Items I’ve added

Here are some things I have added to my bike. Some are for comfort, convenience, safety or roadside repair.

Comfort Additions

I’ve added a few items to make the bike either more convenient, safer or more comfortable to ride. I’m also a big believer in “Being Prepared” which is a thankful leftover from my Boy Scout days. So here goes…

Zero SR,S,DS,DSR Touring Seat

I have been spoiled by having a custom made seat on my Sur Ron Light Bee. Compared to that OEM seat the Zero DSR’s seat feels like a couch! Yet I still decided to purchase the Zero SR,S,DS,DSR Touring Seat since Renazco Racing cannot take more orders until August 2021! Yeah he’s that good and popular. The material on the touring seat has more grip on the areas that intersect your ass. So sliding back and forth when you don’t intend to do so doesn’t happen which for me is a good thing. And the foam on the touring seat is both more firm and supportive than the normal OEM seat. Is it worth $350.00? Only your own ass can be the judge of that. For me it is although I will have Renazco make me a seat in the Fall and sell my touring seat.

Zero tank grips

I also decided to add the tank grips to my DSR. After so many years of racing I tend to be hard on the sides of my tank. These supply more grip than the bare plastic and are also easier on my knees as I squeeze. I like them!

DIY Givi Top Box Adjustable Organizer

I have a Givi MonoLock top box installed on my bike. Since I’m a commercial photographer I have a TON OF CAMERA BAG dividers that are taking up room in my house. So I decided to cut some of them up and use the materials to line the inside and bottom of my Givi box. It allows me to use the Velcro dividers to section off the case as I see fit. I didn’t like stuff rolling around in there making racket as I stop or accelerate. Works really well.

Convenience Additions

Quad Lock Motorcycle Fork Stem Mount

For years I have depended on Quad Lock phone mounts and was not about to change when I bought my DSR. I purchased the Quad Lock Motorcycle Fork Stem Mount which fits well into the fork stem hole on the DSR. I also added the Weatherproof Wireless Charging Head. I just rotate my phone onto the mount and it automatically connects to the charger. Very convenient for many reasons especially when I’m using Google Maps or Plug Share to get somewhere.

I don’t over tighten one of the pivot bolts to allow the charging head to turn so that I can fully access the Charging Tank port.

Weatherproof Wireless Charging Head

Here is the charging port head angled so that I can easily see my phone.

Chubby Buttons 2: The Wearable/Stickable Bluetooth Remote

I don’t know about you, but I get so pissed trying to use Google Maps or Plug Share or any other app which uses sound while I ride. Gloved hands are just clumsy. And trying to say OK Google while I’m riding at 75 MPH just doesn’t work. So I found and bought the Chubby Buttons 2 device. Now gloved hands make no difference in controlling my volume, my music or phone calls. I really like this thing.

DIY Parking Brakes

Front Parking Brake

The DSR does not have a transmission so I cannot put it ‘in gear’ like a smoker bike if I need to lock the rear wheel. This may be necessary parking on a steep incline (Like San Francisco streets!) or when performing roadside repairs. For the front I’ve simply wrapped a Velcro strap around my Double Take Mirror stem. Having it here allows me to lock the front wheel without dismounting the bike to look for the strap while holding down the back brake.

Rear Parking Brake

For the rear brake I simply used a 1/4″ 20 countersunk head screw, a coupling nut, a magnet and some 3M superglue to make a shunt that will hold the back brake. I store it in the hollow portion of the rear axle on the right hand side of the bike. Super convenient spot when I need this little shunt to lock the rear foot brake lever to hold the rear wheel still. It can actually be left in place when removing the axle nut when I work on the bike at home.

Safety

DIY First Aid Kit

I have crashed enough and helped others who have crashed to know I will always carry a first aid kit. The normal stuff but I include vet wrap and bee sting medicine. Nothing has ruined a ride more than when I was going into turn 1 at Thunderhill Raceway and a wasp went into my leathers and stung me. Lesson learned! So here is how I carry the first aid kit on my DSR. I use a Tap Plastics Tube Pack. It is waterproof and dust proof. I wrapped a piece of foam around the middle since the frame tube I use is the upper one. In its center it has a rubber sleeve so using foam covered with an old inner tube makes it fit snugly into that cavity.

I placed first aid logos on both sides of the tube just using adhesive Velcro on each end. The patches are just off of Amazon. I’m sometimes asked why I put patches on my first aid kits. Well if I’m the person down and I can say to someone who stopped to help me “Just look on the side of my bike, you’ll see a first aid logo. Please just pull the tube out and bring it to me.” Rather than having to explain where it is. Has worked for me in the past.

Double Take Mirrors

I replaced my OEM mirrors with Double Takes for two reasons. First they allow me much more adjustment than the OEM mirrors. Second the right hand side OEM mirror’s threaded housing is on the front brake master cylinder mount. When I crash I’m afraid that it may damage the master cylinder and I don’t want that to happen. And another benefit of these mirrors is the ability to adjust them to be completely out of the way on the dirt. And for me I get a better view of what’s behind me with these mirrors.

Trackside Stick-On Blind Spot Mirrors

I’ve used these on every street bike I’ve ever owned. They take my blind spot away and as a matter of fact I use them on my car too. So small yet so effective.

Road Repair

Here is the toolkit I currently carry. It resides in my Givi top box or strapped to my seat when I’m not using the top box.

Tusk Racer Axle Wrench 17mm/27mm

17mm Ball Hex Bit, 2″ w/o Socket, Bondhus 31486

Park Tool AWS-11 Fold-Up Hex Wrench Set – 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm

I carry this Park Tool AWS-11 Fold-Up Hex Wrench Set – 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm tool. The majority of items that may require roadside repair are hex head fasteners. Having the 10mm hex key allows me to remove the swing arm pivot bolts in the event I need to detach the swing arm to replace the belt.

Xiaomi Air Inflator Portable Electric Air Compressor

This air compressor is wonderful. Xiaomi Air Inflator Portable Electric Air Compressor is a remarkable device. I tested its accuracy against my normal tire pressure gauge. It’s spot on. So for times I need to repair a flat or top up my air pressure this is my lifesaver. If you read on Amazon some of the ‘down sides’ people sight my view is I’m not trying to inflate 4 SUV tires or worry about how long it may take. My alternative was to carry a bicycle roadside pump. Tried that and it took a LONG TIME to inflate my rear tire. CO2 cartridges? Yup tried those as well. For the rear it took 6 to fill the tire. No thanks I’ll stick with this. To each their own.

Tubeless Tire Repair Kit Set Tool

When lifting the bike to remove/repair a front or rear wheel in the field this is what I use. Click here for a video on how it’s used. The tent peg shows how practical this device is and works well on flat hard surfaces as well. Smart fellas!

Moto Stand

The Moto Stand includes a great canvas pouch which I use to store all of my roadside tools. Great quality all around. Thanks Moto Stand!