New Guy from LA

[RyanSterling]

Hey guys, been trolling the site since I bought my new FZ8 and even before actually. Wanted to introduce myself and say thanks for all the great info, I was looking at several different bikes while I was shopping and some of what I learned here helped me to make the final decision. Well that and a test ride, made the Aprilia I was looking at feel gutless. I even test rode the FZ-1 and though I may be in the minority on this, I actually preferred the motor on the 8, the power felt more useable in the "real world" of LA traffic.

I used to co-own a custom car shop where I specialized in design/fabrication and currently work as a designer. So needless to say everything I own goes under the knife pretty quickly. I've already done some work to the FZ but mostly minor stuff for now. I have always ridden Triumph's and mostly bought the FZ to keep miles off of my Bonneville. I really want to bring some of that old school cafe style to the FZ as I love how it rides but not entirely how it looks. Anyways, here a quick photoshop I did to show where it is headed. I used the MT-OS concept as inspiration.

Thanks!
R

 

[highoctane]

Welcome Ryan, Looks like you have some great ideas!

 

[Deleted member 438]

Welcome to the forum. You would have the baddest fz8 of you made it look like that rendering.

 

[RyanSterling]

Thanks guys, Will see how it goes, should be able to pick up my replacement factory parts after work today. I always like to buy replacements before I start cutting. I did a test run of the 7" light last weekend and need to cut new ears. Anyways, looking forward to a weekend of making noise and disapproving looks over the fence from my neighbors.

Really toying with the idea of an under-engine exhaust. Does anyone know if it has ever been tried? Maybe one of the FZ-1or6 guys?

 

[Hoover]

Welcome. I never considered adding red accents. They actually look very cool.

 

[Camo]

Welcome to the world of FZ8, looks like we'll have another thread to watch with the mods you have planned.

 

[RyanSterling]

Had a BUSY weekend. Pretty much have all the main stuff done. A few little minor tweaks still to be made. All in all though I am happy with it for the time being. Will do a proper write up/postmortem in another thread.

For now though I need to figure out a good place to hide the horn. With the 7" headlight it sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

[hutru01]

Subscribed for updates. This is a completely different look. Did you add a projector to that 7 in headlight?

 

[RyanSterling]

Yup, I actually made it from two separate lights as well as a projector kit. To be honest, sourcing the right parts was the hardest of the project. It was tough to find a 7" light with a polycarbonate lens. and then find a different light with the projector I wanted. Being a Triumph guy usually it did make me happy to use a lucas bucket.

 

[Call me knight hawk]

Hey in L.A.

I live in Canyon Country, about ten minutes from the SFV. Do you know of any local FZ8 groups?

 

[Coolslice]

Wow! I have been thinking how cool of a platform the FZ8 would be to turn into a cafe' racer style bike. (I love the show "Cafe Racer", and I think the guy that turns the Yamaha Virago's into a cafe racer has some of the baddest bikes I've ever seen.

I HATE the headlight of the FZ8 more and more everyday. I think what you have done there is definitely cool and certainly on the right track. I think reworking the tail section and taking some of that sport bike angle out of it would do wonders for the FZ8 as well.

I think you need to start another thread in the general discussion section about this just to get it out there a little more.

Nice work!

 

[RyanSterling]

I live in Canyon Country, about ten minutes from the SFV. Do you know of any local FZ8 groups?

Wish I did, I have still only seen one other 8 in the wild. Was on Sepulveda over by LAX goin the other way. If you and other Cali guys wanted to get anything started, I'd be down.


Thanks Man, I really appreciate it. I plan on starting a mods thread which will include everything I did to the light area. None of it was particularly difficult, but sourcing the parts was a time sucker. I can't believe how hard it was to find a 7" headlight with a polycarbonate lens. Anyhow, I was planning on making a bum stop for the rear of the bike. Kind of cafe style, but one of the agreements I have with my girl about this bike is that I am not supposed to mod it so much we can't ride 2-up. I kinda did that with my Triumph. Anyhow, the plan for now is to have it go on and remove just like the rear seat cowl and have a provision for some light storage. I have been working 70+ hour weeks lately so I havent had time to gather up all the photos but as soon as I do I will start a thread.

Thanks again for the encouragement, and if I can be of any help on anyones projects let me know. I enjoy moddin' them possibly even more than ridin' em.