Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: backoutonthehighway on December 20, 2011, 01:44:17 AM
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Does anyone else thing that the plastic reservoir on all sport bikes look cheap? Anyone know of an off-the-shelf farkle to solve this? I've located some nice covers, but no actual reservior tank replacements. Thanks!
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Is this a question in general or are you specifically noting the C14? If the C14, then my answer is no.
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Yes, specific to the C14 (but I think they look cheap on any bike). Guess I'm the only one.
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So far...
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Does anyone else thing that the plastic reservoir on all sport bikes look cheap? Anyone know of an off-the-shelf farkle to solve this? I've located some nice covers, but no actual reservior tank replacements. Thanks!
You don't specify WHICH reservoirs. I assume you are talking about the handle-mounted brake and clutch ones? If so, no, I don't really even notice them.
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<mopes away to review his copy of "How not to be so damn picky for Dummies">
:o
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I'd bet some CF wrap would spice them up, keep a small vertical window to monitor level would be needed. Heck, even a Kawasaki motif may be OK. It really wouldnt be hard to apply and would look much better then the terry cloth sweatband seen on some sportbikes.
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Hey, nobody said you had to like them.... Hate away. ;D
To be honest, I find the round, plastic reservoirs on most sport bikes to be bit crude- they look like something that should be under the kitchen sink, not on a motorcycle. At least the reservoirs on a C-14 have a very finished and shaped look, at least to me. I actually like them but this is all personal opinion.
Chet actually had a decent idea I think- you might be able to coat them with carbon fiber. Or perhaps just spray paint them semi-flat black; they might not look any better but at least they would be less noticeable. If you have to have ugly reservoirs at least you do not have to draw any unnecessary attention to them. ;)
So, how do you feel about KiPass? Any hate left over for that? :o ;)
Brian
<mopes away to review his copy of "How not to be so damn picky for Dummies">
:o
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Don't "Diss" his KiPass, ever wondered what really happened to Kirby?
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Ain't nuttin' wrong wid dat. In case ya ain't checked lately, that ain't th only plastic there.
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i look at the resivour and i see lightweight . The way it should be. Covers are tacky and make the bike weigh more . The C-14 is already 100 lbs overweight. Go ahead and farkel away !! maybe you can get the bike to weigh 900 lbs.
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Here ya go...
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=9&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=chrome+spray+paint&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1138&bih=531&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4911568654638323744&sa=X&ei=2qvyTr39HuGpiQKYmZWNDg&sqi=2&ved=0CEwQ8wIwAQ (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=9&gs_id=y&xhr=t&q=chrome+spray+paint&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1138&bih=531&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=4911568654638323744&sa=X&ei=2qvyTr39HuGpiQKYmZWNDg&sqi=2&ved=0CEwQ8wIwAQ)
I will say i had some of this sitting on the shelf in my store for a while and finally decided to try it one day when we were bored and it actually looks surprisingly very good.
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Traditionaly we put wrist wrap/terry cloth tennis player thingies that fit over/around the resevoirs. When they leaked it was absorbed by the wristlet thingies. Pick your color .
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Traditionaly we put wrist wrap/terry cloth tennis player thingies that fit over/around the resevoirs. When they leaked it was absorbed by the wristlet thingies. Pick your color .
You could also try the neoprene can covers.
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where do you get neoprene can covers?
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where do you get neoprene can covers?
I'm talking about those sleeves that help to keep your beverage cold. I see them once in a while but can never remember where.
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Actually, plastic master brake and clutch cylinder reservoirs are not cheap. They are lightweight and practical. Cast aluminum reservoirs may look a bit more classy, but you must be very careful when changing the brake fluid, because you will damage the paint on them! I have seen too many bikes with corroded paint around the reservoir lids, which makes them look very ugly. I actually prefer plastic over metal myself in this application.
If you really want fancy looking reservoirs, check out the chromed aluminum ones on Yamaha Stratoliner S bike.
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Hey, nobody said you had to like them.... Hate away. ;D
To be honest, I find the round, plastic reservoirs on most sport bikes to be bit crude- they look like something that should be under the kitchen sink, not on a motorcycle. At least the reservoirs on a C-14 have a very finished and shaped look, at least to me. I actually like them but this is all personal opinion.
Chet actually had a decent idea I think- you might be able to coat them with carbon fiber. Or perhaps just spray paint them semi-flat black; they might not look any better but at least they would be less noticeable. If you have to have ugly reservoirs at least you do not have to draw any unnecessary attention to them. ;)
So, how do you feel about KiPass? Any hate left over for that? :o ;)
Brian
Ah! I am not alone! Not sure what I'm going to do to them. I pick up my 2011 black c14 next week. ;-)
No opinion on the KiPass yet (for obvious reasons).
