DragonMax

Owner - Jerry Ferguson, Gilbert AZ, USA

Click on images below for larger version

	Progressive 418 series 11.5" shocks.	Drag bars, 1987 Canadian version chrome instrument cover, custom billet grips.
	The Dragon's tail.	Dragon's claws with an Exactrep fork brace up front (nice stock look - not hunk of aluminum like Superbrace)
Mark's 4-2 exhaust, custom brake caliper torque rod.	Custom seat from Sargent cycle in Florida. Notice: No goofy bump near the back of the front seat like some of the aftermarket seats have. Check out my bike at Sargent's web site here.

DragonMax enhancements thus far:

• Yamaha instrument cowl (flyscreen), case savers, brake/clutch reservoir covers

  • Overall Yamaha accessories tend to be quality. I am very pleased with the instrument cowl and case savers, however the brake reservoir covers are cheesy and I don't recommend them.

  • Instrument cowl directs air flow to helmet area (with addition of lowered seat). Also allows you to tuck in behind it for high speeds. I now have it removed.

• Sargent Cycle (Florida) custom purple/black seat re-upholstery job. High density foam inserted in front/rear sections and front sculptured to 3" lower ride height. The difference between Sargent and some other places that do seat re-upholstery is that Sargents will do whatever you want them to - sculpture the seat the way you want it, change to a different foam density, use any seat fabric you choose (even 'exotic leathers like alligator or ostrich). That and there isn't the funky bump at the back of the front seat like some aftermarket ones have... Check the customers pictures pages on their page for my seat!

  • Very happy with final result. When I first got the seat back the front section was not low enough and didn't meet the flipper section correctly. Bill at Sargent was very helpful and they corrected all to my satisfaction. The results were excellent with no gaps anywhere and near perfect seams. If your picky this place will do you right.

  • Firm closed-cell foam stops bottoming on the lower front section. Have ridden 600 mile days (so far) with positive results (no numb-butt).

• Progressive 11.5" 418 series shocks and 1" fork lowering kit (w/Progressive springs) from PCW

  • This modification gave the bike that low mean look I wanted. The shocks are great quality although the ride is not as plush since the travel is less on these 1.5" shorter shocks.

  • The forks were a bit stiff with the addition of the new Progressive springs. But after a few thousand miles of spring break-in the ride is what I expect, firm and controllable.

• Mark's Performance (Los Angeles, CA 760-948-1346) custom stainless 4 into 2 exhaust system (w/crossover)

  • I like the idea of a custom one-off exhaust system. Overall quality is very good. Centerstand is retained with this exhaust (although I  removed it). Seams on these fatter-than-stock stainless header pipes are top-notch. Sound is throaty rumble, lower than Hindle or Kerker, sets off alarms in parking garages and scares pedestrians & small children (desired effects!). Weight savings were significant. Only thing I didn't like were Mark's muffler can emblem plates, they were too big and detracted from the high quality of the product.

• Stage 7 carb kit

  • Replaced the stage one (waste of money) jet kit.

• Chrome bar-end turn signals (Dennis Kirk)

  • I don't know about you, but think those big stock units on most of the Japanese  bikes look goofy. Fitting these bar-end units on permitted me to remove ALL the stock turn signals for a clean look (I used polished big head bumper bolts to cover up the holes). This is due to the bar-ends having both front and rear lenses.  The lamps used in them are halogen, so they're plenty bright enough.

• K & N drag bars

  • With the lowered seat and suspension, I found myself in an awkward riding position with the stock handlebars. A set of slightly bent back drag bars solved that problem. No riser necessary - just angle them up very slightly until all bar controls clear top cover. Now I wonder how I ever managed without them!

• Custom graphics by Rollin' Art custom motorcycle paint in Mesa, AZ (480-835-7675) transforming ordinary Max into DragonMax

  • Tom Stephenson (480-968-8920), the artist (or 'creator with line and color' as he calls himself) that did these graphics is really talented. It's hard to believe this much detail could be done with an air brush. The pictures above can't do it justice. Sound impressed? I am. This modification turned my Max into a work of art.

• Solid sterling silver Vmax logo muffler can plates for Mark's pipe

  • Much thanks to my son Jake for creating these plates. They are made of 2 sheets of 20ga. sterling silver, silver soldered together and polished to a mirror finish. I had to do something about those plates Mark installed on my muffler cans, and Jake volunteered his jewelry skills.

• Polished stock wheels

  • I like the look of the stock wheels, especially polished to a mirror finish, even if they are heavier than the after-market variety (Dymags, etc).  Just for reference, I paid $160.00 for the polishing job (both wheels) at Southwest Polishing in Mesa Arizona in 1998. Now I have Kosman wheels I just need to install...

• Metzler ME880 170/80-15 rear and ME33 Laser Comp-K 110/70-18 front

  • I would recommend this tire combination to anyone for fitment on stock Vmax rims. The ride is confidence inspiring in the turns, up to and including dragging the pegs, and eliminated the high speed wobbles on both my 94 and 85 model Maxes. Please note: as of March 2001 I have not been able to find the Metzler ME33 Laser Comp-K 110/70-18 tire. All the ME33 Laser tires are excellent choices.

• Exactrep fork brace

  • Looks like the stock unit, but really beefy. Much nicer than the 'hunk of aluminum' look with the Superbrace unit.

• Yamaha back rest (only installed for long trips with a passenger)

  • I don't like the looks of the Max with the back rest on it, but when going on long trips it's the least I can do for my wife. I install this for longer trips (300 miles or so).

• Barnett heavy duty clutch spring conversion kit

  • Easy installation, great positive engagement. Highly recommended!

• Polish, polish, polish... or chrome, chrome, chrome!

  • Chrome scoops, side covers, back rest, passenger footpeg mounts, carb diaphragm covers,  outer engine case covers, engine water outlet covers, valve covers. Choose your chrome shop wisely, I've yet to find a suitable one. 

  • Polish what's left!

• Lightened flywheel.

  • I ordered this from RMS in 1998 and got it a few months later after sending the first rusted/cracked one back (long story)! Since I had the bike apart so long waiting, it was hard to tell if there was a noticeable difference. Save your money and spend it on modifications with more 'bang for the buck' (and from dealers who are competent).

• Cooling system modifications.

  • I replaced my stock radiator fan switch with a Wells SW-537. This switch lowers the fan turn-on point to about 195degrees F. The addition of this and Redline Water Wetter keeps my temperature reasonable for hot AZ summer rides in traffic.

• Billet brake arm and billet handlebar grips - made by a local AZ machinist. 

• Chromed billet license plate frame.

• Chrome instrument cover.

  • This item was stock on Canadian models for 1987 models. Only available in Canada.

• Exactrep chrome tail light lens cover.

  • This item is no longer on the bike.

• Mobil 1 oil

  • I use Mobil 1 10w30 full synthetic automotive type oil, and the 15w50 weight for the hot summers here in Arizona. I've put about 14k miles on the bike with this oil and it's performed great. I noticed smoother shifting immediately after I started using it.

Future plans...

• More chrome...

  • Chrome more engine components, the front end components (fork tubes, triple clamps, handlebar riser),  shaft drive pumpkin, stock grab rail, levers and controls,  swingarm & more!

• Kosman wheels - all ready to install, just need to do it!

• Blower? Turbo? If I can stop buying additional V-Maxes maybe I could afford this stuff...