Rainchaser

So I took the lazy way out and took the bike in for service and an oil change.. Ever since I picked the bike up, it's been overheating way bad. Granted it's been hot out, but in the three rides I've taken since getting my bike back from the shop, I've been peaking at 270 degrees (doesn't seem to go above that). It's not cooling down like it normally does when I start moving - I mean, it does a little, but I have to be going 60+ for several miles before it starts to get below the red/blink point of 250. From cold, within a few miles (<5) it's already over 200. Normally I'll run around 190-200 on average if I'm not stuck in rush hour traffic on a hot day. I read here once that someone said get the rpm over 2k to get the fan to kick in to cool it down.. that's never seemed to do squat. Turn it off and I can easily hear the coolant boiling. The only mod I've made to the bike is to put the D&D exhaust on and I had the shop use synthetic oil when they did the change (same as previous service). I'm not that knowledgable about engines and such, so I'm looking for suggestions on things to check on the bike to see if I can find out what's wrong. With all the rain lately I haven't had a chance to get the fairing off yet, so I'm kinda making a list for when I do. First thing obviously is to check the coolant level, but I'm suspecting that's not it as I don't think that's part of the service, and if it was, should be full. That and this wasn't a problem before the shop service. Thanks in advance..

Which did you get?

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com Great prices and friendly staff. Ordered an exhaust system from them and got them right away. They show how many they've got left of an item, tell you the price and that's it. Got a D&D full exhaust next day for under $300.. top that.

http://www.casporttouring.com/ I bought my Throttlemeister from them, so I've used them once.. I placed my order, wanted next day shipping and they didn't have it in stock. They offered to have it drop shipped to me directly from the manufacturer at the same cost that I was going to buy it at from them. I got the package as promised.

http://www.swmototires.com/ For the website..

Questions for anyone who might know.. Is the tach guage (specifically speaking of '03 model) on the Blackbird LED or bulb? Also how about the digital gauges? If the tach is bulb, is it the gauge face itself that's colored amber or is it the bulb? Additional stupid question for bonus points.. Do the gauge lights only come on at night or are they always on and you just can't see them? Yeah, told you it was stupid.. Edit: For double extra points.. if it's a bulb behind the tach, what type?

At Advanced/Discount Auto Parts - they sell stuff you can put on that supposedly helps with this. Haven't tried it yet, but a friend said it worked well.

If you mean the EuroDezigns / eBay link I posted, I've got a pair just waiting to be installed. They're 55 watt (doesn't say in the eBay ad or on the package). Hope to get some time to install em' tomorrow.

Out of curiosity.. has anyone tried the 6000k EuroDezigns lights? (30% Xenon / 40% Krypton) If so, any problems, comments? Example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2444555980

Did you put a full exhaust on or just the slip-ons? Just curious.. I keep getting told that putting a full exhaust on basically requires the pciii..

Having just put my Throttlemeister on today, mine came with the same metal 'tool' or shaft to help pull the weight out of the throttle side. The other (left) side you just unscrew the end, put the new end on. (ie: Dont try to pull the stuff out from the bar) I absolutely love it. I did have to cut off the end of the grip though as they were just a tad too long.

So I'm debating between slip-ons and full system.. I want to stay around $500 so I'm guessing slip-ons. However, I've seen full exhausts on eBay and on close-out for really cheap.. then add $250 for a PCIII from eBay and I'm around the $500 I wanted to stay at.. Now my question.. if I get a full system, and a PCIII I'm guessing I can install both myself if I felt rather randy. But is there anything else that I'd need to have done? How about the map for the particular exhaust I get to set the PCIII to? How much does that cost to get? Just want to make sure I'm aware of all the variables before buying a full system as opposed to just slip-ons.. Any suggestions for good places to make slip-on purchases would be appreciated too. I'm strongly leaning towards the D&D's right now.

The site does have some service manuals available.. however, none for the 1100xx models..

All this thrusting and I've got a chubby.

That's so ripe for misinterpretation..