2006, 03:17:31 PM
Basically people comment on your work Mak. And to be honest you say you take them into consideration but all i've heard is everyone who criticises you been told to STFU.

Just oncerning incomplete work...when it's clearly labeled "incomplete".

QuoteAs for the high mount its a fantastic idea. However you don't just ask a customer what they want - get told its a custom high mount then you go make it and say its done like it or lump it. It's called product development. You pilot the first ones see what people think then you make changes as is needed. Your high mount could have potentially been a huge money making venture on GStwins if you had taken the time to develop it properly. Obviously though you would rather start another couple of projects for your enjoyment.

Actually no one made constructive suggestions...they said stuff like route the plumbing behind the pillion peg (no room) and use a different can (not cost effective and would require new plumbing setup) and stuff like that.  It's just not viable.  I'll continue to offer an exhaust but it'll be a low mount with the can's base hung in th factory location.  I may offer a highmount again later if materials become available to me to keep the same price tag.

QuoteAlso if you've been making exhausts for 10 years and are welding all the time to make all your customer stuff why not just invest in a bloody TIG man. . .

It's a budget thing...I usually charge little more than the cost of construction and the profits from the cheap projects go to help fund the expensive to produce projects (like the swingarm and makbox).  I had a cheap-o one from harbor freight but it went all aizzly on me after only about 100 hours of work time.  I may pick up another...I just haven't had anything come along to justify the cost yet.  They're asking for a stainless exhaust on TLP, and some titanium bits too, and I'll get a higher quality one if that turns out and I'll have it around for general use.

Since this thread was already pretty low on the old relevance meter to much out of our 2 reputations here at GST, and I have some time to burn before going out for the night, I googled mak's moniker.

Results:

I have:

1992 EX500, 20 some odd thousand miles, body in really rough shape, motor in "fair" shape but needs valves adjusted and carburetor work. Sat a long time without running is the big thing. Rebuilt wiring harness is about as far as I got into the "refurbish" process...lol. Has title. All lights and everything works.

(year uncertain) 500R. Unkown actual mileage, <1000 on full engine rebuild. Race bike, custom solo-tail, race compounds, CBR F3 front end, F2 rear end, yosh headers with D+D high-mount can, and lots of work I haven't even found yet. I bought this bike mostly for the engine and suspension work done to it. She handles amazingly, SUPER light and VERY flickable...if it weren't for the power advantage she'd have my TL beat. VERY fast, strong bike. New brakes and fluids. No title, can get it. About 180lbs of extra engine parts comes with it.

1992 suzuki Bandit 400. Bought it from TGold...when it runs, this bike is 100% amazement between my legs. I'm always amazed by it's handling...except when it comes to stopping (never impressed me). Race bike, no lights and rear frame cut for weight (harness 100% intact though), fair battleaxes on both ends, needs to be in the the care of a carb-professional to run well again. Right now she'll fire up but she does not have any power. Comes with small box of pare parts. No title, attainable through the DMV but I neevr got around to legallizing the bike so I never bothered with the title.

The Ninjas I bought to assemble a single, solid bike for my girl to learn on (haven't gotten around to getting it done, yet, though) and the bandit I just have lying around the shop taking up space. I found something else though that wouldn't require work and be just as forgiving as the ninja but I need $2500 for all three of these bikes to make it happen.

So basically, I need $2500, or else there's no point in selling any. The setup on the 500R is well worth most of that for anyone looking for a good track bike.

Post, pm, or email me for pictures. I'm trying to get a slew of them hosted right now...

(some of that may seem funny posted here, but I copy/paste it to all my forums...)

Anyway, I'm looking for fair shape 600 or 620 monster.  My only preferences are that the bike run well, have a good maintanance record, and be safe and rideable for a beginner.  It doesn't have to be cosmetically sound or even have a perfect title (anything registerable in TX is fine).  It just needs to be good for a starter.

The 600 monster is the only bike that fits my girl perfectly.  Even the ninjas I was going to start her on were just a hair too tall.  Willing to trade the three racers (well, 2 1/2 racers...) + cash for an M6.

Quote

Call me what you will for doing further research on this, but that post had me shuddering through most of it.

The point you're making is lost on me.  Try being coherent.

maybe you are illiterate?

Am I the one that is retarded here or am I missing something?


I make note of some issues I feel uneasy about.  He says I can't read and should stfu.  Back and forth, back and forth until I just posted that from the ducati monster forum and he says I'm not coherent.

you boob...you quoted an old post...you didn't make any notes outside of saying "I shuddered".

I think he was inferring that your bikes are shitty/look like crap/are mechanically unsound.  But whatever you two get a room already.

Mak How in the $h!t caan you work with all of that Room?  I'd be Lost.