So i think it might be time to start my project thread.
Unfortunately it will be a little slow, but it will be moving.
I got my 2002 954 with 30k on the clock, (like 16k miles for you Americans) as part payment for my wifes Nissan Skyline.
In the end i paid like $1500 AUD for it.
The guy before me was a bit of an odd character, and the bike was not in the best condition, though it certainly rode well.
It had cheap looking LED indicators in the front, that have since been broken (me and my wife during moving), a few broken bits of fairing, and a broken bracket on the headlight assembly.
It has a Yoshimura exhaust...i need to look at it a bit more and make sure it isn't a full exhaust...
Some minor scratching on the chassis...so not a pile of crap, but not how i wanted it.
The plans (for now):
New paint job
New Akrapovic EVO Titanium exhaust (if i can find one...)
New Brembo calipers, disks, lines, MC, pads, etc.
Redo suspension internals and new rear suspension
Single Seat Cowl...but won't be removing the pegs as my wife will shoot me if i can't take her for a ride.
New headlight assembly (considering LED lights)
New mirrors
New Flushmount indicators
New Michelin Tyres
Steering stabilizer/damper
New mirrors
PC3 (or newer?)
New Dash
GPS Security System & Alarm System
Took the bike in for a major service.
Making sure all is good.
All fluids, filters, etc. replaced...regardless if needed at my request.
Engine pulled down and everything made sure to be within spec. All good.
Front calipers dragging...piston lubed and working much better...will be replacing anyway.
I was very happy with this result, as i had to admit i felt the cost of a major was a gamble with the way it was looking...
Bike taken to the paint place.
Spoken with the owner, to make sure we are on the same page for the design.
When i walk in, he just so happens to have posters of the bike i want to emulate somewhat all over his walls.
Turns out the livery is his favorite of his all time icon...I guess i would have to assume it's in safe hands...
The place comes highly reccommended...and he has two Hondas of his own there...a SP1 Fireblade is his personal bike, airbrushed and looking mean.
Also has an older mid-90s Fireblade which was his old race bike. Still looking great, despite the layer of sanding dust covering it.
At the recommendation of one of your very own, bought a set of Proton LED flushmount indicators.
I was looking everywhere for the right set and everything looked either too cheap or too bulky.
I hope they suit the livery.
Also have to wait a month or so for them to come to me from in the great US of A haha.
05 April 2019 (I thought I had already posted this)
Not much to update.
I bought another headlight assembly as the current one had a snapped bracket on the left side.
It was solid, being held on with a 'custom' bracket, but I don't intend to accept that.
Almost bought a custom LED Angel Eyes setup, but in the end, I couldn't picture it suiting the styling I am going for.
Ended up paying just $300 for a new housing, which should arrive in another day.
I might still end up upgrading to LED bulbs, but that will have to wait until it is on the road as the initial inspection won't accept aftermarket LED bulbs as roadworthy.
I have also since found a supplier who can get me the Brembo set up for the bike. Almost all current Brembo kits available now have gone to Radial mounts, and I don't see the need to upgrade from my Axials. At my skill level, I would guarantee that I would never know the difference.
On a side note, my wife just bought her first bike to learn on. An old 1994 Virago XV535 with just 22k kilometers on the clock...I have never ridden a cruiser before...compared to the sports bikes, I feel like I am just learning again!
When she gets her licence this weekend, I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.
So I have decided to scrap the idea of Akrapovic for the exhaust due to my inability to get one.
There was one on ImportMonster which would have totalled over $2500 for one in not perfect condition.
Since then, I have decided on Hindle, as I love the sound of it, and the look is classy, and I can get brand new still.
I will be getting the Evolution muffler, in Titanium/Black Cap.
The question then, is either Low Mount, or High Mount.
I prefer the looks of High Mount, however I need to be able to get my wife on the back still, so I need to be able to keep the rear pegs.
Is it possible to keep pegs with a High Mount? Any disadvantages?
Get the high mount, Honda never should have put a passenger seat on the 954. Your wife will thank you for not subjecting her to that torture anymore :wink
my lady gets on the 954 here and there. but i keep the second seat only on standby lol. I just used longer bolts and was able to mount ok with my high mount remus. but i always take it off and go back to the single seat setup..
My Proton 500 flushmount indicators just arrived from the USA, so hopefully they will look good on with my paint.
If they end up suiting, and can be mounted appropriately, I will order another set for the rear.
