Modifications This Month:
GPR Steering Stabilizer
Motocyco Heel Guards
Ivan's Performance Products
Timing Retarder Eliminator
As anyone who works in the motorcycle industry will tell you, we get into this business because we love riding. The funny part is when you work in the industry, riding seems to be one of the least things we do. Thanks to another month of riding a desk instead of a bike, I wasn't able to put as many miles as I had hoped on the 14.
I was, however, able to get a few modifications done that added stability, style and power. The latest steering damper from GPR is lighter and smaller, not that it matters much on my 560-plus-pound beast. More importantly, the unit came in a blue casing with a laser-etched Super Streetbike logo. Unfortunately, after installation I can no longer use the factory steering lock. That will be important to remember when leaving the bike unattended.
Heel guards to lust after...
Heel guards to lust after
On the style side, I was finally able to install the trucker girl heel guards from Motocyco. Motocyco has many styles of heel guards to choose from, but the trucker girl was perfect for my retro-theme concept. I thought about adding a mud flap over the rear tire with Yosemite Sam muttering the words "Back Off," but my tasteful judgment got the better of me.
GPR with some special bli...
GPR with some special bling
The least expensive of the modifications made the most difference. The ZX-14 is notoriously sluggish below 6000 rpm because of a factory timing retard program. Ivan's Performance Products makes a simple plug-and-play module for only $70 that tricks the bike into thinking it's in sixth gear, and the tiny part resulted in a 13-horsepower increase at 4000 rpm. Instead of train-like power delivery, the motor has been transformed into a rocket. The power hits hard and fast and finally the big-block bike feels like you would expect 1400cc should.
My swingarm and wheels are still being manufactured so I'll have to wait on those for another month. In addition, I have a handful of bits and pieces trickling in that will make their way onto the bike for next time. I hope next month I will actually get to ride the thing more, though. I work at a motorcycle magazine but don't get to ride-what a concept.
Performance isn't always ...
Performance isn't always pretty