Bought this one as a tidy used bike late June 2024 with just under 40,000km. It went straight on my lift for a good tidy up, full service including valve clearance checks and removal of some parts that weren't my style (e.g. chrome crash bars). After clocking up 1000km under my ownership it went back on the lift to address a couple of maintenance issues...which is probably getting a little out of hand.
So far the following has been completed. Unfortunately I can't leave things alone so I'll be popping back in to add to the list from time to time, although I am hopeless at remembering to take photos.
- YSS RG362 +25mm shocks.
- Renthal 847 street ultra low fatbars.
- Renthal CL003 risers.
- Pazzo levers.
- SmartMoto PAIR valve removal kit.
- Radguard (Aus) oil cooler guard.
- Healtech GIpro ATRE G2.
Wheels as purchased and after wet blasting and polishing. They're at the painter right now and will be getting new tyres, bearings and seals as soon as they're done. Centres will be black.
The red was an ordinary home job by a previous owner, and a poor colour match.
Another task completed this afternoon. I've elected to take the opportunity to convert to 4 pots. The 6 pots were in need of a major overhaul and I didn't fancy having to stay on top of them to be honest. Reality is that I'm somewhat time poor, over the top with maintenance and also have several bikes to look after. Am I wrong with these thoughts? Don't really care to be honest :laugh:
They've been blasted, Cerakoted (C-7800 Glacier Gold) and overhauled with stainless pistons and hardware. As soon as the forks are back from being overhauled these will be bolted up with HEL braided lines.
People saying the 4 pots are better always make me chuckle. When I used to have a Sprint GT that comes with 4 pots, they all wanted to convert to the 6pots because internet wisdom says they are better....
They look good, im a 6 pot fan so no idea which is better.
Never tried 4 pots, my 6 pots work fine so I'll keep them.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 05:55 PMPeople saying the 4 pots are better always make me chuckle. When I used to have a Sprint GT that comes with 4 pots, they all wanted to convert to the 6pots because internet wisdom says they are better....
No doubt you're correct, but I still don't care :laugh:
Quote from: lurch on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 06:32 PMQuote from: Hooli on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 05:55 PMPeople saying the 4 pots are better always make me chuckle. When I used to have a Sprint GT that comes with 4 pots, they all wanted to convert to the 6pots because internet wisdom says they are better....
No doubt you're correct, but I still don't care :laugh:
Your bike, your call.
I've never found the 6 pots that bad to look after. I didn't have the Sprint long enough to know if the 4 pots were made of cheese & dissolved every winter like the 6 pots do.
Your bike lurch, do what you want. Thats how i go.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 06:51 PMQuote from: lurch on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 06:32 PMQuote from: Hooli on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 05:55 PMPeople saying the 4 pots are better always make me chuckle. When I used to have a Sprint GT that comes with 4 pots, they all wanted to convert to the 6pots because internet wisdom says they are better....
No doubt you're correct, but I still don't care :laugh:
Your bike, your call.
I've never found the 6 pots that bad to look after. I didn't have the Sprint long enough to know if the 4 pots were made of cheese & dissolved every winter like the 6 pots do.
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 29 August 2024, 06:56 PMYour bike lurch, do what you want. Thats how i go.
Exactly. I know you guys aren't criticising and that this topic has been done to death. There's not one bike in my stable that's as it left the manufacturer and this one will be no different.
I only change things I don't like, that's why I'd never have standard bars on a 14. It's all down to what you want after all.
Replaced my 6 pots with 4 pots off a GSXR 600 k1 a few years ago, brakes instantly felt a lot more responsive and my 6 pots were looked after so not due to lack of maintenance - I put it down to the smaller surface area so more direct pressure when pulling the lever ???
Aye the smaller volume of the pistons will change the leverage you have on the system, so that makes sense.
Received a call from the painter today so I dragged my man flu riddled arse off the couch to pick the wheels up. They're a bit grubby but you get the idea. New discs and bolts just because.
Tyres in a week or two once I've made my mind up. This bike won't do a whole lot of km so there's no point in me buying something that will last 10,000km + because I'll likely remove them due to age before they're worn out. So probably something on the softer and stickier side.
Mate awesome, maybe best ive seen and have seen lots. 👍
Your rims look awesome mate! :onya:
Ooh, I do like them shiny wheels, agreed would have looked a bit naf with used discs.
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Friday, 30 August 2024, 08:35 PMOoh, I do like them shiny wheels, agreed would have looked a bit naf with used discs.
