[i]By Arthur Jensen[/i]

[b]Blingin' Billet Bezel: We Install a PPM Custom's Chrome Billet 'Busa Gauge Bezel[/b]

The Suzuki Hayabusa has made a name for itself as one of the fastest modern production sport bikes in existence, and coincidentally the most commonly modified. Named after the Peregrine Falcon, a bird known to exceed speeds of 175+ miles per hour, the 'Busa looks fast even when parked. For those enthusiasts seeking an eyeful of bling, form, and precision outside the ordinary, PPM Custom has unleashed their Hayabusa chrome billet gauge bezel that won't break the bank or void your factory warranty!

Compared to the plastic part it replaces, this chrome billet piece is pure eye candy. We have worked on a lot of bikes over the years and the quality and fit of this piece is outstanding. One thing that isn't readily apparent to most enthusiasts is how much better chrome looks on billet than on plastic. Some 'Busa owners have resorted to flash chroming the stock plastic piece to brighten up the cockpit, but the flex of the plastic inevitably cracks the chrome, ruining the finish, not a problem with a billet part.

Even for the non-mechanical among us, the bezel goes on easy in about an hour. No roll-a-way required here, the only tools you'll need are a 4mm Allen, one Phillips head screwdriver and one flat head screwdriver.

Start by removing the three Allen screws that hold the lower half of the inner fairing to the bike.

Release the pins that hold the inner fairing to the windscreen supports by pushing in the center with a small Allen wrench. Gently pull the inner fairing away from the bike to remove the pins.

From the top, carefully pull the inner fairing away from the bike. The lower edge fits into the frame cover so you will have to slide it forward to release it.

The stock 'Busa bezel is held on with two Phillips screws along the bottom edge and double sided tape on its back. The screws are located just below the neutral light and are hidden behind the stock foam weather seal.

Since the bezel is still attached by the double-sided tape, you will have to pry it up carefully to avoid damaging the gauge cluster. We were able to get the job done with a flat screwdriver and our fingers working from the left side towards the right.

Before mounting the PPM Custom billet bezel with the provided adhesive, set the new part in place to check the fit. It should bow up just a little at the edges but if it won’t center properly you may have a piece of the original mounting tape still stuck to the cluster.

To permanently mount the bezel, peel the cover-strips off the double-sided tape on the back of the PPM Custom bezel. The tape will instantly adhere once it touches the gauge cluster, so it’s important to get the position right the first time. Our bezel fit so well that it really wasn’t a problem getting it lined up perfectly. Once it’s pressed into place with the tape, install and tighten the Phillips screws along the bottom edge to pull the bezel flat against the cluster.

Once the screws are tight, install the new foam weather seal around the bottom and sides of the bezel. It should attach just above the screw heads and the tabs at the corners, and reach around the top far enough to meet the inner fairing near the edge of the windshield.

Next, install the inner fairing. Starting from the rear of the fairing pieces, work your way forward to the windscreen support.

Once both sides are in, install the center Allen screw to hold them in place while you get the other screws started. Remember the center Allen screw has a longer collar because it goes through two pieces of fairing.

To install the pins that hold the inner fairing to the windscreen supports you must first reset them so the center is sticking up as shown in the picture. Once in place, just press the center flush to lock the pins.

Now that the fairings are in place, tighten all three Allen screws.

Seen side-by-side, the stock and PPM bezel are quite a contrast. While the stock part’s faux-carbon finish is a bit cheap looking, the PPM part exudes class and quality.

PPM Custom
2222-F Patterson St.
Greensboro, NC 27407
866-511-2453
www.ppmcustom.com