Newt

I was in the stealership yesterday - and they had Mobil 1 motorcycle oil for - gasp - $12.95/quart ! Yikes ! Is it that expensive everywhere ? I thought it retailed for about $6.

Yeah, think of the puppies ! I definitely would have missed that - no wonder I come to the board for advice ! Seriously, I'm either going with Mobil 1 motorcycle oil or Amsoil - and if it comes down to saving the puppies, I'll use the Amsoil. But I've heard that if you switch too soon, the motor never gets fully broken in, along the lines that bartonmd suggests. But from a shifting standpoint, it sounds like the synthetics are superior to the dino's. What brought this all up was that yesterday, I put about 200 miles on the bird. First longish ride of the year. One time when shifting from 5th to 6th, I had it not fully engage the gear and pop out. Not sure if they synthetic would have made any difference, but it got me thinking about the comments on how much improved the box is with they non-dino oil.

Ok - I'm convinced that I need to put pure synthetic into my '03 - and I'm not even going to mention what brand in order to avoid another of a long list of 'which oil is best' threads. I've searched the site looking but can't see to find any information on how many miles should be on the bike before switching from dino oil to synthetic. I've got about 2500, and am ready for the improved shifting that synthetic is supposed to bring. Thanks -

Got it after I emailed him. Decided against it - going with the 5300k kit. Can't wait !

You got confirmation ? I didn't get anything -

Well, just paypal'ed this guy - hoping that I snuck in under the 10/14 wire on this deal. We'll see. Ordered pair of 5300K bulbs - hope to be zapping bugs soon !

No wonder I couldn't find it here !

You might check the aim of the light. There was an article someplace on here that I can't seem to locate that talked about how high the cutoff of the low beam should be on a wall 15 or so feet in front of the bike. I checked my stock light and it was at least 2 inches low. After adjusting this to the number in the post I can't find the light was much more effective, even with the standard headlights. Anyone else remember the post I'm thinking of ?

Thanks John - I appreciate the offer, but I've got one on the way. I do plan on spending some time looking around at bike shops in Orlando. I really wish I could have my bike down there while I was there ! Thanks again - Greg

That looks great - I like how it looks against the yellow. I'm all ears for install tips - unfortunately, I leave for six weeks in Orlando tonight and won't get to install it until I get back, so if you have any advice you can give me before I have it in hand, I'd really appreciate it - Thanks ! Greg

Thanks Demon - Looks like I'm going to go with that unit based on what I'm hearing. I'll get it installed and post some pictures !! Greg

I still think I like the thought of carbon fiber - but I'll only really know if I get one. That looks like a nice unit - BTW, your avatar kind of gives me the creeps.....

From what I can tell, the CarboTech products look first class. Do you have any experience with the fit ? That is what I'm most concerned with. I hadn't considered gloss black - I'd kind of assumed the look of carbon fiber - real or not - would look pretty good on a black XX. I think I prefer the real CF if I can get it and it fits well -

I'm looking for advice or recommendations of a carbon fiber tank protector. Does anyone have any that they would recommend or steer clear of ? Thanks - Greg

Those are some loud ass pipes ! What is up with that ?

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1..._3500&SKU=92549 Best guage I've ever found. Accurate (verified with a couple of different digital guages) and easy to use. Best feature is that it will deflate as well as inflate - so you hook it to the stem and can adjust the pressure up and down while it is hooked up. Spendy, but really nice.

How does the wiring do if you put a 100w bulb in there ? I've heard mention that it can overload it. How about the charging system ?

Servicehonda just called - they said that Honda shows the '03 upper on back order. They didn't have any good estimate on when they would be able to fill the order. There wouldn't happen to be anyone out there that stocks these things, is there ? Or is everyone going to be in the same boat ? Rats.

No idea - just plugged the part number in and that is what it spit out. Maybe with all the crashing going on, I'm the beneficiary of a volume discount !

I'll check around tomorrow on the phone and get something on order. Looks like Servicehonda.com has it for about $365 +shipping. Ron Ayers looks like $385. I can't find anything promising online in BC to try to take advantage of the exchange rate - but a good idea. TJSXX - I'm looking for the cowl stay/frame that you mentioned in the exploded view. Do you have a page number from the 'not automatic' or some way of referencing it ? I haven't taken my bike apart yet, so I don't have a good idea of what you are talking about. I'm planning on do that after I get the replacement part in hand so I can transfer parts directly from one to the other. Newt

Good idea on the BC source - didn't they have different color options than US models ? Can they get US spec parts ? I'll have to look into that -

I was looking through my 'not automatic' copy - thank-you to whomever, btw - and it shows some special nuts and bolts for the windshield that appear to compress when installed the first time. Are they then captive in the part ? Do I need to order new ones with this new part ? Is there anything else I need to get like that to have everything ? How about the decal on the front - is it included in the new part ? Thanks - Newt

I wish I had something to shoot as well, but it was my own stupiditiy that caused it to fall over ! Thanks - I'll look at servicehonda.com . Did they have one in stock for you ? How long to get it ? Where are they located ? Thanks -

Not trying to be a smart ass here - because I've done this - but did you check the red safety switch on the handlebar ? Just thought I'd ask ! Not trying to offend anyone -

Thanks Flordida - I did a search on ebay a while ago, and didn't see this one. Looks like a good deal - but I don't have a body shop nearby that I want to deal with. Plus, I really want to fix this so that it still looks brand new. I think I'm going to have to suck it up and buy a new one.