gourmet

First, Brett, I know you meant it to be funny, it gave me a smile! My response didn't come out right, it was supposed to be "it smokes, I couldn't sell it to you for $100 as it would be ripping you off."!! It is a FI Bird(2000) Does this Seafoam I keep hearing about help with carbon build up? Brian

I had a Givi top mount on for 6 years and I just switched to a Givi wing rack 2 and I have no cracks. :icon_think: Don't know why it would happen, sorry Brian

I just took all the plastics off, far as I can tell it is installed correctly. There is not much area in there, any closer to the center of the bike and it will be rubbing against the oil pan. I slightly trimmed the plastic in the two spots it was touching. Putting the plastic back on on that side it seems to fit better, I don't think they did a good job of putting the plastic on, seems better now. Brian

Brett, I wouldn't rip a fellow board member off in that way. The gas mileage has been the same as always, mid to high 30's per gallon. Doesn't ever use oil. I have noticed the oem pipes were always going black at the end cap. I assume this means running rich, with an aftermarket exhaust will that help to lean it out a bit? Brian

After driving in my car behind my own bike with my buddy riding it I was a little surprised/worried about the smoke coming out of the exhaust when he cracked the throttle open. I have been told it does this occasionally from riding buddies and I have seen other bikes do this, my question is what is it? and how to I get rid of it? Thanks Brian

I was using Motul 1 Semi Synthetic for years and I switched to Honda GP4 Full Synthetic, my God what a difference. Shifts smoother, feels smoother and quieter. Never would have belived there was such a difference. Brian

I just had a local shop install my new TiForce exhaust on my 2000 bird. My buddy rode it home for me. I notice now that at two spots on the lower right fairing it is touching and melting the plastic. Pictures are attached. Anyone else have this? This can is tilted slightly, I tried to straighten it and now understand why they put it on this way; being straight up and down would make it come into contact with the swing arm. As it is now it barely clears it. I mean barely, a pube wouldn't fit through. I have the Givi wingrack 2 installed (did this one myself). I also noticed with the stock cans that the right can was closer to the swing arm on the right side than the left can was to the swing arm. Could this be a result of some twisting in the sub frame? I rarely if ever ride two up. I am planning on doing an oil change tomorrow(Sunday) and will take both sides off to get a closer look at the install but any thoughts of what I should be looking for or if this is normal are greatly appreciated. On a side note, this is all Northman's fault, if he hadn't said all those nice things about the TiForce I probably wouldn't have bought it and have my wife giving me dirty looks when she saw the bill. Secondly, did you people know the left swing arm colour is actually silver?? All this time I thought it was supposed to be the colour of lube, dirt, grunge and oil. Huh. Oh and the sound of the bike is incredible. Love it. When I took the old exhaust out of the car when I got home I could not believe the weight difference. One OEM can feels like the entire TiForce exhaust. Sweet. Thanks Brian

I know it is a little over your budget but... I just ordered the TiForce full exhaust from Ron Ayers for $882. From what I have read it is supposed to be a great system, nice weight loss and an improvement on power. Eventually I will post pics when these and the other mods are done over the next month or two. Brian

Thank-you Birdie XX, I was going to start looking after the holidays but it seems to be a good deal so i bought one. Best of the season. Brian

I was using the sportec M1's for a few years. Loved them, great traction in cold, wet and warm weather. The back tire doesn't last for shit, something along the average of 3000 miles. For that price tho they are hard to beat. Brian

Thanks everyone - especially Iron mike I feel better now. Brian

I Haven't done the Pair block off change, or changed any other hoses. I am the original owner, the only thing I can think of is the dealer did a valve check( in speck except for one shim) changed out the rear shock to an ohlins and thats about it. That was done 2 years ago. It is possible I guess that it sat on the rear of the engine block for all that time with out falling out but seems odd to me. Can't locate where it could possibly go. Damn. Should I lift off the gas tank and see if a hose is missing something? Brian

