Just "finished up"... For tonight anyway...

Ok, here's the kit:



Before:

After:


Before:

After:


Before:

After:


Upclose, deep, "center" view:


Overall perspective:

Commentary:

The result looks pretty damn cool, in my opinion, but the installation wasn't exactly what I would consider "idiot proof" or simple "bolt on, bolt off"...

First, expect to spend about 5-7 hours on this for a "professional grade" job. The two primary tools I used were: 1. Jigsaw, and 2. The Dremel tool. I used the jigsaw to cut through large chunks of the thick factory undertail plastic, and the Dremel to "fine tune" and shape my cuts.

Second, if you do get a kit from Hotbodies, don't let the simple 4-6 part instructions fool you, it ain't that easy... The instructions they include, quite frankly suck, at least for the 7R. As a matter of fact, with regards to how they illustrate the factory undertail should be cut, they are flat out wrong. If you cut according to their instructions and crude illustrations, there is no way their undertail will fit, and I spent significant time analyzing their instructions and illustrations, attempting to implement them with no success just to be really sure. They turned out to be truly wrong.

Thirdly, the fiberglass undertail also leaves something to be desired. It doesn't quite fit right. The undertail is stabilized by these four "pop-grommets", (you can easily see them in the pics.) which due to the slightly ill fitting undertail, are waaaay too short. What I mean by "ill fitting" applies primarily to the lip around the undertail that gets "tucked" under the factory plastic. The lip around the undertail is curved upward in a vain attempt to match the curvature of the inner side of the factory plastics. Problem is, it curves too much, and when the surfaces mate, the holes are at such a distance from the holes you drill into your factory plastic, that the pop-grommet just isn't long enough to go significantly through both holes (the pop-grommet, just barely surfaces above the upper hole) to fully secure it.

Fourthly, the turn signal integrator installation presents a different story. The instructions were 100% accurate, and everything worked perfectly. It was, by far, the easiest part of this project.

Finally, I have to say it really looks awesome! Aside from what I consider to be relatively minor inconveniences, I'm pretty damn happy with their product in the end. I'd recommend them, but with a warning that it's not as simple as it looks. Especially if you want to do a nice job.

So, let me summarize some points with grades...

1. Dealing with Hotbodies, timeliness and accuracy of shipment: A+

2. Instructions and illustrations for installing the undertail: D

3. Instructions and illustrations for installing the turnsignal integrator: A+

4. Quality of undertail bodypart: B+

5. Final installed product appearance: A+

6. Overall: B+




PS: While you're at it, give your subframe, and all associated parts a good cleaning. This was the first time in almost two years I removed my sub-frame plastic. It wasn't too dirty underneath, just dusty really, but I certainly think it's worth wiping it down since it's generally not often sub-frame plastics get removed.

[greenmonster]

Looks awesome, dude...nice job!! Im scratching me head...exactly where ARE the turn indicators? I dont see em! Maybe thats the point, eh? LOL
P.S. What you doin' up at 3:49 a.m.?

[scootertrash]

Looks great Mr. E. Sqwid.
Thanks for the comments...that's good info.

[bentbryan]

Looks good! Now post some pics of the blinkers in action ya fawk!

[Stoneman]

Good job, Joe. May I offer some advice?

-Get ridda those pop rivets! They're useless in this application. If you chose to keep 'em in there, you'll lose 'em once you start riding it aggressively due to the vibrations. Go find yourself some nylon screws to use instead. OR, you can use metal screws. Just be sure to use nylon washers. You'll be doing yourself a BIG favor...

-Let someone ride your bike IN FRONT of you, while you're on another (or a cage). I'll admit the integrated rear lights look hot. But when you're braking, the turnsignal/brake light can get VERY confusing to a cager (or motorcyclist) not in the know. I did that to my TL-R, and almost got nailed a FEW times. I rewired it back and put some real directionals back on...

