xrdracer

[attachmentid=769] Clip on will be above the clamp. Clearance is not an issue. If I recall, my bars just made contact with the cluster at full lock, so I put reall small thin self adhesive piece of foam on the lever where it made contact. The 40mm rise is about the same rise as stock, but the TSR bar has a 10-degree drop versus about 5+ for the stockers. Once used to them they do give better positioning and feed-back when scratching. I looked at the Cycle-Cat bars, to bulky and visually complex for me in appearance and not as nicely finished as the TSR parts. As for the length comparison I do not have that info handy. I do know that the SP-1 forks are about 1-1.25" longer than SP-2 forks, that is one reason the SP-1 forks are used, as the Bird needs the length and SP-1 forks are a little shorter than the birdie parts, but not by to much....Howie

Let me know if you have any problem getting a sprocket domestically. If you do, I can put you in touch with someone at Dymag I know. You should probably also replace the rubber dampers, they are cheap and it is good insurance. Howie

You may be better off emailing my contact. Japan has a BIG problem understanding english. I have been dealing with TSR for 5 years and they have never returned an email. My contact is: Toru Furumaya at TSR Worldwide, the Euro importer. Email: toru@tsrworldwide.com Tell him I sent you. Also, you should get the bars with 40mm rise and not 18mm rise. So request the 40mm ride when you order. Check out Toru's website www.tsrworldwide.com You will find some nice bits if you have the $$$$, but remember, it is real HRC stuff. And don't forget to tell Toru "Howie" sent you...Cheers,H

You need to find out if the rims are new style or old style Dymags. They are probably the new style since they are on a '99. With my last set of Dymags, a socket head type bolt passed completely throught the sprocket from the inside, or the backside, and threaded into a star shaped casting on the outside of the sprocket holding the sprocket and star casting together. Then the round head of the socket bolt rested in a steel sleeved rubber dounut pressed into the hub of the wheel. I doubt the sprocket is threaded. On the "old style" the sprocket was held on with a large wave washer and circlip which facilitated quick gearing changes if you were racing. Howie

I use TSR clip-ons. Extremely high quality, beautifully made, simple and elegant. They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Not sure if 50mm units are available. I had to use 52mm units and had a 1mm shim/collar made that is inserted between the clip-on tube clamp and fork tube. The result is outstanding. You can see the TSR clip-ons at www.tsrjp.com . I don't think I have any pics of the set-up, but RedJ may have some in a file he has set up with my Bird in it, but again, not sure. Howie

Look at Howie's (XRDRACER) tail light. It is all stock body pieces and no cutting involved. Red lexan cut and polished to fit, a fabbed aluminum bracket and a High tech light XX LED panel.

Libertec also makes a really cool adjustable relay, but it is a little pricey H

That is correct about Blackbird Spares. They offered the kit made by TSR. 929/954 forks are shorter than XX forks so be carefull with your clearances.

What does this tell you about their quality control ?

Yes, I installed it just like the instructions said. I even torqued the brace bolts in steps, 2lb.,5lb.,7lb. and finally 10lb. Even stopped at 7lb,still the same result. Keep in mind, my forks have been reworked, tubes polished etc. and operate like a knife through warm butter. All my tools which require calibration have been calibrated within the last year to 18 months so I know the specs I am working within are correct.

I had some and wasn't terribly impressed with them. Fit was only OK. Finish was OK. They are a bit fiddly when you want to remove the tail piece. The bolt that is used should really be a larger diameter, I think they use a 5mm, should be a 6mm. Very easy to damage the threads in the plug itself,mine did not have a metal thread insert, maybe they've been changed...Howie

The XX doesn't really need it anyway. A flaw in the design that I saw was there was no "plate" which bolted between the fork legs which would allow for slight variances in tolerances to width from fork leg to fork leg, just the solid brace clamping to the fork. I would bet if everyone who has installed a Superbrace really checked their fork action before and after, there would be some unhappy campers....

