REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum


Welcome to the REVscene Automotive Forum forums.

Registration is Free!You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.


Go Back   REVscene Automotive Forum > Automotive Chat > The John Norwich Riders Corner > Rider's Journals

Rider's Journals This section is for rider's and their journeys. Show off your bike, your build, or travel journals.

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 03-27-2014, 05:22 PM   #1
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Vex's 2008 Suzuki GSXR 600 Limited Edition

Well this is the second bike I've owned. Bought her from Carter Motorsports just a few days before the 2013 new year. I didn't really need to get a bike at that time but I just couldn't ignore the deal that was on it. paid $8000 and the bike had approx 600km when I rolled it out of the dealership. Yes, 600 km on the odometer.

Unfortunately I am going to need to spend a bit more money on it since the previous owner barely rode it. The windshield was badly faded and the dealership got me a new one free of charge and I just ordered some new tires for the start of the riding season.

When I picked her up



new windshield, Zero gravity Corsa


Taking the body off for thorough cleaning and oil change
Advertisement
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 03-27-2014, 05:25 PM   #2
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Pictures Galore









__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 03-27-2014, 06:06 PM   #3
I *Fwap* *Fwap* *Fwap* to RS
 
fT-z33wor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: vancouver
Posts: 1,534
Thanked 1,273 Times in 275 Posts
MGP Growwwwww-ler

I commend you on the decision of buying new tires for the season before riding it, that would have been the first thing I'd have done too. The oem tires have spent the last 5 years just sitting dormant with the compounds just slowly drying up. A lot of people don't realize how much of a difference a fresh pair of tires makes on the handling/feel of the bike.

These aren't cars, we only have 2 contact patches and they aren't big ones at that to begin with. A solid set rubber is such a common thing bike guys over look.

Once the release compound/film on a brand new set of tires is worn off, they do have a finite life qualitatively.
__________________


2004 E46 M3
2001 WRX STi (sold)
2003 Supercharged 350z (sold)
1991 R32 GTR (sold)
2000 Civic SiR (sold)
1990 Civic Si-T (sold)
1986 MK1 Mr2 (sold)
2005 GSX-R 750 (sold)
2003 CBR 600RR (sold)
2007 Ducati 1098 track (sold)
2009 Kawasaki ZX6R (track build)

Last edited by fT-z33wor; 03-27-2014 at 06:24 PM.
fT-z33wor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 03-27-2014, 06:45 PM   #4
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by fT-z33wor View Post
MGP Growwwwww-ler

I commend you on the decision of buying new tires for the season before riding it, that would have been the first thing I'd have done too. The oem tires have spent the last 5 years just sitting dormant with the compounds just slowly drying up. A lot of people don't realize how much of a difference a fresh pair of tires makes on the handling/feel of the bike.

These aren't cars, we only have 2 contact patches and they aren't big ones at that to begin with. A solid set rubber is such a common thing bike guys over look.

Once the release compound/film on a brand new set of tires is worn off, they do have a finite life qualitatively.
Yea the decision of buying new tires as soon as I got it was a no brainer. As soon as I got it home and took a closer look at the tires, I could see cracks in the treads so I immediately got in touch with Bayside and got new tires put on it.
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 03-27-2014, 07:39 PM   #5
VAC Head Rotang Mod
 
Raid3n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Van
Posts: 10,668
Thanked 1,427 Times in 627 Posts
nice bike dude. always been a gixxer fan. and the newer ones look sexy. can't wait to hear it.
__________________
2020 ND2 Miata - Polymetal Grey, Red Nappa Leather
1993 Subaru WRX (2004 WRX engine, COBB access port)
2001 CBR600F4i

My Feedback (10-0-0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fei-Ji View Post
haha i can taste the cum in my mouth
Raid3n is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-26-2014, 05:10 PM   #6
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
A little bit of Spring cleaning



__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 04-26-2014, 08:57 PM   #7
2-Wheelin' Mod
 
Sunfighter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 3,404
Thanked 994 Times in 425 Posts
Love the updates, keep them coming!
__________________
ROOGP
Long Live the King : RIP John (Gwilo)
Sunfighter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2014, 10:54 AM   #8
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Well, it's time to tear down the front end of my bike because the front forks have started leaking. Albeit very slowly but after 6 years it's time nevertheless to change the cracked dust boots, the internal seals, and a proper fluid change.

And so it begins


Brakes come off


More pics to come
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 06-23-2014, 04:28 PM   #9
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
and the front forks are out, should get them back tomorrow with fresh fluid and seals.



