bigblock

Just picked one of these up this afternoon at the local cycle gear - should make removing the front wheel a breeze - of course, it won't help much for removing the forks but... it seemed to lift the bike quite easily - especially when I used my rear stand to stabilize it (no center stand on my bird) Front Stand

thanks - when I pulled the old pads off one was worn more than the others - I'll have a look at the rotor on that side - how do I check to see if the caliper is on straight? is there a way to adjust it? PS apologies to all for hijacking this thread!

I just replaced my front pads last night and today riding to work I noticed a high-pitched "buzzing" sound from the front tire (sort of like cicada flies in the trees when its hot - for those in the south who know what I mean) - in any case - the sound rises with the speed of the bike and does not go away when the brake is applied at speed... it disappears as I slow down - any guesses? I was wondering the same thing about brake quiet when I stumbled upon this thread - any help is always appreciated.... thanks

Thanks for the responses gang... I had a suspicion that it might be the balancing or perhaps the wheel bearings... I was worried that you were all going to say steering head bearings... I run a higher tire pressure because I find it has better traction for the road riding I do (commuting etc) but I will consider dropping it a bit... thanks again...

Hey all, Question for the pundits to consider - Last night while riding on the freeway at about 95-105mph ( ) I noticed a significant vibration coming up from the front end through the bars... The bike has 23k miles and I just had a new Michelin Pilot Power installed about 500 miles ago (tire pressure is 40psi)... would like some guesses as to the cause - I thought of the tire first... At lower speeds (closer to the speed limit) the vibration is gone. any guesses? has this happened to anyone else? thanks Rick

Hey, It has started to get hot here in North Florida (90s in traffic) and the bird has been running a little warmer than usual (not much - just a smidge - 2/3s of the way up the gauge instead of half). Its a '98 and I do not know when the coolant was last flushed, guess its time... I wanted to get some suggestions for coolant. I have read some of the threads on the Evans NPG and it seems like many of you guys swear by it. How hard is it to replace the old stuff with Evans? any links on here for that? anyone have any other suggestions for coolant? I figure I am going to need to drain and replace mine soon so... all help is appreciated... thanks

in this pic there is a flat screw looking thing marked: "TEN" and then has the settings: "S" "H" I am going to guess it stands for "Tension" and "Soft" "Hard" but my question is, what exactly does it do?

I have Michelin Pilot Powers and they weave (especially at lower and freeway speeds 45-70 mph, the grooved concrete highways here in North Florida are a bitch) perhaps they were seated wrong? 2+2=??? I've been mucking about with tire pressure and did not want to get into suspension stuffs, perhaps that's the answer..... anyone else find this?

pics please.... where did you get the zx swingarm (wrecked bike or after market)? May seem like a stupid question but I have been thinking about installing the swingarm extenders that bolt onto the existing swingarm.... Though an after market zx arm might be cool too....

+1 on the '98 XX The best part (or one of the best parts) is that last look over the shoulder when I shut off the light and walk out of the garage.... it always looks so sinister just waiting for to come back....

UPDATE: I installed the R/R... no problems, the pics from Jaysus helped alot.... A few quick questions... 1. Did you guys put anything behind the R/R when you bolted it to the frame? The back side of the one I have has a lower rectangular area with a tacky surface (sort of) should I put a piece of metal (or aluminum) there or something? is it necessary? 2. Other than the bike starting (which it did), how will I know if the R/R is doing its job once its installed? Is there an amount of voltage etc. I can test with my voltmeter (I tested it at a steady 14.21 volts)? I do not want to install it and then have it eat my battery (or worse) because its not grounded or some other issue... 3. Last, how hot does your R/R run? is it cool to the touch at idle? after a ride? thanks again

A few quick questions... I got the R/R and I am halfway through the install (forgot to get longer bolts, ) it looks like I do not need to drill out the bolt holes as they seem spaced to fit... but I have couple of quick questions... 1. Did you put anything behind the R/R when you bolted it to the frame? The back side of the one I have has a lower rectangular area with a tacky surface (sort of) should I put a piece of metal (or aluminum) there or something? is it necessary? 2. Other than the bike starting, how will I know if the R/R is doing its job once its installed? Is there an amount of voltage etc I can test with my voltmeter? I do not want to install it and then have it eat my battery (or worse) because its not grounded or some other issue... any and all help is most appreciated... Also, love the pics Jaysus they're a big help... +1 on the drill as impact wrench....

I apologize if this thread has been answered elsewhere but, I've been digging through the old threads and cannot find the answer... I have a 98 bird and I am going to pick up a R/R from a 2001 R1 as a backup (or to install I guess). I know that I can order them from a number of different places for good prices. What I cannot figure out (and I cannot find the thread) is how to install it? Is there a way to "simply connect" it? Or am I cutting wires, and if so, how do I use the old one as a backup? What is the difference between the newer Honda unit (the one with the fins) and the R1 other than price? Will it connect easily to my 98? Any help with this (links to old posts) or whatever would be much appreciated... Rick

Hey thanks for the help gang, much obliged... I can perform almost all of this myself (maybe with a little help) as I am not a mechanical fucktard, it just takes me twice as long.... Either way it will save me from having to spend my economic stimulus check on useless shop fees, perhaps more bits for the 'bird.... Sometimes you just find a cherry.... Can one put the iridium plugs into the 98? Who gives a shit about those boys when the Blackbird is pure sex on wheels.... Everyone and their grandmother has a Busa, no one wants to ride their grandmother... thanks, Rick

I was in at my local Honda shop recently and asked about the major service at 16k miles and suffered a severe case of sticker shock.... Anybody know exactly what gets done during that service? Is this something that a reasonably mechanically inclined individual can perform? Or is there some secret Honda ritual they perform..... Any advice, ideas? Up until now the bike (a '98) has been meticulously maintained by myself and the previous owner and is in spit shine condition...