You can try TSR (www.tsrjp.com) They USED to make a 4-2-1-2 for the Bird, but have since discontinued it. However, there may be a unit still on the shelf collecting dust. Workmanship is outstanding, as is all the Jap exhausts. I have Akra carbon cans mated to the TSR 4-2 and love it...Howie

I too have an Ohlins...Like it but you should see how a Penske is made...Wish I had never sold to XXTi.....Howie

Nope, not a one-off issue. My first brace was incorrectly machined. The hole centers were off. I got ALOT of stiction. Sent it back, got another, better but still not right,sent it back and got a refund. I am NOT impressed with Superbrace. Howie

I use a "Power Bleeder" for everything from my cars and trucks to the bike. Hook it up to the compressor, hold down the lever, crack the bleed, tighten and your done....Howie

I installed one and had to send it back to Superbace because of stiction I encountrered. I received the second one they sent, installed it, and the forks still had increased stiction. So it went back too. My forks have been reworked, tubes polished etc.....so they operate like a knife through butter. Ever wonder why you never really see fork braces on the race bikes which have RWU fork (ex.-Ten Kate CBR600RR) ? Sure, some are using thicker tubes with the same O.D. ( an old race tachnique), but generally you don't really need the brace. If it was really needed you would see them as standard, IMO. Howie

Thanks for the compliments guys. Yes, I know I need some Ohlins on the front, preferably the USD ones. I did look into getting some RWU Ohlins for the XX that I saw but they are not made for the XX. The right way up units we see have been made in Japan under license from Ohlins, this is per an Ohlins email to me from Sweden. I guess if I keep the bike 2-3 more years or if the next Bird isn't something that I just gotta have I will go with some USD Ohlins. H

190s are designed to work on a 6" rim, not a 5.5", which comes standard on the Bird. You can squeeze a 190 on the 5.5", but it is not recommended. A 190 will change the handling a bit, but if you have done usual XX Suspension mods, raise the back, shock etc., you won't really notice a differenace. I am running a 190 with the new Marchesinis I put on and don't notice any difference in handling with respect to the tire profile. But I did notice a huge difference in turn-in due to the wieght diff. of the wheels. Howie

NWS carbon from England, #1 rated hugger in Ride magazine...fits perfect, no mods required to mount, even with an Ohlins in place, absolutely perfect. You get what you pay for..... Howie

Get a Penske...I've had both and consider the Penske to be a better made shock. H

Check with TSR in Japan. They USED to have a 4-2. I know because I have one on my XX, but mated to my Akra Carbon cans...Not cheap, but impecable craftsmanship using Ti and S.S....Howie

I should know tomorrow, hopefully, if they are totaling thebike. I really hope they don't, I just got a personal email from Marchesini that the wheels will be on my doorstep on or about Nov.5th. As for the camera, I am goingto go pick one up this weekend. I really hate getting certain things mail order. If I fix the bike, I won't buy any of the cosmetic stuff mail order, to much a pain in the ass if it has to go back for some reason. I'll let you know asap when I hear about the bike. If they do say good-bye Blackbird then there will be some nice stuff available for a XX !

I should know tomorrow, hopefully, if they are totaling thebike. I really hope they don't, I just got a personal email from Marchesini that the wheels will be on my doorstep on or about Nov.5th. As for the camera, I am goingto go pick one up this weekend. I really hate getting certain things mail order. If I fix the bike, I won't buy any of the cosmetic stuff mail order, to much a pain in the ass if it has to go back for some reason. I'll let you know asap when I hear about the bike. If they do say good-bye Blackbird then there will be some nice stuff available for a XX !

My recommendation is to find a shop that charges a reasonable amount (I pay $15 for dismount/mount-using nitrogen for the "air"/and spin balance if I bought the tire at the shop) The time, frustration and possible damage that you may inflict on your wheel, body, and house in frustration for fucking something up is well worth it...Howie