Pics of tail w/out grab handles : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Chameleon ZX9 · 01-30-2010, 11:27 AM

Hey all! Finally got rid of my rear grab handles on my 2001 zx9. Thought you guys might want some pics and how i did it if your interested in doing an easy/cheap removal. All i did was unbolt the handles, spray painted the rear bolts and washer black. I got 2 rubber grommets/plugs from Ace or Aco hardware, however they only come in a round shape so i had to cut them down to size. Using a paper template plus some trial and error you can cut them into shape. I left them long on the inside so there backed up against where the grab handle bolted to, this keeps the plug from falling in and makes it flush from the outside. Total cost around 10$

To me it looks better now, i just hate the look of those handles. But it would definitely look better fiber glassed and repainted but that's super $ and time consuming. Tell me what you think.

**Shifty1** · 01-30-2010, 12:44 PM

Just curious, how did you do the front bolt holes? I'm not sure I understand. But it looks good, and for only $10, that's pretty sweet.

Chameleon ZX9 · 01-30-2010, 01:50 PM

I used a rubber grommet/plug found at any hardware store. They only come round so i shaped it square using a fine saw and grinder. underneth they are about an inch long so they back up against the subframe preventing them from falling in. Mine fit very snug, but i might put some super glue to make sure they stay.

**Shifty1** · 01-30-2010, 02:04 PM

I gotcha...sorry, ma brain ain't workin'.

msmith304 · 01-30-2010, 02:18 PM

very nice. now if i could just get motivated to do mine...

Wizzard · 01-30-2010, 05:38 PM

Bike in the house love it wife won't let me.

Aboogie · 02-02-2010, 06:29 PM

looks pretty good........ I was looking for a way to add these on mine.............

Chameleon ZX9 · 02-02-2010, 09:31 PM

Those look way better than stock! There like brass knuckles for your bike lol... Im sure they will take some customization to get them to fit properly. Personaly im not a fan of crome, but to each his own. Good luck

Aboogie · 02-03-2010, 04:37 AM

Yea, I dont like chrome either...... I am going to powdercoat these black.......... I am going to plug those first holes on the tail fairing, like you did. I will try and see if I can bond it and paint over it so it doesnt show.......... Hopefully these fit right into the holes left in the tail section........

ZXXXXXXR · 02-03-2010, 07:26 AM

I hated those effin' handles too. You can probably barely see this in the image; but i bought lag bolts and painted them black with a gloss black rattle can and then clear coated them with rust-oleum.

Basically all i did was take rear fairing off;
I then slightly enlarged the pre-existing holes with drill. (being careful not to make hole too large of course)
I then secured the bolts with two extra fat rubber washers and a nut w/loc-tite from underneath.
Once secured I then used a dremel tool to cut the excess threads off.
Re-secured fairing.

I think that gives you a pretty "flush look" when its all said and done, plus you don't have to worry about painting anything but the bolts...

Atop all it only cost me Fo' ninety five and some bow' grease.

Chameleon ZX9 · 02-03-2010, 11:41 PM

WOW ZxxxxxR! that i really good idea. I like that paint scheme alot, it really looks good with the black paint where those bolt are. They arent very noticable at all.

Is that an rs-3 yoshimira exhaust?

tommy203 · 02-08-2010, 08:42 PM

looks good

ZXXXXXXR · 02-08-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chameleon ZX9

WOW ZxxxxxR! that i really good idea. I like that paint scheme alot, it really looks good with the black paint where those bolt are. They arent very noticable at all.

Is that an rs-3 yoshimira exhaust?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy203

looks good

Thanks.

And yes, it sure is - full exhaust and header! By far the best mod I ever did in my opinion... love the sound. (baffle removed; also) . Who did the chameleon paint on your 9? Your fender kit looks unique too, i like it.

