[chid]

I had a thread but was diverted to How-To for the Headlight Conversion, I wanted to have one for the bike with the mods and farkles I make, maybe somebody will be inspired.

1. the headlight conversion, bi-xenon projectors, angel eyes, LED strips with turn signal switch:
Chid/Projector Conversion / Angel Eye/ Led Light Bar

2. Windshield Givi AirFlow, I'm very happy with it (it needs a wash, but I prefer riding )

3. short brake and clutch lever, adjustable, 2 fingers action, amazing mod for 30$ (the color faded a bit, but I'm for functionality)

4. Denali Soundbomb air horn split, everybody thinks a truck is coming... installed in front of the bike (no problem with rain or anything else), compressor installed under left fairing (see red wires)

5. tablet support (home made from Al piece of metal)

6. 2 electrical plugs, 4 USB with optional cigarette plug (phone, tablet, Sena, GPS)

7. Aprilia Tuono mirrors (no vibration)

8. switch for HID and GPS support

9. waterproof switches (green) for angel eyes and LED strips (see headlight)

10. GoCruise throttle lock and Cramp buster (great combination for long trips)

11. Highway pegs (home made, cheap but great for what I need)

12. Givi rear hugger (wish it was a little bit longer, but does a good job)

13. Givi Trunk, I use it every day (commuting) for 8 years, great!

14. raised front for the seat, for comfort ( no more sliding forward)

15. Fuzeblock for all the electrical stuff, install under the left fairing

16. balasts for xenon, and a lot of wires tucked in front (see headlight link)

17. sun visor on the helmet, I installed a tinted foil to block the sun, I don't know why they don't do it like that !?!

If I remember something else, I'll post it here.

I have other ideas, coming soon.

 

[davec719]

Impressive list Chid.

I’ve only had my 2015 for a couple of months but haven’t ridden at night. Are the standard headlights bad?

And that screen. Is it mounted on the stock screen? How effective is it?

Dave

 

[chid]

Thanks!

There is a night and day difference between standard headlights and dual bi-xenon projectors
Givi Airflow is installed in place of the stock windshield. BIG difference! The design pushes the air just at the top of my helmet, I can hear the engine at speeds well about what I should ride

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

...I’ve only had my 2015 for a couple of months but haven’t ridden at night. Are the standard headlights bad?...
Dave

Bad? I wouldn't say that... but not NEARLY AS GOOD as the Gen 1 lights.

Gen 1 - I can easily ride at 70 mph and NOT overdrive them.

Gen 3 - kind of 'sketchy' once you exceed about 50.

I put extra lights onto my '15 - DENALI DMs - but they are mostly to help cage-drivers see me.

 

[chid]

Went to Romania and managed to rent 2 bikes for 2 days.
A BMW F650GS and a Africa Twin, both with a lot of km on board

Just to say that coming back to my Versys was great
I missed the comfort, the tires, position, highway pegs, throttle lock, windshield...
but it was ok, for the price and first time trying a bike in Romania.

Did some nice rides, first day about 280km and second almost 400km over the Transfagarasan (best ride of my life, my son agrees)

If you decide to go to Romania on a bike.... do the Bran-Rucar-Curtea de Arges- Vidraru - Transfagarasan - Fagaras.

 

[Fastoman]

:thumb: Keep the good work Up and thanks for sharing.

 

[chid]

Ok, time to change my rear tire, I got 11k km out of it, but the wires are showing off

The shop asks 45$+tx to do it, and I have a little more time now, so.....I bit the bullet, I ordered the tire online, ordered a valve core remover, a 3 piece set tire irons, rim protectors and weights.
I have to do at least 1 change per year, and when the front comes in... at least 2...so why not?

I watched a lot of videos, but this will be my first time.
I'm a little bit confused at balancing..... yes, you need a stand, or beads or not balancing it....

With weights, my question is.... you balance the tire when is new..... but is the wear uniform? my tire now is almost busted... and no vibration.
the weight removed from the tire by wear is important..... so the original balancing should be off...
I'll try to weight it but not sure I have the precision needed.