My only concern is that the 9 LEDs are extremely visible through the clear lens, so I have sent off an email asking if they will still be bright enough if I get some spray-on tinter (for tail lights), which hopefully should make it less obvious.
I have also ordered a new set of black aluminium bar ends. They are black with a white CBR logo on them. Not expensive, just off eBay. I hope they look decent in real life. I have been unable to find any I liked in local shops.
Also, my personalized plates should arrive any day now!
My Proton 500 flushmount indicators just arrived from the USA, so hopefully they will look good on with my paint.
If they end up suiting, and can be mounted appropriately, I will order another set for the rear.
Glad to see they're still available Karl. I have toyed with the idea of fitting them to the rear of Zed as I still have my old 954 Protons. My riding mates tell me my tinted, integrated taillight and indicator set up is hard to see in daylight so I might do a bit of cutting and fitting.
Scotts Performance Steering Damper
Dynojet Power Commander V
Brembo Front Caliper Pair
Brembo Rear Caliper
Brembo Disks - Front & Rear
HEL ADR Approved Braided Lines
Brembo Master Cylinder Kit
Brembo Pads (Street Spec only)
I will still need to organize the brackets for the Brembos as the mounting spaces are different.
I will also be seeing my bike on Thursday to drop off the new headlight assembly...hopefully there is something to see!
Not much happened, but paid for all of the invoices outstanding from last time.
I also went to see my bike and bring him the new headlights and indicators.
Fairings and tank are off, and found that there were a few too many broken tabs and sections on the top fairing for my liking. Also extra spots in the inner fairings were cut out by the previous owner..not happy.
The painter can fix up the main fairing but we know it won’t be as good as new, so now begins the search for a new one...well from a wrecker. New is $900!
No wreckers that I have talked to have it, but I did manage to secure the two inner fairings. The search continues.
HELP- as you can see in the second photo, the one of the inside of the top fairing, there are two unused and broken bolt holes...what is supposed to mount there? My guy thought maybe a dash cowl but I’ve been unable to find anything....
While I was at it I bought another set of Proton 500 indicators for the rear, a new bolt set, and was told my new personalised plates should be here shortly!
On a side note, bought the wife a new addition to our family...a blue 2019 Honda GROM.
I was going to suggest Chinese fairings, but being a new guy on the street, I wasn't sure if I'd be frowned upon or even have my membership suspended:wink.
I had no probs with fitment other than to shave some paint from inside of tab slots. There are many Chinese fairing retailers, but I suspect only a couple of manufacturers. Those marketed under the 'Monster' brand also carry a good reputation.
I was going to suggest Chinese fairings, but being a new guy on the street, I wasn't sure if I'd be frowned upon or even have my membership suspended:wink.
Well I decided to place an order for a China-special. Apparently injection moulded.
My thoughts are that it won’t arrive until mid next month, which gives me plenty of time to try and find a genuine.
Worst case I can’t find one, I’d rather order earlier.
If it was just a few cracks I’d repair my original, but there are like two mounting points in good condition.
I restored my 1994 RR-R with Chinese bodywork (the originals were beyond economical repair) they worked out at less than £300 delivered and with customs charges included.
With the tank painted to match, although it was never going to look completely original, the results were good.
From personal experience I can say the Proton lights are fantastic. The set I mounted up to my '08 CBR600RR fit great and matched the fairing height perfectly. Still need to get a set for my 954... did yours fit well?
That’s great to hear!
When I took them to check they seemed to fit nicely.
They won’t be mounted properly until the paint is done.
While I was there I played with where they would fit on the rear, and they looked ok so that’s why I ordered another set.
I look forward to seeing them light up.
As for pictures...for now I am just putting up bits and pieces as they arrive, but once the bike is back with me I will be able to put up some of fitted mods.
I am undecided if I’ll show off the whole bike until it’s done!
The new used top fairing I managed to find was suitable so I won't have a Chinese piece on my bike... so that's good!
A package finally arrived for me...Dynojet PowerCommander V. I can't believe how simple it appears to install, once the bike is ready it will go into the dyno tuner for a custom made map. Even though there is a suitable map online, it is of course for better fuel quality!
Also bought a new front paddock stand that holds from the triple so that I can remove the forks.
I just can't wait to get it back so I can pull it all apart again!!
Has been very quiet on the bike front...mostly just work and everything else I am waiting for from overseas...I am not a patient person!
