Installing broader tires, removing conventional dual shocks and installing mono shocks, putting in a loud exhaust.... These are the kind of modifications that we know and see in our day to day life. But in reality, we know only a small part of it. In my point of view, there's two kinds of modifications namely performance mods and aesthetic mods. Many of us including me might have witnessed a aesthetically modified bike thinking that it's a performance oriented bike. In car culture it is known as Rice(Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancements). Ever heard about a term about ricer car?? But modifications need a lot of knowledge and practical experience on what we deal with. Let's see something about mods.
Performance mods
Earlier, performance mods are done only for race purposes. Now a days, all after market parts are readily available. Everyone is going after free flow exhausts and aftermarket intakes in the name of modification. But in reality, these exhaust and intakes only not improve the performance of the bike. Tuning is a very deep subject. As i said earlier, we have to know at least a basic knowledge on what we are working with. Engines not only consists of intake and exhaust but many other components which decides and improves the performance of the machine. For example, the air/fuel mixing system decides the amount of power produced and several other factors like weight, dynamics, tyres etc.. also play a vital role. In tuning culture, these mods are classified into several stages. You might heard of stage 1 performance mods, stage 2 performance mods etc... It's nothing but the classification of mods. In stage 1 modification, basically, the stock air box is removed and replaced by the aftermarket intake and installing a free flow exhaust without muffler or any cats. In some cases, cold air intake is also installed. Basically, in cold air intake, the air enter into the combustion chamber will be slightly lower in temperature thereby containing more dense of air and producing more power. The reason for installing a free flow exhaust is to avoid any abnormal back pressure inside a combustion chamber. The burnt air fuel mixture can easily get out through this system where in normal exhaust, the muffler will oppose the speed of flow of exhaust gases. Modifying our intake and exhaust will slightly increase the o/p power of our bike. But, if you need more power, it isn't enough for you. You have to go further with stage 2 mods. In stage 2 mods, generally the overall BHP is increased by 20%. In stage 2 mods, the remaps for injection and ignition is done in case of fuel injected vehicles. High lift cams will be installed to let the engine breathe more. Stock headers is replaced with a custom racing headers and porting will be done if necessary. Earlier, when electronics weren't developed much, those stunning carbs were used. In carbs they usually increase the size of the jets to squirt more petrol to mix with air there by producing more power. According to the vehicle, ignition timing is also advanced or retarded. Stage 3 mods is purely only for race purposes. It includes bigger bore kits, high flow injectors, performance oriented shocks, race fairings, carbon fiber panels etc.. I've seen in many custom builds, where the air cooled engine is fully covered with race fairings. Then the cooling efficiency of the engine will become low and there might be the chance for the piston getting seized. When you have upgraded to higher power, you must need good brakes too. Brake upgrades also play a important role when you are tuning your bike.
Aesthetic mods
It purely depends on rider's choice. Basically, in motorsports, some parts are added to the bike for improving the aerodynamics. But now a days, we can see every bikes is fitted with visors. Visors also play a important role. Many of them install it for look wise. But it's actual use is to avoid or reduce the windblast. Installing a visor which does not suit your bike will also produce more windblast and instability. As i said earlier, installing full fairing in a air cooled bike will increase the internal temperature. For looks, many of the people remove the rear view mirror of their motorbike. But, it's very dangerous and risky too. Many of you have seen a NS200 with knuckle guards. Those knuckle guards are used to protect the levers and our hand incase of any impact. But installing it in a bike like 200NS with clipons is worthless because, one end is connected to the edge of the handle tube and another end is tied to a switch wirings using zip tags which make it worthless. When you meet with a impact, due to non rigid fixing, there might be chance for you getting hurt. So before modifying, you have to think twice or thrice about it's use and before installing it.
Earlier, performance mods are done only for race purposes. Now a days, all after market parts are readily available. Everyone is going after free flow exhausts and aftermarket intakes in the name of modification. But in reality, these exhaust and intakes only not improve the performance of the bike. Tuning is a very deep subject. As i said earlier, we have to know at least a basic knowledge on what we are working with. Engines not only consists of intake and exhaust but many other components which decides and improves the performance of the machine. For example, the air/fuel mixing system decides the amount of power produced and several other factors like weight, dynamics, tyres etc.. also play a vital role. In tuning culture, these mods are classified into several stages. You might heard of stage 1 performance mods, stage 2 performance mods etc... It's nothing but the classification of mods. In stage 1 modification, basically, the stock air box is removed and replaced by the aftermarket intake and installing a free flow exhaust without muffler or any cats. In some cases, cold air intake is also installed. Basically, in cold air intake, the air enter into the combustion chamber will be slightly lower in temperature thereby containing more dense of air and producing more power. The reason for installing a free flow exhaust is to avoid any abnormal back pressure inside a combustion chamber. The burnt air fuel mixture can easily get out through this system where in normal exhaust, the muffler will oppose the speed of flow of exhaust gases. Modifying our intake and exhaust will slightly increase the o/p power of our bike. But, if you need more power, it isn't enough for you. You have to go further with stage 2 mods. In stage 2 mods, generally the overall BHP is increased by 20%. In stage 2 mods, the remaps for injection and ignition is done in case of fuel injected vehicles. High lift cams will be installed to let the engine breathe more. Stock headers is replaced with a custom racing headers and porting will be done if necessary. Earlier, when electronics weren't developed much, those stunning carbs were used. In carbs they usually increase the size of the jets to squirt more petrol to mix with air there by producing more power. According to the vehicle, ignition timing is also advanced or retarded. Stage 3 mods is purely only for race purposes. It includes bigger bore kits, high flow injectors, performance oriented shocks, race fairings, carbon fiber panels etc.. I've seen in many custom builds, where the air cooled engine is fully covered with race fairings. Then the cooling efficiency of the engine will become low and there might be the chance for the piston getting seized. When you have upgraded to higher power, you must need good brakes too. Brake upgrades also play a important role when you are tuning your bike.
Aesthetic mods
It purely depends on rider's choice. Basically, in motorsports, some parts are added to the bike for improving the aerodynamics. But now a days, we can see every bikes is fitted with visors. Visors also play a important role. Many of them install it for look wise. But it's actual use is to avoid or reduce the windblast. Installing a visor which does not suit your bike will also produce more windblast and instability. As i said earlier, installing full fairing in a air cooled bike will increase the internal temperature. For looks, many of the people remove the rear view mirror of their motorbike. But, it's very dangerous and risky too. Many of you have seen a NS200 with knuckle guards. Those knuckle guards are used to protect the levers and our hand incase of any impact. But installing it in a bike like 200NS with clipons is worthless because, one end is connected to the edge of the handle tube and another end is tied to a switch wirings using zip tags which make it worthless. When you meet with a impact, due to non rigid fixing, there might be chance for you getting hurt. So before modifying, you have to think twice or thrice about it's use and before installing it.