Chameleon ZX9 · 02-09-2010, 12:07 AM

Thanks! The paint was done by the person who had it before the person I purchased it from last summer. It not exactly my style but whatever, and the dummy that painted the bike painted over the 'Kawasaki' decals on the tank so you can still see it...very stupid! And the previous owner did the undertail kit, its called an F-18 tail for obvious reasons.

My question for you is (or anyone else who knows) how did you take out your baffle? I have a rs-3 slip on and have been told there is a small screw you take out and it slips out and thats that... and all I see is rivets on mine! Maybe i have a later model or a model that doesnt have the option of removal. I want more sound damnit!

ZXXXXXXR · 02-14-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chameleon ZX9

My question for you is (or anyone else who knows) how did you take out your baffle? I have a rs-3 slip on and have been told there is a small screw you take out and it slips out and thats that... and all I see is rivets on mine! Maybe i have a later model or a model that doesnt have the option of removal. I want more sound damnit!

Hi Chameleon ZX9,

Sorry i never visited back to update you... I did this about 2 years ago.. so my info may be a little generalized.. but it should help you remove the baffle. First of all i want to warn you that this makes a signifigant difference in sound w/baffle removed - trust me... ! It sounds good but people can hear you coming! (of course cops can too!)

Yes, there is a small screw in there... the only problem is, you have to get to it first... and that requies drilling out your rivets on the "shell" or "can" of your exit pipe if you dont have one of the newer cans with allen screws ... I forget how many rivets there were on mine and since my bike is stored in a garage right now I dont have access to see it... so maybe someone else here can point out how many rivets there are...

The best advice I can give you for de-riviting is to be a little careful when you drill them out... so make sure you have a high speed drill and a new bit and go slowly (apply only a slight amount of prerssure as you are drilling) - if you are not carfeful you can slip and scuff up your pipe etc..etc

I remember i wrapped my pipe in a towel and clamped it in a vice when drilling out the rivets.

The screw that everyone is referring to is called a snap-ring. It is inside the baffle. If you dont have the tool for it (snap ring pliers), you can use needle nose with sharp points as they will sometimes work as well. it takes some trial and error but squeeze so the ring gets bigger... I try to get one side started and pop it out with a screwdriver.

You will already have seen there is a courragted type baffle in the can which is wrapped with stainless wire mesh material - looked like steel wool to me - and around that was a fiberglass mat. The mat filled up all the space inside the can. I took out the wire mesh material, which left the fiberglass mat loose inside...If i recall correctly I reassembled and re-riveted everything w/rivet gun and i was good to go!

Good luck!

Chameleon ZX9 · 02-16-2010, 11:37 PM

Thanks a bunch for replying! Ok, now I understand. "The screw is inside! its so simple!"(Zoolander) I have done this before on my 94' CBR F2. I got a D&D silencer of craigslist for 40$ and had to expand it with a pipe expander(sp). Then I cut it in half because it was gigantic and it was a streetfighter bike, removed the packing i didnt need, re-riveted using proper precautions and used a green fence post clamp i found in the shop for the C-clamp and painted it black! All done at my place of work (airport county shop) with every possible tool.

New question, did taking out the baffle sacrifice low end power? Im asking because this was the case on my CBR, I had to pyhsically "yank" more for a wheelie! :( but it sure sounded nice and people saw/heard me.

I know its not a Kawa but whatever, i dont care if i crash it..lol

Chameleon ZX9 · 02-17-2010, 12:01 AM

Furthermore! I cannot wait for spring, riding my moto's is ALL I think/dream about and im going insane!

ZXXXXXXR · 02-19-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chameleon ZX9

New question, did taking out the baffle sacrifice low end power? Im asking because this was the case on my CBR, I had to pyhsically "yank" more for a wheelie! :( but it sure sounded nice and people saw/heard me.

I didn't notice any power sacrifice...however I have never taken my bike to the dyno either. If there was one it was def. outweighed by the new sound produced w/o baffle. I have a short before and after video clip somewhere on my computer... i'll see if I can't find it.