HOW-TO: Install NIX-22 Öhlins Fork Cartridge Kit on your Yamaha R3
In this video I am upgrading the OEM front suspension by installing the NIX-22 Öhlins Fork Cartridge Kit (FKS 203) on my 2018 Yamaha YZF-R3. These cartridges features compression damping in the left leg and rebound damping in the right leg. These adjustments and the preload are all done via the top caps. Based on my weight and riding style, I selected the Öhlins springs with a spring rate of 7.5 N/mm (Öhlins Part number 08428-75). My initial setup is the following: Compression adjustment: 8 clicks Rebound adjustment: 12 clicks Oil level: 130 mm Height (amount of chrome above the top triple bracket): 25 mm Pre-load: 7mm For this project,…
Installing the Ohlins Double Adjustable Rear Shock (YA967) on my YZF-R3
In this video, I am installing the Ohlins Double Adjustable Rear Shock (YA967) – Norton Race Spec on my 2018 Yamaha R3. I’ll show you how to remove the OEM shock, install the YA-967 unit, and I’ll talk about the overall geometry settings for the bike. I am also replacing the lower bolt holding the shock in place with a Titanium bolt/nut. The overall process is relatively easy; I’d consider this to be a two on a scale of 1 to 5. You will need approximately 2-3 hours total to complete the work. I am using the Pit Bull jack stands to support the bike and to allow the swingarm to move freely,…
Getting the GaleSpeed Wheels ready for the R3
I am so excited about these GaleSpeed wheels. These aluminium forge wheels are super light compared to the OEM wheels, and they look very sharp. The wheels are impressive, but you also need a few other components before installing them on your bike. In my case, I chose the following parts: Galfer World Superbike Wave® Rotor for the front wheel Norton Motorsport rear rotor B&C Express 415 Sprocket BRIDGEPORT 2nd Generation 83° Aluminum Racing Angled Valve Stems Michelin Power Cup EVO tires Since the Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) and the center hole for the sprocket are different than the OEM wheel, it was a bit more challenging to find some 415 sprockets. The folks at B&C Express were fantastic and were able to deliver exactly what…
Finalizing Bodywork and more…
I finally completed the bodywork on my R3. I installed the SharkSkinz fairings in a previous video, but I still had some minor challenges to secure the upper fairing properly. I tried to install the fairing stay brackets from Norton Motorsports but didn’t have a lot of success. Watch the video to see what I did to resolve the problem. I also modified the seat bracket from SharkSkinz to support a DZUS Pro fastener instead of the small screw that came with the connector. Using the quick-release fastener will significantly simplify the installation and disassembly of the race tail/race seat. I am also showing how I fixed the alignment problem I encountered when I initially tried to connect the lower and upper fairings with larger fasteners. And finally, I’ll show you how I modified my Puig windscreen to fit in between the upper fairing stay while remaining flush against the inside…
The Best Quick Release Fasteners for your Race Fairings
Work has been busy this week, and I ended up spending a lot of time on what I thought was going to be a series of quick and easy modifications on the R3 (more on this topic next week). So, I will keep this blog post shorter than usual since most of the content I want to cover is in the video. I am sharing my quick fasteners (mis-) adventures, and hopefully, you will benefit from my findings. I’ve tested six different types of quick-release D-ring fasteners. I will reveal the best and most reliable option for your motorcycle fairings. I am talking (and comparing) the following quarter-turn fasteners in…
Get the Best 415 Chain Tool for your Motorcycle
I had to do so much research on this topic that I decided it would be a great idea to document my findings. I’ve been relying on my trusted Motion Pro PBR tools for almost a decade now and never thought I’d have to use anything else until I decided to do the 415 chain conversion on my Yamaha R3. Before I start explaining why the Motion Pro PBR tool wasn’t working, let’s have a quick look at the anatomy of a chain. No need to memorize all the elements depicted in that picture. The two key measurement units for a chain will be the Pitch and the Width. The Pitch is the distance between the center points of two pins in a link. The Width is the distance between two parallel inner plates. My…
415 Chain Conversion for the R3
In my opinion, this is a fascinating topic! A reduction in unsprung weight and rotational mass will make a big difference on your bike by making it more nimble and giving a small bump in horsepower! In these two videos, I am documenting the process of replacing a 520 chain and sprockets with a lighter 415 size. I am also replacing the mounting studs for the rear sprocket with 8mm shorter Titanium studs. This will simplify the process of swapping wheels at the racetrack since the studs won’t be protruding as much and, therefore, less likely to get caught in the chain. While doing this work, I’ll also replaced the rear disc rotor with a Galfer Wave. In the 2nd video, I had to deal with some challenges when shortening the 415 chain. I will publish another episode in the next few weeks talking about a new chain tool specifically for this chain size. The total weight savings are considerable. Here is the full list: Item OEM Weight New component Weight Reduction 520 chain vs. 415 1633g 971g 662g Front Sprocket 184g 139g …
HOW-TO: Tidy up the Wiring Harness on your R3
If you are like me and spend lots of time at the race track, you’ll understand how much easier it is to service your bike when you don’t have a bunch of extra connectors and wires that continuously get in the way when you mount your bodywork. While researching this topic, I was surprised to see that some racing organizations won’t let the riders modify the OEM harness. I was also surprised to see how many people are reluctant to alter the wiring harness on their bikes – This fear is quite often related to a lack of understanding and knowledge. An additional interesting discovery was that most of the info I found was on websites or YouTube channels that were focusing on building custom bobbers, choppers, and café racers. If track day enthusiasts modify their harnesses, they certainly don’t advertise. All of these revelations were enough for me to start documenting the process of modifying the wiring harness on my Yamaha 2018 YZF-R3. I definitely had to follow the 80/20 rule for this project. I spent 80% of my time researching, learning, and testing. Doing the actual hands-on work was the easy part. I first started the project by purchasing a digital version…