My point is that I'm not sure the balancing is needed... or that the beads would be the way to go?

Also, I have a 12V emergency compressor, I'll let you know if I can seat the bead with it or I need to go to a gas station with a compressor.

 

[onewizard]

Ok, time to change my rear tire, I got 11k km out of it, but the wires are showing off

The shop asks 45$+tx to do it, and I have a little more time now, so.....I bit the bullet, I ordered the tire online, ordered a valve core remover, a 3 piece set tire irons, rim protectors and weights.
I have to do at least 1 change per year, and when the front comes in... at least 2...so why not?

I watched a lot of videos, but this will be my first time.
I'm a little bit confused at balancing..... yes, you need a stand, or beads or not balancing it....

With weights, my question is.... you balance the tire when is new..... but is the wear uniform? my tire now is almost busted... and no vibration.
the weight removed from the tire by wear is important..... so the original balancing should be off...
I'll try to weight it but not sure I have the precision needed.

My point is that I'm not sure the balancing is needed... or that the beads would be the way to go?

Also, I have a 12V emergency compressor, I'll let you know if I can seat the bead with it or I need to go to a gas station with a compressor.

:laugh::laugh::laugh::funnypost:

So the yellow line is from my compressor, the red line is my short line for tools. I have a 3/8 line that I use for the nailer, as the line itself acts as a reservoir.Not a good photo, but notice the gauge isn't covered by the petcock lever, as it is open and pointing towards the yellow airline.

I have seen some people take a old Freon tank or old propane tank and make a air pig. The advantage is high volume , it could take 20 minutes with a 12 volt compressor to fill that tank. If you watch how all tire installers work, they take out the valve core as you need a large volume of air to seat the tire including tire lube / sealant, once seated they quickly insert the valve core. Sorry about the laugh, but if you succeed , go out and buy a lottery ticket.

Also be aware about marking on tire as to location of valve stem;
https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/what-are-the-red-and-yellow-dots-on-my-tires/

 

[chid]

:laugh::laugh::laugh::funnypost:

I have seen some people take a old Freon tank or old propane tank and make a air pig. The advantage is high volume , it could take 20 minutes with a 12 volt compressor to fill that tank. If you watch how all tire installers work, they take out the valve core as you need a large volume of air to seat the tire including tire lube / sealant, once seated they quickly insert the valve core. Sorry about the laugh, but if you succeed , go out and buy a lottery ticket.

Also be aware about marking on tire as to location of valve stem;
https://www.tires-easy.com/blog/what-are-the-red-and-yellow-dots-on-my-tires/

Thanks for the info!

I'll let you know if the compressor works, or I can use a bicycle pump
The idea is to have a good seal... we'll see if I can make it.
Glad I could make you laugh my son says I'm a funny guy :O

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

...I'm a little bit confused at balancing....My point is that I'm not sure the balancing is needed... or that the beads would be the way to go?...

I've used "Dyna-Beads" or their generic equivalent for OVER 125,000 miles.

They WORK!

>

 

[chid]

I've used "Dyna-Beads" or their generic equivalent for OVER 125,000 miles.

They WORK!

>

What quantity do you use for the rear tire?
I think I'll keep the tire weights-free and if I feel is not balanced, I'll add some Dyna-beads trough the valve.
It makes more sense for me the dynamic balancing than the weights.

 

[chid]

Ok, I just switched the weights to Counteract beads from Fortnine, do you install them with the tire, or pour them through the valve?

 

[onewizard]

Ok, I just switched the weights to Counteract beads from Fortnine, do you install them with the tire, or pour them through the valve?

Copied from the specialist , after!!
https://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/1314202-post4.html

 

[chid]

Just applied for an Utility patent for my new idea for a device and method for chain cleaning.
Details soon!

