bpg
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Posts posted by bpg
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I've run Michelin Pilot Roads front and rear (hated 'em grip-wise, but lasted forever), then ran Metz Z6 rear/M1 front for quite a while (nice combo of grip & mileage).
I now run a Bridgestone BT-021 dual-compound rear and Metz M3 front. REALLY nice combo of grip and mileage (I've gotten almost 8K miles from the rear 021 in cold weather, and almost 7K in summer). The rear 021 is silly cheap compared to most major brand tires, and insanely cheap compared to other dual-compouind rears...
Just DON'T put a front BT-021 on the Bird or any other heavier/ST bike - apparently they're not nearly as nice/long-lasting as the rear BT-021...
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Cool, can't wait to see 'er!
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J-money;
Either my memory is REALLY slipping or I guess I just found out - when did you pick up the '99??
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So far (60K miles) I've found that any "problems" (minor, of course!) I've had with the Bird are either caused by my stupidity or any non-Honda parts on the bike...
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Joe, I didn't give up on ya
I got a pair of 36" bolt cutters at the local HF (goddamn, that store should NOT be located right on my way home from work!) down in Charlotte for another project.
Got back to PA last week and decided to attack my old XX chain with 'em since it was still layin' in my folks' garage. Sliced that chain like buttah!
In summary - 36" bolt-cutters (even the cheapy HF ones) work fine for your intended purpose, and I stand humbly corrected...
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(Plastic has some scuffs, not perfect, but still all original.)
ey, yeah, sorry 'bout that!
FWIW, Justin let me borrow this beast for about a month - GREAT bike, can go about anywhere you point the sucker (especially if your dirt skills are better than mine, LOL!). Just a robust beast of a bike - and pretty easy to start!
Good luck with the sale J!
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When removing a chain, I generally Dremel off the heads of one link pin to split it. Just a habit as I often slip the new chain on the deheaded pin and use the old chain to pull the new on over the front sprocket.
Recently, I removed a chain with no intent other than to remove it. In a hurry, I used my bolt cutters. They're 18 inch cutters, I believe, and weren't really adequate for the task. I had a devil of a time cutting the chain. Which is to be expected, as I hope a chain is real tough metal.
My question is.......if you use bolt cutters to remove chain, what size cutters will readily cut through an XX quality chain?
Honestly, just use a grinder with a metal cutting disc - done in a few seconds. Bolt cutters are awesome tools, but not really designed for this particular purpose (as you've discovered). You really can't get the right kinda leverage/angle using bolt cutters on a drive chain. I believe that even a hacksaw would probably be more efficient...
FWIW!!
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Great write-up - I just installed a new DID ZVM2 110-link X-ring chain and 18T steel front sprocket this evening; your pics helped get me motivated!
I just ran it down the street and back and only got into 3rd gear, but man that 18T really makes the Bird feel "right"!
FWIW, my stock 17T sprocket had minimal wear at 59K miles... Do the aftermarket ones wear out faster??!
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FWIW, this same thing happened to Brandon from Illinois (Red '01 Bird - can't recall his forum name!) last weekend on a trip to the Smokies. He had no high or low-beam, although they would intermittently come on from time to time. We checked the wiring and fuses (all seemed A-ok) and eventually fired up a lap-top to search the forum.
I had remembered that there IS a relay that kills the headlight circuit when the starter is thumbed on most modern Hondas (the XX included), and between that and what he found in the searches, we narrowed it down to a loose wire in the RIGHT switchgear. Went back to the bike and bingo!; that was it! Basically a wire had come loose inside the housing, such that the headlight relay was keeping the headlight circuit turned off, even when the starter wasn't being activated. Touching the wire back to the proper point had the headlights come back on. Now getting the wire to STAY there was another story (we didn't have a soldering gun), but at least we knew how to fix it when tools became available!
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Size is right, wats the width? I need a wide (EE) boot.
I'd say these are a smidge on the tight side of 9.5 - wouldn't recommend them to you for that reason...
Would you say they fit like a standard 9.5 shoe, a little tighter or looser?I'd say just a weeee bit tighter. I wear 9.5 - 10 shoes, and these were just a little tight. Supposedly wearing them around the house/work for a few days really loosens them up. FWIW, the "like a glove" fit does have its benefits - shifting in these things is AWESOME!
