Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Chips_C14 on November 27, 2012, 09:29:26 AM
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Hello all, I just bought a 2011 Black Connie and brought her home last weekend. I wanted to say hello and thanks (already) for the informative threads and posts I have already perused...
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Bike%20Stuff/Connie/20121118_153304.jpg)
I also have a 2008 M109 (like Eric W) and am looking forward to the flexibility the Connie will bring along with the longer ride comfort.
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Bike%20Stuff/2011%20109%20Upgrades/IMAG0027.jpg)
I am sure I will have TONS of questions!! Like: Has anyone removed their wheels and painted them black??!
Some of you may have seen this already on the 'other's site...but since I like both sites, I wanted to post here. The challenges we all face with competing forums!!! LOL
Already did a few cosmetic mods:
Removed the reflectors...
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Bike%20Stuff/Connie/20121118_122707.jpg)
Swapped rear turn signal bulbs with LEDs...will do the front later (more work! lol)...as you can see in this one, I only did the right side so I could show a comparison...but they are both done now. I love the cleaner look and also how LEDs flash...instant on and off. Just a personal choice thing I guess. ;D
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Bike%20Stuff/Connie/20121118_163226.jpg)
I have also installed the rear bag reflector tape (black tape that reflects brilliant white at night - not shown in this pic)...can't ever be TOO visible!! ;-)
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Snip...
Some of you may have seen this already on the 'other's site...but since I like both sites, I wanted to post here. The challenges we all face with competing forums!!! LOL
Welcome Chips.
The two forums should not be in competition, they should be complementary. Oh well.
Yes to the question about the black wheels.
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Welcome out. Like you have already said, there is plenty of great people on this forum and excellent information. There are some that may have painted their wheels, but I believe the way to go is to have them powder coated. I personally haven't done it on our 2010, but have thought about it. Good luck and ride safe.
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Congrats! Best choice, amazing bike, C14 is marvelous!!! Coincidentally, I had one similar Suzuki, that here is called M1500, that I sold to buy a Bandit 1250, that I sold to buy my CONNIE!
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I am sure I will have TONS of questions!! Like: Has anyone removed their wheels and painted them black??!
Ha, that's funny. I actually like the silver wheels better.
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Welcome and enjoy it.
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Yes to the question about the black wheels.
So you painted yours or did you powder coat them? I have been reading several different threads and it seems to go both ways...some say you can paint them with a good enamel paint with a hardener added and others say you need to powder coat them.
I am not normally a black wheel guy but think they look spectacular on this bike. I test rode a '12 with them and fell in love with them...besides, when I got my Connie, the wheels looked like they had NEVER been washed and I dread the cleaning process...I think gloss black would stay cleaner in appearance and clean up easier as well...but I may be wrong...that has happened a time or two...just ask my wife!! lol
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Conrats and welcome CC! :chugbeer:
As for the wheels, definately powdercoat them, stronger and cost less. :thumbs: 8)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00220-20110506-1511.jpg)
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OK...thanks, ZG! So, do I have to pull wheel weights, etc.? Jeremy told me he pulled his bearings...mine have 8k on them...do I need new bearings then? What all do I need to do to prep for powder coating them? This may sound like a basic 'dumb' question, but I want to be sure of what I am getting into.
Also, for those of you who did paint or powder coat, what did you do with your hub/drive shaft cover? Not sure it would look right if it stayed silver with black wheels...?
What does that entail if I get it done as well?
Ah...scope creep...my wife is gonna love it!!! :P :-\
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OK...thanks, ZG! So, do I have to pull wheel weights, etc.? Jeremy told me he pulled his bearings...mine have 8k on them...do I need new bearings then? What all do I need to do to prep for powder coating them? This may sound like a basic 'dumb' question, but I want to be sure of what I am getting into.
Also, for those of you who did paint or powder coat, what did you do with your hub/drive shaft cover? Not sure it would look right if it stayed silver with black wheels...?
What does that entail if I get it done as well?
Ah...scope creep...my wife is gonna love it!!! :P :-\
Oh God, here we go. :o
Show him J!
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Oh God, here we go. :o
Show him J!
Uhmmm...something I said? ???
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Conrats and welcome CC! :chugbeer:
As for the wheels, definately powdercoat them, stronger and cost less. :thumbs: 8)
Only one pic Jay? Must be in a meeting huh?
I already saw your next question chips. You have just opened the flood gate for pics :rotflmao:
Congrats on the bike, you will love it.
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Only one pic Jay? Must be in a meeting huh?
I already saw your next question chips. You have just opened the flood gate for pics :rotflmao:
Congrats on the bike, you will love it.
Oh God, here we go. :o
Show him J!
