GSX400f - "WesCaf?" - Build - Melb/Australia

[Johnny Drummond]

Hi Nik,
I know this is going to seem a weird question,but why the wrap on the exhaust???.I thought you guys in the land of permanent sun would do everything to get rid of excess heat,or is it just for asthetic reasons and I now look like a right idiot.I really like the tail unit and can appreciate the work that went into it,all in all a very nice job!.Johnny

 

[nikosg]

Hey Johnny - mostly for aesthetic reasons. the old pipes were chrome and UGLY! However this will all be changed in about a week when my marving 4-1 racing system comes in from ITALY!!!

It was an aesthetic choice, but the point of pipe wrap is to somewhat insulate the pipes i believe... by maintaining the pipes at a hotter temperature air flow is meant to increase and perform better- some would argue this as a performance feature. Others would say its a load of Sh*t. Personally I just like the way they look and not burning my arms instantly on a raw pipe when down inspecting a hot bike (and believe me this bike gets HOT)


On a side note
We went for our first ride last night! Would not believe how much of an improvement the Ikon suspension upgrade has been. Unbelievable. I actually feel great going over speedhumps and such whereas previous they would want to throw me off the bike.

With the new progressives at the front and aluminium progressives at the back, it just wants to be thrown straight into the corners. Very happy

 

[Guest]

I love my Ikons too Nik, they're great! Glad to hear you're enjoying her!

 

[nikosg]

On the down side Pete, Im having some trouble - i think with cylinder number three.

The right exhaust is reaallllyyy lumpy and one time when i started her she didnt even fire on the third. She is firing but it doenst sound great, im putting this down to all that bad fuel sitting in there when she was up on stands for 3 months.

Is there any quick-fix carb cleaner like Seafoam here in Australia?

 

[nikosg]

Well we had a fantastic DGR 2013 in Melbourne this year.

Approximately 150 riders all dappered up and looking the part on some amazing rides. Wide variety of bikes - everyone was welcomed (even a scooter rider )

Just some snaps you may enjoy. One or two GS(X) in there too in disguise

One of the most popular builds on the day - a very tidy BMW R75(?)

We have an amazingly skilled local painter who has done 3-4 of the bikes on display. This was his ride for the day

NOT just gentlemen on this ride!

 

[nikosg]

apologies for the few large pictures.. i resized them but obviously imageshack doesnt want to agree..

One of the "Gentlemans Jack" sponsor girls. Me in the white gringo getting ready to fight the boys for her

And just me leading the 150 odd strong group - no photoshop at all by the way...

 

[steve murdoch]

Thanks for the cool pics of what looks like a fun event.
The black and gold Darmah is one of my favourite all time good looking bike.

 

[Guest]

Good stuff Nik, glad you got to enjoy the ride!

 

[nikosg]

new toy just arrived from Italy. Courtesy - Marving. Race system 4-1 chrome black... *drool*

Insentive NOT to even use the baffle - as i cant get it in without cutting the steel cap you see right there (due to the welded nut on the inside at the tip of the pipe where you fix the plastic black cap too)

not sure what this is in the package for..... replacement kick stand? :s

 

[Guest]

I think that's a bumper for the center stand, so it doesn't hit the pipe (when it's up)

 

[Guest]

Derwood's got it, except it'll go on the left side. If your stock pipes are like mine were, the left pipe bracket had a rubber foot on it for the centre stand bump stop. That's where that bit goes.

As for the pipes... oh yeah they're tasty!

Surely there has to be a way to get the baffle in without cutting? Any instructions with the pipe? Otherwise shoot 'em an email or start a thread in the main forum here... someone will know surely!

 

[nikosg]

Hey Pete... not too sure what you mean with the centre stand bump stop :s ill have a look at whats on the bike at the minute - stock mufflers are long gone but maybe that "bump stop" part is still there.

indeed tasty as

no instructions. simply a small cutaway would need to be made, its just a case of a nut being welded on the inside and the outer diameter of that steel part for the baffle being the same as the inner diameter of the pipe.
but i prefer my pipes loud anyway... makes for the experience and the certain lack of low end torque.

 

[Guest]

Found a pic where you can see the stock bump stop... I ended up cutting it down and painting it but it's essentially still there, you can see the centre stand sitting up against it:

 

[bigb]

tha'ts a pretty cool set of headers! nice

 

[nikosg]

Thanks Pete.. Just to be clear you are talking about that piece of metal externding of where the rear footpegs usually are on that bracket?

I might just get rid of the centre stand anyway, save some weight - plus i got a 40$ aldi special paddock stand the other day anyway

 

[Guest]

Yep that's it, I couldn't find any better shots of the end result but I know I have some somewhere...

If you have a paddock stand then you won't suffer so much without the centre stand, although I like to put mine on it while filling up to avoid splashing the fuel everywhere...

 

[nikosg]

Ok guys so i coudlnt get the engine to idle with airbox and new exhaust...

so time to make an upgrade. Going to do pods and the exhaust in one go - and found these guys on ebay who claim to do jet kits for any bike. Which is good because I havent found any for this model....

has anyone used this seller before? http://www.ebay.com/itm/230571363752?item=230571363752&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

 

[Guest]

I avoided that seller because I consistently only saw two results... those who ended up happy after sending the kits back several times for adjustments... and those who were happy because the seller agreed on a refund.

So I think if you go that path you'll end up happy, but potentially not like you thought you would be...

Personally I'd go the tried and true trial and error method. Going pods with those nice pipes I'd go up 4 or 6 sizes on the mains, left the needle a notch, and see how you go.

 

[brettule]

Hey Nick, who's your club in Vic? I'm looking for a good one for club permit. Odd number plate you've got in the pic too, is that an old one? The current ones are smaller, only have VIC on them and one alpha, 3 numeric digits.

 

[nikosg]

CCJMC mate. They have a facebook page - CCJMC - Classic custom japanese motorcycles


no the plate is only 8 months old.