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...082136&rd=1
My auction - will waive shipping if an XX'er wins!
I bought these new, then got another slightly used pair instead. These have to go!
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Frankly, the primary reason I ride a Honda is that I refuse to go to dealers. Learn to do the routine maintenance stuff (oil/filter changes every 3-10K miles, air filter changes every 10-20K, spark plug changes every 30K, brake/clutch bleeding if needed, etc.) and you'll be fine.
At 56.6K miles, the only non-routine thing my XX ever needed was a cam-chain tensioner - took 5 minutes to swap out and I didn't even have to pull the body work.
The Bird is about reliable as a forged steel hammer. Give it a lil' TLC when needed, and you should never, ever have to see a dealer.
"Major service intervals" are a joke for most modern Japanese bikes - honestly, it's basically how dealers make money from yuppies who don't know which end of a screwdriver to hold. Odds are that given some time, you'll know much more about your Bird than the average Honda "mechanic".. Hell, many Honda dealers don't even know what a "CBR1100XX" or "Blackbird" is!!
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Update:
I squeezed 7,800 miles from that rear BT-021 - VERY pleased with this tire! I ride a lot of slab, and was amazed by the wear; and also a lot of western Carolina twisties, and was amazed by the grip (wet and dry).
Did not hesitate to purchase another - a rear BT-021 is essentially everything that the PR-2 claims to be, yet is $50 less...
FWIW, don't use a FRONT BT-021 on the XX - they don't wear well with heavier SPORT-touring bikes... Again, I was happy running an M-1 up front, just switched to an M-3; so far so good...
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here's the BT-021, taken today at 7,200 miles:
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I had one on the rear, and got the best mileage I've got out of anything I've used. It had approximately 5000 miles when I took it off, and it had wear left. That's about twice what I get out of other tires. I wore that completely to the edge of the tread at SEXXT. The reason I didn't get another one is that it never felt good...it always had this greasy, slippy feeling to it...like it was just waiting for the best place to toss me down the road. I much prefer the on-rails feeling that I get from the Metzelers and Pirellis. I've used Metzeler tires for more than 30 years, and like 'em.
hmm - that's weird - for me they grip as well as the Z6's that I've loved and put over 30K miles on altogether... They grip MUCH better than the Pilot Roads my bike came with (which gave me that exact feeling you described).
I do feel that PA roads are a maybe a bit more slippery than the grittier NC roads, so maybe that's why I never noticed any lack of grip. All my BT-021 miles were in NC; the bike hasn't been back to PA since August... :icon_think:
Then again, I do often ride with pegs a-scrapin' in some of the twistiest roads in our country - that they've never stepped out on me is some good credit.
Anyway, I'll see how it grips the PA roads come summer..
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I put a O21 Front on my ST1300 and at 2900 miles I'm on the wears bars on both sides. Pressures always up, mostly twisties but signs of heavy scuffing. Needless to say, I will be writing Bridgestone. Previous front was Z6---it went 6203--which I thought was bad---so changed the O21.
Previous to that I had put an O21 on the rear of a Triumph Speed Triple I have and really like it and is wearing well. So, I would agree that they are not the answer for the front of a heavy bike---at least not ST heavy.
Happy trails kel
I agree - NOT a good tire for the front of our bikes, but it's the best of all I've tried for the rear, as far as wear and grip.
Oh - BTW; I had been going from memory as to when I had mounted the rear BT-021. Checked my records to find that it already HAS 7K+ miles!
:icon_biggrin: While it's a weeee bit past the wear bars and, while I wouldn't head off on another long trip with it, I might just squeak 8K out of it commuting and doing small weekend sorties..
Good tire! And still love the Metz M-1 up front!
Glad to hear that because I have one sitting here ready to put on when I have a chance.Please post up when you do - I'd be curious to hear other responses to how folks like 'em on the bird!
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Good deal! I did a similar thing with this meter:
http://www.casporttouring.com/store/mercha...PROD/cgid/14124
Mounted it right under the stock digital clock - the thermometer feature is nice on cold mornings!
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I've been a long-time Metz Z6 rear/M1 front user, but decided to try the BT-021 rear tire last time around.
So far (6K+ miles) I'm glad I did:
- Sticks as well as the Z6 in the corners (hard compound in center, softer shoulders
)- Lasts a bit longer than the Z6 (Hard compound in the center!!!