__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 06-23-2014, 07:55 PM   #10
2-Wheelin' Mod
 
Sunfighter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 3,404
Thanked 994 Times in 425 Posts
Very cool! Love the update.
__________________
ROOGP
Long Live the King : RIP John (Gwilo)
Sunfighter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2014, 11:14 AM   #11
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
and the forks are back, now to put them back in.... correctly

__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2014, 08:57 PM   #12
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
And she is back together in one piece


__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2014, 10:55 AM   #13
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
SO as some of you may know, a couple months back I had a slow speed drop with my bike. It's funny, I've ridden with it through the Cascade mountains, on top of Mt. Baker, up the sunshine coast, past Pemberton, up to Merrit, on the island, and countless times to Squambucks and yet I manage to fall (for my first time) in Richmond of all places. I went a bit too wide through a corner (on-ramp) and rode over some dirt, I felt the front slip so I quickly got it back straight and started braking but I ran out of road and as soon as I hit the soft grass/sand I lost my balance and fell over on the right side at maybe 40-50km/h. The radiator took the brunt of the fall and shifted a few mm and the fan center bolt managed to puncture it. the frame is fine but the exhaust and clutch cover is scratched. And of course the right side fairing is missing a few pieces.

So I quickly ordered a new rad and clutch cover from ebay ($160 & $100 respectability) and got the bike running. It still runs good, took it to Squamish a few days later and it felt fine. My confidence on the other hand is another issue. I'll have to work on that at the start of next season. As for the fairings, I've ordered a complete set from ebay and when they arrive I'll let you all know how good (or bad) the quality is. $600 for a complete set vs $1000+ for just the parts that I need from OEM.

I realize that probably telling you all about my little incident is not the brightest idea I've had considering I test ride and review motorcycles for my website but I was careless with my bike that day and was trying new things, something that I've never done before with someone else's bike (or car for that matter).

From the crash, most of the fairing is still there



Back home taking it apart


New radiator on the right, old on the left and you can see the puncture where the fan center bolt hit it.


Now because the weather has turned for the worse, I've decided to start tearing it down further and do the Valve clearance adjustment over the winter season. Hopefully it all goes well and I don't just end up with a giant paper weight.
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 10-27-2014, 03:57 PM   #14
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
A few hours later, my friend came by to help me out with the valve adjustment. Today we got as far as taking apart everything up to the camshaft holders. We measured the clearances and the intake side is a little tight but still within specs and the exhaust is also tight but it is out of spec. I don't have to adjust the intake but since i'm here I might as well do it at the same time rather than having to do it again next year.

Up to this point it's been relatively smooth sailing. Nothing broke, all bolts came out with ease and the hoses came off like they were new. Some connectors were a bit tough to unplug and we did have some difficulty taking the valve cover off so that's worrying me when it comes time to put it back on with the new gasket and making sure it stays in its intended position.






__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 10-27-2014, 06:04 PM   #15
2-Wheelin' Mod
 
Sunfighter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 3,404
Thanked 994 Times in 425 Posts
Vexor, thanks for the super detailed updates. It's nice to see this thread alive again.

Anybody who says that they have never been down is lying or doesn't ride enough. It's inevitable and it's a part of the sport that we all accept. You just have to hope the damage is minor and it happens close to home.

I can't wait to see how your bike comes together over the winter! I wouldn't care for a second about reviewing bikes/cars and having had a fall. The difference between you and most other people if you have the humility to explain honestly what happens. You gain credibility, you don't lose any.
__________________
ROOGP
Long Live the King : RIP John (Gwilo)
Sunfighter is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 10-29-2014, 09:26 PM   #16
WOAH! i think Vtec just kicked in!
 
Grim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: B.C
Posts: 1,659
Thanked 2,532 Times in 446 Posts
i should really learn how to check and adjust the valve clearance..
could save a lot of money....

was it easy?
__________________
I <3 my S14


Quote:
Originally Posted by westopher View Post
"Not driving your car hard to keep it in nice shape for the next buyer is like not banging your girlfriend to keep her fresh for her next boyfriend"
Grim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2014, 10:08 PM   #17
Revscene.net has a homepage?!
 
P0NYB0Y's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1,219
Thanked 1,148 Times in 139 Posts
Glad to hear you're alright. something similar happened to me this season, slipped on one of them tar snakes + dew on the road. Funny how you mentioned your riding confidence took a plunge as i thought it was just me that felt like that after going down.

subscribed to see what you have in store for next season.

Can you tell me which aftermarket fairings dealer you went with? perhaps provide a username if you used eBay?
P0NYB0Y is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 10-30-2014, 09:30 AM   #18
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim View Post
i should really learn how to check and adjust the valve clearance..
could save a lot of money....

was it easy?
Not done yet, it'll probably be a few more weeks until it's all back together. We're only working on it during the weekends and we have yet to take the cams off.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gq2xtc View Post
Glad to hear you're alright. something similar happened to me this season, slipped on one of them tar snakes + dew on the road. Funny how you mentioned your riding confidence took a plunge as i thought it was just me that felt like that after going down.

subscribed to see what you have in store for next season.

