MODIFICATION, MYTHS & POSSIBILITIES.

I have heard about lots of modification which can be incorporated in our Indian bikes like Pulsar, Apache and others. There are plenty of shop in every metro along with the aftermarket companies who used to carry these jobs in a very professional manner. But one thing every modifier agrees that any type of performance modification for our small engine bikes costs a earth in India.

The basic modification one can easily carry on his bike like Performance Air Filter, along with jetting, free flow exhaust, some good full syth engine oil and good Spark plug with a supported cable can do wonder for our puny bikes, but synchronizing them is a real big deal and finding such modifier is a question too.

Many International companies already came to India with their good after market products as the trends for modification of bike got increased day by day. Good engine Oil Company like Motul, Valvoline, and Gulf is already in the field with their super syth quality lubes, old players like Castrol also came into limelight again with their newly launched product POWER ONE RACING, and even they have already open bike servicing & tuning zone in various metro to pump up the business. World’s most famous spark plug manufacturer NGK came with their premium series of spark plugs. This Iridium IX plugs provide better performance & cleaner combustion and a long life over normal plugs. Even DENSO came as an OEM spark plug supplier for Yamaha. Performance air filters are always the first choice for a modifier, world’s largest aftermarket Air filter manufacturing company K&N already playing in the market with their various products for Two wheeler & cars. So, in these state of market where lots of International players are try to enter in Indian market, you need a handsome wallet to make your dream true.

But is there any other way around to get all these things a little pocket friendly? That’s right, there is a scope but one should have learn the right trick for his bike, and for this you need some basic idea of the motorcycle internals working procedure. I have done some performance mods in my almost one year old TVS Apache RTR. I will try to illustrate the mods one by one here, so that you understand better.

I have completed the run-in period as per MOTO MAN’s way. I have taken him to all possible rpm zone in all gear, when it was only 232 km on the odo, I took him to some good 400km distance trip in a hot summer noon and all the way I was doing over 80 kmph. Very true I didn’t follow the owner’s manual, but I took good care of him, I have replaced the oil just ride after his first 300km, and always replace the oil in 1000 km interval, along with the oil filter. After completing approx 3000 km I refill him with semi synthetic oil and till date I have almost try all possible oils available in the market and found that the Gulf & ELF (Rs.200.00) suits best his needs. Once tried Motul 15W50 (Rs.350.00) although, it was not so impressive.

After completing the 500km in the odo, I switched to NGK Iridium IX plug instead of Bosch. Being a cold plug NGK provides a cooler & better combustion over normal plugs. Also noticed a slight extra smoothness after using it. This plugs sell in approx Rs.600, but if you want to save some extra cash, then call me.

I have also converted the bike’s electrical from AC to DC, for better power management & better headlight output. To save some battery power I have made two LED white light for pilot lamps, these pilot lamps saves almost 6 watt. I have already tried a 55/60 watt bulb for my headlight, but due to some problem till date not achieved the proper lighting from the same, I am still working on it and let you know when it will done. International bulb manufacturer like OSRAM & PHILIPS already lunched some good product in the Indian market. Nightbraker series from OSRAM is quiet popular among the bikers for its high bright light output then the normal bulbs. A pair of H4 55/60 Nightbraker will cost you approx Rs.1600.00. if you have plenty of cash you can also try the HID ( High intensity discharge), though it is not yet popular due to it’s high price and availability, a good make HID will cost you approx Rs.3000.00 including a ballast. HID is the last word for better lighting now a day.

Recently when experimenting with the Air box & Air filter, I found the stock double mesh sponge type filters has more restricted nature then the other after market air filters like K&N. I was searching for a good paper filter which should be cost effective, clean the air better then the stock one and of course it don’t require much modification to the engine and the air box. I came to know from a friend of mine, who is a great service engineer and have very depth knowledge about motorcycles, he told me to try Honda’s paper air filters which serves the 100-150 cc range of Honda scooters. I got myself a HONDA air filter for just 140 rupees, and surprisingly it fitted into my air box without any much hassle, just need to shave the hole in the air box approx 2 mm. It provides me a good punch in every gear and even it can climb up to 11000 RPM easily. The intoxicating intake growl will insist you to push him to his limit. BTW a K&N will cost you approx Rs.1800.00 to achieve the same kind of performance.

So, it’s in your hand, options are available, you may try it in you own way, need help, feel free to knock me anytime.