)Case in point: Last weekend, at 5,000 miles, I put 1000 miles on it going to Daytona & back. Too be honest, I was REALLY nervous, since my past experience with Z6's is that they get "close" to wearing out at around 5,500 miles, then are completely shot within a few hundred miles. So far, not the case with the BT-021.
I think I might even get 7K from them, and another nice change from the Z-6 is that you can TELL how worn they are (seeing as they have middle tread grooves, with wear bars)EDIT I had been going from memory - double checked my records and realized that the tire already had 6K miles before the Daytona trip and now has 7K+. I might try to squeak another 1K out of 'em - phenomenal wear for my riding habits.
- Cost less than the Z-6, by over $20 at most places.
Anyway, we'll see how they last/wear overall, but as I said, I feel they're a great REAR tire. FWIW, I've heard that on heavier bikes like the Birdie they're not too hot as a front tire, so I left the Metz M1 up front - no issues at all...
ps - my riding is about 33% slab/touring, 33% stop/go commuting, 33% Carolina twisties, and 1% maaaad-skillz stuntin', yo!
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I have the Speiglers and it is a complete pain in the ass to install, and as Redbird said you have to watch for fit and chaffing of the lines. The HEL kit sounds much better. If I had it to do again I would just do the front lines.
Warchild has organised a GB on cbrxx.com for Galfer brake/clutch lines (for any make bike), Galfer Wave rotors and HH pads but it ends today and the kit is only for 2 front lines, you can also get a rear line or clutch lines seperately :icon_think:
What are peoples thoughts on just doing the fronts?
Worth it or better to save up and do the whole HEL kit ($720AUD + s&h
)I bought my bike with just SS front lines - love it! Never saw the need to do the rears - I rarely touch the rear brake anyway; they just get whatever the LBS gives 'em...
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bpg: Concours 14 come stock with 021's on them. From what I am reading on other forums they are not a good tire in the rain - some even call them dangerous. Dry they are good. As for longevity from a report I read (sorry no link) The PR2's are supposed to be superior in grip, mileage, handling etc. I don't have enough miles on mine yet to make a decision.
Brian
Yip, I read/heard that the FRONT BT021's aren't that great on heavier ST bikes like the Bird/Busa on up.. I still run a Metz M1 up front with the BT021 out back - ride in the rain all the time with no issues!!
I have 5K on the rear BT021 now, looks like it will at least make it to 6K, which will be an improvement (cost per mile) compared to the 6K I was getting from the Metz Z-6 rear, since the Z6 was more expensive.
FWIW, I've never had reason to fault the grip or handling of the BT021 rear / M1 front combo while running with fancy-schamncy Ducati "S" editions in the western Carolina mountains!!
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I need just the glass for the right side mirror (my right glass has some scratches).
Just need the glass and whatever's attached to it/un-removable is fine, thanks!!!
can Paypal!
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I had an 97 BB and traded it for a Vmax......That didn't last long. I ended up getting an 06 FZ1 in Shift Red. The bike has under 800 miles and is showroom condition. At 6'3" I feel like a shriner on a mini bike.
I'm looking at getting $6,500 or trading for a larger bike that fits me. Must be mint........
Ivans FCE mod, frame slidders, werkes tail eliminator, red rim stripes, Yosh CF can.
location might prove helpful...
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My bike came with Pilot Roads front & rear - hated 'em! Switched to Metz M1 front and Z6 rear, great grip!
I got over 10K miles from the front M1, and about 5.5-6K from the rear Z-6 (I ran this combo for about 25K miles).
This last time around, I threw the new Bridgestone BT-021 on the rear, and kept the M1 up front. The BT-021 was (a lot) cheaper than the Z6, grips as well, and at 4K miles so far, looks like it will last anywhere from 6-7K miles... I like it so far!
FWIW, the BT-021 on the FRONT of heavier sportbikes like the Bird seems to have really quick wear. No biggie for me, very happy to stay w/ the M1 up front, and it works just fine with the BT-021 rear (shrug)
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I get over 10K from Metz SportTec M1's...
And I have the 6mm rear shock shim, and hit the twisties fairly hard! Very pleased with them - all that mileage and never a slip.
HID Light Comparison
in The Garage
Posted
You've got a nice chest!
Where'd ya get the kit?