Honda VT125 Shadow modifications.

[eidz]

Hello everyone out there in Bikeland... I would like to find out some suggestions on how i could modify this bike. I am kinda disappointed after getting back this bike friend from a friend that used it for some time (rented out). Looks and feels like crap now... Was a beautiful ride before... Anyways, any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks...

[X-ilED]

Hello everyone out there in Bikeland... I would like to find out some suggestions on how i could modify this bike. I am kinda disappointed after getting back this bike friend from a friend that used it for some time (rented out). Looks and feels like crap now... Was a beautiful ride before... Anyways, any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks...

 

yo bro.. there are tons of looks u can go after with this bike.. first u gotta ask yourself what look u wanna go for. do u like touring? do u like bikes with saddles and windshield? or do u like bobbers? stretched tank with short fenders and low dragbars? if u like tourers, there are already alot of accessories out there u can buy to accessorise it.. however if u like bobbers.. thats something i might be able to help.

[eidz]

Thanks for writing in... I am not a knucklehead and not much of a fabricator... Thus, i cannot (really) do a lot of stuff... I found out yesterday that the bike's tank was scratched and rusting on the front right side... What do u think i can do? I am thinking of cutting off the front mudguard.. make it smaller. D you know of a shop that can do up a bike?

 

The right side board is broken. The exhaust is rusting ( I guess that this is common in shadows - lousy manufacturing on the Italian design) And worst part was that it feels a drag to throttle up to speed... went to about 60+ last night when i got to start it up...

 

I want to do up this bike for my dad... he kinda like choppers after watching th American Chopper and stuff like that on Cable TV.

 

How? I was thinking of placing a Daelim apehangers on this... but then the cables will be a prob.... issues, issues...

 

Send a tinker... Cheers guys..

[X-ilED]

Thanks for writing in... I am not a knucklehead and not much of a fabricator... Thus, i cannot (really) do a lot of stuff... I found out yesterday that the bike's tank was scratched and rusting on the front right side... What do u think i can do? I am thinking of cutting off the front mudguard.. make it smaller. D you know of a shop that can do up a bike?

 

The right side board is broken. The exhaust is rusting ( I guess that this is common in shadows - lousy manufacturing on the Italian design) And worst part was that it feels a drag to throttle up to speed... went to about 60+ last night when i got to start it up...

 

I want to do up this bike for my dad... he kinda like choppers after watching th American Chopper and stuff like that on Cable TV.

 

How? I was thinking of placing a Daelim apehangers on this... but then the cables will be a prob.... issues, issues...

 

Send a tinker... Cheers guys..

 

 

PM me if u are serious in giving your bike a facelift. you can see my works in the thread "RIOT's den"

[sc8850]

Thanks for writing in... I am not a knucklehead and not much of a fabricator... Thus, i cannot (really) do a lot of stuff... I found out yesterday that the bike's tank was scratched and rusting on the front right side... What do u think i can do? I am thinking of cutting off the front mudguard.. make it smaller. D you know of a shop that can do up a bike?

 

The right side board is broken. The exhaust is rusting ( I guess that this is common in shadows - lousy manufacturing on the Italian design) And worst part was that it feels a drag to throttle up to speed... went to about 60+ last night when i got to start it up...

 

I want to do up this bike for my dad... he kinda like choppers after watching th American Chopper and stuff like that on Cable TV.

 

How? I was thinking of placing a Daelim apehangers on this... but then the cables will be a prob.... issues, issues...

 

Send a tinker... Cheers guys..

Hi dude,

 

Got a VT125 too.

Yes e exhaust will tend to rust on a particular spot. Had that problem initially too. Just keep ur bike dry (out of e rain) and that pretty much solves it.

 

As for power/speed. I suggest sending it for a Carburetor Clean and retune. Should do the trick. =)

[eidz]

I intend to send it off for a thorough check up. Then i will decide what to do with it next...

[Blackenese]

I intend to send it off for a thorough check up. Then i will decide what to do with it next...

 

RIOT it.....

[eidz]

The bike purrs the same as it was originally now... but, i am still unhappy about the stiffness - when changing gears... it was way smoother before..

 

Anyways, it felt weird riding this bike after 2 years... It feels way underpowered and unconventional, in posture.

 

Also found out that the rear end was bent! I was surprised... I hope for a better future for this gentle girl....

 

I always treat my bikes like gals.... Treat them right and ride them hard! hahaha.. My wife concours as well, in this fact. This bike was the one bike that I got when we started our relationship... and she wants to keep it in the family as long as we can.. hahha... A lil bit romantic back-story.

[sc8850]

Hi dude,

 

Yes, I absolutely agree that the VT125 has one of the smoothest transmission for a 2B class bike with a wide dynamic range. Honda did a good job in a match of engine power to gear transmission ratios. ( a fren who tried said its comparable to a CB400 in smoothness.)

 

Think its the best cruiser out there in the 2B range.

 

Sad to hear that ur previous owner mistreated it. Do hope u get it back to the good old form. =)

[eidz]

Anyone out there..... any ideas how to make modifications on it... I want to make it look good and good ride for my dad one its done. Any ideas are welcomed... Brain storming is fault free! hehehe...

