Finally got round to changing the tail panels on the R1, that somehow got scratched and scuffed during the trip to the TT. Road grit got under there and somehow made a mess, although it all looked good to start with waiting for the ferry to Portsmouth. Decided on complete replacement panels, so I will have some scuffed ones to use for further trips, and good ones to put back on. the bike about to get itself all scratch on the way to and from the TT.... and today replacing the panels - hooray ! ed
OK, following on from the last post. I got the coolant drained and then removed the radiator and drained the expansion tank. @nigelrb my OCD kicked in and I started blowing out all the tiny stones in the radiator vanes with compressed air and also took a small screwdriver and straightened any deformed and bent ones from stone chips. Got it all back together then filled with the Honda premixed stuff. Fairings back on and R&G sliders fitted too. Now for the the belly pan and I'm going to add some photos here. In my original pan i checked the front V when I bought it and there was virtually zero stone chips or marks and the bike had 4400 miles. Now I have added 600 miles and here is the result on the left. I can only assume the roads around me are littered with smaller type gravel and are crap!?!?! So I had already got a replacement set of plastics for the belly but buying them when I was not actually anywhere near the bike I thought I had got the right colour...Hmmm, not quite but the plan has always been to take my originals to a local body shop and get the fronts made good again as there is virtually no marks on them except from the front chipping. That said, with the replacements in silver I think it is looking rather nice. I will probably need to get some proper photos out in the daylight and compare against the previous photos with the gold tiger pan but at the moment I am undecided if I might actually keep them on?? All the marks seen on the silver pan came off as it was tar spots I have also got the clear anti stone chip film and already put some on the Silver one to prevent recurrence. Any thoughts would be appreciated but here are the photos so far...
Looking good, by the way do you have a radiator guard fitted. I witnessed two blades get holes in their radiators within two weeks.
I actually prefer the darker belly pan. Good thinking with the clear chip shield on the front of belly pan. I do that with all mine, and on the rear edge of the 2018 pan also.
Morning mate, no I’ve not got the rad guard bit i have looked at them. To be honest im undecided so far but you never know what the colder months will bring
You defo need a guard..they're one of the cheapest mods and essential I think...I've used the r&g ones on the last few bikes and they're spot on...
SORNed my SP today. It can stay buried for a couple of months now. I have the get the VF out for MoT on Thursday. Already done the advance weather checks!!
Never noticed it was the last day of the month, so just had to do my car road tax...not that we don't pay enough tax on the fuel. Hate doing that!!!
So true. That was the biggest killer for me after returning from Australia. We paid half the UK price over there.
Well here are the comparison photos, Original gold type belly pan and my temp (perhaps) replacement silver pan. I think it looks nice but not too sure if there are now too may colours, so any feedback gratefully ignored? Haha. I also noticed the stark difference in the original windscreen and the racing one thats now fitted I had no luck at the bodyshop getting them to colour match the gold as its on plastic and the machine can't do plastic?? I may have to call Spraybay in Immingham and see if they will give the code or maybe even sell some to me?? PS @nigelrb I have stuck on the R&G emblems in the frame guards....But I will likely cut some same size discs out of the remaining 2 guards that came in the kit for the swingarm to prevent it from becoming an advert
Mmm. Now that I see both pics together, I reverse my opinion and prefer the standard (lighter) belly pan. It looks as if it belongs, whereas, with due respect to @mk3golfcab , the silver looks like an afterthought or a poor attempt to match. As well as Spray Bay, you might also consider http://www.dream-machine.co.uk/ . I have had work done by them with excellent results for both colour match and finish. Accept your point about the R & G labels, but I would cut some black vinyl wrap or book cover to hide their unsightly promo. As a further tip, and one I seem to have a penchant for, is to use that same black vinyl to cover the inside of your number plate. You'll be amazed at how much 'cleaner' the look is, as shown below:
From that angle I prefer the silver colour it flows well with the bike....the r&g sticker holes are well annoying, I've left mine empty as I think the r&g logo makes it look gash. Keep meaning to cut something out to stick in the hole
The black back of a number plate really neatens the bike up. Stops all that pesky chain lube being so visable!
Thanks @nigelrb i will get discs cut for the guards from the same material as i am not going to fit the 2 pieces on to the swing arm. The black vinyl on the number plate is a job that i will get around to but i’ve been rather preoccupied lately and it slipped in the priorities Spray bay just came back quoting around £200 to do the whole pan with new decals but i will try to see if they can just send me paint for my local guy to do the front V section only
Thank you @Lozzy As I mentioned i have lots of the black material and could easily cut a couple extra circles if you would like some?
