Hi all, I thought id document my journey so as to help others with similar aspirations to mine.
Firstly about myself - Im not sensible. I could easily buy a better bike and be done with it but this is not about me having a better bike its about building something as an expression of me and my personality. A little unconventional or eccentric if you will. I used to work on cars but now that im older and my back isn't as solid working on bikes seems like a way for me to tinker with stuff without the pain of lifting and bending too much.
The bike is called El Diablo ***** (the black devil) - My Venezuelan mate named it because its black and its really fricken loud.
Im located in Sydney Australia and whilst other people around the world use the warmer months to ride and work on bikes in winter, we have the advantage of being able to ride all year round. Though I don't do that I did go for a 1000mile touring ride right after I got my bike in extremely cold weather. just for the hell of it.
I bought the bike in 2011 when it was about a year old. Its a 2010 ER6NL ABS. Whats an ER6NL? Basically an er6 with a throttle stop and a lower rev limiter for learners.
both of those limiters are easily removed if you want to.
I bought it used with a two brothers pipe and I like it because its loud. From some angles the bike looks pretty good and its fast enough for me. From some angles though it doesn't look great and the suspension doesn't inspire confidence and so im seeking to remedy these things as part of my "journey"
Since buying the bike I've added short levers and some bar end mirrors which have helped the appearence of the bike a little but im still not satisfied and I've decided that rather than just trade up I want to keep this bike.
So what do I plan to do ?
Upgrade front forks
Upgrade front brakes
Upgrade headlight
Upgrade rear shock
Upgrade headlight and gauge
Upgrade rear wheel
Upgrade rear sets
For the forks
Ive purchased a set from a z1000sx along with the axle, brake callipers, spacers lower triple and front mudguard
Ive got a 2006 upper triple
In theory with the exception of the handlebars (which I think will need risers) it should all bolt up including the brakes(both my bike and the donor have ABS)
For the headlight I've found a nice 5 1/4 inch LED headlight on eBay with angel eye ring around the outside which I hope looks good but well see
For the rear shock I have 2012 R1 shock which ill get revolved and an appropriate spring put in
These have much more adjustability and are the right length with some mods
For the gauge
Motogadget mini and idiot lights eventually but for the moment the standard gauge with the cowl removed should do
Rear wheel
Chemco make a 6 inch wheel and I've found a distributor in Indonesia which might be able to help me.
If not a 636 rear with a kit from blue ridge or TWF racing will get it done
Ill also need a tyre and ill do both ends when im at that point
Rear sets
Ill be getting a set of RSV racing ones from Thailand. Thanks to Tremonte for putting me on to them and also for putting some great vids online.
RSV Racing จัดจำหน่ายอุปกรณ์ แต่งรถมอเตอร์ไซค์ BIGBIKE ทุกรุ่น โดย บริษัท อาร์ เอส วี เรสซิง จำกัด
Here’s some of the threads that have information about how i got the bike to where it is
R1 rear shock conversion
2010 R1 shock on 2010 er6/650. | RiderForums.com - Kawasaki Motorcycle Forum
KOSO DB03r install
Aftermarket gauge installation on Kawasaki 2010 ER6
Headlight wiring
Headlight wiring - How to wire up a H4 Headlight on a 650 | RiderForums.com - Kawasaki Motorcycle Forum
6 inch rear wheel info
180 or 190 tire installation with 6.0 rim kit
First photo is how i started and second is how the bike looks currently
Firstly about myself - Im not sensible. I could easily buy a better bike and be done with it but this is not about me having a better bike its about building something as an expression of me and my personality. A little unconventional or eccentric if you will. I used to work on cars but now that im older and my back isn't as solid working on bikes seems like a way for me to tinker with stuff without the pain of lifting and bending too much.
The bike is called El Diablo ***** (the black devil) - My Venezuelan mate named it because its black and its really fricken loud.
Im located in Sydney Australia and whilst other people around the world use the warmer months to ride and work on bikes in winter, we have the advantage of being able to ride all year round. Though I don't do that I did go for a 1000mile touring ride right after I got my bike in extremely cold weather. just for the hell of it.
I bought the bike in 2011 when it was about a year old. Its a 2010 ER6NL ABS. Whats an ER6NL? Basically an er6 with a throttle stop and a lower rev limiter for learners.
both of those limiters are easily removed if you want to.
I bought it used with a two brothers pipe and I like it because its loud. From some angles the bike looks pretty good and its fast enough for me. From some angles though it doesn't look great and the suspension doesn't inspire confidence and so im seeking to remedy these things as part of my "journey"
Since buying the bike I've added short levers and some bar end mirrors which have helped the appearence of the bike a little but im still not satisfied and I've decided that rather than just trade up I want to keep this bike.
So what do I plan to do ?
Upgrade front forks
Upgrade front brakes
Upgrade headlight
Upgrade rear shock
Upgrade headlight and gauge
Upgrade rear wheel
Upgrade rear sets
For the forks
Ive purchased a set from a z1000sx along with the axle, brake callipers, spacers lower triple and front mudguard
Ive got a 2006 upper triple
In theory with the exception of the handlebars (which I think will need risers) it should all bolt up including the brakes(both my bike and the donor have ABS)
For the headlight I've found a nice 5 1/4 inch LED headlight on eBay with angel eye ring around the outside which I hope looks good but well see
For the rear shock I have 2012 R1 shock which ill get revolved and an appropriate spring put in
These have much more adjustability and are the right length with some mods
For the gauge
Motogadget mini and idiot lights eventually but for the moment the standard gauge with the cowl removed should do
Rear wheel
Chemco make a 6 inch wheel and I've found a distributor in Indonesia which might be able to help me.
If not a 636 rear with a kit from blue ridge or TWF racing will get it done
Ill also need a tyre and ill do both ends when im at that point
Rear sets
Ill be getting a set of RSV racing ones from Thailand. Thanks to Tremonte for putting me on to them and also for putting some great vids online.
RSV Racing จัดจำหน่ายอุปกรณ์ แต่งรถมอเตอร์ไซค์ BIGBIKE ทุกรุ่น โดย บริษัท อาร์ เอส วี เรสซิง จำกัด
Here’s some of the threads that have information about how i got the bike to where it is
R1 rear shock conversion
2010 R1 shock on 2010 er6/650. | RiderForums.com - Kawasaki Motorcycle Forum
KOSO DB03r install
Aftermarket gauge installation on Kawasaki 2010 ER6
Headlight wiring
Headlight wiring - How to wire up a H4 Headlight on a 650 | RiderForums.com - Kawasaki Motorcycle Forum
6 inch rear wheel info
180 or 190 tire installation with 6.0 rim kit
First photo is how i started and second is how the bike looks currently