[attachmentid=3868] [attachmentid=3869] [attachmentid=3870] I am getting the bird ready for a long trip (Tennessee), take the two side fairings off to do an anti-freeze change and take a flash light to look around. On the left side looking in on top of the tranny area I find the following part sitting loose. Anyone have any ideas if this is a necessary part? Important? It is about two inches long, pretty serious clamp on one end, the other end has a cap with an extender to go into the tube, yes it is hollow. Appears to be rubber. Any help greatly appreciated, Thanks Brian

I don't think it is the K&N filter. I threw mine out and went back to an OEM before my last big ride. It rained hard one morning and was very humid, the bike barely started and wouldn't idle properly. Me thinks it is the wires. If they are a bit older they can be cracked, any moisture gets in and the spark is next to impossible to make. Check the wires ( they are not cheap) if they are older try replacing them first and see if that helps. My $.02 Brian

For bang for the buck the front is fine with just Racetech gold valves, at 170 lbs the stock spring is fine. For the rear the Ohlins is fantastic. Yes it it is pricey but the difference is at the wow level especially if you are into the twisties. Brian

I was staying at a hotel last week; it rained hard in the morning for about 10 minutes, was very humid. When it stopped raining tried to start the bike, took several cranks which is unusual. When it did start was only idling at about 900 rpm. It revved fine, but if i revved it up and let go of the throttle it stalled. It was really hard to start then. Finally got it started and had to ride, it ran fine and seemed to have no problem starting whenever I stopped that day. The thing that concerns me is that whenever starting it cold now it only idles at about 900 rpm. Normal cold idling temp is about 1400-1500, warm just a tad over 1000 rpm's. Is something starting to breakdown and going to leave me stranded? Plug(s) fouled? It is a 2000, 54000 kilometers (33000miles) plugs changed two years and 20000 k's ago, valves checked at same time and were within spec. It was running perfectly before and after when it is warm. I've done a search and can't find anything, anybody have any ideas? Brian

Thank-you, I needed a good laugh today. Brian

Tightened, it to nearly no play. Took a grand total of 3 minutes, that long because the wrenches weren't where they were supposed to be. This couldn't be simpler. I put the question out here because in 20 plus years of riding have never ever had to adjust a throttle cable. You guys all rock, with your help you saved me time and I appreciate it. Thanks Brian

Thanks for the help guys, I will try that when I get home tonight. "Thingy" works for me perfectly! Brian

Is there supposed to be a 1/4 to 3/8's" play when twisting the throttle before the throttle actually rev's the bike? Can't remember if it was always like this but now I am finding it very annoying. Is there a way to tighten it? is this normal and I should just leave it alone? Thoughts? Brian

Like Rockmeup and Byrdman are saying, gearing is one thing, but far more important is aerodynamics. As sleek as the bird looks it is far from being aerodynamic. If it was just gearing cars and bikes would just have 8-10 gears and be able to easily hit 250 mph. The reason the Busa is so fugly is it has better aerodynamics than most bikes. It is far from perfect but better than most. I am sure there is someone on here that knows the equation but to increase mph after say 190 mph you would need to almost double the horsepower output. Have you ever taken your bike full out? I have, try it with your hand in the slip stream and tell me what you feel. Brian

Holy shit!!! Mind if I ask what air presure you were running? And is that typical of Avon tires? I've never tried them but have never had a tire that badly cupped. Thanks for posting the pics, Brian

For everything but wiping down the bike I use paper towels. Ok I am a lazy bastard and use them for wiping down the bike too. Brian

Honda HP lube. As as been said, put it on at the end of a ride when the chain and sprockets are warm. Even if you do get some splatter it wipes off pretty easily without cleansers. Brian

A back up helmet???? There are two back ups on my shelf now, all good and recent, only two because I gave one away and another got thrown out for being 6 years old. Can never have toooo many helmets, bikes, gloves etc Brian