denovich

I've been tickled pink with the power/road combo. Handled Deal's Gap with ease... plenty of stick, and no obvious wear on the rear after almost 2k miles.

One other option is Permatex's Form-a-Thread. It's made to repair the kind of boo-boo you made. It's a two-part epoxy, with a release agent. Put the epoxy on the threads, the release agent on the plug, and screw them togther. When it cures, remove, clean and re-torque.

The Ventura site features a XX on the front page... how nice. However, I can't give up the passenger seat. I think the price of hard bags (it's plastic for chrissake) is obscene but there seem to be no decent alternatives. I haven't found anything that seems better than SWMotech + Givi. I like the look of side bags (specifically the E41s) and the fact that they would keep mass lower. But a single E52 topcase would be cheaper, and would give my passenger a little more piece of mind (and a backrest.) Any opinions on side vs top case?

Bringing this thread back from the dead... My bird has the same knock at idle. It's about the only thing keeping it from being perfect. I was wondering if anyone had followed through and adjusted the lash in their counterbalancers? Did it cure the knock?

I also have the Zero Gravity Touring screen, but I lack experience with any other windscreen on my XX. I believe it performs well enough for my needs which are high speed touring, often 2up.

I added a 5mm shim this weekend. Pros: Handling is greatly improved. Like someone shaved 50lbs off the bike. Makes the 'bird even easier to ride. Cons: 2up... it puts a bit more of the passenger's weight onto the rider. If I take a long trip 2up, I'd consider removing the shim.

Might want to use Scotchbrite pads, or at least stainless steel-wool. The problem with using regular steel wool on stainless parts is that bits of regular steel in the wool can get embedded in the stainless, which will serve as focal points for corrosion. This is based on what I've learned about welding stainless (and keeping it stainless.) I'll admit this might be a moot point on a brake rotor. I use a rotory scotchbrite pad... quick and easy if you have one handy.

I'm in a bit of a budget freeze now (moving to England in 4 months), but I needed a better solution for hauling the Mrs. around. The stock seat is certainly better for the pillon than the one on my Triumph Daytona, but that isn't saying much. It still slopes forward too much, and doesn't extend far enough. As she slides forward she winds up sitting on the ledge. I suppose I could gain 100lbs so my ass would fill the seat better, but I thought modifying the stock steat might be more prudent. Despite being almost certain that I was about to permanently fuck up my seat, I embarked on a project to modify it anyway. I used a screwdriver to remove most of the staples (I left the cover attached at the front to make my life easier.) I then pulled out my angle grinder. The angle grinder does a nice job of shaping foam. It's a bit difficult to control, but if you are careful it cleanly removes the foam, and leaves a smooth surface. I spent about an hour carving out some of the passenger seat foam to make an ass shaped depression. The next trick would be to extend the ledge. I couldn't find a good source of foam, until I stumbled upon knee pads in the garden section of Home Depot. They are just a 16"x8"x1" chunk of foam. I cut the foam roughly to size with a handsaw. I used spray adhesive to glue this piece of foam in front of the ledge. Using the angle grinder and a hand sander I shaped the foam to match the original contours of the seat. This extended the ledge forward almost 2". Thankfully the the stock seat cover has plenty of extra material... so all that's left is to restaple it. I can't wait to try it out... assuming it ever stops raining here. --Mark

I maintain a small personal fleet of aging Italian sports cars, and I have to say: I love working on my Honda! Sometimes I'm happy to not have my mechanical skills challenged. I spent way more time cleaning behind the cowlings than I did installing the CCT. Thanks to John01XX for providing the CCT in a quick and efficient manner...