Well not that technical but fun.....

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bradp51

bradp51

Joined
Mar 18, 2012
Messages
2,935
Location
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
For those that know me I have become obsessed with the challenge of making my bike lighter. When the forum started there were a couple guys doing this and I did not understand it that much but now I am a convert. I think my good buddy Gecko is a bad influence.

Anyway spent this afternoon taking another 75 grams off the bike by making these carbon fibre parts to replace the original DP ones for the rear number plate.

I bought the 300mm x 200mm x 1mm Gloss carbon sheet from some site called Banggood which is like a Chinese ebay site. Less than $10 USD.

Bit of measuring and dremel work and two new CF pieces. Nothing beats hand making pieces for your bike. IMHO.

Bike whispering.

PS. 5.5 grams less with some Proti fuel cap screws.
 

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John Russell said:
Why not try a diet its far cheaper
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Thanks for the idea, you are the first one in the 5 years I have been on the forum that ever said that.

I just do not understand how me losing weight will make my motorcycle lighter.

Should I eat some carbon fibre ??
 
I don't understand why people don't take this seriously. Not only is the rider going to receive all the benefits from gaining a healthier lifestyle (mobility, strength,stamina) the bike will get a better power/weight ratio as a byproduct. You can have an SL and that won't mean jack if you are overweight. Now I'm not saying that you are overweight but I would look into a mirror before dropping ridiculous amounts of money on bike parts. Now if you are in shape then yes opt for light weight parts/gear.
 
That is the wrong approach. Technical revolution is for the people and not the other way 'round. I bought a strong and light bike so I do NOT need to watch my weight.
 
If you are relying on the engineers to compensate for your lack of health choices that is the wrong approach. They, as well as the FIT test riders, engineer the bike to perform the best possible under their chosen circumstances. They did not develop the panigale for 250+lbs riders. Name one overweight rider in WSBK, MotoGP or any other professional level series? Riders know that being fit is an essential part of racing.
 
All I know is I had to put a lighter spring setup in the rear shock on my 1299S.
Who ate all the pies? Not me, I ain't no fat ....... lol
 
For those who need smileys to convey additional level of communication: I was trying to be funny. My bad.

But John McGuiness is no joke!
 
Snk1199 said:
For those who need smileys to convey additional level of communication: I was trying to be funny. My bad.

But John McGuiness is no joke!
Click to expand...

Sorry man I'm just tired of all these guys talking about expensive ... "must have" performance parts when the bike is more than capable stock. Imagine if you are a bit hefty and weight 220-230lbs. Now tack on some leathers. What's your total weight now?
 
cristhian702 said:
I don't understand why people don't take this seriously. Not only is the rider going to receive all the benefits from gaining a healthier lifestyle (mobility, strength,stamina) the bike will get a better power/weight ratio as a byproduct. You can have an SL and that won't mean jack if you are overweight. Now I'm not saying that you are overweight but I would look into a mirror before dropping ridiculous amounts of money on bike parts. Now if you are in shape then yes opt for light weight parts/gear.
Click to expand...

As I say to my wife, im not fat im bulking ;-)
 
bradp51 said:
For those that know me I have become obsessed with the challenge of making my bike lighter. When the forum started there were a couple guys doing this and I did not understand it that much but now I am a convert. I think my good buddy Gecko is a bad influence.

Anyway spent this afternoon taking another 75 grams off the bike by making these carbon fibre parts to replace the original DP ones for the rear number plate.

I bought the 300mm x 200mm x 1mm Gloss carbon sheet from some site called Banggood which is like a Chinese ebay site. Less than $10 USD.

Bit of measuring and dremel work and two new CF pieces. Nothing beats hand making pieces for your bike. IMHO.

Bike whispering.

PS. 5.5 grams less with some Proti fuel cap screws.
Click to expand...

Nice work Brad!
I found that some local RC car model shops have a good stock on CF sheets in different thicknesses. Alway good to have a Dremel and some of these sheets.
But your horn bracket made out of an IPhone cover will go down in history, very cool!
 
Gecko said:
Nice work Brad!
I found that some local RC car model shops have a good stock on CF sheets in different thicknesses. Alway good to have a Dremel and some of these sheets.
But your horn bracket made out of an IPhone cover will go down in history, very cool!
Click to expand...

