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Must NOT do mods?

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dave_xb12r

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2008
Messages
6,470
What mods have you done that you wish you hadn't? Anything that was a waste of time? Didn't turn out the way you wanted it? Saw something else that you wish you had spent your money on? Reasons are good. Everyone always thinks that all of their mods are mods that others should do as well, but don't you think that maybe some weren't the best choice? I know I've made some bad modding decisions.


- Clips-ons were a big waste of time on my firebolt. The fairing needs to be cut, which I didn't want to do.

- Airbox delete made the intake REALLY loud. I've purchased a new 07+ airbox, but I haven't put it on yet. I would recommend the 07 airbox over the entire delete, unless you want your bike as loud as possible.

- I think I have too many decals, but I can't decide which ones should go and which I should keep.
 
Jardine Muffler and Ventilating the Airbox. Insanely loud, sold the muffler and patched the airbox back up.
 
I agree with the airbox delete, I just cut open my air box where the inlets are to my outer cover is. Never cared for the excess noise, thus my reason for what I did.

Another mod I like but in a way wish I hadn't done, is my hidden brembo mod. My rear brake is 1/2 of what the stock brake was.

Removing the lower mounting bracket to allow me to run the Ss swing arm was a big mistake and ended up costing me about $200 and wasted two weeks of ride time due to the fuel line rubbing on the frame (from sitting to low)

Otherwise off the top of my head I dig the rest.
 
I put in the airbox heat shield that Odie makes, and while it's nice...the airbox cover sits slightly higher and seems like the intake sounds a lot louder. But once my helmet is on it's not that bad.
 
Zero gravity dubble bubble windscreen was a big waste in my book. It looks good but it's horrible for taller riders as it focus's the turbulence directly at my helmet.

2nd thing was opening up my inner airbox on my 04. Seemed to make no difference with my bike.

3rd was the breather reroute........ I'm still on the fence with this one. I had it done for a while and thought I couldnt tell a diff, but now that its off the bike I have noticed a few pops back through the intake upon acceleration when hot outside.
 
Freak2180 what year is your bike. I had a similar problem with my 03 and contacted EBR about it and they told me that on the earlier models the injector spray isn't as well targeted as the older models and if the injectors are dirty at all it could be redirecting the spray a little bit and causing your problem. Dont mean to thread jack just thought I'd try to help.

-buying ASV levers went to put them on and the brake lever hit the gauge cluster at full lock tried turning them and it wasn't comfortable
 
Aside from the airbox delete, which everyone else already mentioned, the transparent airboxes make a lot more noise too. There's a big difference in the sound my airbox makes when I have the transparent bodywork on it instead of the solid colors. The solid plastics are a bit softer, so they damp the sound better. The transparent stuff is a lot harder so the noise seems to knock and resonate off of the airbox more. The clear stuff definitely looks awesome, but I never even use it anymore because I got tired of the noise.

I don't regret cutting my cheesegrater, I think the bike looks awesome as it is, but if you're someone who doesn't want water thrown at the back of their head every time they hit a puddle, it's probably not for you. Don't even ask about getting stuck in the rain!
 
The only thing I can think that im not completely satisfied with is the breather re route. I never really noticed a difference, but the long term effects of cleaner air into my engine sounds good, so I left it on.
 
I've recently wrapped my header. I don't know if it was just the outside temps getting to me or what but I was really thinking that all the work that goes into it isn't really worth it. Once I felt like this I was too far into the job to turn around. I love the look of the black wrap on my bike but crap I put a lot of sweat and curse words into the job. I don't have the luxury of an air conditioned shop and an arsenal of tools to choose from....I'm just a computer programmer....
 
The aftermarket zero gravity windscreen I put on burnt a hole in my dash one day when I left it in the sun just right...
 
I custom stripped one of the bolts on my primary inspection cover. I had to spend a few hours getting it out and send for a replacment.
 
Cheapo walmart running lights caused a current draw, killing my batt.

Also, switched from catchcan breather reroute to vent to atmosphere. Huse pita when you forget to empty the catchcan and it overfills into the filter and sprays all over your bike.
 
Cheap levers, only because they fade and the settings are not correct.

Everything else I am happy with and recommend to others.
 
I got a set of CRG's, I think from someone off here for $70. But they are black and red, a small detail I can deal with.
 
Ill sale the cheap ones to ya Dave when I can get a new set. Need tires and rebuilt forks right now.
 
Another mod I like but in a way wish I hadn't done, is my hidden brembo mod. My rear brake is 1/2 of what the stock brake was
Click to expand...

U must have done something wrong, that was one of the best brake mods I did to mine. Mine doubled once I did the Mod. Double check everything and make sure everything thing is right. Bleeder is at the top, all the air is out of the system, lots of easy stuff to over look. Took forever to bleed mine!
 
Buying an OEM tinted windscreen! I thought I had learned from buying them for my sportbikes. All they do is make the upper look visually "heavy" Clear is the best. Always scratch my head at the chrome or opaque screens that aren't functional. Other than that, I love everything I did to my XB984R frankenBuell :)
 

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