dwn4life- dwn4life
2021 Ninja400 Updated 08-06-2022
Updated: Sep 6
Modification list-updated 08-06-2022
TST rear tail delete LED tail light
TechSpech tank grip kit
Smoked wind screen
NortonMotorSport clutch cable spring mod
TST Pair delete block off plate
TST front fork axle sliders
ProBolt 7075 aluminum gold fairing dress kit
NortonMotorsports/ Barnett clutch springs
2011 GSXR1000 rear spring/ shock mod
NortonMotorsports GSXR L-bracket adaptor
NortonMotorsports 1.6 bar radiator cap
MotionPro radiator overflow tank
Generic radiator cover/ protector
TST rectifier relocation kit
TST frame sliders
MOS forged wheels in gold anodize 😍
Michelin Pilot RS tires front and rear
TST front led turn signals in smoked lens
TST captive wheel spacers front and rear
Driven rear axle red block sliders
Driven captive rear red axle blocks
Vortex adjustable levers
Domino grips
R6 throttle sleeve mod
Accossato quick turn red accent fuel cap
Driven Halo series 1.5" riser clip ons
Spears Racing steering stop
Driven aluminum rear sprocket
Norton MotorSports super light drive front 13 tooth sprocket
Traxxion linear fork springs and spacers for my weight
Front fork preload adjusters from eBay
GB Racing engine covers from Norton
Scorpion bike alarm with proximity sensor
Samco red coolant hoses and clamps
Lucas Water Wetter and distilled water
Norton Motorsports light weight rear rotor
Vesrah RJL front rotor pads
All titanium hardware for rotors, calipers, and sprockets.
Safety wired for track days
Corbin seat
IRC quick shifter
Norton MotorSports full ECU tune
Modified OEM airbox as per Norton specs
BMC air filter
TST velocity stacks
Brembo 5.5" front rotor
CSRacing exhaust canister
Norton MotorSports straight clutch cable
Norton MotorSports clutch switch bypass
Starlane Stealth GPS4 lap timer
Updated 08-06-2022
After 10 months owning this bike this should be the final modification update I have. 👏👏
The tuned ecu from Norton MotorSports came back as did a few other parts to finish this bike build.
The bike was torn down for the install of the ecu and also the modified air box which is now complete with the BMC filter and TST velocity stacks.
One of the velocity stacks had some production issues so I was relegated to using some silicone glue on the threads on the problematic stack while adding a dot of glue on a couple of spots to make sure they stay in place on the air box.
Once that was done I proceeded to remove the OEM header from the bike, remove the O2 sensor and all the wiring as it's no longer needed with the tune, and installed the catless header I had Jet Hot coated to the bike.
I needed an O2 bung plug and an oil pan bolt worked perfectly using a crush washer to seal it all off. I did use some milspec anti seize to make sure it's removable if I ever had the need.
The new pipe was cut for the new Cs Racing exhaust which fit perfectly to the bike as good as any OEM would do. 😍
Now that the old exhaust was stored away this left me with no need for the exhaust support bracket so it was removed.
This really cleaned up the rear of the bike making it look more race oriented. 😁
I had to fab up a bracket for the rear master cylinder and it came out looking very nice.
My last safety wire project to do was the coolant drain plug and drilled a 7/32" hole being steady handed and careful and wired it up to finish all safety wire criteria by most track day organizations for intermediate and advanced riders.
Swapping the stock clutch cable for the Norton straight cable from the Ninja400 was a breeze and smoothed out the feel nicely for the clutch pull. 👍
And finally even though I don't do much track days I did buy a lap timer so installed it too for my next track event in mid October.
Another bracket fabbed to keep the timer locked down and can't wait to use it. 🤗😎
So the bike is now ready for the track with everything loctite and torqued to spec to keep the tech inspection guys happy and me not worrying about anything coming loose or falling off.
Here's some pics of the final product
This should be the last of the build.
The only thing I may add is the Yoyodyne slipper clutch if the stock clutch gives me problems with slippage.
Thanks for following this far and see you at the track. 🤙👍
Updated 07-20-2022
Some more progress to get the Ninja ready for Champ School and more track days.
