RC Randy

For what its worth here is a link to exhaust sound files. http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0410_pi...lips/index.html I've got Yoshi slip ons on my 99XX, and like others have said they are neighbor friendly until you wind it up. I'm pretty fond of the sound of the titanium Akrapovic slip ons that I have on my Busa. Deep and throaty, even while at idle.

I just picked up a set of the Storm Ultra's for my ZX 14 and paid $266 from Chaparral Motorsports. Won't find much love on this board for the Avons, but for the way I ride they work well. Have a set of the Ultras on my 03XX, but haven't put many miles on it. Been getting 10-12K out of the 1st generation Storms on my 99XX, and also have them on the Busa with about 6k and looking to get close to the same mileage.

Good Advice. I had a set of the VFR bars but never got around to putting on, finding the stock riding position just fine. I have a 99 and 03. The only thing I have done is put a 02 stock windscreen on my 99, as said the 01 and up have a slight "double bubble" making them a little higher, giving a little smoother air coming over the screen. I also have a Corbin I switch between bikes at times, but really think I like the stock narrower seat better than the Corbin. My 99 came with a Givi screen, and I didn't like the way it took away from the lines of the bike, and it also seemed like a rougher airflow over my helmet.

So I will plead ignorance. How much better are silicone hoses? The US web site for this brand claims a drop in operating temperatures when using them. The Ron Ayres price for hoses and pump kit doesn't sound so bad. I wouldn't mind getting some spares before they dissapear. I think you have a few years before Honda quits manufacturing consumables for the XX since it was sold until 2007.

One thing good about the XX is that the fan will actually bring the temp back down once it kicks on. Just back from a ride on my 03 and saw the fan kick on at 216, and then would come down just sitting still. Same way with my 99 XX. My Busa will rarely even kick the fan on. If you want a bike that really runs hot in traffic, check out the ZX14. Mine is better now that it has few miles on it, but it still kicks on the fan halfway up the segment, and will continue to climb even with the fan running in traffic. Some guys are installing a different fan blade, or another fan, but I'm just leaving mine until it pukes out coolant. Most says it will never happen.

Take a little time and find some interest in it. Get it out on the forums and Cycletrader. The right buyer looking for a clean low mileage XX would pay 5-6k. A little less than a year ago I purchased an 03 with 7K miles, showroom condition stock for $6500. I probably overpaid, but after 2 months of looking I was getting tired, and didn't mind paying a little extra. I also had to trailer it home, a 1500 mile round trip. Your bike looks very nice, and it sounds like you're not in a hurry to unload it, so I wouldn't let the dealer pad his pocket.

The particular hose that burst on my bike had a coating on the lower inside of the hose, from 11 years, 60,000 miles of riding. It doesn't leak oil but over the years it had seeped from somewhere making a coating that is of the same consistansty you would find inside the front sprocket cover. Once removed you could see some swelling of the hose where the coating had collected over the years. The rest of the hoses look OK from the outside, but $211 for 5 hoses and a water pump kit from Ron Ayres, is worth it for the piece of mind.

Stopped to fuel up yesterday after work, and when I was stopped noticed a little puddle of coolant. Thought it was just maybe the water pump, was close to home so took off, and on the final stretch noticed I was leaving a trail. Once home, it was just pouring coolant, until it drained itself. Removed the side panels, raised the tank, and initially couldn't find the leak. First hose I removed was the one coming off of the water pump, and even though it looked fine from the outside, you could see on the inside where it split at the seam. You could see the threads poking thru, and it was the seam that was against the motor. This was my 99XX, with 60,000 miles, and its getting all coolant hoses replaced, and also a new water pump kit. I've never heard much said about coolant hoses on the forums, but I feel lucky it went down the way it did. Could have either dumped it, or been stranded.

According to my 99 Honda service manual, they list 3 different types of tires in the spec section. Bridgestone BT57 Dunlop D205 Michelin Macadam 90X When I purchased my 03 with 7K earlier this year it had the Macadam on the front, and according to the owner it was the OEM tire. Needless to say its been replaced.