Merry Christmas everyone!
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You are not alone. If I had the $$$$ I'd have some made up from billet. Can you do that with titanium?
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Sure- you could machine a pair out of almost any metal and most rigid materials. The price might set you back a bit, especially if titanium is the chosen material. But on the bright side, at least you would know exactly where the valuable parts of your C-14 were- sitting up high on the handlebars.
:D
Brian
You are not alone. If I had the $$$$ I'd have some made up from billet. Can you do that with titanium?
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I actually like the reservoirs on a C-14. It is the round reservoirs on sport bikes I find a little cheesy, and even then they don't bother me as form follows function.
KiPass- you are going to love it. Just thinking about holding your fob on a cold winter night..... ahhhhhh. :D
Merry Christmas to you and the very best of luck and good riding with your new bike. It really is a nice machine; most modern bikes are and the C-14 seems to make most owners especially pleased. I have had mine for over four years and 75K miles and still look forward to riding it every single time I get the opportunity.
Brian
Ah! I am not alone! Not sure what I'm going to do to them. I pick up my 2011 black c14 next week. ;-)
No opinion on the KiPass yet (for obvious reasons).
Merry Christmas everyone!
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Thanks Brian! Less than a week away. I figure the Vulcan needs a bit of a break. Although it hasn't been getting near as many miles as yours (37k in the last 3 yrs).
Merry Christmas!
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These dress them up very nicely:
http://projektd.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_39_46&products_id=179 (http://projektd.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_39_46&products_id=179)
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I never notice them when I'm riding, not a big deal. Hey look under the right saddle bag if you want to see something UGLY!!
Get a pair from a Gold Wing, the mounting bolts are the same distance apart, you might have to do a little changes to where the line connects, here is a picture of one on my Gold Wing. The left one is hid by my GPS
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d609b3127ccefaac05f319e000000030O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
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Or you could dress em up a bit Worldwide shipping. Decent price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170648368925?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170648368925?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
(http://s5.directupload.net/images/user/091027/p9p53a3r.jpg)
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I never notice them when I'm riding, not a big deal. Hey look under the right saddle bag if you want to see something UGLY!!
Get a pair from a Gold Wing, the mounting bolts are the same distance apart, you might have to do a little changes to where the line connects, here is a picture of one on my Gold Wing. The left one is hid by my GPS
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d609b3127ccefaac05f319e000000030O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
Yeah, your right - I don't even notice them when I'm riding now. The white plastic still bugs me a bit when I'm off the bike though. ::) And replacing the potato launcher is on my list. Still ordering up all the protective bits for the bike and me first.
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Or you could dress em up a bit Worldwide shipping. Decent price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170648368925?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170648368925?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)
(http://s5.directupload.net/images/user/091027/p9p53a3r.jpg)
Thanks Free - nice to know these are out here, but my issue is the white plastic reservoirs - the black caps are not an issue for me. Cheers!
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I never notice them when I'm riding, not a big deal. Hey look under the right saddle bag if you want to see something UGLY!!
Get a pair from a Gold Wing, the mounting bolts are the same distance apart, you might have to do a little changes to where the line connects, here is a picture of one on my Gold Wing. The left one is hid by my GPS
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0d609b3127ccefaac05f319e000000030O01CcNWzly0Yg9vPhw/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
Interesting thought... This would allow for the installation of some accesory switches, like these: http://wingstuff.com/products/21506-accessory-switches-master-cylinder-reservoir-covers?context=kuryakyn-gold_wing_gl1800-handlebar_accessories (http://wingstuff.com/products/21506-accessory-switches-master-cylinder-reservoir-covers?context=kuryakyn-gold_wing_gl1800-handlebar_accessories)
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I followed Johanthans tip from above and was really happy with the 5 minute mod. I used bottle coozies. Measured the height of the reserviors cut it and just pulled it over it.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/thor32766/IMG_20120119_162933.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/thor32766/IMG_20120119_162945.jpg)
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I followed Johanthans tip from above and was really happy with the 5 minute mod. I used bottle coozies. Measured the height of the reserviors cut it and just pulled it over it.
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/thor32766/IMG_20120119_162933.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/thor32766/IMG_20120119_162945.jpg)
I like! Thanks!
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Son of a gun that don't look too bad. Now all I gotta do is find some solid black coozies with no writing on them. ;D
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(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/thor32766/IMG_20120119_162933.jpg)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd166/thor32766/IMG_20120119_162945.jpg)
The painted center storage compartment looks pretty nice Tyler, I might need to do that to mine now too, thanks for the idea bro!
8) :thumbs:
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thanks guys. Johanthan had a great idea. Its easy and cheap! does a lot to the appearence believe it or not. ZG the center console painted really helps the bikes appearence also. Looks really good.