The fluids looked worse than...
The fluids looked worse than the bodywork, so we replaced them with fresh new juice from Spectro.
New to the exhaust world is the ability to customize various parts, and Two Brothers Racing created a cool custom badge along with color coordinated components based on our design created from its Web site. It's not a bad extra feature to consider when scoring a new pipe--in this case a gorgeous carbon fiber slip-on that comes complete with a plate mount and indicators (though our integrated taillight eliminated the need for indicators).
Another special upgrade came from billet specialists Yana Shiki to replace the bent and somewhat useless stock rearsets. The fully adjustable replacements look trick as hell and allow for the perfect fit--whether you're small or tall.
Some of the most obscenely neglected components on a sportbike come from the chain and sprocket family, but we had some TLC in store. Not only did a fresh new color coordinated linker come from EK, but it got to wrap around a cool Supersprox rear sprocket.
We noticed the front pads were in poor condition, so they were trashed for a set of fresh sintered pads from Galfer to accompany the new steel braided brake lines from the same firm.
One of our favorite upgrades are adjustable levers. Not only do they look miles better than the chintzy stock parts, but make adjustments on-the-fly ber easy. Pazzo's standard length units got the call and installed in mere minutes to make a big difference in looks and feel.
Sure, these mods all work together to make the once ragged CBR a pretty thing to look at, but did the ride improve at all? That was half of the objective after all.
The fresh exhaust immediately offered a steadier idle and better tone than the older, rattly pipe. Low-end throttle blips were also crisper than before and that transferred to the street for smooth power through the rev range--no flat spots to be found.
Another immediate improvement was indicated from the feet. Rather than contorting to fit on the bent stock rearset, the upgraded piece was adjustable and offered buttery smooth gear changes.
Losing the bent bar ends for the sleek and properly weighted aftermarket ones was instantly noticeable at cruising speeds. The bad vibes were gone and it was all smooth sailing--pretty amazing what some straight and uncrashed components can do.
Up front the freshened brakes were instantly obvious. The sintered pads bite much harder than the crusty stock ones, and the steel lines eliminated all the mushiness of the stock rubber tubes.
Stage 2 Upgrades
When it's time for the second phase of upgrades there are some must do mods. The suspension weakens over time from use and wear, but can be easily brought back to life with an aftermarket service from a firm such as Racetech. There are various levels of upgrades, but start with a basic fluid and spring service.
Aftermarket brake rotors can make an otherwise bone stock bike look like it was just unloaded from the race rig, and also offer considerable more bite than stock discs.
Other small touches like chrome or powdercoated wheels can make a huge improvement to appearance.