GriffXX

I'm just trying to post whore! Nothing new to say. Online order - I changed it - they were fine with it - order was shipped the same day. These folks are the best. Be sure to get their weekly (or bi-weekly) e-mails specials. They offer some awesome deals.

I originally went there to buy just a chain tool, but I wound up buying a fair bit more. Good prices, not necessary the best, but very competitive. Here is what set them apart, at least in my mind. I placed an online order on (this) Monday. Free shipping since I went over $100 (and I get a free t-shirt), but since I need the stuff for my weekend maintenance, I sent them an e-mail regarding the order. My e-mail asked if I could pay for expedited shipping since I really need the stuff by Friday. 40 minutes later, they call and leave a message at my house regarding my e-mail. I’m not home, so they leave a message and then return my e-mail with a simple ‘please call us regarding your e-mail and order’. When I get around to calling them, their response is “Mr. Griffin, we’ll be happy to expedite the shipping for you and just charge you the upgrade price, but your order is already boxed up and ready to go out the door right now. You should have it in 2 days”. I’m stunned. And right now (Wednesday) my new tools are already waiting for me at home. Are they always this good? I don’t know, but I’ll find out.

You're killing me. Here I was expecting some rocket science answer, and out comes the obvious! :loony: But it reminds me of why I have always struggled with my own repair work - I often make things harder than they are. :hammer: And the front sprocket torque question was coming next! As always, I appreciate the help! I'm ready to go.

Thanks's M_P. Chain's already off. Anyway, my willy (actually, Mr. Willy) wouldn't have fit anyway. Stupid question time...Obviously I'm missing something (probably because I haven't gone inside yet), but why 2 diffferent size torque wrenches?

Nik, I think you’ll be fine. I switched to all Galfer Greens (thanks to Carlos and advice from around here) both front and rear and will likely go with the same setup when it’s time to change them out. SS lines are next. The Greens are a significant improvement, although I do not feel the same ‘bite’ in the back that I do the front. The backs grab, but not overly so and I don’t worry about the back locking up in a panic stop. You probably already know this, and I am the last guy to be offering advice in this section, but make sure you clean off your rotors extremely well prior to installing the Greens. You are going to an organic pad so you want to get all the metal particles off the rotors so the Greens can properly set up. Part of what Sergio Galfer wrote to me in a note is below: “The Galfer greens are going to be your best bet on stopping power and rotor life. The green give an HH like bite, but as you know, is a softer pad. It won't last as long, but your rotors will. Remember to clean your rotors very well before putting in the green organic/kevlar pads. The pad compound will have a very hard time biting into the metallics left behind by your pads now.” Sergio was extremely helpful to me in this. As for cleaning the rotors, here is what he suggested: “As far as cleaning off the rotors, it is simple. 600grit sandpaper and wet sand the rotors in a circular motion. Then wipe clean with a damp cloth. This will give your pads a nice surface to start biting on.” I gotta think judicious use of brake cleaner helps the process. Let us know how it turns out. Oh, and one more thing. You'll get some 'bling' out of the Greens. Due to the compound, they make my rotors shine :grin:

I can’t say it’s a good or bad idea. You know I have already shot all mechanical credibility around here! But I’m gonna get where I need to be soon. I have heard of it, a lot. I think Sergio Galfer has referred to it on one of the other sportbike forums. He has his own thread on brake issues and the damn thing is like 50 pages long. I'll skim it and look. Was Jackie at cyclebrakes? They seem to know this group well and that’s why they give us a discount. Swamp probably game them some ‘love’ at one point. And yes, there is something about a girl who knows sportbikes. Not just the eye candy, but know something about our bikes.

http://www.cyclebrakes.com/ Great folks. I got my Galfer Greens there. Received a 10% discount for calling in and mentioning that I am a forum member here. I think I spoke with Melissa.

Thanks David. I'm looking forwarsd to this stuff and keeping the 'bird away from the stealer as much as possible. Ordered the MityVac and Motion Pro riveter today. Already have the chain (and an extra connecting link - just in case). My weekend project is set.

Welcom Scott. I concur with Sean. Ron Ayers has the best pricing on bodywork. I've used them quite a lot for many things and have always been pleased.

OK, Griff's XX Garage is opening up - without the formal training... http://www.cbr1100xx.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13216 All the standard tools I have, now I need to go get some motorcycle specific tools. For the chain, a dremmel to cut the old; got it. Is the Motion Pro Chain Riveting Tool (Iron Pony for $80) the ticket for the rivet? Any others? I need to do this ASAP as I am 1/2 way in to the red with a 400 mile ride tomorrow (two-up), and the stealer didn't get it done last week. As no one stocks riet tools, I guess I'll need to do it post ride. Brakes and Clutch fluids are next. The threads I've seen mainly refer to the Mighty Vac and also state it's a two person job (no way I'm gonna he able to 'hire' the wife). Anything else that hasn't been talked about ad nausium around here? Plenty of info around here on that one. Lastly, I have the service manual, and unfortunately it barely says squat about swapping the front sprocket. I have also gone through the first 20 pages of this Garage forum (a wealth of info here - I went through a ream of paper printing the wisdom) and seen it referred to, but no step-by-steps. Anybody have or recall any good front sprocket swap information? Or am I getting a little ambitious to tackle this one? As always, thanks for your help. Griff