;D ;D ;D :chugbeer:
OK...thanks, ZG! So, do I have to pull wheel weights, etc.? Jeremy told me he pulled his bearings...mine have 8k on them...do I need new bearings then? What all do I need to do to prep for powder coating them? This may sound like a basic 'dumb' question, but I want to be sure of what I am getting into.
Also, for those of you who did paint or powder coat, what did you do with your hub/drive shaft cover? Not sure it would look right if it stayed silver with black wheels...?
What does that entail if I get it done as well?
Ah...scope creep...my wife is gonna love it!!! :P :-\
Here you go CC, this is what you want/need to do... 8)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.150 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.150)
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Thanks, Tom...but I LOVE pics...gives my lazy @$$ all the ideas without having to work for them...until I IMPLEMENT them!! LOL!!
Looking forward to the pics!!
Thanks, guys!
Chip
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;D ;D ;D :chugbeer:
Here you go CC, this is what you want/need to do... 8)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.150 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.150)
:o :o :o
You are going to get me KILLED!! Actually, murdered...by my wife! LOL!!
Awesome!! I will enjoy this entire thread!! Not sure I will do all of it, but I bet I will do SOME of it...that should keep me out of the dog house!! heh heh
Thanks, Jay!!
Sweet bike, by the way!!
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:o :o :o
You are going to get me KILLED!! Actually, murdered...by my wife! LOL!!
Awesome!! I will enjoy this entire thread!! Not sure I will do all of it, but I bet I will do SOME of it...that should keep me out of the dog house!! heh heh
Thanks, Jay!!
Sweet bike, by the way!!
Thanks bro, happy to help. :) :chugbeer:
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:o :o :o
You are going to get me KILLED!! Actually, murdered...by my wife! LOL!!
Awesome!! I will enjoy this entire thread!! Not sure I will do all of it, but I bet I will do SOME of it...that should keep me out of the dog house!! heh heh
Thanks, Jay!!
Sweet bike, by the way!!
That's what I was talkin about.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.msg128426#msg128426 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10019.msg128426#msg128426)
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OK, so you asked for it!! lol
It looks like you 'painted' or powder coated some of the same stuff I wanted to
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Bike%20Stuff/Connie/ZGsConnieMods.jpg)
...but after seeing this picture, I think it is a LOT more than I can bite off...and I can do some stuff on my own, like pulling wheels, and maybe the hub...but don't want to tear the hub down to the most base parts...that makes my blood run cold and I can't pay anyone to do it...my wife would kill me!! :(
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/F51CC0A9-0195-4AD1-8F80-A6FF02D011E8-7844-0000073F1D2AC139.jpg)
This one scares me: :o
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/E59DA651-0818-497B-AD8D-8ED626122B70-7844-0000073F65CED8DD.jpg)
So, is there anything I can 'paint' (I will have the wheels powder coated, no problem) that doesn't involve this level of tear down...or am I wasting my time? I definitely want to paint (or powder coat) these parts:
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Bike%20Stuff/Connie/ConnieProposedPaintMods.jpg)
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A painted bazooka is still a bazooka.
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And a very heavy one at that...
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A painted bazooka is still a bazooka.
True enough, but I like how quiet it is and the price is right as I prioritize my other mods (and my 109 mods...need new wheels on that baby...and they ain't cheap!!!)
What you guys don't know is, for every mod I do on these two sweethearts, my wife gets to do mods (tack purchases, etc.) on these (so I have to be choosy!! lol): :o :(
(http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx50/regancc/Horses/IMAG0160.jpg)
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ahhh yes....scorekeepers ;)
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ahhh yes....scorekeepers ;)
You got it, brutha!! It's even tougher when they are "HOT" scorekeepers...that can keep you from SCORING if you know what I mean!!!! :rotflmao:
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Might keep me from scoring but won't keep me from riding. :) SO says 'all you want to do is ride that damn motorcycle'. I always give her the option to come up with something I'd like better.
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Your in the same boat as me. Should of bought a 2012. Black wheels, black grab rails.... you would of been half way there ;D
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Welcome and congrats!!
Looks like we have a ZG Junior in training! :)
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It's even tougher when they are "HOT" scorekeepers...
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/kejrkjwr.jpg)
A painted bazooka is still a bazooka.
And a very heavy one at that...
+1... to GP and Jim's comments, please lose that massive potato launcher ASAP!
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/nopotato.jpg)
Looks like we have a ZG Junior in training! :)
If he spends more than $10k on it he get's a free hat... ;)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/skjdksjd.jpg)
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(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/whatthehell.jpg)
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:rotflmao:
Here kitty kitty kitty... ;D
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If you gave him a hat like that then he would look like this guy.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/hi4be27k3k.jpg)