Cutting RX1 tank shroud clarification

[piersol]

I am doing the Apex seat mod and am looking for a little bit of clarification on cutting my tank shroud.

When the mod is done does the seat go under, over, or just butt up to the tank shroud?

How are you all getting your cut correct? I know the 3 1/2 inches up and out to the points on the bottom, but how are you getting a straight line over the curve? I tried taping, but I can't seem to get it the same on both sides of my 3 1/2" mark. I know I am probably making this more difficult than it is, but I am a firm believer in measure twice cut once. I am a bit obsessive/compulsive when it comes to stuff like this. It has to be perfect.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[grader]

go up 3.25-3.5 inches from the center and mark it. draw a line to the points using a flexable ruler. cut with tin snips, it cuts easy. cover with edging trim if you can find it, i used black tubing cut lengthwise, as i couldent find trim anywhere. the shroud sits on top of the seat. if you have trouble with the shroud bolting in, you can trim or file as needed to get it perfect before installing edging.

 

[RxThunder]

I taped mine and cut it with a razor knife, then I got a piece of door edge guard to put on the edge of the tank cover to stop any edges from cutting into the seat. It looks awesome and the seat made a huge difference. It's a whole new sled.

 

[piersol]

Awesome, thanks guys. I thought the seat just butted up to the shroud.

I found black car door edging at wal mart, so I have that. My garage is a mess and I am having trouble finding my snips, but when I do I will get it cut.

The flexible ruler idea is awesome. I tried taping, but just couldn't get the 2 sides symetrical.

 

[Yooper_Bob]

I put down tape, and then marked the required distance up from the center, then I just used a pencil to free hand the arc. It took a couple of tries, but once it looked symmetrical, I drew the final line with a marker.

I did not take the shroud completely off, but just got it loose enough that I could slip a sheet of aluminum I had lying around between the shroud and the tank.

I used a dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut the shroud. The metal kept me from adding a "vent" to the gas tank.

Cleaned the edge up with a file, and used a piece of door edging to finish off.

The shroud overlaps the lip of the seat just a bit.

I cut mine a bit long initially, and then did several test fits, trimming off a bit at a time as needed. Took some time, but came out perfect.

 

[piersol]

OK, I think I did it. Well, I know I did it, I think I did it correctly lol.

Everything seems to fit, it all bolts back together. It sure is a tight fit for the seat under the cut shroud though!

 

[RxThunder]

Put a 2" riser on there and a 13mm sway bar and you will be amazed at how much more fun and easy the sled is to ride.

 

[piersol]

Riser is on order, and I did the poor mans sway bar. I got the longer links and an 11mm bar from hibshman25 here in the parts classifieds. This way I am all ready if/when I want the 13mm bar. The 03's can't accept a 13mm sway bar without the longer links according to pioneer performance website. But the bar and links from an 05 RX1 are an upgrade by themselves, and getting them used a guy can get a hell of a deal

 

[thobkirk]

When you raise your bars, get a rx mountain throttle cable from Yamaha. Don't waste your time with the cable extender. They are about the same price as a new cable. Depending how high you go with the bars will determine if you need to lengthen anything else. I went about 4" with a pivot riser and only changed the throttle cable.

 

[fog]

hi all new here.
just bought a rx 1 a couple weeks back
04 model
does the apex seat change the ride that much?
wife now wants a mate to this one and i cant decide whether to buy a mate or go to a 06 apex
thanks

 

[thobkirk]

The seat sets you higher and closer to the bars. If you add a riser, it makes it much easier to stand up while riding.

 

[Bigfish]

Another tip is to use the Apex seat as a guide when making the cut. I placed masking tape on the tank cover from approx 3.5" in the centre to the points on either side. Then I used the leading edge of the seat to determine the proper curve by making a series of dots on the tape, then created a line by joining the dots, and finally cut the cover using a dremel cutoff wheel. Worked for me!!

 

[YammyRX1]

I did this and love the new riding position. The only issue I had is that I really had to force the seat under the tank cover and the seat has a small wrinkle near the front so the next time my seat is off I will lift the vinyl at the front and remove a bit of foam and pull it tight.

 

[piersol]

I like the new riding position alot. I found that I don't need to raise my handlebars as I just cruise trails and stand less than 1 percent of the time. All I did was make sure that they were tipped as far forward as they could be, and it's perfect for me

 

[piersol]

I like the new riding position alot. I found that I don't need to raise my handlebars as I just cruise trails and stand less than 1 percent of the time. All I did was make sure that they were tipped as far forward as they could be, and it's perfect for me