It also didn't help that whoever painted the wheels red didn't remove the discs before doing so. The overspray hurt my eyes
Quote from: grog on Friday, 30 August 2024, 06:57 PMMate awesome, maybe best ive seen and have seen lots. 👍
Too kind. But yes, I'm very happy with how they've turned out.
Can't wait to see the wheels on the bike Lurch! :clapping:
Wheels now with added rubber (Diablo Rosso IV Corsa). I left the tyre choice somewhat in the hands of the bike shop based on availability and knowing how I ride. They're a bit more on the sticky side than I anticipated to be honest. Hopefully I'll get a chance to smack some new wheel bearings in over the weekend.
Still waiting for the forks. Once they're back I've decided to whip the swingarm out and have that, the caliper hanger and sprocket carrier wet blasted. Wish I'd thought of that before I set it up on the lift the way it is currently as I can't really remove the swingarm without the front wheel back in position.
A quick update and some crap photography. Freshly overhauled forks!
- Lowers sandblasted and powdercoated satin black
- Original stanchions polished with wet and dry
- New seals and bushes
- Pretty bolts for the triple and axle clamps
- Nitron TVT cartridges
This weekend should see the front end go back together and the back end come out. I'd like to be pulling the triples to tidy them up but time constraints dictate that will happen down the track a little unfortunately.
But But But ya so close to popping the yokes out, why wouldn't you do it now?
Plus a common thing on 14s is the lower steering bearing goes rusty due to condensation in the frame so it's worth dropping them out just to regrease that if nothing else.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 10 October 2024, 11:23 PMBut But But ya so close to popping the yokes out, why wouldn't you do it now?
Plus a common thing on 14s is the lower steering bearing goes rusty due to condensation in the frame so it's worth dropping them out just to regrease that if nothing else.
You're right. I've even got new tapered bearings and seals sitting here so I'd be silly not to. Waiting another couple of weeks for paint/powder/cerakote (haven't decided which yet) probably won't kill me I guess.
All the good stuff Mate, will be awesome bike👍👏
Quote from: lurch on Thursday, 10 October 2024, 09:58 PM- Nitron TVT cartridges
Came across these online the other day. Would love to hear an update on how you find them performance-wise compared to what you have had before (once you have some km under your belt with them, of course). Exciting to see it coming back together soon.
Quote from: j_rider on Saturday, 12 October 2024, 06:30 PMQuote from: lurch on Thursday, 10 October 2024, 09:58 PM- Nitron TVT cartridges
Came across these online the other day. Would love to hear an update on how you find them performance-wise compared to what you have had before (once you have some km under your belt with them, of course). Exciting to see it coming back together soon.
Will do, but it'll be a few weeks. I work away mostly and a lot of weekends so spare time can be hard to find (welcome to the HV electrical industry).
I only did 1000km on the bike in stock form so my experience is limited in that respect unfortunately, but I know I didn't like it! At 6'4" and 110kg it's a given that I need to alter suspension but I've worked my way into a corner with high expectations over the years thanks to some excellent suspension gurus.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 10 October 2024, 11:23 PMBut But But ya so close to popping the yokes out, why wouldn't you do it now?
Plus a common thing on 14s is the lower steering bearing goes rusty due to condensation in the frame so it's worth dropping them out just to regrease that if nothing else.
You talked me into it. Steering stem and yokes came out last night. The bearings were ok but I'm generally not one to do half a job (especially when I'm this far in) so they were removed ready to be replaced.
The yokes, caliper hanger, sprocket carrier and torque arm were dropped off to be wet blasted this afternoon. Yokes will be painted satin black to match the fork lowers in the next week or two.
Good lad!
Previously botched paint job on the yokes and headlight mounts now corrected to my satisfaction. Managed to find a bit of spare time to install some new steering head bearings, get the front end back in and the swingarm out before work cut my weekend short.
Average photo, taken in a rush as I ran out the door as usual unfortunately 😂.
She looks real tidy mate. :clapping: :salute:
Arrrrgh my eyes!
TOO CLEAN! TOO CLEAN! MAKE IT STOP!! :lol:
Looks great.
At least won't get dirty on the road as the black ones don't go fast enough to catch bug splatter. :stir:
Hey Lurch, just out of curiosity were you valves out of clearance ? My K5 has got 51k and never inspected them; no noise for now.
Quote from: Jeykey on Sunday, 17 November 2024, 10:16 PMHey Lurch, just out of curiosity were you valves out of clearance ? My K5 has got 51k and never inspected them; no noise for now.
