pbmax

in the interests of full disclosure, the owner is my brother, but

Crossroads Cycle in Baileys Crossroads Virginia

does powdercoating now on the cheap.

call Dennis on seven oh three 820 3711

tell him timmy sent you.

Thanks for this info - I'll definitely call him. :fing02:

Anyone know Powdercoating places in MD?

I'd like repaint my rims black and maybe add a red stripe.

Did you ever find any place in MD to get this done? I'd like to get my rims powdercoated black too this winter. I live on the Eastern Shore... but anywhere Baltimore/Annapolis would be fine.

thanks for posting this! I just ordered one for myself. My Shoei helmet is loud as buckets! :mellow:

I have Kanadian Ken's fender eliminator and OEM hard bags installed - and I did NOT put the original fender (or any part of it) back on. The cross bar that connects the two sides of the luggage frame did need a little cutting mod to remove the top portion. It wasn't necessary for function but was obstructing the license plate a bit. Anywho, the whole luggage frame bolts together without the original license holder. Here's a rear-view of mine:

How about just doing one of the exhaust mods to the stock exhaust? Keep the look of stock but the sound of a straight-thru (ish) system. I did mine and WOW is it awesome!! Just sayin.

Gutted factory, and Welcome to VFRD :biggrin:

:musik20:

Last night I completed the mod by doing the bottom 2 pipes - and yet AGAIN I'm blown away by the difference in sound. It's an even deeper tone now with quite a bark when you blip the throttle. I rode the bike in to work this morning and right away can tell that it feels less restricted. There was no jolt when in the vtec range - just an apparent linear smooth acceleration with an overall more powerful pull. And loud. Not too loud - juuuuuuust right IMO. It is more than ever now a brand new beast.

After I showed a coworker what I had done he asked if doing something like this to the bike now requires some adjustments made --- will it run too lean now? Thought I'd run that by the professionals here at VFRD .

I just finished this mod... O M G could someone please help me wipe this sh*t-eating-grin off my face??! Unbelievable sound.

I used the 1" hole saw method. Ran into a bit of difficulty with it as the 1" diameter of the hole saw didn't exactly fit inside the outer pipe like the thread implies. So, I used the dremel to cut the outer pipe off and meh, it looks just as good IMO. And so far I've only done the top 2 complete and the bottom 2 just the outer pipe. The sound is so good now. I could tell as soon as it fired up the first time that the beast has been awakened. Don't know if I'm going to do the bottom 2 completely now. I like it as is.

Took her out for a ride and haven't been able to stop smiling ever since! It's really that much better! You must do this mod! You must! LOL...

By the way, forgot to say this is the best $25 I've spent in a long time. :biggrin:

My OEM bags came in a big box with the mounting hardware included... and contained within the packaging for the mounting hardware were two foam spacers just like your image. :goofy:

What you are considering doing should be fine, although it is not the norm. Generally you run the same tires front to rear, or run a softer, stickier compound on the front. In spirited riding and cornering the front will generally last through two rears if you are running the same tires on both rims.

By the time you wear out the new rear you will be ready to replace both. Then you can go with a matching pair. Choose a sport touring tire if you don't do a lot of spirited cornering. If you like to ride more aggresively then you should consider a sport tire such as Pilot Powers or Diablo's.

ok cool. I think I follow you here. The bike won't handle any different (worse or better) by putting the sport tire in the rear...it'll be comparable to what it was. Versus if I had replaced only the front with a sport tire and left the rear a sport-tourer. Then I might see improved handling. When the rear wears out this time, replace both tires with whatever - just keep them the same style.

Izzat about right? Thanks everyone for their input.

Most agree it's ok as long as it's the same brand. Normally you would want the stickier tire in the front not the rear. Some run a sport frt. and a sport touring rear.

so doing the reverse of that - the sport in the rear and sport tour up front - won't tear a hole in my time/space fabric will it? Will it make the bike handling characteristics a wreck?

Hmm, on the Dunlop website it even states 'replace only in pairs - do not mix and match'. WTF, T.

:goofy:

My '06 has a desperate need for a rear tire. I've got approximately 3,200 miles on the bike now and while my intent was to replace the rear tire soon - it's now become a necessity. I plucked a medium sized staple out of the centerline tread and psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. Flat.