-Doesn't matter WHICH kit you buy. NONE of 'em fit perfectly, and ALL of their instructions are worth a damn...

-Don't do smokeshows now! It's a bitch cleaning those, and too much pressure'll unseat 'em no matter how secure it seems...

Good job! It takes some SERIOUS patience to get wunna those on correctly...

FINALLY-Do a quick write up on the overall experience you had and put it in the 'DEALER/VENDOR/PRODUCT REVIEWS' area...

[RedRider]

What a difference!! Looks great Squid...

[bemused]

looks great, Joe.

coupla things:

- like Stoneman said, those integrated blinkers-- clean-looking tho they may be-- are a bitch to detect on a sunny day. I've ridden w/ enough guys who had 'em to know that for a fact. guess it's a question of aesthetics v. practicality... but IMHO, it significantly increases your chances of becoming a hood ornament.

- in the pix, looks as tho the undertail isn't an exact match for the Kaw yellow... how close is it? is the difference just 'cuz of different materials? or do the pix exaggerate the diff?

still... nice improvement!

[zx7rou812]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
Commentary:

The result looks pretty damn cool, in my opinion, but the installation wasn't exactly what I would consider "idiot proof" or simple "bolt on, bolt off"...

First, expect to spend about 5-7 hours on this for a "professional grade" job. The two primary tools I used were: 1. Jigsaw, and 2. The Dremel tool. I used the jigsaw to cut through large chunks of the thick factory undertail plastic, and the Dremel to "fine tune" and shape my cuts....

So pretty much what you're saying is when I buy MINE you'll already have the experience on YOUR ZX-7R, and when YOU DO MINE, it's only going to take HALF the time, right?



Looks NICE Yoey !!!!!!!!!! But you kept that factory fender on your shit for 2 fuggin years???!!! YOW !!

Originally posted by Stoneman
Good job, Joe. May I offer some advice?

-Get ridda those pop rivets! They're useless in this application. If you chose to keep 'em in there, you'll lose 'em once you start riding it aggressively due to the vibrations. Go find yourself some nylon screws to use instead. OR, you can use metal screws. Just be sure to use nylon washers. You'll be doing yourself a BIG favor...

-Let someone ride your bike IN FRONT of you, while you're on another (or a cage). I'll admit the integrated rear lights look hot. But when you're braking, the turnsignal/brake light can get VERY confusing to a cager (or motorcyclist) not in the know. I did that to my TL-R, and almost got nailed a FEW times. I rewired it back and put some real directionals back on...

-Doesn't matter WHICH kit you buy. NONE of 'em fit perfectly, and ALL of their instructions are worth a damn...

-Don't do smokeshows now! It's a bitch cleaning those, and too much pressure'll unseat 'em no matter how secure it seems...

Good job! It takes some SERIOUS patience to get wunna those on correctly...

FINALLY-Do a quick write up on the overall experience you had and put it in the 'DEALER/VENDOR/PRODUCT REVIEWS' area...

Thank you all for your props!

Thank you, and excellent advice Jay and Jeff! Especially with respect to nylon screws, I did not think of that one, and was simply going to go out to get longer pop-rivets... . As soon as I read that, I knew that was the way I wanted to go. Especially since I believe most of them are white (or at least I know the local Homeless Despot has white), and thus would look a little better anyway.

Both you and Jeff are right on mark with the integrated tail light. It's far less obvious that actual turn signals, even when viewed from only eight feet or so away. First thing I thought of after a few test viewings was exactly what Jeff mentioned with respect to their visibility on a sunny day, crappy, maybe even non-existent at best, and knew I had to do something about that, even though I just assume cages don't see me 100% of the time, can't make it easier for them...

Thus, I'm going to head down to the breaklites.com store (if they're open today, if not, might head over to Vanson as my Joe Rocket Jacket is looking pretty beat), and pick up what I believe will work fairly well, yet still keep everything aesthetically pleasing: A clear tail light lens with LED bulbs, much like this:



If that set up still looks "iffy", then I'll seek out some agreeable external ones.