They were fine but the previous owner did say they'd been checked at some point. He couldn't recall km so I assumed it was bullshit and checked them myself.
Quote from: Jeykey on Sunday, 17 November 2024, 10:16 PMHey Lurch, just out of curiosity were you valves out of clearance ? My K5 has got 51k and never inspected them; no noise for now.
If it's any help. I first checked mine at 15k miles & last time at 150k miles, they hadn't changed at all & I don't always ride mine slowly.
Quote from: Hooli on Sunday, 17 November 2024, 11:51 PMQuote from: Jeykey on Sunday, 17 November 2024, 10:16 PMHey Lurch, just out of curiosity were you valves out of clearance ? My K5 has got 51k and never inspected them; no noise for now.
If it's any help. I first checked mine at 15k miles & last time at 150k miles, they hadn't changed at all & I don't always ride mine slowly.
Thanks for the feedback, guess I´ll be doing the same as you. Regarding the other thread on high milers, seems mine´s pretty young regarding mileage. Only 51000km.
Jesus that bike is clean, even with a full rebuild I couldn't match that :whatever:
Quote from: Phill P on Friday, 22 November 2024, 05:46 AMJesus that bike is clean, even with a full rebuild I couldn't match that :whatever:
You'd be forgiven if you called me a picky bastard! I gave it a pretty good once over straight after I bought it but it'll get a full detail once I get it all back together.
I need to stop finding previous owner hack jobs to make that happen though. Today's find - front brake line guides that have been butchered. How this was achieved or why it was necessary both escape me at present. Not available anymore by the look of it unfortunately.
It's a few levels above mine, looks damn nice :drool:
Not much progress of late, just brake lines bolted up and bled today. The wife and I are both electricians in the same industry (but with very different areas of expertise) and our summer storm season gets rather hectic at work.
A chance encounter with an old mate whilst picking up the last few parts from wet blast last week has led to a change of plans. He's a picky bastard also and owns a company which manufactures mining equipment and billet engines. They use a lot of Cerakote during production so a mates rates deal is in progress for clear coating those few raw alloy parts.
IMG_3244.jpeg
A little bit of progress today as we passed through home on the way to more Christmas gatherings. The swingarm's back in with new bearing and seals and a bit of unnecessary bling has been bolted on.
I also had some threaded sleeves welded on for pickup knobs. It was wet blasted afterwards and coated with clear Cerakote MC-5100, along with a couple of other parts.
Unfortunately I've misplaced a new bearing I bought for the sprocket carrier. It's tantalisingly close to being done but I'm heading west for work when I'm done Christmasing so the rest of the back end will have to wait unfortunately.
IMG_3308.jpeg
Just WOW! mate. :onya: :clapping:
Yeah Wow. Dont ever get that bike dirty
Top looking bike Lurch, very impressed with the attention to detail.
Sensible choice for shocks :onya:
Quote from: Andre on Monday, 30 December 2024, 06:52 PMSensible choice for shocks :onya:
They offer a 25mm longer version, which is what I've opted for. Can't wait to see how it handles with the Nitron TVT front end as well. Obviously I'm not expecting sportsbike handling but it should be a significant improvement.
It's off the lift for the first time since August! I managed to complete a few laps of my local area successfully so it's time for a quick tub before a ride with the wife tomorrow.
There's still a couple of small things I want to tidy up so I'll save a full detail until after that. It's time to enjoy it for now.
IMG_3349.jpeg
Yeah Mate, really needs a tub😂Looks so bloody good, A1 for effort🥇
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 04 January 2025, 04:08 PMYeah Mate, really needs a tub😂Looks so bloody good, A1 for effort🥇
Sarcasm detected :happy1:. It's been sitting in the shed since August so it's a bit dusty and I've had my greasy mits all over it. Wouldn't be right to ride it dirty after all this time
That looks so mint it looks not real 🫣🫣🫣
Where does your wife sit ?
Quote from: GSXKING on Saturday, 04 January 2025, 04:27 PMThat looks so mint it looks not real 🫣🫣🫣
Where does your wife sit ?
On one of her bikes. She hates being on the back and I hate taking a pillion
Didnt realise no pillion pegs. A nice little solo seat with cowl on rear? I really hated the standard seat.A true ball crusher.
Mate, even your grass looks clean! Let alone your bike. Reckon you & Barmy would be good mates . . . :onya: :cheers:
Looks great mate, job well done.