Can you tell me which aftermarket fairings dealer you went with? perhaps provide a username if you used eBay?
The ebay member that I ordered from is "Auctmarts"
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

Last edited by vexor; 10-30-2014 at 09:38 PM.
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2014, 04:42 PM   #19
WOAH! i think Vtec just kicked in!
 
Grim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: B.C
Posts: 1,659
Thanked 2,532 Times in 446 Posts
confession thread + vexor's journal time?

i went down few weeks before the season ended...
ever since then im afraid to ride at night.. not confident with my bike at all... as well as my riding skills.. but everytime i ride I doubt my bike and myself...

hopefully its just a phase.


PS: Vexor, you need yourself some woodcraft frame sliders
__________________
I <3 my S14


Quote:
Originally Posted by westopher View Post
"Not driving your car hard to keep it in nice shape for the next buyer is like not banging your girlfriend to keep her fresh for her next boyfriend"
Grim is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 11-04-2014, 04:57 PM   #20
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Christmas came early for me today.... Actually it should have come about a month ago but w/e. After TWO months of waiting for the new bodywork that I ordered off eBay, it finally arrived today.

1. I paid ~$600 for an entire set and it included a lot more parts than I was expecting.

2. Paint quality is very good but it is NOT Suzuki OEM colour. As you can see in the second pic, the new piece is a bit more glossy and more "warm" in tone. The colour is very similar to that of the Triumph Daytona 675R white.

3. The stickers could have been placed a bit more carefully, The Suzuki "S" logo on the tank cover is off by 90 degrees on one side but I guess you have to have an eye for it otherwise you'd probably not notice it.

4. No scratches on the visible body parts but a few minor scratches on the pieces that are hidden from view that hold up the main pieces. it's not directly noticeable, only under certain lighting conditions.

5. As for fitment, I don't know yet. I'm taking my sweet time doing the valve adjustment so I probably won't get around to fitting all of the pieces to the bike until maybe the end of this year or later. Although I will start on the tail section so I'm assuming that if that fits well, then the rest should fit as well. And I did ask for silver bolts and got black ones instead so i'll have to reuse some of my current fairing bolts.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with the quality. The ebay store had good communication throughout but like I said, the delivery time took way too long and even the ebay store acknowledged that.


__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 11-04-2014, 09:03 PM   #21
2-Wheelin' Mod
 
Sunfighter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Burnaby
Posts: 3,404
Thanked 994 Times in 425 Posts
Oh wow ... so you went with a completely new fairing kit! No more blue accents... red.

I guess it was probably cheaper to go with a complete set rather than replacing individual components via Suzuki directly.

It's going to look great and I can't wait to see some shots posted here.
__________________
ROOGP
Long Live the King : RIP John (Gwilo)
Sunfighter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 10:54 PM   #22
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunfighter View Post

I guess it was probably cheaper to go with a complete set rather than replacing individual components via Suzuki directly.
Yea, it would have cost me $1000+ for the 4 parts that I needed had I gone OEM
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 11:03 PM   #23
WOAH! i think Vtec just kicked in!
 
Grim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: B.C
Posts: 1,659
Thanked 2,532 Times in 446 Posts
they dont look too shabby!


ps: how are you gonna paint match the gas tank?
__________________
I <3 my S14


Quote:
Originally Posted by westopher View Post
"Not driving your car hard to keep it in nice shape for the next buyer is like not banging your girlfriend to keep her fresh for her next boyfriend"

Last edited by Grim; 11-04-2014 at 11:09 PM.
Grim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 11:13 PM   #24
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
 
vexor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 1,445
Thanked 3,066 Times in 548 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grim View Post
they dont look too shabby!


ps: how are you gonna paint match the gas tank?
That, I don't know. For one, I won't put the new tank cover on it and leave the old silver one so it doesn't attract as much attention. But i'll see how it looks when it's all together at the end of winter.
__________________
MGReviews
Auto and Motorcycle Reviews & Photography
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
vexor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2014, 11:03 PM   #25
RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Richmond
Posts: 8,411
Thanked 14,737 Times in 3,863 Posts
I've heard of a lot of people who buy aftermarket fairings right out if the gate for their bikes. Not only for the off chance they lay it down, but then you have mint oem plastics if you ever sell the bike. Or if it gets written off u can sell the plastics afterwards for profit
320icar is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:21 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
SEO by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.
Revscene.net cannot be held accountable for the actions of its members nor does the opinions of the members represent that of Revscene.net