The front tire looks great. Really. So I'm not going to replace both tires. The front is the original sportmax II.

Ok, here's the question. Is it alright to replace the rear tire with a Dunlop Qualifier while keeping that original on the front? What are the possible ramifications of mixing up the tires like this? Or, is there anything really to worry about...

I'm considering the Qualifier just because it's in stock at a local shop here and I'd like to give my money to the small business (hometown stuff) when doing this. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or answers/recommendations you all may have. Much respect!

Sweet. I have done the parkway twice and it is 469 miles. Did you do skyline drive as well?

No I got on @ MM 330 in NC and took it to MM 30 in VA. I spent the night in a cabin and came home the same way.

Coldest was 27deg and the high was 60deg. Nothing like leaving at 6:00 in the morning for some clean crisp air.

Oh, I see my bad. Very nice pics. My favorite part of the parkway is the southern part. MM300-469, :thumbsup: .

I love the BRP.

Yes i live closer to MM 300 and always go towards 469. Been that way many times so I thought I would try the other. 1000's of places to stop and take pics but I was having to much fun on the bike to stop much.

Great pics - I've done the entire thing from mile zero on Skyline to the very end of the line on the Blue Ridge Parkway (and then back). It was a 5-day journey. Friggin AWESOME roads. From what I recall (it's been 2 years now) there wasn't many fuel stops along the way. Perhaps off the BRP a few miles. Was everything closed up for the season?

Hi Guys

I've also got a set of OEM luggage that i bought from Ebay, I have spoken my local Honda dealer who can order me the extra brackets that did'nt come with the panniers, however I have a couple of questions and I need some help....PLLLLEEEAAASSSEE

Firstly, the bolts that go through the rear grab handles are replaced with longer ones when the luggage is fitted, what I need to know is how long they are, I wonder if someone could measure one for me?

Secondly, can a passenger fit on the bike with the luggage fitted?

Answers would be greatly appreciated

thanks

I'm at work right now and don't have access to the materials list but...

The bolts were slightly longer - to account for the additional distance the bars and padding piece add. Don't recall for certain what the length of these bolts are - but I will check my installation sheet when I get home today. Post results later this evening - unless someone else beats me to it.

And yes, absolutely you can ride 2-up with OEM luggage. It's mounted far enough back that the leading edge of the cases creates a natural leg position for the passenger.

Do they have black HONDA decals? Thanks.

No fargin idear. I saw the silver and like the silver so I got the silver. ^_^

Bump! updated top post with pics! :thumbsup:

The hard bags look great! I also have an '06 and thinking about

getting the hard bags. One question, where did you get the silver

Honda sticker that's at the bottom of the fairing?

Marco

Thanks!

I ordered the HONDA decals from the dealer -- we got the part # from the '07 CBR600 in their parts catalog. It was a b*tch getting them to appear aligned with the horizon! But I love how it looks on there.

Still have that part # ???

oh h3lls no! I threw the packaging plastics out the day I slapped 'em on the bike. I can call my pal at the dealership though. Get back to you on this one...

Sorry took me a few days to get back to you - got the part #'s today though:

64311-MFJ-D00ZD (right side)

64312-MFJ-D00ZD (left side)

They list for $9.87 each - I think I paid $8.88 a piece. Worth every penny IMHO. :thumbsup:

Bump! updated top post with pics! :thumbsup:

The hard bags look great! I also have an '06 and thinking about

getting the hard bags. One question, where did you get the silver

Honda sticker that's at the bottom of the fairing?

Marco

Thanks!

I ordered the HONDA decals from the dealer -- we got the part # from the '07 CBR600 in their parts catalog. It was a b*tch getting them to appear aligned with the horizon! But I love how it looks on there.

Still have that part # ???

oh h3lls no! I threw the packaging plastics out the day I slapped 'em on the bike. I can call my pal at the dealership though. Get back to you on this one...

Nice looking BMW in the background of the bottom shot.

yeah, it's a fantastic car. my second e46 3 series coupe - and it too qualifies as art. :D if ya gotta drive a cage, might as well be one that sets your hair on fire! My hair is burnin! heheheheee...

Best $20 I ever spent! I didn't want to swap my stock exhaust either, but wanted more growl....I got it with a $17 craftsman drill bit. Smoked my cheap hitachi drill though! Oh well. I even did it with the caps on, didn't take anything off. I'm pleased with that mod and the map from cozye that i modded for the 06. I sent it to him so he could check it out, if anyone wants to try it out just drop me a line with your email address. Don't want to post it without it actually being dyno'd....it's a smooth vtec transition though! :thumbsup:

How about a picture (or two) of these drill spots? Thanks!

YEA what about that HONDA sticker? I like the look of the whole package, sticker and all! The black bags look fantastic. I know, I know you gotta keep up after black because it shows the dirt, but when it's clean there is nothing like it.

I had a chance to buy a Triumph with side cases, but all the reviews were bad. The worst part of the deal was the poorly designed, poorly build factory bags. The OEM Honda bags a seem to have a much better reputation and THAT single issue pushed me towards my VFR. Except for that poor fella in Bar Harbor Maine who seemed to have broken his key off in the lock I have NOT heard a single complaint from anyone. Good stuff.

Ahhhh, add some plastic protection film to the leading edge of the bags if you was that factory shine to last forever!

Good luck with you new luggage. Travel in style!

Gotta get me a honda sticker... really.

Thanks! Last year I sold my BMW K1200RS (then was bikeless for the year). August, I got into this VFR (my first VFR) which I bought without even test-riding. Just going on reputation alone. Now that I've had it for a few months I KNOW I made the right choice. Everything about it suits me. The point was proven yesterday when the BMW dealer (a good friend of mine) called me with an unbelievable deal on a K1200S they "stole" and I said, without hesitation, "no thanks I love my new bike".

Putting the bags on last evening only solidified my statement. It's a piece of artwork that begs to be ridden. I'm sold!

Bump! updated top post with pics! :thumbsup:

The hard bags look great! I also have an '06 and thinking about

getting the hard bags. One question, where did you get the silver

Honda sticker that's at the bottom of the fairing?

Marco

Thanks!

I ordered the HONDA decals from the dealer -- we got the part # from the '07 CBR600 in their parts catalog. It was a b*tch getting them to appear aligned with the horizon! But I love how it looks on there.

I dunno Trav... makes the bike look longer somehow... :joystick:

yeah I'm thinkin I like it as-is really.

Sweet. I like your taste. Could I interest you in silver painting the sidecovers? Get 'ya a can of Krylon Fusion ™ silver, and carry the look through the bike. (.02). :thumbsup:

Whatchoo talkin' bout? :pissed: ---paint the Pearl Black covers silver?? what?

Bump! updated top post with pics! :thumbsup:

Hey all! After much deliberation between Honda OEM and the Givi PLX series, I decided to get the Honda bags.

Two main reasons really; first was the exact color match of the OEM bags. When I was looking at the Givis, I couldn't decide what would complement the bike better - the flat or gloss black. Then when I thought how Pearl Black bags would look stellar on my Pearl Black bike I went to talk to my Honda dealer. And that was the second deciding factor - to keep my business, the dealer offered the OEM set for $700 :salesman: . Comparable price to the Givi set and they color match... so I made a command decision on the spot and ordered 'em!

The bags have arrived and I unboxed them last night. What a gorgeous set! I hope to spend some time this evening putting the mounting frame on the bike. I've read thru the installation instructions - seems fairly straightforward - but it does look like some disassembly of the rear seat area is required. DANGIT! It took me for foooking ever (LOL) to get that Kanadian Ken's fender eliminator put on. I hate the thought of having to re-do that sucker. There is next to zero clearance for some of the fasteners involved. More swearing to follow.

...edit... Bags installed! No Fender Elim removal required - but the bracket that holds the two sides together looks kinda funky in front of the fender elim. I painted it to match the bike and added the red reflector that used to live on the plastic OEM fender. It'll do until some LEO with nothing better to do sees otherwise. Then I suppose I'll have it cut down or something... I think overall they look FANTASTIC! Perfect color match! WOOOOT!!