Time for an ungrade!

[plehx]

was reading this mag (australia road rider or something) about how we always want to update or bikes but just freshing them up might do the trick for a while (Ten steps to make your bike feel new again No 66 Pg 62)

So I did!

list of things to do I had saved up in my shed.
1. install PCIII
2 install Side mount exhaust
3. install PAIRS plates
4. install Frame sliders

Stock bike


1. PcIII fitted, had to drop the hole bottom tail section to get to the ECU, NO FUN but the fitting was easy, just followed the instructions and it works great!


2. I had to remove the rear exhaust pipes to let the tail section drop to allow access to the ecu for the above install, so glad I did this all at once. Had to jack up the bike to get the Y piece out from between the swing arm and the rear shock. this meant removing the rear shock all together!



then I just had to remove the existing headers and install the new ones!


only problem was it was hitting the passanger pegs and there was no clear way hold up the rear section of the pipes and stop pressure on head leading to the exhaust being ripped off! But if figured I would never get a center stand anyway to I used that as the mounting point and it is strong as fuck! I can't move it away from the peg so its not going to vibrate and cause damage....



tried putting the can on sideways but it just looked wrong...
So side mount exhaust done!

3. PAIRS plates, easy install, had to move the coil but I think someone here said to do that anyway.


alot comes out for what goes back in.....

I blocked off the opening on the clean air side of the air box as well, as well as for the flapper mod

4. frame sliders where the easyest! simply unbolt the origenal bolt and replace bolt with new frame slider attached!

So arround 5 hours (with drink breaks) and some parts I brought ages ago. I have renewed my love for my bike and riding it again!
IT SURE IS SHIT HOT NOW! AND THE SOUND! FUCKEN AMEN!


next on the list is a tail tidy with led indicators ( I have these parts waiting to come together and be installed) and then maybe purchase a new headlight, instrument cluster, clip-ons and wind shield.


mmmmmmmmmmm dreaming......


P.S. thanks to everyone on this forum for all the info on these projects, without your help/discussion I would be probably about to sell my 919....

[marylandmike]

Very nice work. Congrats on re-invigorating your bike. I have had the 900RR for about 3 years and love the sound.

Only caution is on the sliders. They appear to be the ones that mount on the engine tabs.

Read this thread

[HeliMech]

Nice work & looks great!

What brand/model is that exhaust can?

[Shmoo]

lol awesome to see how excited you are - good work!

[mjacks]

Originally Posted by HeliMech

Nice work & looks great!

What brand/model is that exhaust can?

Its called IXIL. they are a very loud good looking pipe. Was gonna get but the hornet i settled for had staintunes

[rmb]

Looks good! +1 for the sliders though, you may want to move them to the frame.

[Toast]

Looks like quite the fun machine. 8-)

[Pvster]

indeed, move those frame sliders off the engine tabs. do a search and you'll find out why.

[plehx]

Yup definitely moving those sliders! the first foto of that thread is enough for me....
thanks guys

[marylandmike]

Originally Posted by plehx

Yup definitely moving those sliders! the first foto of that thread is enough for me....
thanks guys

Here's another thread with a how-to on relocating. I think you can tap like he did or drill out and put a threaded rod all the way thru.

Relocated Engine Mount Frame Sliders!

[AllanB]

Cool bike.

I'd recommend getting a set of front fork springs for your specific weight and change out the oil. A cheap and effective handling improvement. And the rear shock .......

[AllanB]

Good move, refreshing too.

I can't afford a new bike and there is really no need for one so I am very happy tweaking and modifying the Hornet. The suspension replacement (front springs and Ohlins rear shock) made the biggest improvement. The list of changes is getting long but I did a quick head count and it is still just under the equivalent of the $ I'd be out from what I paid for it new and what I'd get as a trade. And significantly under the extra coin I'd need to invest to but a new bike.

Plus in my city a Hornet modified like mine is quite unique and gets lots of comments. Most of the ones running around are factory stock.

Short of a lotto win I'll be keeping the 919 for a long time yet. I'm thinking my next bike will probably a 'slow down' move and it will NOT be a Harley! I'll look at a Triumph Bonnie - mainly because they are a brilliant base to modify.

[H919rider]

+1 on the mods. What kind of windscreen do you have?

[plehx]

I got a givi screen from a guy on here, I really want to install it but I wana do the headlight the same time. I was thinking of a twin head light like this eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d

but then I saw this!
eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d
but it won't work with my screen so I'm stuck again...

any ideas for a screen with a headlight like that?

[mcromo44]

Originally Posted by AllanB

Cool bike.

I'd recommend getting a set of front fork springs for your specific weight and change out the oil. A cheap and effective handling improvement. And the rear shock .......

Ahhhh, you mean what is effectively the rear strut !
Past that, a good set of well selected springs along with good fork oil has to be the definitive chassis bargain for any 919.

[pdx_luda]

Nice work man!

On a side note, did you ever run it without the can attached? I'm going single soon (mod'd stock header) and plan to end the pipe just under my rearset.

[velodesign]

Originally Posted by AllanB

Good move, refreshing too.

I can't afford a new bike and there is really no need for one so I am very happy tweaking and modifying the Hornet. The suspension replacement (front springs and Ohlins rear shock) made the biggest improvement. The list of changes is getting long but I did a quick head count and it is still just under the equivalent of the $ I'd be out from what I paid for it new and what I'd get as a trade. And significantly under the extra coin I'd need to invest to but a new bike.

Plus in my city a Hornet modified like mine is quite unique and gets lots of comments. Most of the ones running around are factory stock.

Short of a lotto win I'll be keeping the 919 for a long time yet. I'm thinking my next bike will probably a 'slow down' move and it will NOT be a Harley! I'll look at a Triumph Bonnie - mainly because they are a brilliant base to modify.

I always did fancy me a thruxton...but if only they could get past that 865 and just make it a 900 triple in the thruxton style. There we go!

I'll end up with a triumph thunderbird before that though.

[velodesign]

is this called "ungrade" because he didn't go out and upgrade to a new bike?

[plehx]

well I'm sure we would all love to go get new bikes, but the point is upgrading a few parts could led to ya bike feeling like a new one...

like making ya wife bleach her hair blond....

ok maybe that is as sad as it sounds....

[plehx]

Originally Posted by pdx_luda

Nice work man!

On a side note, did you ever run it without the can attached? I'm going single soon (mod'd stock header) and plan to end the pipe just under my rearset.

YEP! sounds even louder but with a good note to it, because it has baffals from where the 4 goes to 1 back to the can joiner. hope that helps...