Well, the big date has been set. On Aug. 7, 1997, at 10:30 am, I will be tested for my full Class 6 motorcycle licence (Attention: No results as of print deadline- RH). After extending my learner's permit until the middle of August, I decided I should bite the bullet and make it official.

Click for a bigger image

Incredibly, I can take my test in my hometown of Rivers, MB (pop.: 1000 or so). The fact that there isn't a single set of stoplights in town does not faze the DMV -- I suppose dealing with nearsighted old ladies driving '72 Mercury Montegos who can't see over the dash is dangerous enough while cruising the streets. Just to put it into perspective for those who were tested in slightly more metropolitan areas, I am supposed to meet the test officials at the Rivers Ukrainian Meeting Hall. Damn! The only Ukrainian word I know is "holopshi" (sic).

My rear flush-mounted turn signals have been further updated with 55w bulbs (slightly modified) from my friends at Canadian Tire. Much brighter now, and although I was worried that they may be too hot for the plastic housing, I rewired them so that they were not constantly on -- that is, they are off unless the signals are activated.

I have performed an additional 3 mods that further personalise the bike, but don't cost an arm and a leg.

VANCE AND HINES PIPES??? No, Virginia, they are not the real thing.

Click for a bigger image

But from a distance... Dennis Kirk has once again come in handy. Their street bike catalogue had 3 varieties of V&H nameplate kits. I chose 2 of the SS2R plates, at 5 bucks each, and simply pop-riveted them in place with the rivets provided. A simple, cheap improvement, which also encourages me to keep polishing the chrome on the two cans. Now if I could only keep those wheels cleaner! One tip: if you try this at home kids, use masking tape over the rivet to prevent any damage to the plate when the rivet breaks!

CAFE FAIRING. The stock Ninja 500 fairing has always bothered me. It is not a true chin fairing, and it is about 3 inches short of being a full fairing. The end result is an unfinished look, and so I took the thing off first chance I got. A few new bikes from custom tuners, plus a cool chin fairing on a proposed Ducati Monster 900 from the UK inspired me to modify my stock one. The biggest problem was finding a 1" square clamp for the frame, as I wasn't about to start drilling holes in it. I ended up

Click for a bigger image

scrounging around the BFI bins from a scrap yard until I found some suitable gauges of aluminum. I fabricated two brackets, trimmed down the fairing, and I was set. On a cosmetic note, I simply used some door guard trim from an auto parts store for the cut edges of the fairing, and it looks fairly factory.

FLUSH MOUNTED SIGNALS, PART II. For the front, I kept things a bit simpler -- I used larger teardrop-shaped indicators, and the stock bulbs (after

Click for a bigger image

some trial and error). These also have "DOT" embossed on them. The interior of the indicators required some modification, but it was nothing that a dremel bit or two couldn't handle. And again, after measuring about 200 times, I mounted them on the fairing. Their current placement is 1" higher and 1/2" wider than the stock ones, and nice and bright! I made a trip to Winnipeg to try and dig up some info about Manitoba clubs and road racing, by going to Wildwood Motorsports (204-477-1701). Great bunch of guys there -- honest and helpful advice regarding tires and equipment. Plus, they let me pet the holy grail of motorcycling, a '97 Ducati 916. While I didn't go home with a desmo V-twin, I did get a snazzy tank bag and some info:

The Coalition of MB Motorcycle Groups publishes a bimonthly newsletter full of event info and tips. Membership is $20/yr, with free advertising to all members.
phone: 204-269-CMMG (2664)
fax: 204-287-8551
email: cmmg@geocities.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/CapitalHill/8295/
Snail: Box 42046 RPO Ferry Road Wpg, MB R3J 3X7

The MB Road racing Assoc. publishes "Track side", a newsletter about the province's road racing scene. Races were/are being held as follows, all at Gimli Motorsport Park. All are also CMA sanctioned. June 28-29 July 19-20 Aug 23-24 The MRA can be reached c/o Mike Rempel, editor/president: phone: 204-256-6086 fax: 204-669-3591 snail: 222 Melbourne Ave Wpg, MB R2K 1A8

Click for a bigger image

And finally, my front end swap over the winter is progressing in leaps and bounds. Andre from 'Out and Out Racing' in Texas returned my modified CBR F2 triples, the forks have been rebuilt, and stainless steel brake lines have come in via Transcanada Motorsports in Brandon, MB (204-725-1003). A complete run down of the swap will appear in the future. The exciting news is a trip to Penticton on August 8 (yes, the day after my test), for a semi-reunion of University buddies. I will soon find out if I can stand long distance riding in that god-forsaken saddle!

James Sheppard