MrBadExxample

The sound is perfectly normal. I doubt changing the clutch would make a difference - except to suck away your time & money.

The XX has so little vibration, I haven't noticed a difference. No vibes before or after in the bars. Like most good grips, they're made from a soft supple rubber. They're new so they also feel a little tacky, which is good.

Same principle as the milk crate, perhaps a bit easier to use. [attachmentid=2579]

+1 I used that method last week when changing grips. Worked like a champ. I also applied rubbing alcohol to the bar and grip, it slid right on. Then I blew some compressed air under the grip, which evaporated the rubbing alcohol. The grips are stuck, they don't budge.

The wife loves 'em, must be the tapered ribs. Ooohhhhh Sport Grip oh GOD, oh GOD, oh GOD Sport Grip YES!

Best grips I've used thus far, BMW Sport Grips. The outward taper fits my hand well. [attachmentid=2546] Right: 32721458396 Left: 32721458395 $8.00 each at Chicago BMW

Good observation. It's also easy to test for a bad coil. What I do is zip-tie a spark plug to a good ground, like the engine block or part of the frame. Then attach one of the spark plug wires to it. When you press the starter button, you should see a nice blue spark.

You've got a dozen or so board member's living within two hours of you. Also think about attending NEXXT, the NorthEast XX Tour. You can read more about it in the XX Rider Meetings Forum

FYI Vic, Your new bike was discussed back in June on this board. You bought it from the guy kept it next to superman. Previous Discussion

Hey Vic, What's the story behind your new bike? How can someone have a sex machine like the XX and only ride it 400 miles in six years?

I disagree... He told me he loved me, AND that he'd be gentle... Both of which ended up being lies He was being gentle. // Well another perfectly good thread, gone to shit. sigh.........

IIRC, the old VW air cooled engines did not have an oil filter. Actually I think oil filters did not become common on engines till the late 1950s? // sorry about the thread hijack, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Coincidentally I just bought a pair from Chicago BWM for $8.00 (USD) each.

Vic, Jump in there and start working on it! Don't be intimidated just because it's a bike and not a car. Pretty soon you'll ask yourself what you were worried about. Working on my bike is so much easier than my cars. Also I agree with the previous comments - get the old gas out of there, get the injectors sonically cleaned. BTW, anything rockmeupto125 says you can take to the bank. I haven't tried it on the XX yet, but the way I check for a stuck injector on my cars is to listen to each injector with a mechanics stethoscope. When running they click when opening/closing.

Where did y'all find the discounted bags? I'm interested.

From what y'all are describing, I suspect my XX is lacking some power. It sounds like it should be pulling smoother and harder than it is. My reference point is my other bike, a Kawasaki ZZR1200. In top gear the ZZR1200 pulls much better from low in the RPM range, even as low as 3000 RPMs. I know it's comparing apples and oranges, but I think the XX should be able to pull as good as the ZZR. The XX has a better power/weight ratio (1/4.19 XX vs. 1/4.58 ZZR) and the gear ratios in 6th gear are close (1.042 XX and 1.035 ZZR). I might ride with The Krypt Keeper this weekend. I'm gonna let him ride my bike for a little bit to get his opinion as well.

Joe, I was hoping you'd respond, thanks. A couple of tankfuls ago I added a half can sea-foam to a full tank. I'll order an air filter and plugs today. I've been thinking about it anyway. I'm not the orginal owner and don't know the maintenance history of the bike.

Kinley, You're right downshifting is the answer, which normally I do to keep the RPMs in a favorable part of the powerband. Perhaps I'm asking too much, but I was thinking the XX engine would pull from 4500 RPMs in top gear with no hesitation or chugging.

I've only had my 2000 XX for a month, during which time I've only put 1000 miles on it. The bike is 100% stock, with 9200 miles. Obviously I'm very new to the XX and I'm not sure what's normal behavior and what isn't. But here's my question. In 6th or 5th gear if the RPMs get below 5000, the engine seems to lack power. I can feel a slight hesitation and vibration till the RPMs get above 6000 or so, then everything feels smooth and powerful again. Here's the typical scenario where I encounter this behavior. I'll be commuting on the interstate at 80-90 MPH or so (6th gear approximately 5000 RPMs). I'll gradually slow down to 65 - 70 while I wait behind someone in the left lane. When the left lane clears I'll roll on the throttle to bring the XX back up to 80-90 mph. During which time it seems to hesitate and "chug" just a little till the RPMs get above 5500 or 6000. Is this normal? Is your XX engine able to pull from that low in the RPM range while in 5th or 6th gear? Thanks for the help.

I think the worse that will happen is that it will run a little rich or a little lean. I'm not an expert on the XX ECU, but even with an aftermarket exhaust the ECU should still be able to inject approximately the right amount of fuel.

Donation Sent I love you guys!

I agree 100% with airborneXX, do not pinch a rubber brake hose. In my opinion that would damage the hose.

I recently changed the headlight bulbs in the ZZR from OEM to Nokya Arctic Purple, 8500K color temp. The dual headlights on the ZZR allows for easy side by side comparison. Yes I need to change the upper marker bulbs. I was trying to match the headlights with a pair of "super white" 194 bulbs. Obviously they aren't white or super. [attachmentid=1880] [attachmentid=1881] [attachmentid=1882] [attachmentid=1883] [attachmentid=1884]

As a kid, I'd shoot 'em with my BB gun. I would get into the prone position, crosshairs locked in on the opening of the mouse hole, quietly waiting hours for the enemy to appear. Regular Carlos Hathcock I was. Then one day my yells out from the basement, "WHERE THE HELL ARE ALL THESE BB HOLES COMING FROM". I quickly stashed the BB gun in the little brother's room.

I've broken the bead on my last couple of tires changes using 8" C-clamps. Needless to say this method is time consuming and doesn't work so good. Please recommend a better way or a better tool. Thanks