I cleaned up the bike from the last track day and NEVER EVER use duct tape to cover your wheel weights as getting off the residue is a royal pain in the tail to remove. 🤦🏻
Next time I'll use blue painters tape. 😁
I finally got around to safety wiring the bike as most tracks require it if you've had experience on a track.
Even though I'm not that good yet Indo like the idea of things not coming loose on the track or the street too.
I blue loctite anything I may have missed and also used a paint pen to mark nuts and bolts in key areas of concern. 👍
I also installed a Brembo front rotor and some Vesra RJL brake pads to better handle the track environment and have generally better brakes than stock.
I did send off my spare ecu to Norton Motorsports for a full tune along with my velocity stacks and modified my spare air box for the bike as per Norton's recommendations.
This should allow for a nice 4-5 hp gain on the bike and also smoothing out the throttle response for better throttle control on the track and street.
I can't wait to see how she rides when done.
Another change to the bike is the new to me Corbin seat I got for $50. 🤫😄
This is the seat I've been waiting for as it's similar to stock height but a bit wider and even though the seat has better cushion similar to the foam racing seats, how they're flat, and slippery enough to move around nicely on the technical sections of a track.
Very nice seat and so the Norton custom seat will take a back seat to the Corbin now. 😂😉
Some more pics and more to come around August 24 when I'm back home once again. 🤙
Updated 06-29-2022
Wow where do start. 🤯
Let's start with the pictures as they always tell the story. 😁
I had a great time at Jennings GP for the one day track school and 2 days at the track to hi e some fundamentals and skills needed to get better.
The bike was flawless on its setup with the GSXR shock and Traxxion springs doing their job to keep the bike stable and make it handle like it was on rails.
Considering no real suspension setup it was on rails and went where you put it and cornered unbelievably around the technical sections of the track.
I have a ton to work on personally but the last 2 sessions of the last day there I finally got the body positioning for better cornering and again something I'll be working on in October at the 4 day track event at the Carolina MotorSports track doing ChampSchool and N2Track days. 🤗
I ordered a Brembo 5.5mm front rotor and the RJL pads which will be installed as soon as they come in.
Norton will be tuning the ECU for me when I ship it out in about 10 days and ready for install mid August as I prepare the bike for the mid October event.
This Ninja 400 is an amazing platform and everything put into it is paying off with a sweet riding bike for the street or the track.
Going home in a week, picking up a new trailer while home, and hope to ha e some street ride time as well.
Happy 4th of July all and enjoy the Summer. 🙏 Until next time. 🤙
Updated 04-23-2022
Finally the Ninja is done. 🥳🤗
After dumping the stock 10 weight fluid for some 15 weight fluid and adding some TST velocity stacks to the bike it's ready.
Scorpion alarm is also hooked up and wired as is the IRC quick shifter but there was no shift rod in the package so that will be finished at Jennings for the track day.
I also changed up some bodywork on the bike to some 2018 panels in a pearl factory yellow/ orange color to liven up the bike even more and get the color scheme the way I wanted. It's perfect and pictures do it no justice.
Everything is back together again, locktite, and torqued to spec and even used a paint pen on various parts to make sure nothing will be coming loose.
After the track school and track day I'll be safety wiring all the new titanium parts added so the next track day I'll have no issues passing tech.
Radiator was drained and refilled with track spec distilled water and WaterWetter by Redline. 👍
No time to ride again but my time will come and maybe next time I'm home I'll get a day to ride and break in the bike a bit more.
Some pics below to enjoy. 🥰
I'll have a full report on the happenings of the track school and track day with lots of pics.
I'm so stoked to go and also nervous too. 😁
Updated 04-11-2022
Preparations continue for my first ever track school and track day coming June 19. 🤗
I am so excited and nervous as heck but like anything in a new sport the butterflies will be many as that day approaches.
I've bought all my safety wire tools and wire to prep the bike for track and it also makes me feel a bit better to know that all the important key nuts and bolts will remain tight and never come loose.
I also am using blue locktite on everything that can come loose so I'll never have that issue of parts falling off.
It's almost finished for riding and hopefully when I'm home this week I'll have some street time on the bike to do some low speed maneuver training and putting some much needed miles on the engine and tires to get her ready for the track in May.
I'll be changing the shifting to Grand Prix specific for the track and should have no problems shifting this way on the street.
I purchased a quick shifter that electronically shifts the bike for upshifts and again this is for the track and also it's sounds pretty cool going through the gears when street riding. 😂😁
All my riding gear is finally ready with a new Spidi racing suit that actually fits and a new leather riding jacket for the streets that's also pretty cool as well.
The car has the trailer hitch attached and the trailer will be sporting new led indicator pods as one if the factory units was damaged so I had to replace them.
I'll have all the info and pictures of the school and track day events on the next post so stay tuned. 🙏
In the mean time here's a few pictures of the trailer, the bike, and me getting things ready for travel. 😎
Below are older posts starting from the first post to 12-21-2021 time line.
All future posts will be from the newest to the oldest format so most recent updates will be the top of the lists.
Thanks for looking.
These are pictures from the dealership at Suzuki City in Biloxi MS as I paid for the bike and got ready to pick it up a couple of days later. $5,800 out the door with a 1 year warranty.
I bought this because after the Accent broke down and had to have a best bud get me around while I fixed the car I realized that I needed a second vehicle to drive. The Honda was that vehicle but with all that's being done to it and the length of time to finish I needed something new and reliable.
The Ninja300 and 400 have a solid reputation for being a great beginners bike, track bike, and all around bike that can be built to suit whatever riding style you have. This is why I bought one and my desire to ride was overwhelming as I'm no longer a young buck anymore and time is ticking. 😝
Here's the most up to date pictures with the TechSpec tank grips, TST tail delete, NortonMotorsport clutch cable return spring mod, Leo Vince slip on can, and a nice smoked wind screen to spruce up the bike a bit. 😍
So far I've got 68 miles on it with 56 mpg fuel efficiency so far. 👍
New tag for the bike will have WHEEE as a custom tag as that's how I feel when I ride her. 😂🤷🏼♂️ https://youtu.be/c7dZPGvOMEE
Heres a quick video up to date of the bike. 😍
More to come on this bike, it's upgrades, and all of the good stuff along the way.
12-21-2021
A little late with the posting but I do stay busy so here's some updates. 😁
After putting in 68 miles on the bike I decided to change the break in oil with Kawasaki standard 10W40 oil and a new filter. Magnetic drain plug installed and new billet oil cap with tether added too.
I also installed a GSXR 1000 rear adjustable shock as the spring in it is perfect for my weight and the shock is fully adjustable for compression and rebound damping. Stock shock is non-adjustable and I wanted something better. 👍
I also installed Norton Motorsports adjustable rear sets on the bike for better ergo and also installed the Puig foot pegs base and their foot pegs. 😍
You'll also notice the gold dress up kit for the fairings which look good on the red and will match the gold wheels coming soon. 🥰
I did add a radiator cover to protect the radiator from rocks and debris while I had the fairings off. 1.6 bar radiator cap also added for a cooler bike and a TST Pair delete that I didn't take pictures of. 🤷
BoosterPlug fueler piggy back controer to help with the below 3500 rpm throttle control and to smooth out the fueling at those rpm's.
It will also help with the fueling as the slip on muffler means the bike out a bit.
In the pictures below I have my new Aria helmet, radiator cover, and the already purchased gold MOS forged wheels for the bike and the rest of the mods to go on the bike soon. 🙌
I do plan on going to Yamaha Champ School in October 2022 in North Carolina for their 2 day school. After the school on Thursday and Friday the following Saturday and Sunday there will be a track day I'll be attending to further my training of what I learned from the school.
All the parts in the world will not make you a better rider and going to this school, one of the best out there, is something I've wanted to do for some time to be a good rider on street and track.
I can't wait and I'll be taking the baby Ninja with me for the events.
Happy Holidays to all and I'll post up again in the New Year. 😇😎
Man way to much progress to list done to the bike as I prepare it for it's first track day coming soon.
Jennings GP in Georgia is where I'll be going for my first track day and I'm pretty much prepped with all the gear I need to be protected and looking good. 😁
I updated the modifications list too.
Keeping it short this time here are a few pictures of how she sits at the moment.
More updates coming as the preparation continues. 👍