Justin Fivella: Associate Editor
Miles Ridden: 1,135
Modifications: Hotbodies Racing GP Dual Radius Smoked Windscreen, Graves Motorsports Swingarm Spools
Having recently eclipsed the 1000-mile mark I'm finally free of the break-in requirements and can explore what the R6 is all about. With all the hype it carries it's been dubbed high-strung, hard-edged and a replica racer for the street. And while I'd agree it's a purpose-built machine, there are still enough concessions to civility to make it a brilliant streetbike.
Thus far I've enjoyed its powerful brakes, quick steering, stable chassis and its high-revving motor. Truth be told, despite its lack of displacement the Six offers enough midrange to shoot through traffic with ease. But if you want serious boogie you'll have to tap the shifter to make it dance. Serious steam starts to build around 8,000, by 10 things are starting to boil and by 12 all hell breaks loose. With an induction roar more akin to a racebike this screamer just begs to be hammered.
Though an all-out track build would be cool, money is tight for all of us these days so I'm going to keep the budget low because breaking the bank just isn't a reality.
This month I started the mod squad for under $100 with some swingarm spools and a smoked Dual Radius screen. I quickly discovered that greasing the chain myself was anything but easy so I swooped some black aluminum spools from Graves Motorsports to make the process of lifting it with a stand a simple affair-the fact they only cost 20 bones makes them affordable, too. A few stints on the super slab had me eating serious wind. To kick-up the airflow and make the Six look that much better I ordered a dope Dual Radius smoked screen from Hot Bodies Racing that kept my wallet tight with a retail of only $74.95. Both products fit like factory and already the bike is looking better for under a Benjamin. Stay tuned, next month I'll be adding some parts to protect my investment as I set out to build a budget brawler.
Until then, read on for our step-by-step install coverage!
Hot Bodies Racing GP Dual Radius Smoked Windscreen
Check out this quality screen, it's miles ahead of the stocker. The dual radius design looks dope and should offer better wind protection as well.
To ditch the old screen, start by removing the two acorn nuts (10mm) that secure each mirror. There are two on each side.
Next you'll find four Phillips-head screws securing the screen to the fairing stay, go ahead and remove them like we did.
Drop the Hot Bodies screen into place and reinstall the four Phillips-head screws. If you'd like an SSB sticker like this one, checkout the mag for more details.
Snug the Phillips-head screws but do not over-tighten them or they'll strip faster than a call girl in Amsterdam! Here's a close-up for a better view.
Reinstall the acorn nuts (10mm) along with the mirrors and you're all set.
Here's the screen installed, it's tons better than the crappy stocker and it only cost us 75 bucks.
Graves Motorsports Swingarm Spools
Look at the billet goodness you get for under 20 bones.
Directly below the axle nut on either side of the swingarm are the threads for the spools.
Since you won't likely need to remove spools once they're installed, it's cheap insurance to use a little Loctite on the threads.
Use an Allen-wrench or -socket (4mm) to tighten the spools into the swingarm. Make sure you have the correct side against the arm and torque them without over-tightening!
You're all done, now you can lift your bike with a stand like this Pit Bull.
Here's a close-up of how the stand and the spools work together to lift/support your rig.
The Official Lubricant of Super Streetbike.