[eidz]

I thought that i could do some modification as in my avatar.

 

How?

 

any comments?

 

The top one looks common, just cutting off the fenders. Though, have to work out the light wiring and no plate stuff..

 

The bottom one needs welding to lower the back end (Which I cannot do on my own - no experience nor tools). I kinda like the bottom one but i think it will hurt both my father's and my back if done.

[X-ilED]

I thought that i could do some modification as in my avatar.

 

How?

 

any comments?

 

The top one looks common, just cutting off the fenders. Though, have to work out the light wiring and no plate stuff..

 

The bottom one needs welding to lower the back end (Which I cannot do on my own - no experience nor tools). I kinda like the bottom one but i think it will hurt both my father's and my back if done.

 

 

 

both are considerred bobbers. if u and your dad are big built, apes will be much more comfortable. i have tried both styles and i still find apes being the more comfortable posture. as for the dragbar version, if u and your dad is small to medium built, then the lowrider look will fit u guys nicely. u might find it more comfortable if u actually shift the footpegs towards u. note that peg EXTENSIONS work well with apes but not low rider style (comfort being the main criteria).

 

to achieve a good looking bobber is more than just cutting the fenders short. overall lines of the bike come into play. most stock fenders have a rather high clearance with the wheel.. simply cutting the fender without lowering it gives u a huge lobang at the rear aka.. too high backend..u can try by blocking out the areas u wanna cut with a cardboard and then u stand afar to see... confirm u will find it wierd looking.

 

as for the welding of the fender, i dun think it is necessary to permanantly stick it to the frame. better to make it removable so u can change as and when u like. trust me .. once the kustomizing bug hits u.. your bike will become a forever "in progress" project... lol.

[eidz]

Hello X-iled... Thanks for the rough quotation, but i dont think i want to spend too much on a 7 -8 year old bike (i think..).

 

however, A lingering question in my mind is .. how the heck can i lower the back? I thought about a "rigid" swing-arm by welding it to the main frame. I think that might be illegal or not approved by LTA standards. I know that i will need to either straighten the rear posts (under the rear seat) or cut them off.

 

If cutting and sanding, i can do. Welding is a wee bit tricky though i know of some friends near here that can do it for me (for a small fee, of course).

 

Any advice?

 

Anyways, how can i post pictures here? There are some good ones that i like to show you and the rest of the peeps out there. The avatar pix was done today with "MS Paint" using a original model from the web.

[X-ilED]

Hello X-iled... Thanks for the rough quotation, but i dont think i want to spend too much on a 7 -8 year old bike (i think..).

 

however, A lingering question in my mind is .. how the heck can i lower the back? I thought about a "rigid" swing-arm by welding it to the main frame. I think that might be illegal or not approved by LTA standards. I know that i will need to either straighten the rear posts (under the rear seat) or cut them off.

 

If cutting and sanding, i can do. Welding is a wee bit tricky though i know of some friends near here that can do it for me (for a small fee, of course).

 

Any advice?

 

Anyways, how can i post pictures here? There are some good ones that i like to show you and the rest of the peeps out there. The avatar pix was done today with "MS Paint" using a original model from the web.

 

 

 

haha no probs.. welding/cutting of any part of the frame is illegal jus for your info..

[eidz]

Hello X-iled. If i were to modify it into an ole' school bobber, is it goign to pass an LTA or periodic inspection? If it would not, then i 'd give up... I really like to make it into a low-ride bobber. Cheers!

[plasticblackspecs]

I know what Xiled will say. If you wanna do it, dare to do it and accept the consequences.

 

Why not just lower the suspensions? It'll help rite?

[X-ilED]

I know what Xiled will say. If you wanna do it, dare to do it and accept the consequences.

 

Why not just lower the suspensions? It'll help rite?

 

 

swee. thanks bro. bullseye shot.

 

of cos there are ways to make it legal. thats why ppl engage my services. HOWEVER, i will NEVER gaurantee that the TP/ LTA wont give u trouble on the road. u wanna look different, u gotta accept the attention.

 

eidz.. maybe u should re think if its what u want..

[eidz]

I am not too concerned about TP, just to get it insured annually.

My dad and me are not the likely candidates to be stopped by the TP on the road.

 

I usually send my bikes to Viacom for annual inspections and usually go through the first round, even with illegally modified number plates and lights at the rear.

This is my real concern.

 

You know lah old man, if held up a bit, will make lots of complains.... tired. Heheh..

 

Cheers and thanks for the inputs so far, guys..

[eidz]

Anyways, the bike had been done up by my in-law's cousin... Looks like my red-white 2003 dragstar. The pipe was nickle plated and gleaming. I lowered the handlebars to look like a cafe-racer (a look and feel that my dad used to love in the 60s! - and i didnt know that). What a schmuck, i am..... ahahaha.... and he loves the rejuvenated bike...

 

I am now left with a clean black Intruder 125... COE till Sept 09. and i dunno what to do with it... haha.