Quote from: grog on Saturday, 04 January 2025, 05:07 PMDidnt realise no pillion pegs. A nice little solo seat with cowl on rear? I really hated the standard seat.A true ball crusher.
Seat is on the list for sure. I planned to at least remodel it to make it less of a ball crusher and add a bit of extra height. I like your suggestion though.
Bike looks great mate, love the black accents, shall we call them?
Quote from: Roo on Sunday, 05 January 2025, 09:58 AMBike looks great mate, love the black accents, shall we call them?
Cheers and sounds good to me. All the shiny stuff in the front end was what caught my attention when these bikes were released. Funny how it became a bit much for my taste over time. And the usual chipped clear coat and pitting had occurred so it was time for an update.
Great that your wife rides her own bike Lurch.
Where are you based ?
We're at Mt.Cotton 👍
Quote from: GSXKING on Sunday, 05 January 2025, 03:56 PMGreat that your wife rides her own bike Lurch.
Where are you based ?
We're at Mt.Cotton 👍
We're at Highfields.
Don't get out as much as we should between work, being on call for work, travelling for work and keeping an energetic Dalmatian entertained. Hmmm, I said work a lot 🤔
Nice spot, just north of Toowoomba.
We were at Cafe Valletta Saturday morning coming up through Silver-Pinch Rd. and home via Hampton to Esk etc.
Missed any showers yesterday 🙏
Quote from: Roo on Sunday, 05 January 2025, 09:58 AMBike looks great mate, love the black accents, shall we call them?
Quote from: UK gubberment...ethnic cultural enrichments
:stir: :whistling:
The next piece of the puzzle was waiting for me when I got home this afternoon. I know myself too well to call it the last piece, but I must be getting close.
John Moorhouse is a name many Aussie's, particularly fellow QLD'ers, will be familiar with. One of the most well respected names in the industry and now I know why. Additional height for my lanky arse, better foam, ball crushing tendencies removed and a recover. IMG_3436.jpegIMG_3437.jpeg
Stunning mate, just stunning. In the league of
@gsxbarmy for sure.
Think he has a camera filter that makes it look perfect & shiny, not game to uncover mine anymore.😎
Needs more effort to reach Kangerdog levels though.
It was him who did all the titanium gubbins, lockwires etc etc wasn't it?
Quote from: Hooli on Friday, 24 January 2025, 10:29 PMNeeds more effort to reach Kangerdog levels though.
It was him who did all the titanium gubbins, lockwires etc etc wasn't it?
Indeed. I've read every post I could find on that one. Sadly I neither have the time nor the fabrication ability to achieve something like that.
Matt's (kangerdog) bike was amazingly well done and maintained .
I'm a bit bored whilst recovering from a recent off (dirtbike, not the 1400!) and have realised I never updated the list of bits and pieces I threw at my 1400, so here it is for better or worse. I've probably forgotten a few things but you get the idea...
- YSS RG362 +25mm shocks.
- Forks completely rebuilt with Nitron 22mm TVT fork cartridges. Lowers powder coated satin black.
- Renthal 847 street ultra low fatbars.
- LSL 127X070SW risers.
- Brembo 17RCS radial clutch master cylinder with billet reservoir and Plot CSK001 clutch switch.
- Brembo 19RCS radial front brake master cylinder with billet reservoir.
- HEL braided clutch & brake lines.
- Hayabusa dust seal added to clutch slave cylinder.
- SmartMoto PAIR valve removal kit.
- Radguard (Aus) oil cooler guard.
- Healtech GIpro ATRE G2.
- Barracuda X Version B-Lux mirrors.
- CNC Racing Jet indicators and LED flasher relay.
- Wheels wet blasted, outer lips polished and centres painted. New discs and disc bolts.
- Tokico 4 piston front brake calipers. Blasted, Cerakoted and rebuilt with stainless pistons and hardware.
- Wet blasted swingarm, caliper hanger, sprocket carrier & torque arm. All Cerakoted with MC-5100 clear.
- Wet blasted yokes & headlight mounts. Painted black.
- Lugs welded to swingarm for pickup knobs.
- New chain & sprockets.
- All chassis and wheel bearings and seals replaced.
- Coerce Racing rearsets.
- Seat remodelled and retrimmed as close to original style as possible.
I completed a whole bunch of maintenance at the same time and replaced lots of hardware with a mix of genuine and ProBolt. I won't bore you with that detail but I'm very happy with how it turned out and am looking forward to climbing aboard again in a few months.