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

What quantity do you use for the rear tire?
I think I'll keep the tire weights-free and if I feel is not balanced, I'll add some Dyna-beads trough the valve.
It makes more sense for me the dynamic balancing than the weights.

I use 1.5 oz front, 2 oz rear, and I took a small funnel, added a couple inches of fuel-line (that fits over the valve-stem), then valve OUT I slowly pour the beads into the tire, using a small burst of air to break any bridging of the beads. UNLESS you have the special valves (I DON'T!), you can get a bead jamming the valve when you check your pressures, so what I do, is give a SMALL shot of air into the stem to ensure it's clear, THEN check pressures and adjust as necessary.

I DO however, check my tires before EVERY ride by hitting them w/ a mallet like long-haul truckers do.

Ok, I just switched the weights to Counteract beads from Fortnine, do you install them with the tire, or pour them through the valve?

See above.

 

[chid]

I use 1.5 oz front, 2 oz rear, and I took a small funnel, added a couple inches of fuel-line (that fits over the valve-stem), then valve OUT I slowly pour the beads into the tire, using a small burst of air to break any bridging of the beads. UNLESS you have the special valves (I DON'T!), you can get a bead jamming the valve when you check your pressures, so what I do, is give a SMALL shot of air into the stem to ensure it's clear, THEN check pressures and adjust as necessary.

I DO however, check my tires before EVERY ride by hitting them w/ a mallet like long-haul truckers do.



See above.

Thanks!

I got the kit, and it has the valves included.
I received the tire and the tools today, hopefully I'll have the time this weekend to do it. :surprise:

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

Thanks!

I got the kit, and it has the valves included.
I received the tire and the tools today, hopefully I'll have the time this weekend to do it. :surprise:

chid - can you take a close-up pic of the special valve 'guts' beside a normal one? I'm interested to see what the difference is (are).

 

[chid]

Hi Eddie,

This is the kit I bought. I don't have a "normal" one, I'll get the side-by-side photo after I change the tire.

I bought the long zip-tie, I located the closest gas station with compressed air (just in case )
Hopefully tomorrow I will change my tire.

 

[chid]

Ok, everything is done, new tire installed.
I need to go probably buy a lottery ticket, as I was able to seat the bead with a small, beat-up, cheap, old 12V mini compressor

It was pretty easy for my first time, the most time consuming and heavy was breaking the bead, I had a Motion pro 3 irons kit, it worked but not ideal. Next time I'll have a better tool.
After that, taking the tire out and putting the new one in... pretty easy, my son didn't believe when I said that part is done.
I have a new Pilot Road 3 and it doesn't have a white point, after looking intensely on internet, I found out that Michelin have a better quality control and there is no point on tires :O
There is one sticker, that I aligned, but nothing more.

I started inflating the tire and seating the bead with my 12V compressor..... and it was amazingly fast :O (ok, not THAT fast as a big air compressor, but... )
Helped it with a little bit of Windex, no escaping air, beads seated (including the 2 BANGS, but smaller)

I changed the valve core with the one from CounterAct, but no beads inside yet.

Mounted on the bike, did a small trip to verify, a longer one after, 2up, about 60km.
No vibration, no problem. Actually, I feel some small vibration from the front tire, a Pilot Road 5 with about 3k km on it, "balanced" with weights. I might put the beads in this one.

There it is.
Can you do it and save some money and time, be proud in the process? YES.
I need to buy better tools, which reduce the gain, but hey! I'm changing my own tires!

And the question was: can you seat the bead with a 12V emergency compressor? YES!

 

[chid]

something interesting, the old tire 11k km, had a nail in it at about 5k.
I fixed it with Dynaplug and had no problem since.
Actually I didn't even add 1 teaspoon of air since install it :O

Here are 2 photos with the tire out, on outside with the small mark, and the inside with the Dyna plug head still in.
I love it that you don't have to ream the whole when you take the nail (screw) out, limiting the damage.

I felt no vibration or any other negative effect after plug-it.
I have no affiliation to Dyna plug just personal experience.