Originally posted by greenmonster

P.S. What you doin' up at 3:49 a.m.?

I started (my third evening) at 9:30PM, and just kept the momentum going while listening to music in the garage. Just kinda got lost in my own little "hands-on" world for a while...

Originally posted by bemused
looks great, Joe.

- in the pix, looks as tho the undertail isn't an exact match for the Kaw yellow... how close is it? is the difference just 'cuz of different materials? or do the pix exaggerate the diff?

still... nice improvement!

Good eye bemus~

It's not exact, but it's very, very, close (I'd say its 97% there), that for its specific purpose, I believe it to be fully acceptable. Now, if let's say one of my bigger fairings were painted as such, then it would not be within tolerance...

Originally posted by bentbryan
Looks good! Now post some pics of the blinkers in action ya fawk!

I was waiting to install my clear tail light with LED's, but now that you mention it, maybe I should take some before and after pics. within this respect as well...

Hmm, will do! (shitty out anyway)

[zx7rou812]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
I was waiting to install my clear tail light with LED's, but now that you mention it, maybe I should take some before and after pics. within this respect as well...

Hmm, will do! (shitty out anyway)

Get it done ya half-ass!!!!!!

Some of REALLY want to see the 7R customized with parts we don't have yet...

[zx7rou812]

But you know what the next project for bling is, don't ya?

[Jank]

Looks good!
That factory rear fender crap sucks.
Big and ugly!

[Matt K]

looks great beano I think it's time for a hugger though, since you can see the back wheel so much more now.

[wastedincome420]

Looks great

I may very well be wrong here BUT, I coulda swarn I read somewhere that you CANT'T use LED bulbs WITH the Intergrater I cant remember for sure.

Also as MattK just mentioned.."Get a Hugger" SOON cause your just gonna end up w/ tons of chips and nicks in that pretty new undertail
Mark

Originally posted by zx7rou812
But you know what the next project for bling is, don't ya?

Nooooooo!

My headlights are good enough, besides, way too much $ for that particular bling....

Is that your headlight?

[zx7rou812]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
Nooooooo!

My headlights are good enough, besides, way too much $ for that particular bling....

Is that your headlight?

Why yes, it is my headlight...
Told you the corruption I am capable of...What's your credit line's look like?

Originally posted by wastedincome420
Looks great

I may very well be wrong here BUT, I coulda swarn I read somewhere that you CANT'T use LED bulbs WITH the Intergrater I cant remember for sure.

Also as MattK just mentioned.."Get a Hugger" SOON cause your just gonna end up w/ tons of chips and nicks in that pretty new undertail
Mark

Damnit, I'm starting to slide down the financial "bling" slope... Yeah, I can see what you mean about it getting chipped up... Uggh... Already pitched out $100 clams today for the clear tail light and l.e.d.'s...

[zx7rou812]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
... Already pitched out $100 clams today for the clear tail light and l.e.d.'s...

ONLY $100 ???? Suck it up, . You still have a long way to go yet...

Originally posted by zx7rou812
ONLY $100 ???? Suck it up,

Hey, was about $200 for the undertail kit, $120 for the gauges, and now $100 for the tail light. Thrown in the helmet, $480, and I've just spent close to $1,000 BLING-BUCKS in the last week ALONE!

Load that bullet and fire it!

[zx7rou812]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
Hey, was about $200 for the undertail kit, $120 for the gauges, and now $100 for the tail light. Thrown in the helmet, $480, and I've just spent close to $1,000 BLING-BUCKS in the last week ALONE!

Load that bullet and fire it!

Look a little closer, my Bling-Buck dropping friend...it's already loaded.

And yeah, you STILL have a long way to go

[Stoneman]

Beware the L.E.D.'s, my man. It'll GREATLY increase the rate at which your directionals 'blink'...