Milkman’s 2023 Build

[Milkman]

This will be a how to of what parts don’t work with what, how many curse words it takes to install said part and other cool custom stuff I come up with. I’m an engineer by trade and like creating custom parts with some help of some local friends who have different businesses.

So let’s start out where we are today…My 2023 has about 180 miles on it, I’ve changed initial oil and put in a gold plug because I always do.

My first parts arrived today and started installing before I had to run out for dinner.

Installed:

Revolution Shift Shaft Support - Link

Quality looking part, only a few curse words because I’m half blind and its a tight fit in there with sausage fingers. Fits perfect and seems to tighten up the shifter, time will tell.

Motoskill Headlight Guard with Windshield - Link

Heavy duty part and everything went together perfectly. Only been on a short run but wind is directed at my throat now (I’m 5’10”) which may not be great. Need more time on the bike. Also created some turbulence around the waist area that kicked the bottom of my jacket up at 50 mph. If you keep things in your pockets and they don’t zip be weary of this set up. This comes in a matte textured powder coat finish.

Kitaco Handle Bar Brace - Link

Another nicely machined and quality part. Very easy install, I simply slid the wire ties near the top of rollbar up and slid the clamps between them and the wire. Count your turns by using the labeled side of the bar so each is turned evenly. Then bolt up and you’re done. Looks good and makes a solid connection, have to drive more to see what impact it has but plan to use as a mount. This part is a gloss black finish.

Kitaco Multibar - Link

Another nicely finished part and installed perfectly. I got this for additional storage and mounting, thought about 3D printing a holder for a future Zumo XT that I plan to purchase. What I found already is this bar is awesome for grabbing bike to get it up on the center stand so I may leave room to grab that handle. The finish is gloss black on this part.

GCraft Multi Side Rack - Link

This is a nicely finished piece and installed easily. Mounts to the tool box holes on rack and to your rear deflector. It’s finished in a black matte textured powder coat. Will be interesting to see what will mount to it as it’s pretty short in height.

 

[Milkman]

Got some time this afternoon to get some more parts on and a ride to see how everything works.

Diabolus Seat by K-Speed - Link

The seat looks well made overall and the stitching is quality as well as the covering. It felt firm out of the box and certainly is when you sit on it. BUT…2 hours later on the bike and my butt is not in agony and my back feels much better than the original seat. Definitely harder but the seat shape works better for me. Does transmit some buzzing and I climbed some steep gravel hills and rocky terrain and there is no give, you feel everything. Still up in the air on this but since I have another seat pan I may go talk to a custom upholster and see what they think they could do.

Zeta Handguards with covers and rubber edge guards - Link Link 2 Link 3

These are super quality and also the most cursing I’ve done on installs. I watched @BaldRider videos and chuckled to myself when he was frustrated and talking to himself. Then I tried to do these handguards and did the exact same thing short of actually beating them with a hammer to get them off. It was a multiple person operation pushing in the detents and someone else sliding out the bar. Directions are not super clear like everything else but I got them installed and they are stout.

I could have gone Barkbuster for cheaper probably but liked the larger guards for winter riding and no bold colored text on the guard itself. I also learned that we can buy from Amazon Japan and get it shipped to us if we create an account. They have lots of cool stuff and it was delivered in 3 days, faster than some of my US Amazon orders lol. Took them for a ride and they do a great job of keeping wind off the hands, also easy to take on and off plus change angle and even reversible. I will take the plastic guards off for the rest of summer to get some wind on my hands but still be protected in a fall. No crazy turbulence coming off them so they are a recommended item.

I installed with the stock bar ends removed and their whole kit. I did feel some buzzing at sustained hi speeds so I may investigate redoing them with the stock bar ends or get some grip puppies and call it a day.

 

[Clancy oto]

Like twins

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[Milkman]

Like twins

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Looking good! I have the engine guard on the way and some new tires, just waiting on some tire spoons. Jealous of that exhaust.

 

[Konik]

Dig the green/brown/black combo, its camo in the woods. Where's the milk?