My mod dilemma

[Steph]

I just got an offer from a bike shop in the States. He wants to start machining parts for the FZ6 (he already makes them for FZ1s and R6s)but doesn't have one in the area to test things out on. He wants my bike for the winter. Told me I could have every part he makes for it...for free.

Here's my dilemma...his parts are REALLY chrome-y and I'm not sure that is the look I am going for on my bike. But he does have all kids of damping rods, lowering links, frame/spool/swingarm sliders, bar ends/mirrors, sprockets, oil pressure gauge kits and such.

I'm going to really have to think about it because if I do give him my bike, it will come back as a bike that someone ELSE thinks is great...what if I don't like it?!?! It will be pictured all over his website. On the other hand...I may just be being stupid and accept the free parts and just mod some things away from his view of a great bike to my view of the PERFECT bike.

I have flipped and flopped from YES to a resounding NO in the last 2 days. Weigh in and let me know what you folks think...maybe you will see some pros or cons that I am not seeing. Or am I just being plain stupid and need a :spank:?????

 

[Wolfman]

If it was me, i would be both excited, and hesitant...free mods could equal an awesome bike, or a very different bike you dont like...i see your dilemma.

Would think though, that if the guy from the shop has common sense and is an experienced, and capable professional, he is only going to improve the bike, so i reckon go for it!...and if it all works out, we will all have more "bling" to choose from for our FZ6"s.

:Flash:

 

[Steph]

Soooo, I'm not a complete moron being excited and hesitant (describes it perfectly). I am leaning towards letting my baby go for a face lift. The reason he said I could have it for free is exactly as you mentioned...it opens up a whole new market for him and he can make money off others ordering the new parts. The one he is the most excited about is making a new lowering link because I guess alot of people ask if his F1 lowering link would work for their FZ6 but he has no idea.

 

[ant_mb]

That is cool indeed! I'd give him my bike for the winter with the instructions that it come back as he received it. Have him give you the parts and you choose which to install and sell the rest.

 

[Wolfman]

The one he is the most excited about is making a new lowering link because I guess alot of people ask if his F1 lowering link would work for their FZ6 but he has no idea.

I am five foot 11 inches tall, and i have my bike's rear shock set on 7, and i have to have my bike on the side stand to get my leg over it without hitting the seat...am guessing that shorter people would have issues with the seat height, my main question would be cornering clearance...would this be greatly reduced?

 

[Cloned]

Go for it. Afterwards you'll have a totally unique bike. Plus, it's free, and if you don't like some of the mods you can always take them off.

 

[Steph]

I am five foot 11 inches tall, and i have my bike's rear shock set on 7, and i have to have my bike on the side stand to get my leg over it without hitting the seat...am guessing that shorter people would have issues with the seat height, my main question would be cornering clearance...would this be greatly reduced?

Quite honestly, I have no idea. I will be talking to him on Monday night and I can ask him. I was just telling him that I shaved out the underside of my seat and it made a big enough difference that I raised the preload up on the rear shock. He got all excited about seeing if he could make a lowering link...it wasn't really my idea, I have noooo clue about that sort of thing. My bike seems to fit me fine now with the shaved seat, rear shock at 5 and my Icon Bombshell boots. I'm 5'10 myself.

 

[Wolfman]

Quite honestly, I have no idea. I will be talking to him on Monday night and I can ask him. I was just telling him that I shaved out the underside of my seat and it made a big enough difference that I raised the preload up on the rear shock. He got all excited about seeing if he could make a lowering link...it wasn't really my idea, I have noooo clue about that sort of thing. My bike seems to fit me fine now with the shaved seat, rear shock at 5 and my Icon Bombshell boots. I'm 5'10 myself.

Love the Boots!

What year is your bike? if it's an 04 -06 model, ask him if he can make some front brake caliper mount adaptors for some decent but not too expensive (nissin) aftermarket 4 or 6 pot calipers...that, coupled with the calipers would be an awesome mod for 04-06 fz6's, with their relatively low spec 2 pot front brake calipers and one which i am sure a few people around here would go for, me being the first...have been looking at this idea for a while.

Anyway, just thought i would put that out there. Now i am getting excited about your opportunity....Lol!

:cheer:

 

[Steph]

My bike is a 05. About the front brake caliper mount adaptors, you are kinda (whhoooosh) over my head, but I will ask him for you. I'm not sure if he is making parts from scratch or if he is "moding" the mods that he has already made for other bikes.
As I said, this was just brought up the other day...still have to bang out the details.

 

[Wolfman]

Good luck with it all, it sounds like fun, wil be interesting to see how it all works out. :Flash:

 

[jmerch44]

You only live once!