It seems that the price of a Servo Buddy is of some contention, but I ordered an original one anyway...firstly, I can’t solder to save my life, and secondly, it’s peace of mind, so price be damned.
I have been told that I will have my bike back from the painter in another 2 weeks as long as everything goes to plan.
Then I will get it roadworthied and registered before the major parts go on as they are very strict on modifications in Queensland...the Brembo, exhaust, etc are all likely standing in the way of registration, so I will do it while it is mostly stock.
Speaking of Brembo, one box has arrived, still waiting on another...next week is shaping to be exciting!
I have also received my bar ends, my personalised plate, the last of the replacement fair pieces, and new fairing bolt kit.
Thanks for that...I've never seen those before.
Regardless, I think I will definitely have to pick up a set for myself, as there is always something electrical needing fixing these days.
On that, I have started looking for the dash upgrade I will be wanting...however almost all of the ones I am finding are track only, in that they do not have indicators for high-beam, turn signals, etc.
Are there any that would stand out with you guys?
The only one I have seen referenced on here is the Starlane Davinci II which was very flashy looking but again, seems track only.
There is nothing wrong with the current display, but it looks extremely dated (with the orange background) compared to the rest of the bike receiving major upgrades.
I really don't need to go crazy on this part, but happy get something decent. It may not even be the right thing to do at this time...
Finally have something to post after a few quiet weeks!
There was a bit of a delay on the bike waiting on some things to arrive so I am now hoping my bike will be finished at the paint place end of this week, sometime next.
I have had a few packages arrive in the meantime, so it is all starting to get real.
- Scotts Performance
Scotts Road Racing Steering Damper
- Dynojet
Power Commander V. I didn't bother with the AutoTune as I will have it professionally dyno tuned once it is all together.
- Hindle
Hindle EVO Titanium muffler with Carbon Fiber end cap
Hindle full stainless steel headers
Hindle full stainless steel midpipe
- SkutrNet
Servo Buddy for CBR954RR
- PPQ
New personalized plate... 9S4RR - I have to admit that I always found people with personalized plates to be idiots with too much money...well I now get it haha
- Brembo
Brembo front 4-piston Calipers x2
Brembo rear 2-piston Caliper
Brembo OEM pads (no need to go crazy on pads)
Brembo Serie Oro cross-drilled floating front disks x2
Brembo Serie Oro cross-drilled floating rear disk
Brembo 17RCS master cylinder kit
Castrol React RCF brake fluid
STILL TO ARRIVE
Brembo clutch lever (back order with Brembo. To match the 17RCS lever)
HEL silver braided stainless lines with clear cover (will be sent once final measurements are sorted)
Having a hell of a time trying to decide on what dash to go with, between AIM, Starlane, and maybe i2M. I really don't know too much about the advantages of each of these. I will be mostly using the bike for street/mountain, but would like some of the basic track functionality for when I do take it on the track.
Now I also have to find appropriate brackets for the Brembo calipers...there seems to be nothing around any more for them, so I guess it will have to be custom, but I don't know anyone who does it...so that is a job for later.
Unless of course any of you guys have some suggestions? I'd prefer not to have to spend $400 USD on single bracket if I can help it...for a bit of metal...if you can recommend anyone over there, happy to import!
New personalized plate... 9S4RR - I have to admit that I always found people with personalized plates to be idiots with too much money...well I now get it haha
Yep. It might seem a strange 'mod' to some, and perhaps a tad egotistical, but they do add a finishing touch to the bike and make it truly your own. I put my money where my mouth is - so to speak!
Nice haul of goodies too. You'll just about have a new bike when you're finished. Try to keep as many original parts as you can. They might prove useful in the future if a new owner should want to return it to original.
cool. take the time to take some good pics with a high quality camera
let me know if i can edit one of the final pics.
nice shipment.
cant wait to see the finale
I have a few friends who are professional photographers...both specializing in motorsports, cars, bikes, etc.
I plan on making use of them.
There will still be a long time before this is on the road, simply for my licencing.
However, once the bike is back, it will be getting pulled straight apart anyway.
The next will be the suspension, installing the parts laying around, a new lithium battery, and I have the stuff around to protect the paintwork and seat, so that will be being applied to keep it looking like new.
I really hope the paint will look good on the bike...I have never seen the design on a 954 so it might look odd, haha.
The painter loves the request so I know he will be making sure it is as good as it can be.
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