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Tips on saving money while customizing your motorcycle
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Frank's Motorcycle
When should you add parts on to your bike?
Most riders buy their bike from stock and then customize it to their taste. The problem I find, is that the average rider does not know enough about the process of adding on parts and are therefore taken to the cleaners with the cost of the labor.
Too many times, I have seen guys buy the bike and decide he wants to get new handlebars right away. The seller will give him the handlebars but will forget to mention that while you are getting the handle bars, do you want different cables, (since they need to come off anyway) or new grips and mirrors. What about the hand controls?
You will ask for the new handlebars and get just that. Later you will realize that you would like the chrome hand controls also. So later on, you will go back to the shop, tell them you want the new chrome cluster and pay for the service to have everything dismantled again. So now you are paying twice for labor that could have been done all at once.
Here are some tips on when to have parts added on to your bike.
Tire Change - During the process of either your first tire change or changing to white walls, the wheel has to come off. Ask yourself, do you want to add new rotors, if you do ask about the bolts, you may want them chrome. Also, do you want new spacers? If chrome is important you may want chrome spacers. (issue: often, I have seen a bike with great chrome detailing and then the bolts are stainless steel or the spacer is stainless steel.) Frank's bike (shown in photo above) is a beautiful motorcycle. Frank spent quite a few dollars customizing to get that chrome look he loves. The one thing that drives him crazy is the stainless steel spacer. He didn't think about it when he was adding his new chrome wheels. The worse thing is the spacer only costs about $40.00. Now, if Frank has to change his spacer to chrome, it will cost quite a lot in labor because the wheel has to come off.
Handle bars - Some things to consider while changing your handlebars. Do you want to change your cables to black or braided etc. The hand grips and mirrors can be changed at this time. Do you want to add new hand controls? Again if chrome, you have to tell them you also want the chrome bolts. Otherwise you will end up with beautiful chrome controls with "stock" bolts.
Chrome Bolts vs Chrome Covers - Covers are a quick and easy way to change the aesthetics on your motorcycle. However, you should know that if not taken care of properly the water will get inside the covers and will through time rust the undercover bolt. Covers are pretty but only when you take care of them. When adding any new piece, especially if it is chrome make sure you review any bolts on that part so you can replace them too. There is nothing worse than a new chrome part with an old stainless "stock" bolt.
Pipes - The number one change to any motorcycle are the pipes. Pipes are pretty much Plug & Play.
These are just a few pointers on what to think about when you are customizing your motorcycle. Usually the parts are not that expensive, it is mostly the labor you pay for, so be smart.
Remember to ask, "What else should I change at this time."
Enjoy customizing your bike.
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