LongHaul

I use Motul 5100 (I think, it's the synth blend) 10W-40. 3 oil changes since the Honda standard GN4. No problems.

I would check everything everyone else said like the ground connections, the possible corrosion on the battery "posts" But also, I would charge the battery on a battery charger. I don't think the bikes alternator has enough power to fully charge a dead battery but only enough to maintain a reasonably charged battery.

Did you try KY? It doesn't really help them stay on, but when they do come off...... :crazy:

+2

Thanks tomek and eliXXir. I tried snapping the throttle a time or two. The engine started without throttle this time, but still didn't idle up. I'm going to check the TPS and the wax unit next.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll check my TPS, RodeRash, good, hadn't thought about that at all. I wonder if I can see the plunger on the wax unit move as the coolant heats up.

I have a 2002 with about 25k miles. New Platinum plugs about 7k ago New stock air filter about 2k ago Sea Foam run thru about 2k ago On the road the engine runs strong, sounds normal, but starting up cold I have to give a bit of throttle to get it to start. Once started it idles fine but doesn't idle up like it used to for that brief "warm-up" wax unit period. Instead it idles at the 1100 or so, but easily stays running. Once warm, the idle still is at the 1100 rpm. And to crank it warm she just jumps to life like she should. No problems. I can't think of anything that's changed. Has my wax unit gotten gummed up? (I did change to Engine Ice about 7k ago) I look thru the service manual and it talks about inspecting the wax unit and replacing the internals but I'm not sure I'd know by looking if it was OK or not. There's the starter valves but I wouldn't think they would have come unadjusted. I just don't know where to start, and it's not that big of a problem any way, at least not during this warm weather Any suggestions?

Yes, what they said. Let a decent shop replace your chain and stake a riveted master link. Don't use the clip type on your XX. A local indepent shop swapped mine for about $25.

They are about 20 mi from my home and I didn't know they existed. Thanks for the info. I'll check them out.

I did the Race Tech springs, and valves too. I think it was called Gold Valve Kit and Rebound Gold Valve Kit. Go to www.racetech.com You can put your weight and style riding into their program and it will make a recommendation. They've been real helpful by phone as well.

Mine does the 1st/2nd clunk/clack, too. Oh, and it did seem to get louder when I changed to sythetic oil or when oil change time comes.

You should search back through this forum for threads on this but,.. IIRC, motors in the 40k range have been checked with still no adjustment req'd. Seems there was one guy at 60k, or so, he had one valve that was out by a small amount.

I swap mine back and forth. Stock in the summer for more air, then Givi in the winter for less air.

Really? I set my 1/2" drive, Craftsman "click" TW to about 90 ft*lbs, then loosen. I always figured it was no more harsh on the TW than tightening a bolt to that value. IIRC, I don't think it clicks when I loosen the 69 ft*lb axle nut. (Now the first time I loosened that same nut, I used a breaker bar and thought I'd turn the motorcycle over before it would come loose. Always wondered if the factory torqued it like that or the stealership boneheads.)

I had to make a few adjustments too. I had to loosen the rear hoop/loop that goes into the catch and move it to suit too. IIRC, I moved the loop to push the seat forward to surround the tank better and so hold it from sliding left and right.

Timely, post, cuz I was wondering about my wax unit. I had some trouble starting my XX the other day when the engine was cold - about 85 degrees ambient, though. Finally I reached down and gave some throttle and she started up, but wouldn't idle without a bit of throttle. I tweaked up the idle adjustment and the bike ran ok. Started again ok,...so ok. I thought either one of my kids had twiddled with daddy's motorcycle - can't blame 'em- or I was still fine tuning my idle having had to make adjustments during my trip to the Rockies. The engine would idle a bit low at altitude, so I'd bump it up. Later, at lower altitude, I'd have to bump her back down. Now the engine starts ok, but doesn't idle up when starting cold like it used to. And it seems a bit down on power. I know the air filter is dirty and have one on the way. I thought I'd check my plugs (about 6k on them) and linkages while I was at it. And a good dose of Sea Foam. (I ran what ever gas I could find some of the time.) What else?

$29.00? Where? I'm seeing like $50 or so.

Has anyone's engine actually blown up? Northman? How?

Sidenote: Brian, on your advice, to someone else, I did this a few months ago and it works excellently. But I didn't buy the Koss cuz I was a Radio Shack and noticed their brand ear buds looked exactly the same as the Koss, color and all. Might not be as good quality, but I figured running the sound thru an ear plug was going to muffle the sound anyway. So I modified the rockets, they fit great, and with a dab of contact cement they don't come apart as I rip my helmet off. Thanks, for the suggestion.

Pete, won't the catch thingys that hold the lid closed still be holding the lid closed once the allen bolts are removed? The cap will only spin at that point,right?

I had side links plates rust on a chain once. It was after a rain or a wash and the chain hadn't been lubed in awhile. I've always figured that's why ya lube - to protect the outer parts - not to lube the inside.

I ordered a Red Fox hugger,on-line, from www.red-fox.com in Jan '05. Got a order confirmation emailed back and every thing. By March I emailed asking "when?" No response. No credit card charge. A week later, no hugger, no charge and no response from email number two. Nor 3. I gave up wondering and waiting. And today, no hugger, no charge. I don't know, YMMV. I tried a power bronze and it was crooked beyond use. I returned it and got a refund. I guess I'll try a pyramid next :roll: Or a red fox, again

+1

Mine makes a knock sometimes. It happens right at start up before the engine reaches idle speed, so it maybe will knock, say, twice. Sounds like a rod knocking, to me. But I don't think it is. Has done it since new and I've got 22k or so and hasn't changed that I can tell.

I like the Avons well enough...better than the Dunlops I used to run. But I keep hearing mega-miles out of them and I didn't get that with the one and only set I have ever had. I got about 5500 mile out of my rear tire before I was down to the wear bars. I got rid of it the next day. Might could have put another 2000 miles on it but wasn't willing to try. I ran 42 psi. Had bags on for the last 4500 miles. Was in flat, straight ground for the bulk of the last 3500 miles and was going pretty fast during it..say 95 mph avg, but I don't think that should have "over-heated" and helped wear it out. Front tire's done pretty good, though. I'm at about 6500 and it might go another 2000 or 3000, we'll see. I don't know...but I'm going with PR's again....probably....