[shoebox5]

Hello everyone, this will be my first official post. I am new to the world of motorcycles, but not to mechanics. I have built quite a few drift cars, mostly and only (hah) Nissans. So being new to motorcycles, I would like to ask a few Noob-like questions and hopefully you guys can direct me in the correct directions...

First off my first bike is a 2002 Honda CBR 954RR. It was set up to be a "stunt bike". By the way, if I say a brand or words that usually have nick names please point it out. Thanks. People in car world are very critical about everything, I want to make sure I don't make a fool out of myself.bigger i think), how will this effect my daily driving? I've ridden it a few times up and down the street, but never really gave it any throttle.

Im not looking to race or do stunts, but if anyone can give me a little advice on how I should go about getting the bike back on the road or what style I should stick with, that would be most appreciated. Oh and I live in california, I know when you take a drivers test the car needs to have certain things like defrost, low high beams, blinkers, at least one rear view mirror; I've checked Google and CA DMV for a list of that stuff to make a motorcycle street legal but couldnt find anything. :huh:

The bike is naked and currently has no instrument cluster, blinker buttons, and rear view mirrors. I really like the way some street fighters look, but I don't want it to be so "insect" or "bee-like". I'd like to go for a really simplistic look. The bike is pretty much naked, and has a huge 12bar on the back and some crappy home made frame sliders. Also the rear cog has been changed to a bigger one. Should I get things like a cage in case i drop it? Do people get made fun of if they have 12bars? :idunno: I really don't know the culture too well, so sorry if my questions are dumb or aggravating.
Thanks again everyone! :thumb:

 

[BurtonF166]

Welcome and congrats on the 'fireblade'!

If youre using it for street only, get a set of either used oem fairings or ebay hong kong stuff (fitment trouble ahead if you choose that route.)

For legality and safety, mirrors, low/high beams and front/rear signals and of course, a brake light.

Less youre stunting, dont rock a 12 o'clock bar, looks like piss, but no one makes fun of you.

Cages are fine, but sliders do the job

Get a cluster for sure.


Note; since this thing was stunted and surely beat up, do some serious maintenance.
1) fork seals/oil
2) oil/oil filter
3) coolant
4) air filter
5) change sprockets (16/43 is stock, 15/45 is very popular)
6) Check valve clearances

Post some pics!

 

[shoebox5]

Thanks BurtonF166, and Yes I will certainly post some pictures of what it looks like as of now (after work). As for things like cleaning, I used simple green on all my engines and engine bays, etc. When cleaning a bike should I cover certain areas if pressure washing? Or no pressure washer, just stick with a hose and toothbrush? Thanks!

 

[BurtonF166]

Bike can handle a pressure washer, just dont spray behind the cluster in the headlight harness!

 

[shoebox5]

Another concern is for safety. I am 5'9 and weigh 130 pounds. Pretty skinny guy. When I sit on the bike both heels touch the floor. I can hold the bike back and forth and lift it and what not its not too heavy of a bike. But, I read somewhere, something about adjusting dampening on forks or rear suspension because of my weight or lack of, haha. Is this true? Should I bring it to a suspension shop or something to have it adjusted to suit my skeleton-ness?

 

[shoebox5]

Few iPhone shots, sorry best/only "digital camera" I have. LOL.

 

[BurtonF166]

yeah, on your forks are both preload and rebound adjusters whose settings can be altered to suit your weight. The rear suspension is also adjustable.

Getting a pro to do isnt a bad idea but you can just mess around still you like it.


Do you have a manual?

 

[shoebox5]

All I have a is a downloaded PDF of a Factory Service Manual. No owners guide. I know just about nothing when it comes to motorcycles. But I have built bicycles, so i know what a chain is LOL and I built cars so I understand tools. I think I'm off to a decent start hah..

 

[BurtonF166]

Youre in great shape if youve dealt with cars.

A pdf service manual is what i have too, works like a champ.

How many miles are on the bike?
Price?
^^ if you dont mind.

 

[shoebox5]

Price was a trade for my old 240sx, my car being worth maybe 3200? I have the original documents from the first owner of the CBR and it says something like 8500 for the bike brand new with 1 mile on it. It holds a clean title and has somewhere around 30,000 miles? I am playing the guessing game here, the previous owner told me but I forgot.

 

[BurtonF166]

30,000 isnt bad at all.

how doe she run?

What kind of sprockets are on there?
Rear hand brake too?

 

[shoebox5]

I hope this isn't the part where someone chimes in, "you got ripped off" hahaha.

 

[BurtonF166]

ripped off, meh, not the best deal if it had been cash.

 

[shoebox5]

There is a rear hand brake, I don't know the gear size. Should I just count the teeth? Or does the cog have a number on it like bicycles, so I can just post that? I don't really have any other bike to compare it to running wise. But I can say it idols smooth. I warm it up every now and again. It smells like it runs a little rich, I'm assuming its from the exhaust it has on it. It's a little loud but sounds nice. Not too racer-ish at all.

 

[BurtonF166]

The muffler looks like a cut cf jardine can.

Get rid of that rear brake up by your fingers, never want to accidently grab it as youll lose all control.

Yeah, count the teeth on the sprockets.

 

[shoebox5]

Cool, I'll count them later. So, what are fighters good for? Just esthetically pleasing? Or street racing? I really like the minimalist look. Curious though.

 

[BurtonF166]

fighters are cool because there are no two alike.

 

[shoebox5]

Thats awesome. There are A Million 240sx' out there. Everyone is the same or similar. What are your thoughts on Acerbis Headlights? As you can see I have one, not my style or choice, but I am looking into the LED version. It says on the website that it is street legal and is used to make street fighters street legal...

 

[BurtonF166]

yeah, yours looks cool, cant imagine it emits too much light though. That thumbnail looks badass.
this is what i did on mine.
used a k5 gsxr 1000 light http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww12/Burtonf166/R6%20Build/Main.jpg

 

[shoebox5]

I can only hope my bike will turn out as nice as yours! Hella clean. Yah, I think I'm going to keep it as is but replace the rear tail with a new one (black) and the new headlight with the LED acerbis. Yours looks really good, I am inspired!