i just bought a motorcycle....?

Question

well not just bought it, ive had my baby for abt 4 months now...

but, i really dont know that much abt them...like the really technical stuff.

so anyway, in my engineering class, i have to find omething, anything, to improve upon, or invent something to "make life easier"....

i love motorcycles, so i want to do a project abt that....so i need help deciding what to "imporve". what do you guys think? if you could change something, make it better, related to your bike (engine, exhaust, anything) what would it be, and how would you do it...i just want some ideas.....

also, list what bike you have/want and for how long youve been riding, just for fun...

i have a '03 250 ninja...yea, its no gixxer 1000, but im working my way up...lol

thx, 10 pts for best ans.

Answer 1

One thing that needs improving upon is the way the chain gets lubricated. You put your bike up on its center stand, clean off the chain, spray on glop, then most of it gets flung off in the first few miles, causing a big sticky mess.

It would be better if small amounts of oil were applied to the chain at regular intervals. I remember a friend had a Honda -- I think it was a 1980 CB700 or something -- in which the "engine overflow oil" dripped out onto the chain. I can't think of any motorcycle these days that has this system as stock.

Add-on "chain auto-oilers" exist. The idea is that a drop of oil is released from the auto-oiler at regular intervals, controlled by a sensor which counts revolutions of one of the wheels.

Your project could be a home-made chain auto-oiler system.

Answer 2

Gear position lights were all the rage in the '70s. Had 'em on my '79 Suzuki. My Honda CB750K came to me with all the Vetter goodies: fairing, lowers, removable hard bags. A lighter hookup was provided but not used. The Zippo works fine behind the windshield. My addition: a homemade cupholder.
My current ride: '06 HD FXD Superglide. Has Hondaline hard bags and two solo seats. It needs a cupholder and a lighter.

I ride in the cold, the very cold. There are lots of things available to keep me warm, such as heated grips, heated clothing, etc. But, there is one small problem. I can't park in a heated garage everywhere I go. Oil, especially primary case oil, gets like tar. The solution: Modification.
The basic mechanics: Drill and tap both the primary case and oil tank. Install heaters of the proper wattage. Provide temp control. Battery powered.

Sorry about being skimpy on the details, I don't want to give too much away. There may be enough of us crazies out there for it to be marketable.

I've been riding 18 years, and coming up with wild ideas(some of them built) since before I can remember.

Answer 3

When it comes to bikes here are some things that bikers are always looking for.

1. Way to heat or warm yourself on the bike
2. Way to cut down on wind buffetting
3. Storage or bags for a bike. A good invention was the Magnetic gas tank bag for example.
4, Anything SAFETY related like lights that can be put on the bike that make it more visible. I even saw tire caps for the air (you know the little black plastic caps that go on the stem of the tire when you are airing it up) that were battery operated so when you ride they light up and make the bike more visible.
5. Also traffic lights don't change for bikes and they came out wtih a metal box the size of a domino that you put under the bike and it makes the lights change.
6. An mp3 player where you can listen while you ride, volume turned down of course to allow sirens to be heard also.

Answer 4

Hello,

I've owned Jap bikes and now own a Harley softail spinger.
I've altered most of them in different ways.

Been riding 10 yrs.

My advice is change the air cleaner to a performance one with a K&N filter. Change the exhaust to a performance one and re-map the fuel injection module at shop or yourself.
These additions will (if done properly) extend your engines life due to more air going in the engine with a less lean condition hopefully. Its one of the cheapest performance upgrades available

Also a good seat is a must.

Answer 5

Physical comfort, esp if going long distance, one gets locked into fixed positions on the bike and can get leg cramps.

Comfort suggestions: something that adjusts for head buffeting ( helmet or faring)

A seat that adjusts a little ( air bladder maybe)

padded foot pegs

Jacket vents that are easy to close while moving.

AND something to keep the engine heat off my legs! Sometime I swear they get seared.

Answer 6

Actually, I have my bike set up how I like it.
If I HAD to come up with an improvement, I'd go with a set of compression releases, so I could quit eatting up batterys and chewing up starters. (VERY high compression)

Been riding for 32 years.

Answer 7

You may ask a friend of mine Michael. He is a expert on motorcycle. You can contact him on LoveBiker.com directly by search his username.

Answer 8

Sometimes I'd like to have more information about what gear I'm in other than just neutral/not neutral.