 

[Batgirl]

What you don't like you can put on my bike :cheer:

 

[FZ1inNH]

I'd let him have it and get the parts. So long as you get all the stock stuff back to change it should you want then there's no harm done. It's a win/win situation. Neither of you have anything to lose.

What kind of disclaimer is there for A) Damaging your bike and B) Returning it to stock should you not like his parts?

Does he have any litigation against him for defective parts? Check him out thoroughly. Ask for references from people who have done the same with him. Take precautions!

 

[Hollow]

I just got an offer from a bike shop in the States. He wants to start machining parts for the FZ6 (he already makes them for FZ1s and R6s)but doesn't have one in the area to test things out on. He wants my bike for the winter. Told me I could have every part he makes for it...for free.

Here's my dilemma...his parts are REALLY chrome-y and I'm not sure that is the look I am going for on my bike. But he does have all kids of damping rods, lowering links, frame/spool/swingarm sliders, bar ends/mirrors, sprockets, oil pressure gauge kits and such.

I'm going to really have to think about it because if I do give him my bike, it will come back as a bike that someone ELSE thinks is great...what if I don't like it?!?! It will be pictured all over his website. On the other hand...I may just be being stupid and accept the free parts and just mod some things away from his view of a great bike to my view of the PERFECT bike.

I have flipped and flopped from YES to a resounding NO in the last 2 days. Weigh in and let me know what you folks think...maybe you will see some pros or cons that I am not seeing. Or am I just being plain stupid and need a :spank:?????

You may can check somethings off your mod list if you let him have it. Goodluck

 

[Hollow]

I just got an offer from a bike shop in the States. He wants to start machining parts for the FZ6 (he already makes them for FZ1s and R6s)but doesn't have one in the area to test things out on. He wants my bike for the winter. Told me I could have every part he makes for it...for free.

Here's my dilemma...his parts are REALLY chrome-y and I'm not sure that is the look I am going for on my bike. But he does have all kids of damping rods, lowering links, frame/spool/swingarm sliders, bar ends/mirrors, sprockets, oil pressure gauge kits and such.

I'm going to really have to think about it because if I do give him my bike, it will come back as a bike that someone ELSE thinks is great...what if I don't like it?!?! It will be pictured all over his website. On the other hand...I may just be being stupid and accept the free parts and just mod some things away from his view of a great bike to my view of the PERFECT bike.

I have flipped and flopped from YES to a resounding NO in the last 2 days. Weigh in and let me know what you folks think...maybe you will see some pros or cons that I am not seeing. Or am I just being plain stupid and need a :spank:?????

You may could sell the stuff he makes for you if you don't like them and get money for your mod list.

 

[Steph]

I'd let him have it and get the parts. So long as you get all the stock stuff back to change it should you want then there's no harm done. It's a win/win situation. Neither of you have anything to lose.

What kind of disclaimer is there for A) Damaging your bike and B) Returning it to stock should you not like his parts?

Does he have any litigation against him for defective parts? Check him out thoroughly. Ask for references from people who have done the same with him. Take precautions!

The one good thing about this is, he is a great friend of my husband. ALOT of parts that are on his VMax comes from his shop. He is actually coming up to a ride we are putting on in the Niagra region. I think I have decided to go ahead and do this, but ask him to keep all my stock parts just in case. As soon as the work is all done and I have pictures, I will give out the name of the website so you all can benefit from my selfless behavior :rockon:

 

[mstewar1]

If you're concerned about the finish that he puts on the parts -- chrome -- why not talk to him about alternative finishes such as polished, powdercoat, or, for aluminum, anodizing. Just let him know the aesthetic *you're* into. Show him pics of stuff the way you imagine it should look, the way you like it. Sounds as if he's a talented guy. I can't wait to see what becomes of the project.

 

[FZ1inNH]

If you're concerned about the finish that he puts on the parts -- chrome -- why not talk to him about alternative finishes such as polished, powdercoat, or, for aluminum, anodizing. Just let him know the aesthetic *you're* into. Show him pics of stuff the way you imagine it should look, the way you like it. Sounds as if he's a talented guy. I can't wait to see what becomes of the project.

Excellent point here! You can let him know that if he wants to sell FZ6 parts, the vast majority of us will not look at chromed parts. He should be prepared to offer them in a matched powder coating to either the silver or black frames for the model years or the actual colors offered for the bike for each model year. I know I'd be most inclined to buy stuff that is powder coated to match my frame. :thumbup:

 

[Steph]

I now have a whole list of things to mention to him, this point is added :thumbup: Thanx for the interesting point of views guys, helped me make my decision:cheer:

 

[grumpy1luvs2eat]

The downside to this is can you afford to replace your bike if the mods don't work out? After all, you will be getting your money's worth of "FREE" parts and labor. And chrome on a Fz6? Does not seem right to me....GRUMPY