Motorcycles Archives - Millennial DIYer

2018-12-122018-12-20

Motorcycle Carbon Fiber Vinyl Ignition Key Scratch Protector

2017+ Kawasaki Ninja 650 Carbon Fiber Vinyl Ignition Key Scratch Protector - Title Thumbnail

Last updated on December 20th, 2018

Here’s a quick and easy upgrade if you’re looking for a project to keep busy during Winter. There’s an old saying that on cars, one quick way to judge if it has as many miles as the odometer claims is to look at the condition of the steering wheel. Something similar could be claimed about the area around a motorcycle’s ignition.

One peeve of mine are bikes that have the ignition area all scratched up from keys banging around. It looks bad, and it’s avoidable. Using cheap carbon fiber vinyl we’re gonna make a custom key scratch protector for motorcycles. This 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 (Z650) is today’s victim. Enjoy!

Continue reading “Motorcycle Carbon Fiber Vinyl Ignition Key Scratch Protector”

2018-08-212018-12-28

Permanent Roadside Motorcycle Tire Repair Kit with Dynaplug

Permanent Roadside Motorcycle Tire Repair with Dynaplug Kit

Last updated on December 28th, 2018

Nothing sucks more than the feeling you get when you hop on your bike, start the engine and give it a few revs…only to notice something feels odd when you try to back it out. Yup, you’ve got a flat tire. As much as that will ruin anyone’s day, thankfully it’s pretty quick and easy to take care of. Here’s how to permanently repair a flat motorcycle tire with a Dynaplug Tire Repair Kit. Let’s start!

Continue reading “Permanent Roadside Motorcycle Tire Repair Kit with Dynaplug”

2018-06-082019-04-15

Motorcycle Detailing: How to Clean a Motorcycle

Last updated on April 15th, 2019

I’m a stickler for motorcycle detailing, so I’ve spent a lot of time trying out different motorcycle cleaning products until I’ve found what I like best. Be it a bike wash shampoo or motorcycle wax, use them enough and you’ll develop a preference. While motorcycles don’t have all that much paintwork, they have more surface types and materials than many cars. Be it chrome, rubber, vinyl or plastic, you shouldn’t treat them all the same. That’s why here I’m going to go over how to clean a motorcycle for the best shine and longevity.

Keep reading to see how it matches your washing routine, or if you use the same motorcycle cleaning products.

Continue reading “Motorcycle Detailing: How to Clean a Motorcycle”

2018-04-112019-04-15

Motorcycle Chain Maintenance – Cleaning & Lube

Last updated on April 15th, 2019

So it’s time to clean and lubricate the chain, huh? It might not be the most glamorous job, but motorcycle chain maintenance is necessary if you want your chain and sprockets to live a long life. Sure, it’s a pretty basic job. But for riders new to DIY motorcycle maintenance this detailed how-to can come in handy. Here are some tips and tricks for cleaning and lubing your motorcycle chain. Today we’ll be working on a 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650/Z650.

Project Specs

Difficulty: Easy
Tool Requirements: Basic
Time: 30 min
Cost: ≈0$
Continue reading “Motorcycle Chain Maintenance – Cleaning & Lube”

2018-01-162018-12-10

How to Sell a Used Motorcycle

Last updated on December 10th, 2018

So that time has finally come around, huh? The times they are a changin’ and you need to get rid of your old bike. Either you’ve outgrown it, you’re a new parent (congratulations!), financial difficulties or something else entirely. Here’s how to sell a used motorcycle. While selling a vehicle isn’t difficult per se, there are definitely tips and steps that no one tells you in advance. I’m going to go over, step by step, the process I used to sell my motorcycle. I’ll cover my actual experience selling the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS sport bike pictured above.

Selling a motorcycle can be a hassle. Hopefully this guide helps make the job easier for you when the time comes.
Continue reading “How to Sell a Used Motorcycle”

2018-01-072018-12-10

Motorcycle Fork Brace Stabilizer for the Ninja 650/Z650

Last updated on December 10th, 2018

It’s always nice to spend some quality time with your bike. A cheap and useful way to do that for most sport bikes is installing a Motorcycle Fork Brace Stabilizer. Today we’re going to install one on a 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS. The process and part are exactly the same for the 2017+ Kawasaki Z650. While it’s one of the easier Ninja 650 mods and upgrades, no instructions are included. Seeing it done before trying yourself is always nice, since there are always tips to learn beforehand. Here’s how to install a motorcycle fork stabilizing brace on a sport bike.

Difficulty: Easy
Tool Requirements: Basic
Time: 1 Hour
Cost: 30-50$ Continue reading “Motorcycle Fork Brace Stabilizer for the Ninja 650/Z650”

2017-12-122019-06-01

Motorcycle Chain Adjustment – Chain Tension & Rear Wheel Alignment

Last updated on June 1st, 2019

Next to tire pressure and chain lubrication, motorcycle chain adjustment is among the most ignored simple maintenance tasks. Even though chain tension (slack) and rear wheel alignment is a major factor for the longevity of both the chain and tire. Not to mention the motorcycles handling, as well as basic safety. To see what happens when a motorcycle chain falls off due to neglecting it, see a short video. The saddest part is that it could have been totally avoidable with less than an hour of time and a few tools following this process. Continue reading “Motorcycle Chain Adjustment – Chain Tension & Rear Wheel Alignment”

2017-12-052018-12-10

Motorcycle Helmet Lock: Anti-Theft Tether Cable

Last updated on December 10th, 2018

Oh, the beauties of motorcycling and biking. While riding on two wheels is among life’s best pleasures, arriving to your destination with several pounds of gear to store most certainly is not. This guide is going to illustrate my custom motorcycle helmet lock. It’s the best way to securely tether your helmet, jacket or other gear to your bike or motorcycle. To boot, it’s quick and cheap to make, and can be custom-made for any gear, lock, bike, or situation.

You can even use the same technique to make a security tether for a Go Pro action camera, to crimp high amperage battery lug cable terminals, to make stainless steel rope balcony barriers, or heavy-duty load bearing slings. It really is an awesome and versatile thing to be able to make and skill to have, so I’m sure that you’ll find plenty of future uses for it.

Difficulty: Easy
Tool Level: Basic-Intermediate
Time: 1 Hour
Cost: 5$

Continue reading “Motorcycle Helmet Lock: Anti-Theft Tether Cable”

2017-11-152018-12-28

How to Lube the Throttle and Clutch Control Cables

Last updated on December 28th, 2018

Oh, the joys of motorcycle maintenance! Or is that just something we pretend when bragging to our cager buddies at the bar? I forget. Sometimes it’s just another item on our to do list, and today is one of those days. Taking the time to lube the throttle and clutch control cables on your motorbike is something you should do yearly. Or whenever the throttle starts to stick.

Considering the consequences of your throttle or clutch cable locking up or breaking, this is really overlooked way too often. Thankfully, it’s easy and pretty much free to do. It can be intimidating the first time, but there isn’t all that much to it. Here’s How.

Difficulty: Low
Tool Requirements: Low
Time: 1 Hour
Cost: ≈0$ after the first time

Continue reading “How to Lube the Throttle and Clutch Control Cables”

Project Specs

Project Specs: