Author Topic: 2014 Yamaha Bolt R-spec (Read 5950 times)

socal1200r · « **on:** April 29, 2015, 05:41:36 PM »

Just picked this beauty up the other day. Dealer wouldn't take my 1987 Cagiva 650 Alazzurra in trade (scared of it being a non-US bike), so I dropped it off at the local Ducati/Triumph dealer on consignment.

Anyway, didn't even know Yamaha made this bike, until I got the latest JP Cycles mailer. They had a few pages devoted to this bike, and I liked what I saw. Did some research online, found some new and used bikes at some local dealers, and saw this one. It's a 2014, used with only 1900 miles, V&H exhaust and intake, and everything else is stock. I really like the way this bike is put together, from things like the lighting, to the black handlebars, black-out treatment, reservoir shocks, LOW seat height, fuel injection, belt drive, digital speedo, wave brake rotors, etc.

Since these pics were taken, I've removed the black plastic rear fender overhang this, and fabricated some aluminum brackets so the license plate is right against the back of the metal fender. Going to put those LED license plate bolts on there for light, so it'll be street legal. Not many things on my wish list for this bike, but they include things like fork boots, s/s brake lines, and maybe a sprung solo seat, to really give it that bobber look.

This thing starts with ease, just turn the key, let the speedo do its function check, pull in the clutch, hit the start button, and it fires right up and settles into an idle right away. The CB650 takes a couple of twists of the throttle, pull on the choke, warming up for a few minutes, etc. before it's ready to ride. But hey, that's the difference 35 years of motorcycle technology makes!

I really like how this 950cc v-twin rides. Builds speed deceptively, and I find myself exceeding the local speed limits without really trying. Sounds great, immediate throttle response, nice brakes, nice ergonomics, etc. Took it out on a road test, on some of the same roads I ride the CB650 on, and it's definitely a different flavor. Doesn't corner as well as the CB650, or have the acceleration rush, but all in all, it's a good garage mate!

socal1200r · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2015, 03:03:51 PM »

Removed that black plastic rear fender extension, and cleaned that all up back there. Made some brackets out of aluminum strap, and used two of those LED license plate bolts to light up the plate. Also installed the Mustang sprung solo seat kit. Ordered a set of fork boots and a fork brace from the dealer, should have those in about a week or so. More pics to follow after those get installed!

ekpent · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2015, 07:51:09 PM »

Your bike has very favorable write-ups in the current MC mags.

goldarrow · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2015, 09:03:42 PM »

I like both the bolt and harley 48.....one day I'll get a factory bobber bike

socal1200r · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2015, 03:47:49 PM »

Found a source on the Bolt forum that reflashes the stock ECU, and apparently it's a HUGE improvement over stock, and better, more comprehensive results than a V&H Fuelpak, Cobra, Power Commander, etc. The reflash is a little more expensive than the Fuelpak, but if it smoothes out the throttle and eliminates the popping, it'll be money well spent. I'm going more for daily driveability than peak hp and torque, so we'll see what happens. Should have it back in about a week. And the stock ECU was ridiculously easy to remove: flip up the sprung seat, undue a rubber strap, lift up the ECU, remove two wiring harnesses, and viola, it's ready to be shipped! Reinstalling should be a snap, all of about a minute, and I'll be anxious to take it out on a road test. Should know right away what kind of changes this ECU reflash has on the driveability.

faux fiddy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2015, 09:52:10 PM »

So what happened to the Cagiva? Where is it?

socal1200r · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2015, 10:10:09 AM »

Quote from: faux fiddy on May 09, 2015, 09:52:10 PM

So what happened to the Cagiva? Where is it?

It's on consignment with a local Ducati/Triumph dealer in Yorktown (Redline Performance). I figured they'll have a much better chance of trying to sell it than I could, and they were eager to get it. It certainly has a more classic style to it than most of the Ducatis I saw at their dealership. Have to say, some of the stying on these newer Ducatis is just FUGLY...

On a Bolt note, I installed the Yamaha fork brace. Pretty simple, get all the pieces lined up, snug down the bolts finger tight with some blue loctite, get them all in the proper position, then tighten all the bolts down. The Yamaha brace isn't nearly as "robust" as the Tarozzi brace I have on my '79 CB650, but for the type of riding I'll be doing on the Bolt, it'll do.

REALLY looking forward to getting that reflashed ECU back and installed, then taking her out for a road test. Have high expectations, hope I won't be disappointed!

socal1200r · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2015, 02:44:11 PM »

Installed the reflashed ECU, and what a difference! The throttle action and overall engine operation is MUCH smoother than before. It would pop and snort with the stock ECU, and about 99 percent of that is all gone now. Rolling on and off the throttle at any speed is MUCH smoother, not jerky and noisy like before, and the bike pulls hard in every gear. Bike seems to run quieter as well, I'm guessing that's due to bypassing the fuel cut-off programming of the stock ECU, so it's not as abrupt and causing the engine to pop like before.

IMHO, well worth the $350 investment, the results in overall driveability were significant and VERY noticeable.

socal1200r · « **Reply #8 on:** May 16, 2015, 05:45:33 PM »

Added the factory rear fender rack, which I got off eBay for half the retail price. Also added a headlight guard, secured with three zip ties at 12-4-8 o'clock positions. There was already a slot in the headlight ring at 4 and 8, so I just had to drill a small hole at 12. I have to cut the zip ties whenever I want to remove the grille and clean the headlight, but hey, zip ties are cheap!

socal1200r · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2015, 04:18:48 PM »

I was bottoming out the seat springs shown in the latest pics, and fabbed up another set. Went to the local hardware store, got a set of springs made from .135 gauge wire, had some washers welded on the top and bottom, and swapped them out. Just a quick test in the garage with me sitting on them, doing a little bouncing up and down, and they weren't bottoming out like the other springs. So I contacted someone on the Bolt forum who weighs 115 lbs, and asked if he'd be interesting in testing out the old springs. I think they'll work great for someone of his weight, so I want to test that hypothesis. These new springs definitely have a little give to them, so I'll be anxious to road test them and see how they bounce.

socal1200r · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2015, 07:01:05 PM »

Dropped the bike off at a local indy shop, to have them install fork boots, s/s brake lines, and new tires (Avon Cobras, 120/70-19 front, 180/70-16 rear). Got the bike back to my storage unit, looked at the fork boots, and couldn't believe what I saw. The shop did not remove the stock plastic fork slider protectors, so the bottoms of the the fork boots weren't attached to anything! I mean, seriously?!

So I checked on the Bolt forum, and apparently these things can be removed without having to take off the forks. Since I have the boots, I have no need for these plastic protectors, so I ended up taking a box cutter and cutting them off. Once they were gone, the bottoms of the fork boots slide nicely over the fork lowers. Before I zip tied the tops and bottoms, I took some silicone spray and wiped down the sliders, so they should stay clean and slippery for a while.

socal1200r · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2015, 06:41:44 PM »

Took the Bolt out for about a 150 mile loop, from Newport News - Suffolk - Smithfield - Suffolk - Newport News. Found out the Mustang bobber sprung seat was VERY uncomfortable after 20 minutes, even with the softer springs I installed. So once I got back, the Mustang seat and related hardware came off, and the stock seat went back on. I'll try and do another road test with the stock seat, and hopefully my butt won't be as sore.

Got the bike back with the fork boots and new tires installed. Little bit more room between the tires and fenders, and they definitely put down a bigger footprint and smaller sidewall, especially on the front.

72 yellow · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2015, 04:57:40 PM »

Thinking about adding a Bolt to the stable. Which Bolt forum did you join ?

socal1200r · « **Reply #13 on:** May 29, 2015, 06:02:06 PM »

Quote from: 72 yellow on May 28, 2015, 04:57:40 PM

Thinking about adding a Bolt to the stable. Which Bolt forum did you join?

yamahastarbolt.com

72 yellow · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2015, 05:22:39 PM »

Thanks. Enjoy reading your updates.

socal1200r · « **Reply #15 on:** June 08, 2015, 05:30:02 PM »

Dropped off the Bolt a few days ago at a tint shop that did the rear windows on a 1987 Suzuki Samurai I'm restoring. They also do vinyl wrap, and I asked them to do a carbon fiber-looking vinyl wrap on my bike. They've never done a bike before, so I'm the test subject. They sent me pics of the rear fender, and so far so good! When I get back into town, I'll be anxious to see how the rest of the bike turned out. More pics to follow once it's done!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #16 on:** June 08, 2015, 06:10:04 PM »

Coming along nicely

72 yellow · « **Reply #17 on:** June 09, 2015, 04:49:23 PM »

Looks good.

dusterdude · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2015, 03:07:01 PM »

I read a review of the c bolt today,thats a nice looking bike as well

socal1200r · « **Reply #19 on:** June 12, 2015, 03:00:41 PM »

The shop is almost done with the tank, and they've already got the front fender removed. They wanted to run some graphics by me, but that had to wait until I got back in town. What we decided to do is go with thin lightning bolts on the sides of the tank, and the Yamaha tuning fork emblem on the top of the tank, done in a brushed metallic black vinyl. They're also going to put a 1.5" wide gloss black stripe down the front fender, across the top of the gas tank, and down the rear fender. Should look pretty cool once it's all done, and they're just as excited about this project as I am!

andy750 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2015, 04:14:09 PM »

I am also enjoying your write up and mods - the photos make a huge difference.

thanks for sharing
Andy

socal1200r · « **Reply #21 on:** June 20, 2015, 11:38:09 AM »

Picked up the bike today, all done with the CF-looking vinyl wrap. Overall it looks pretty good, there are a few areas, like around the bottom edge of the tank, where the black trim is lifting a little bit, but I'm pleased with the results. Not too sure about the lightning bolt graphic on the side of the gas tank, but that can be easily removed and replaced with something else. I like how the Yamaha tuning fork turned out on the top of the tank, and how the brushed black metallic contrasts slightly with the black vinyl stripe.

So I guess the overall lesson-learned here is that vinyl wrap can be a good alternative to paint. This particular shop that I used has some other color samples, so I could've done a hot rod red, yellow, orange, purple, lime green, etc. Something like a hot rod red with black stripes might not look too bad, or even an orange with black stripes.

Bay Custom Tinting
13379 Warwick Blvd
Newport News, VA 23602
757-874-8006
baycustomtinting@hotmail.com

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Author Topic: 2014 Yamaha Bolt R-spec (Read 5950 times)