2009 Kawasaki KLX351F project bike

[SpudRider]

Without a doubt, the easiest, cheapest, most effective way to lose the greatest amount of weight from any motorcycle is to substitute a Shorai battey for the stock, lead-acid battery. I shed 9 pounds of highly-placed weight off my XR650L when I removed the battery box, and performed my Shorai battery relocation.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666195

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I think the biggest way to loose significant weight on a bike is to eat less candy and go for a run every now and then.

Ain't that the truth.

Back in the day I was a competitive bicyclist. The tech weenies used to pay big bucks to get a part that weighed a few grams less than the stock part. The way I see it you could save the same weight by skipping one desert and save a lot of mone in the process. 8)

I agree. However, losing body fat is not going to make the bike lighter to pick up after you drop it.

Spud

[FastDoc]

But you'll have more muscle to lift it. 8)

The ideal answer is to lighten both the bike and the rider. 8)

Of course some people are already in good shape to begin with and don't need to lose weight. Rare, but it happens. :roll:

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

But you'll have more muscle to lift it. 8)

The ideal answer is to lighten both the bike and the rider. 8)

Of course some people are already in good shape to begin with and don't need to lose weight. Rare, but it happens. :roll:

Once again, I agree, oh wise physician! Your entire quality of life will improve if you lose weight, and get in good physical condition. However, the bike is still easier to maneuver, and pick up, if you can shed unnecessary weight from it. If one wants to make his bike lighter, I'm convinced the Shorai battery offers the greatest return for his investment.

Spud

[SamM]

Well, this project bike died a quick death! :roll:

My 16 year old daughter has talked me out of my new KLX250. She has been wanting a new dirtbike and honestly the KLX will be perfect for her. I am once again bikeless. We have been working to remove the road equipment from the bike. She has no interest in streetriding.

Anyway, I'm leaving eveything basically the way it is. I did just install the new Cogent Dynamics shock. Very nice! Highly recommended. Rick increased the travel to between 9 & 9.5". It works great. The lights will be removed along with the headlight switch and gauges. No need for any of that now. She'll have fun with it and that's all that matters.

All the extra parts are going on being sold off.

Thanks for all the help everyone! Sorry, it didn't last longer!

SamM

[dmmcd]

Knowing 16 y/o girls, you might be wise to hang on to those parts for when she gets tired of it in a month or two... :wink:

[FastDoc]

And the Father Of The Year Award goes to.....

Sam!

:P

[SamM]

Well, it comes down to the fact that I'm getting ready to buy a new vehicle and I can't just do for me and not her. The transmission in her Saturn is going. She's bummed out. She has outgrown her TT-R and she really wanted a new dirtbike. She sat on it a couple times and said, "Dad, I think I can ride this one!" Honestly, it's the perfect size for her. As it turns out, I am not very fond of the Nuetech TUbliss tubes. They make the front tire hop a good bit on the road but will be great for an off-road bike.

I'm disappointed but at the same time happy for her. This bike really is for her. She can't sell it but it's her bike to with as she pleases. The look on her face, when I gave it to her was priceless. Just like when she received her first bike. She was 7 when I gave her a new Yamaha PW50.

At this point, my KLRE will be finished soon and we'll probably start up the Diesel KLR build after that. It's not something that I want to put a bunch of money into right away but I'll keep after it. The plan is for me to build it myself. I'll farm out the frame welding but I'll do the rest.

Thanks FastDoc! She thinks so and that's all that matters. Her Mom is mad at me. Ya can't please everyone. She'll get over it soon enough. My buddies are upset with me becuase I missed a ride last Saturday. I didn't feel up to it anyway. Been a little under the weather and I'm starting to feel old.

SamM

[FastDoc]

FastDoc understands geting older. His BD is Thursday...

Take good care of yourself. Eat and sleep well, exercise a lot. Pay attention to God. That way you'll be able to do as much as possible as long as possible. The right attitude makes all the difference too. You are right to prioritize you family.

[SamM]

Good advice FastDoc. God is number 1 with me, then family. My health hasn't been good since they turned me into a robot. It's all good though! My BD is in a couple of months. I'll still be a couple away from the Big 50. Can't wait for that! :roll: At least my wife is young! :wink:

SamM

[SpudRider]

Your daughter is a lucky girl, Sam! If you have time, please post some photos of her with her new bike!

Spud

[SamM]

I'll try. She's at a church campout right now. She recently attended a Fine Arts singing competition in Baltimore, MD sponsored by the A/G Church. She placed very well and moved on to the National Fine Arts Competition in Arizona. We have a big trip to Phoenix planned for the first week of August now. She could quite possibly win a Full scholarship to college, if she places in the top 10 or so. We are hoping for more than that but the under 18 female singing category is VERY competitive.

So anyway, no new bikes for me! Dad's fronting the 3 or 4K to go to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon in a couple of months. But hey, that's my job!

Thanks for all the kind words everyone! I love this site! :wink:

SamM

Here's a picture of Caitlyn and I in a buddies Lotus Seven. I'm also hand building a 1964 Lotus Seven much like this one. She's not getting the Lotus. Not gonna happen!

[SpudRider]

I hope your daughter does well in the singing competition, Sam. Your daughter is not only lucky and talented, she is also quite lovely. Thanks for posting the great photo! We would love to follow your '64 Lotus Seven project in a new thread in our Miscellaneous Forum!

Spud

[SamM]

Thanks SpudRider! Thankfully, she looks like her mother!

The Lotus build is on the LocostUSA.com website. You'll have to look for it. My donor is a 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. The 2.3L Lima engine has a Holset turbocharger off a Cummins Diesel pickup and makes 300hp. I call it the Death Sled. My wife hates it when I call it that. 1600lbs and 300hp is definiately a lethal combination though. The Turbo Coupe comes with a World Class T5 transmission and a posi 8.8 rear axle. It sounds like a Deuce and a Half coming up the road. I actually told my wife that I'd like to get started back on the Lotus soon. We're taking that build kinda slow. It's a long, LONG term project. Something for retirement. If I do get back into it, I'll post something here about it.

SamM

[katoranger]

Sounds like the engine I need in my ranger. 8O

Double the weight, but still awesome.