Aggravated paradise By Guitarman (Read 2,433 times)

[Guitarman]

Got a can of Rustoleum High Heat.
I'll wire wheel the parts I'm going to repaint.

I'm kinda worried this is going to turn out to be a serious Frankenbike. I've never been the craftsman type with paint and stuff.

[Guitarman]

W e l l ......

Whatcha tink?

Front Left



Front Right



How it's mounted



Saddlebags are of course right after the new pipes. Then the radio, then the new helmet.
But the wife gets a new car first.

[cyborg]

Looks great guitar!!! Can't wait to see the bags

[Guitarman]

A friend is trying to talk me into making my own bags.
Never tried anything like that before.

[cyborg]

Just buy them,,,you can't make them for what they sell them for,,,check CL,,,that would be my call

[Guitarman]

Anybody ever heard of a swappable gearbox for this bike? I've seen just a couple in my time, but I'd really love to swap out for some taller gears. By the time I get to 40 I'm already in 5th. At least when I'm riding easy for gas savings. An overdrive gear would be awesome.

A 6 speed trans and 6th shouldn't kick in till 55.

Actually, I'd really like it if it were more like;

First 0 to 20
Second 15 to 40
Third 35 to 60
Fourth 55 to 70
Fifth 65 to 90
Sixth 85 to Top End
OR
Sixth Overdrive.

As it is, I can cruise 35 in 5th gear. Too limited. Eats fuel like crazy. Although, I have been getting 5/6mph better since I put the fairing on.

[cyborg]

Any news on Godzilla your putting together?

[cyborg]

Go one tooth up on the count gear and 2 or 3 teeth down on the rear sprocket,,,, that will cure your gearing woes,,, you'll lose almost nothing for quickness but gain on top,,,for a trans change you have to split the cases,,, major drag,,,, and trans ain't cheap ,,, sprockets are,,,,, you can get a 525 DID chain and JT tool steel sprocket set for $100-130 ,,, easy change too ,,, if you can't change the chain and sprockets in two hours you're fired,,, and that's having lunch included

[cyborg]

THe reason they ( honda or whoever makes) put short gears on these bikes is they want to give the impression of big power and quickness ,,, "the rush" of explosive acceleration is a big selling point,,,plus limits top speed,,, with the correct gearing the nighthawk should easily cruise at 75-80 without breathing hard

[cyborg]

Gearing is very important,,, I was a contributor to a land speed record setting sportster (1000cc) stock no engine mods except straight pipes and carb intake effort and the guys actually set the record,,,, 143.79 mph,,, no fairing or streamlining of any kind,,,, gears were a huge part of that effort,,,

[Guitarman]

Had it on the E-way today and it was giving me almost 5k RPM at 65. That's way too much.

Ok Sensei.  I've never messed with this kind of gearing.  Can you give me some particulars?
Does my new DID 525 qualify?  What else do I need to do?

Damn.  Hate this place.  Pedro's gonna turn me into a wrench head despite myself.

[Guitarman]

Dig this....

Gearing Commander

[Guitarman]

The rear sprocket should be fairly easy, but I've never had to get to the front one.
Now I need to find out how many teeth each one has.
Where do I get that tool?

[cyborg]

you put a new chain on correct?,,,just go down two teeth on the rear sprocket,,,,ride it for a while if it's still not tall enough go up one in the front,,,both are easy peasy changes,,dont go all weird on me,,,my wife can do it and she doesn't know a hammer from a glass of water

[Guitarman]

Yeah, I know I can do it, I just have to get the gumption up to get'er done.