SSB Garage

SSB Garage

Okay, so our latest buy isn’t a screaming deal at $2,800 but for the record, the actual Craigslist purchase price was $2,300. It was a friend at All-Points Motorcycle Towing who actually scoped out the deal and hauled the non-op Gixxer from the previous owner’s Oceanside, CA home to Los Angeles. He was planning to keep the bike for himself so it took the extra $500 to convince him to release the title over for the latest SSB project build. Fair deal considering the haul from San Diego County is a good two hours and gas prices at the time were peaked.

Miles done: 1,200 109.5 HP STOCK BASELINE

2012 Suzuki GSXR-1000
Miles Done: 1,400

Miles Done: 1,850
2 Hour Vinyl Transformation

In today’s economy 1,500 bucks doesn’t go far but, patiently shopping around for our Learning Tool paid off with a clean-titled ‘02 Honda F4i track bike that came with some tasty aftermarket goodies that we ultimately would have had to buy down the line. Even after installing a Barnett carbon fiber clutch pack, Motovation bar ends with sliders, and Xtreem Bike Works crash rails and subcage, we were still less than $2,300 into our budget. So for this final segment of our build-up we splurged a little on a trick new Beringer Thumb Brake System and floating rear master cylinder, and wrapped it all in a complete fairing set from NiceCycle. Then it was off to Buttonwillow Raceway, CA. for a final track evaluation and some infield stunt shenanigans.

4.8 hp loss with -1/+5 gearing

The visual loudness of the ticket-me red-and-white graphics on our 2012 CBR600RR long-termer has been a total contrast to the whisper-quiet OEM exhaust note humming out of the stock muffler for the past couple months, and even though we’ve cleaned up the tail-end with a fender eliminator kit, we weren’t absolutely content with the status quo. While the eliminator bracket wrapped around the stock can without issue, the exposed Honda heat shields proved to be an eyesore that was constantly pointed out by everyone who took notice of the modification. So, with over one thousand miles of decibel-legal cruising logged on the CBR’s trip meter, the time came to kick up the sound level a notch with the Competition Werkes Dual Slip-on Exhaust and the optional Werkes fender eliminator and integrated taillight kits.

Miles Done: 1,250

45 Minutes to Install
Subcage & Rails

Anytime the topic of motorcycle lubricants is raised, it seems like everybody is a chemist. Many sportbike mechanics swear by their favorite brand of engine oil with promises of huge horsepower gains and prolonged engine life. While that may all be true to a point, we’ve encountered a few experts who take things a step further by blending products into their own “special formula” that they feel is better than what lubricant engineers and bike manufacturers recommend. While most bikes call for 10W-40 multi-viscosity oil, we’ve encountered guys who feel the need to mix in a percentage of 10W-30 or 20W-50 in order to “adjust” the viscosity to a grade somewhere in between. As logical as it sounds, is this possible?

Being a smooth and nimble middleweight, the 2012 CBR600RR is a strong choice for the daily commute. Its lack of literbike torque down low is compensated for, for the time being, by liberal doses of RPM, making each light-to-light launch a fun exercise in clutch-throttle coordination.

157 HP
STOCK BASELINE

How many of us have sacrificed months of modding, fabrication work and hardy chunks of bi-weekly paychecks in pursuit of personalizing a beloved sportbike? Does it make sense to then beat on that build learning how to clutch up a smooth wheelie or while getting faster at the track? For some, pushing a bike hard is the best way to test aftermarket parts. But for others, it’s best to learn on a bike that can hit the ground without leaving a sting of regret.

It seems there are two factions in the world of paint: those who stir and those who shake. If you like it stirred and not shaken, you may be among the professional refinishers who feel that show quality paint and a spray gun are the necessary components for a fantastic finish on your bike. If you’re a shaker, then you are likely part of the rattle can contingent who tends to pick up aerosol-powered supplies at the local auto parts store. Which is better? Placing biases aside, we approached this month’s Mythbusters from a purely do-it-yourself perspective; maybe there is more to this simple question than meets the eye.

2012 Honda CBR600RR
Miles done: 200

With Project 954’s speed, stopping and handling capabilities now vastly improved for the daily rush through Los Angeles traffic, we turned our attention to the comfort department for the final round of upgrades. Instead of traveling down the normal route of rearsets, grips, and mirrors, we pondered, “What is really the most uncomfortable part of riding a fast bike?” Police-issued tickets. While maintaining maximum visibility when riding is always important, there are times when the ability to slip under the radar—or laser—overrides our need to be seen. We’ve all had those moments of traveling a little too fast when a black-and-white pops up out of nowhere. By then, it’s too late. Soon you’ll be writing a check or facing a judge in traffic court. We all want to avoid those moments and bike tech can help.

1 HP Gain from Insulated Airbox

2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R
Miles Done: 2,775
9.5 HP Gained with Race Gas

86 pounds dropped with mods

5.14 Pounds lost with wheels & sprockets

It’s early in the morning and you’re stopped at an intersection all alone, checking the rearview mirror for a car that might be rolling up to trip the light from red to green. Nothing. You nonchalantly scope the surroundings for a lurking LEO as you contemplate plan B—the illegal act of running the red. But common sense prevails, and you go out of your way by making a legal right turn followed by a succession of u-turns, right turns and shortcuts just to get back on course. You’ve heard about those tricks that make a red light turn green— using a magnet, lowering the kickstand, hopping up and down, etc.— and you might’ve even tried it once or twice. But do the tricks work?

.26 Pounds saved with new rotors

12 HP Gained With Full Exhaust And Tuning