You might be about ready for a Cam Chain Tensioner. My original needed replaced when I picked up my XX with 20,000 miles. Does it make "rattling" sounds starting at about 3500rpms?

Me likey. Does the seat for a '99 fit the '03 model? I'm currently switching my Corbin between my 99 and 03. If I get another, I will have the rider seat pan area made smaller. Just too wide for my little ass. Or I saw a Sargent on Ebay a while back that I liked the looks of.

I've had great luck with the DID, and would buy another. But the last two I've purchased have been the EK ZZZ, and they are holding up very well on my Busa and 99 XX. One thing I liked about the EK was the spacers used when riveting the master link, making it impossible to over crimp. While you have the wheel off, check the bearings. I had one that had a rough spot at 45,000 miles, so I just replaced them all.

To anyone looking, according to the seller it is setup for 170-180LB rider.

Congrats! Sounds like a nice bike with extremely low miles. Hopefully some pics and details when you get it home.

This is a Repsol treatment that is a little off.

Label says 2 years after opening. Even gives you a place to write in when opened. I just got rid of about half of a large bottle and bought a smaller. As crappy as gas is nowdays with the ethanol, I don't want to make anymore problems. I just started my Honda generator, about 3 months since the last time, and it was surging with no load. It took about 30 minutes under load to clean it out so it would idle. I had been using some stabil that was 4-5 years old. Once a year I turn it upside down and drain all the fuel and refill.

One of my favorite bikes in memory was the CX500TC. Sold it with 47,000 miles and the only problem was the infamous stator issue. It was ready for its second one when sold. Other than that reliable as a rock. It also ran very well as long as you could get the other rider to do rolling starts. Had a friend with a V45 Magna who would get the jump on me, but I would go around him at about 70mph and pull away. Not the power rush of the Kawi Turbo, but very managable. The one in the ad looks pretty used up, and just good for parts, but the 650's are more rare.

Just pull the overflow hose from radiator filler neck and let gravity do its thing.

Instead of the fiberglass drywall, you might want to try to locate some heavier weight fiberglass cloth. Smaller quantities can sometimes be found at local model airplane hobby shops, or on Ebay. If you can't find the weight you are looking for just layer some lighter cloth.

Hang in there-there's a point where things can only get better and it sounds like you are there. I feel for the legitimate people in your line of work. Here in the Wichita, KS, the so called air capitol of the world, we have had massive layoffs in the aircraft industry(Cessna, Beech, Learjet, and Boeing) since the economy has taken a dump. Unfortunatly for the honest people in your type of business, there have been a lot of laid off aircraft workers underbidding jobs and working on a cash basis. They even had a segment on the local news telling the story.

I don't remember the details, but Avon had some problems with the first runs of the Storm front tires and were giving out replacements. I maybe the only XX rider that likes the Avons. I'm on my 3rd set on the 99, and just put a set of the Storm Ultras on my "new" 03 XX. Just took off a front with 16K and almost to the wear bars on a rear with 12K. Also have a set of the Storms on my Busa and they feel much more planted than the Michelins they replaced. The Storms are pretty well regarded by the Busa crowd, for what little its worth. Keep in mind I ride the flatlands most of the time here in Kansas.

I'm with Quad on the Mobil 1. I use Mobil 1 (10-40), and it makes gear changes much smoother than the couple of other oils I tried.

Makes me feel good about the future of my 99 with only 55,000. I replaced my R/R at 45,000 with another OEM, even though it was working fine. Just didn't like what I was reading about the failures.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-Honda-...sQ5fAccessories Probably more than you would want to spend, but I'm sure there is a better deal. OR find someone willing to loan theirs out.

I use Mobil 1 in my cars and bikes and usually get it a Walmart. Picked some up a few days ago, and noticed they started stocking the Castrol 4t 10W 40 fully synthetic in the gold bottle, next to the Mobil 1. About the same price as the Mobil 1.