I just got done installing R&G frame sliders on my '09 Ninja 650R, and I thought I'd share some photos in case anyone else is interested. These are not no-cut sliders. They require drilling two holes in the fairing, but R&G provides a very clever marking tool that greatly simplifies locating the correct position for the hole. All in all, the whole kit seems very well thought out and top quality.
The instructions say to remove the fairings completely from the bike, so I spent about two hours doing so yesterday, only to realize that this was both a huge PITA and completely unnecessary. I then spent another two hours putting them mostly back on before I forget where all the bits go. All you need to do to install these frame sliders is to remove the fasteners on the sides of the fairings and pull them away from the frame far enough to install the brackets. It's a little tight, but FAR easier than completely removing the fairings.
As I was mostly occupied with swearing profusely yesterday, I didn't take many pictures, so the pictures begin with the right side bracket already installed.
Here's a shot of the right side mounting block installed. You can see that it mounts with two 8mm bolts that replace two engine mounting bolts:
Here's the left side bracket- you can see that it has a unique design with a tapered shim that gets pressed inside the sleeve of the bracket to clamp inside the frame.
This is where it mounts:
and here it is installed:
Next, you thread in the marking tool, reposition the fairing, and bump it gently from the outside to dimple the fairing. You can see the dimple it leaves in the photo of the right side bracket:
Now take the smallest drill bit you have, and drill where the dimple is. Check the position of the hole relative to the mounting block. If it looks OK, start working up progressively with larger bits, until you get a decent-sized pilot hole:
What you want to use for the final hole is this- a 1 1/8" (29mm) hole saw made for plastic/metal. This is a Ridgid saw I found at Home Depot:
Chuck that bad boy, take a deep breath, and drill your final hole:
Deburr the hole with some fine grit sandpaper, and then mount up the slider with the provided spacer (the spacer for the left side is different than the spacer for the right side, so pay attention to the directions):
Here's the right side drilled:
and this shot gives you a sense of how the spacer sits relative to the hole if you get the hole positioning correct:
Then just torque the bolts down to 40 newton/meters and put the caps on, re-install the lower fairings, and you're all done!
Hope you enjoyed.
-John
The instructions say to remove the fairings completely from the bike, so I spent about two hours doing so yesterday, only to realize that this was both a huge PITA and completely unnecessary. I then spent another two hours putting them mostly back on before I forget where all the bits go. All you need to do to install these frame sliders is to remove the fasteners on the sides of the fairings and pull them away from the frame far enough to install the brackets. It's a little tight, but FAR easier than completely removing the fairings.
As I was mostly occupied with swearing profusely yesterday, I didn't take many pictures, so the pictures begin with the right side bracket already installed.
Here's a shot of the right side mounting block installed. You can see that it mounts with two 8mm bolts that replace two engine mounting bolts:
Here's the left side bracket- you can see that it has a unique design with a tapered shim that gets pressed inside the sleeve of the bracket to clamp inside the frame.
This is where it mounts:
and here it is installed:
Next, you thread in the marking tool, reposition the fairing, and bump it gently from the outside to dimple the fairing. You can see the dimple it leaves in the photo of the right side bracket:
Now take the smallest drill bit you have, and drill where the dimple is. Check the position of the hole relative to the mounting block. If it looks OK, start working up progressively with larger bits, until you get a decent-sized pilot hole:
What you want to use for the final hole is this- a 1 1/8" (29mm) hole saw made for plastic/metal. This is a Ridgid saw I found at Home Depot:
Chuck that bad boy, take a deep breath, and drill your final hole:
Deburr the hole with some fine grit sandpaper, and then mount up the slider with the provided spacer (the spacer for the left side is different than the spacer for the right side, so pay attention to the directions):
Here's the right side drilled:
and this shot gives you a sense of how the spacer sits relative to the hole if you get the hole positioning correct:
Then just torque the bolts down to 40 newton/meters and put the caps on, re-install the lower fairings, and you're all done!
Hope you enjoyed.
-John
