This the chop job I did to the tail. I could not stomach the rat-tail any longer.
Dremel Tool and mouse sander to smooth things out. BTW, Bear that windshield flip is off the hook!

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hover over the pic and click for larger image.

I am about to do the same thing. I don't think it will affect the ability of the fender to keep a stripe off my back in the rain. Looks way better, IMHO.

That looks great! I've been toying with the same idea. That rat tail is the most stupid thing I've ever seen. Off she comes tomorrow!

Laser sharp!!!

Thanks yall! The next thing I'm going to do to the rear is try and retro-fit another LED brake light in the cavity below the existing one. It seems like the intention of that cavity was for something to be there but it did'nt make it. I'll post when I can make this happen. Trying to get my ducks in a row for some fork lights first. Later V-Nation

Looks real nice! One of the best home made jobs yet!

i just did the same thing myself today. Looks better now.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/GregScuba/DSC_6477copy.jpg

That pic is AWESOME. They should run that one as a sells ad.:thumb:

Yea, awesome. Is that repainted or just the passenger peg bracketry?

GS, you a professional photographer, that's a great shot.

Can you, or would you share how you did it-might like to try my hand at something like that.

Tx Machog

... and that red trellis looks outstanding!:clap:

Yea, awesome. Is that repainted or just the passenger peg bracketry?
I just repainted the rear trellis frame red and the radiator & footstay covers black. The body panels are stock color still. I removed the stickers from the side cowling as well.

GS, you a professional photographer, that's a great shot.

Can you, or would you share how you did it-might like to try my hand at something like that.

Tx Machog

I am not a professional photographer by any means. It for me is a very enjoyable hobby.

I'll let you in on a little secret. The magic that makes a wonderful photo happens long before you ever press the shutter button. It's all about the lighting and composition. It doesn't matter what kind of camera you have. Just get out there and start shooting.

Use flash to kill shadows in the daytime, but not at night where it only makes harsh shadows. Just the opposite of what many people think. It helps shooting at night if you have a tripod, but I cheat a little. The lens I was using has VR- vibration reduction.

I set the bike up near a street light, laid down on my belly, looked, moved the bike a little, laid down again, checked the composition again, took a few shots, checked them on the camera, moved a little bit, took a few more shots, etc, you get the point. Just kept trying different compositions and experimenting with the lighting and background.

Then when I got home, I chose a shot that had good composition and technical qualities (focus, exposure). Then I opened up Photoshop and adjusted the curves for contrast, exposure, and color balance. Then I added a little bit of gradient darkening in the corners. Next I did unsharp mask with a radius of 20 pixels and a small percentage, then smart sharpen with a radius of 0.2 pixels, and a large percentage. That's pretty much it.

I did the same thing to my bike. Actually, my brother accidentally shut the garage door and it came down and broke the rat tail right off my bike, so I was forced to do the chop job, but I actually like it better.

Very nicely mod'ed bike and really well done photo. You have a gift man.

yes very nice but more chop is better.

I'd like to do a chop on mine but I can't figure out what to do the the Texas Inspection Sticker location below the plate on our bikes here in Texas. Has anyone dealt with this here in the Lone Star State?

yes very nice but more chop is better.

Buster, very clean job! Can you talk about how you relocated the mounting bracket? I like the lines, looks stock and still provides some protection. Good work.

B-

yes very nice but more chop is better.

Where did you get the clear turn-signal covers? They look really sharp and match the clear tail-light cover really well.

the lenses are from a 2008 zx10 rear. if you change the front also, you will need pn 23007-0103 and pn 23007-0102 two of each. there is a drain hole in the lens, check for proper orentation. if you want them tight like mine, further modifications will be necessary. bulbs were purchased from bulb city and are natural red. hope this helps.

greg.....Awsome pic!!!! buster....i like your chop....i now have plans for tomorrow!

Don't do it if you ride in the rain/wet a lot. I'm regreting doing the tail chop now after riding home from work in the wet the other day, and having crap flung up on the back of me and my bike the whole way. It's not a whole lot, but just enough to annoy me.

Anyone want to trade me an already chopped tail for one that is still intact? I'd hate to go to the dealer and get raped for a new under-tail section.

Gregscuba, chat to motorbum, he is the answer to your wish.

Machog

Gregscuba, so even that minor chop ended up giving you the dreaded stripe? I was thinking of doing that, but I ride in the wet all the time and don't want to take the chance of getting wetter in the back than the front ;)