I Swore I wouldn't do it..(modification time)

Some of you may know I took my test last week, and thankfully passed! - Thanks for your support. Managed to get a lovely 2004 K3 in silver on Friday.
First thing I did was an oil and filter change - can't be too careful, and I thought I would leave it at that.

But then I started looking at the forum, probably an unhealthy amount of time really, and got a glimpse of all the mods that can be done.

I swore I wouldn't do it...just leave the bike alone for a while, no need to do anything, but....

Bought a seat cowl from Suzuki - only £42 quid! - and a little insert thingy that goes around the filler cap as mine is looking a bit manky.

And now looking at exhausts...thinks I've settled on a Fuel oval SS - prob gonna order today. My question is: The air filter has been inspected but not changed - bike is 3 years old, 17k miles. Is it worth replacing with an OE item, or a K&N to go with the exhaust? I've been searching on here and found some really useful info, but cant make my mind up if any sort of re-map will be required if I change the exhuast and filter over just the exhaust only...?

Got the blessing of the missus for the purchase - told her that a louder exhaust means that people can hear me earlier, therefore safer!!! - She said, "oh I think you should get it now!" = Whatta girl!

Need it especially as I spend 2 hours with Autosol polishing the downpipes - they are cleaner than the cutlery in the kitchen drawer now! Need an exhaust to match!

Cheers peeps,

Billy

There'll be lots of conversations with your other half like that. For example, my Double Bubble was purchased under the "sound" reasoning that it helps airflow over the bike, and therefore improves fuel efficiency. Same logic for the tail tidy!

IMO, the OEM air filter is more than good enough. There's no real use for a K&N when you have to keep cleaning it. If you're buying the cleaning kit, does this work out cheaper than buying a new OEM filter every once in a while.

I'd advise against looking at high flow air filters with an aftermarket exhaust. This will probably lean out the air/fuel mix a little, and if it leans it too much (when combined with the new exhaust), it'll be bad for your engine.

My bike has done 21k now, and had 2 air filters (both OEM). It's now looking like it could do with changing, so this will be done next weekend.

Thanks for the quick reply Baph! - Am looking at a double bubble too - jsut a bit worried about the fitment - a search on here reveals a few people who have ahad problems - was thinking of going for a puig???

Any chance you could let me know where you get your OE air filters from? And what you pay?

Ta muchly.

Billy

No idea about the Puig screens. I have a light smoke Fabbri DB. Fitted fine on my K6.

Air filters, I use gear4bikes, 417945 is the filter for my bike. £19.89 +P&P (but I usually buy other stuff at the same time to save on postage).

I got a Fabbri DB too, and i got a Fuel can, the can you will not be dissapointed by doesn't arf kick out a good tone. I rode to the petrol station after i'd fitted mine at 12 o'clock at night and grinned all the way.

O yer the screen is good too!

Thanks peeps!

Just ordered the Fuel can - SS oval - £135 delivered - just incase anyone doesn't know, if you order of the net in June, delivery is free!

Can't wait for it to get here, and fitted. Just another question, was polishing the downpipes last night and they came up great, but there is a bolted type jubillee clip about halfway between the front downpipe and the collector which is pretty corroded, and want to get a replacement. Has anyone else replaced this? If so, did you replace it with a Suzuki item or just an off the shelf jubillee clip?

Baph - thought I would try my local Suzuki dealer for parts:

Air filter - £18.65, in stock
Plugs - £6 ea, in stock
Touch up paint, including laquer - £7.41 in stock

Prices seem ok, I was pleasantly surprised!!

Have told the missus I'll put a kerb on spending until payday...not sure if she realised that payday is on Friday...

Billy

Originally Posted by Biker_Billy

Just ordered the Fuel can - SS oval - £135 delivered - just incase anyone doesn't know, if you order of the net in June, delivery is free!

Without meaning to sound like Mr. Jolly Badnews, this one?:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SV650-SV-650-0...QQcmdZViewItem

Originally Posted by sinbad

Without meaning to sound like Mr. Jolly Badnews, this one?:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SV650-SV-650-0...QQcmdZViewItem

Lol, its ok - no its not that one - thats the 'budget' range which Fuel also sell through their ebay shop.

Differences are (according to Louise at Fuel who I spoke to this morning):
1) Different baffle, its fixed in a little harder, so more difficult to remove for the first time apparently, and rivet must be drilled out to remove
2) Not mirror polished, although still SS
3) Outlet is straight on the budget, not curved.

Still have to pay an additional £10 for postage too - so £109 total.

Just thought the extra was worth paying for the above differences - my luck when drilling it out, I would have put a monster scratch in it!!

Cheers,

Billy.

I have the above exhaust, and yes it needs drilled out, but it is SO easy and not worth paying the extra. As for the baffle being hard to remove - broom shank up the end and push - doddle.

The first time i took mine out of the pipe you are buying it was hard too, just needs bit of twisting and pulling