Vinnie, Nothing to add to what was said above, except Welcome....welcome to the nut house. :bigshock: I think you'll find an outstanding group here. Many of us should be locked away (either in prison or in rooms with padded cells), so that is why we ride fast bikes. Please check in often. It will probably be a little quiet around here this weekend as we have a pretty big gathering going on (and i am very pissed I can't make it), but i think you'll see we have it all here. GriffXX

Look out. Here it comes :kicknuts: Personally, I would replace the tire at me earliest opportunity. I guess I’m a wimp and safety cop...That said, when I bought my Valkyrie Tourer (very big and heavy), it had a new rear tire on it. I put 1,200 miles on it the first three weeks I had it including lots of high speed runs and some very rough road conditions. I rode it hard. And then I saw something funny on the rear tire, a plug. The way the Valk was set up, you could only see a bit of the rear tire from the back and it took me three weeks to notice it. I guess the knucklefuck wrench who put a new tire on it, test rode it and picked up a nail, and so plugged it. Fact is, the tire was strong (and had lots of tread left). I'd ride on a plug again, but I'd start tire shopping right away. So I guess I’m useless and have just argued both sides of the coin. And Nik, aren't you supposed to be gone by now? Gawd I wish I was going.

I have 10 thumbs and no brain, but I was able to do it. Look through the archives in the garage. I won't re-state wasn't has already been stated 100 times around here. Simple proceedure. Take your time, and be careful not to scratch the rotors.

I also the Galfer Greens. Members of this site get a discount from one of the vendors if we mention this site by name. I know somebody will chime in with the vendor. I think it is cyclebrakes.com. The Galfer Greens are very soft on the rotors with good stopping power. I think Carlos or sombody has said thaey are a little soft when they get wet, but I don't think they are that bad - then again I am a pretty conservative rider when wet.

John, I'm glad all turned well. I've been considering a pair. It the fit/sizing similar to regular jeans (is a 34 really a 34)? Is it worth mentioning who your bad experience was with? I'd like to pass over him/her if I order. Thanks Griff

What DBLXX said is fine Virginia weather. Where are you in VA? I know the XXorcist is here in Richmond with me, although we haven't gotten together. He sounds like he has far more free time than I do (lucky bastard!). If you're close, I have some fuel stabilizor that I'll share. Also fill up the tank. That lessens the opportunity for water go get in there. As for pulling the battery, it makes sense if we are going to have a winter like we did last year.

PAOW, Welcome to the board. To answer your question, yes, all D&D's are loud. VERY loud. Yours are the way they are supposed to be. And no, not everyone here likes screaming loud pipes, but enough do that you can probably sell them pretty easily if you wish. Congratulations on your purchase. I also have a '99 Bird and absolutely love it.

collettcommmunicators.com, or something like that. I just bought their older model just to use as an intercom for me and my girlfriend. Looking forward to trying it out. Easy to buy direct.

Sergio Galfer (of that Galfer group) runs a thread on another board relating to brakes. It is a great thread and he answers a lot of tough questions. I can't recall the exact wording, but he basically says that swapping pads is bad, very bad. Especially the LF Outer pad that tends to wear unevenly. If you swap it, that uneven pad is only going to make minimal contact with the new side rotor.

widder I hear they are the best. Really can't compare them, but they were a lifesaver on my last SS1000. The Iron Butt Association swears by them (at least they get a lot of good press there). http://www.widder.com/

Like what was said above, she was very pleasant to deal with, gave the discount when I mentioned that I learned about them from this site, and the pads were shipped out that day. Even tried to sell me the SS brake lines (maybe next time). I like supporting good people who offer a good product and good service.

Hi Kevin, and welcome to the club. I've had two Magna's and loved them. If you did most of the work on the Magna, then you will have no problem with the XX. As a compare / contrast, I always used to let the pros do the work on my bikes (helping support the local economy, yada - yada - yada). But after being completely through this board, Carlos' main site, and Warchild's site, I do all the basic stuff myself. And I have 10 uncoordinated thumbs; If I can do it, anybody can. Back to your point, oil changes are extremely easy without any fairing removal (unless King Kong screwed on the last oil filter) In general, I'd still pick up the service manual as a comprehensive guide, but in the area such as oil changes, plugs,and etc., follow the advice of Warchild and Carlos.

Thanks all. I'll try Russell, and give Sargeant a call regarding a custom seat. I appreciate the word on Mayer, but as I have super-sized a few value meals (5'10: 210) and the pillion is 5'10; 125, it sounds like the Mayer might not be the one, but I'll look. Anybody have web sites or Tel#'s handy? Or I'll Google it. I'll also check with the local upholstery shops. That's also a great idea. Everyone have a good weekend and ride safe. I'm seeing a rash of bike accidents reported on the boards these past few weeks.

I’ve been OK with the stock seat. Certainly not great, but I think it is one of the better stockers out there. Now my girlfriend wants to ride with me – often (I know, that’s another problem for another time). Obviously the stock seat sucks for the passenger who constantly slides down off of her perch. I was about to buy a Corbin Gunfighter & Lady, but with the post that CBR-RR-XX-CESS posted on Corbin, I have trouble supporting a company that knowingly defrauds its investors. Any other ideas / suggestions. I’ve been to Sargent Cycle. I don’t see anything ‘canned’ for the ‘Bird. I can always send off the seat to them for some custom work, but I’d only do that over Winter. Anybody have any idea as to their turn around time? Anybody use anybody else for custom seat work (and been pleased)? As always, thanks for the help.

I'll be in Canada for 9 days - leaving in a few weeks. I'll have to pick up some Crystal Glo and try it out. Especially if it is that hard to find.