| Author | Message | ||
     Stainlessmag |
Does anybody that has cut the cheese grater off themselves have some close up pictures, or pictures of the job while it was being done. Im thinking of doing it but im just looking for an idea of how some things were done | ||
| Stoobr2 |
If you'd like to e-mail me directly,I'll take some photos of my DIY shortened "s" rear end today for you. | ||
| Xbduck |
Man, everyone bitches about not getting free stuff and the can't even see it when they get it. What else did you think you would get from a bike made in Wisconsin, a free cheese grater!!!!!  | ||
| Jasonblue |
Take a look at Misato's profile and go to his home page. He has some good pics of alot of the things he's done to his bike as well as some cool burn out vids. | ||
| Al_lighton |
I'll have one soon from American Sport Bike that is an improvement (I think) on the one that we had been getting from Europe. I'm keeping the turn signal hard points, but modifying them in a tasteful way. We plan on offering it in XB9 and Xb12 colors, as well as polished in a set with the two side rails polished as well. The project is already a month late, but the machine shop I use is backed up substantially and their work is worth waiting for. There is a LOT of material there to remove, it is not as easy a job as just getting out a hacksaw and a file if you want it to look good. If you want to do it yourself, you'll need a boatload of patience, a die grinder, and several hours of free time. Ping me at sales @ americansportbike.com for more details if so inclined. Al | ||
| Contrarian |
just finished hacking off mine & fab'ing plastic plate/signal holder. no pic's yet, but the result rocks. hard part was deciding that cutting up a bike with 600 miles was a good idea. SawzAll'd the grater off, then shaved the bottom completely flat except for bump for the tail lite housing. die grinder'd most of it, cleaned it up w/ Dremel & disc material similar to d-grinder. got 1/8" stock from plastics supplier & heat-gun bent plate/signal bracketry to my liking. can mail plastic stock, or bend you a setup for beer $. | ||
| Yeahcmon |
I have cut mine off also. It looks hellacool. I have a camcorder but have no idea how to post pictures. Can anybody help me out!!! | ||
| Stoobr2 |
Firsly take the rear end out (4 bolts + wiring) hack off the largest part using a hacksaw,then start to shape with a mini-grinder,then finish off with a power file (handy to shape below the rear light lens).Fabricate some number plate brackets,mount them to using the old turn-signal holes. Re-fit to bike,then re-drill some holes for the turn-signals (I used Kellermann micro1000's). The rear eand is'nt complete yet,as I still have to get it power-coated,fit a clear/smoked rear light lens,and red LED bulb. But you get the idear looking at the pictures below...........    | ||
| Stainlessmag |
Thanks for the info guys, and stoob thanks for the pics its supposed to rain here for the next like 4 days so im thinkin i may give it a whirl, i was thinking of keeping the stock turn signals to keep the rear kinda matching the front but im not sure. | ||
| Flick |
If you are going to repaint it yourself (I did), be sure to purchase an "etching" primer, as this will dig into the aluminum for a better seal before painting with colour. My son, who is a welder, helped me with mine. He used a plasma cutter to remove most of the excess, then we used a grinder to remove most of the rest, and a dremel with sanding wheel (?) to remove the original paint. He fabricated a steel plate (2 bends) which accomodates the stock license plate light fixture / license plate, and bolts to the 2 existing holes at the plastic tray where the original connection is. I'll see if he could maybe take some digital photos with his camera for posting to this site. Good luck with your project...the bike looks way better without the grater, although, now I have nothing to shave my Mozzarella with when on the road! | ||
| Black9 |
This is my version of the "cut tail", it takes alot of work w/ grinders, dremmels, and hand sanding..I left alittle more around the tail light, and also taped off the top "rail" so as to not damage the original finish.Fabbed a bracket out of stainless for the light/license..also used body filler to make a flat mounting surfice for the stock turn signals..good luck and happy grinding! Remember, you're saving yourself 300.00+ $$  | ||
| Misato |
some people might not have the tools and or place to do it.. nothing like a cut off wheel in the dining room!! oh well.  | ||
| Xbduck |
Misato and others, I know you all probably already understand the need for safety when you are cutting off the tail, I just need to add one thing. If you do find the need to use a cut off wheel please, please, please, use a face shield with a wire mesh backing. It was not an option at my previous employer and I have the facial scares to prove it. A simple plastic one IS NOT enough. Don't forget safety glasses under the shield, they go a long way to saving your sight. | ||
| Buelluk |
Black9, Your set up looks like the way I will be fixing mine up ,thanks for the guidance on setting up the plate light | ||
| Stainlessmag |
Very nice black9. Im thinking of picking up a used one so that if i mess it up it doesnt leave me having to buy a new one. Plus then i have all the time in the world to mess with it and make it look right | ||
| Johnnyxb9 |
Ive been wittling on one myself. I got a use one but on the side where there was two holes one of the ears is broken. Half the hole is still there any one forsee a problem? I havent taken the stock one off yet to see if it is needed. | ||
| Buelluk |
John , Yes , I can imagine you doing that, sitting on your porch on a summer evening whittling away at your cheese grater !..lol | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Black, nice job... | ||
| Black9 |
Just a little tip, in case you have'nt thought of it..some of the stock indicators, on XB's (ie) Firebolts, rear or front have shorter stalks on them than Lightings, and I got a pair for 11.00 from my local dealer... | ||
| Yeahcmon |
If you just remove the front blinkers you can take out the spacer, run a 8/100 die over the bolt, cut bolt to app.1" and you have blinkers that are 2" shorter!!!! | ||
| Drheathenscum |
red LED bulb. Please don't use one of those... they reduce your rear visibility significantly. either get a decent round LED cluster or I'll give you a forum discount on one of these:  | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Dr, How much for one of those (with the discount)? | ||
| Drheathenscum |
I'll sell the board (a fairly well trained monkey could install it into the housing), run/brake light style, for $170.00, of which, I'll donate $10.00 to the BadWeB, being that I am not a sponsor yet. integrated turn signals are also available for $50.00 more... the end 6 LEDs on each side will be amber with the appropriate wires coming off the board. If you are not happy with it for any reason, I'll gladly refund your money. | ||
| Whosyodaddy |
OK... this may be a stupid question, but, is it just cosmetics or is there some other reason that Lightning riders seem to hate the 'grater? WYD | ||
| Misato |
cut it for looks... and btw, hollyshit- thats an led setup... got a website? | ||
| Drheathenscum |
(hope Blake doesn't get mad) http://www.heavycycles.com | ||
| Jasonblue |
On that website you can get the LED tail light with integrated tirn signals. Any one know exactly what they mean by that? | ||
| Glitch |
Any one know exactly what they mean by that?  | ||
| Drheathenscum |
maybe a little more like this   | ||
| Glitch |
Hey at least I was close!  | ||
| Drheathenscum |
you get an "A" for effort  | ||
| Misato |
 | ||
| Dogboy6464 |
This was done at home it took awhile with a dye grinder but no bondo was used.  | ||
| Tucsonxb9s |
Man you guys are good! Wish I could take mine off and have the confidence that I wouldn't butcher up the grater. Anyone willing to doctor one up for me if I can find a used one?? (By the way...I'm dead serious!!) | ||
| Trenchtractor |
Hey, guys, unscrew the red tail light lense... The bottom is clear just like the XBR... Cut a slot out of the bottom of the lense recess and you have a white number plate lamp... | ||
| Misato |
I liked the white LED's  | ||
| Buelluk |
Does anybody have any experience of using the standard XB9R license plate bracket to bolt the plate up after the surgery has been performed, I have looked at the parts catalog and it looks like it could be a good fit. |