Gecko you should know because of you I just bought a 1g-5000g digital scale !!!:rolleyes:

If the wife asks its for measuring the meals in my diet ;)
 
MrBIgBiker said:
Gecko you should know because of you I just bought a 1g-5000g digital scale !!!:rolleyes:

If the wife asks its for measuring the meals in my diet ;)
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that was fast...
arrived today in the mail :D
 

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cristhian702 said:
I don't understand why people don't take this seriously. Not only is the rider going to receive all the benefits from gaining a healthier lifestyle (mobility, strength,stamina) the bike will get a better power/weight ratio as a byproduct. You can have an SL and that won't mean jack if you are overweight. Now I'm not saying that you are overweight but I would look into a mirror before dropping ridiculous amounts of money on bike parts. Now if you are in shape then yes opt for light weight parts/gear.
Click to expand...

cristhian

ever since I was a little kid I liked making things and modifying my pushbike, cars, motorcycles etc. I suspect we come from different generations too. If something broke when I was young we would wire it, pull it apart and try to fix it. No one just went and purchased a new part if the old one could be fixed or jury rigged in some way. My use of an old broken iPhone case to make the CF bracket for my horn is a good example. Cost zero. Nowadays it is a little harder to do that, I get that.

But I still like playing around with my bike. In another post you said you are tired of guys spending big money on expensive go fast bits they do not need. That is paraphrased of course.

The mod i posted about cost me about $10. For me it is just fun. I weigh 73 kg. I do not need to lose any more weight if I did people would think I was sick.

I do not race and its not about performance for me it is just fun. I work very hard for my money and work long hours. How guys spend their money on their bikes is up to them.

I like nothing better than to go out to my garage, put on some Pink Floyd and play around with one of my bikes. At the end I go to the beer fridge, sometimes my neighbour comes over and we ........ about his Harley Davidsons and my bikes. I also enjoy sharing something I have done in case someone else wants to do the same. Over the years on this forum I have learned lots of neat tricks and tips about these bikes.

I am no Dani Pedrosa weight but for me it's not about that. It is about the weight of the bike and if I can reach the personal goal I have set. I have spreadsheet on my Macbook and keep an accurate tally to the gram of what I save. (Must be my German heritage, a penchant for record keeping) I drive a car worth $800 AUD and choose to spend my money on my bikes.

Time to get off this computer I have another little piece of carbon fibre to cut.
 
Last edited:
MrBIgBiker said:
that was fast...
arrived today in the mail :D
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Mr Big biker

Here is a photo I took eight days ago. Not sure why the weight is different. It is only a few grams. I have some calibration weights which are handy to check the accuracy of your scales. You can buy them cheap.

I have had this set of scales for about 2 years. Best thing for weighing those small parts. I have the motorcorse fuel cap coming and I am told it is 95 grams.

Look forward to seeing pics of your new pieces on your bike.
 

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bradp51 said:
cristhian

ever since I was a little kid I liked making things and modifying my pushbike, cars, motorcycles etc. I suspect we come from different generations too. If something broke when I was young we would wire it, pull it apart and try to fix it. No one just went and purchased a new part if the old one could be fixed or jury rigged in some way. My use of an old broken iPhone case to make the CF bracket for my horn is a good example. Cost zero. Nowadays it is a little harder to do that, I get that.

But I still like playing around with my bike. In another post you said you are tired of guys spending big money on expensive go fast bits they do not need. That is paraphrased of course.

The mod i posted about cost me about $10. For me it is just fun. I weigh 73 kg. I do not need to lose any more weight if I did people would think I was sick.

I do not race and its not about performance for me it is just fun. I work very hard for my money and work long hours. How guys spend their money on their bikes is up to them.

I like nothing better than to go out to my garage, put on some Pink Floyd and play around with one of my bikes. At the end I go to the beer fridge, sometimes my neighbour comes over and we ........ about his Harley Davidsons and my bikes. I also enjoy sharing something I have done in case someone else wants to do the same. Over the years on this forum I have learned lots of neat tricks and tips about these bikes.

I am no Dani Pedrosa weight but for me it's not about that. It is about the weight of the bike and if I can reach the personal goal I have set. I have spreadsheet on my Macbook and keep an accurate tally to the gram of what I save. (Must be my German heritage, a penchant for record keeping) I drive a car worth $800 AUD and choose to spend my money on my bikes.

Time to get off this computer I have another little piece of carbon fibre to cut.
Click to expand...

Very well said
 

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