While riders in the UK and around the world are being told to stay at home and avoid riding for leisure, there are still ways to get your motorcycle fix while adhering to the government’s instructions.
If you’ve ever wanted to make some modifications to your bike, or you have some kit laying around in the garage that you’ve never got around to fitting, now could be the perfect time to do it. So, we’ve spoken to Dutch van Someren, Founder and CEO of The Bike Shed, the London-based custom bike website turned trendy restaurant, to give you the some top basic customisations you can make at home.
Change the front sprocket
The cheapest, easiest and arguably one of the best mods you can do, on almost any bike, is to change your front sprocket. Most bikes are over-geared for the road and are made to give a higher than required top speed, often for marketing purposes, but most bikes are more fun when geared a bit lower. So, add some instant oomph to your wrist, and change your gearing by dropping a tooth in your front sprocket. The bike will feel more responsive in most situations without any other changes, and it may cost as little as £20 and take less than 20 minutes to fit.
Indicators
Many manufacturers make indicators and rear light clusters that are fairly easy on the eye, but many still assume buyers will upgrade these items, often offering swankier alternatives in their own accessory brochures. Some standard gear is cheap, oversized and a little ugly, with one design often used across multiple models in a manufacturer’s range to save costs. Swap these for quality aftermarket flashers, or even your whole rear light cluster, with something better looking, brighter – probably LED – and maybe even better positioned. There are so many options and styles to choose from depending on the type of bike you have. Plus, it’s usually simple to do and is easily reversible.
Before you go ahead, read guidelines and forums to make sure you’re prepared. If you go from a bulb to an LED for example, you may need a flasher relay, but some bikes can be configured for either with some attention paid to the manual and some searching through the on-board menus on the clocks on modern machines.
Exhaust
Most bikes today are limited by catalytic converters, baffles and other paraphernalia designed to quieten your bike and to be Euro 4 and Euro 5 compliant, but they also devour power and are disproportionately heavy. Most motorcycles have dozens of aftermarket options for simple bolt-on exhaust upgrades – from de-cat link pipes, to end-cans to full systems, many of which don’t require a re-map.
So, to lose weight, add a smidge more power and give your pride and joy a better soundtrack, change your exhaust. You could also try modifying the pipe you already have. Many baffles are removable or can be drilled out. Look online at similar models and styles of bike that you have to see what’s already been done and what’s possible, and have a go.
Brakes
For better braking performance, changing your levers, master cylinder, brake lines or even your calipers are more easily done than you might think. Aftermarket companies have all the kit and the instructions for you to make these upgrades at home, while YouTube and forums will guide you on how to re-attach the hydraulics safely and without stripping your paint with spilled brake fluid.
Do make sure that any upgrades to a caliper are matched to the ability of your brake lever and master cylinder to apply enough power to the disc. For example, if you stick four-pot Brembos where there was once a standard single pot caliper, you will almost certainly need a larger master cylinder and lever assembly to apply enough hydraulic pressure to the pads against the disc.
Ensure the changes you’ve made are correct and do lots of checking and brake testing before your first ride.
Search the catalogues
Now that custom bikes are a thing, and manufacturers build bikes with customisation in mind, there are tonnes of catalogue options for performance and cosmetic upgrades, even from within a single manufacturer. Before you buy third party products, check the bike manufacturer’s online catalogues, whose products may keep your warranty intact and are tested for safety and performance – and will be easier to bolt on. There are also some third-party manufacturers who specialise in particular models or brands, and may even sell kits and packages for a specific bike, including bodywork, screens, tanks, wheels and more.
It’s amazing how much you can do to your bike at home, without any chopping, welding or risking the safety or performance of your motorbike.
For some more custom inspiration, you can stay updated with everything The Bike Shed team are up to on Facebook and Instagram.
Remember to inform your insurance company if you are making modifications to your motorcycle, as failure to do so may invalidate your policy.
