SLY DVL

Yes. 3 of my valves were on the tight side @25K miles. It is also highly unusual for the cam & bucket to wear before the face of the valve, and the valve seat, hence why valves tighten more often than loosen. Once a cam starts to wear, it's downhill fast as the hardening wears off. Just ask the ZZR guys. Really? So on the XX the shims actually have to be reduced to compensate for wear? Un"f***ing"beliveable!!! Who was the engineer that decided to use a soft valve seat? I've been adjusting valves in the automotive trade for 15 years and never had to loosen one! The only instance I've ever heard of removing or reducing shims was on the ZX's & ZZR's. So one can't even wait until thay start to tick, cause they won't if they're getting tight. Kev

Valve lash is entirely dependent on what part of the valve trane is wearing. Usually, it's the cam lobe & bucket which start to wear increasing the clearance in the valve trane requiring a larger shim to account for the wear. Yes, if the valve seat were soft enough the valve would begin to wear into the head resulting in too little clearance as rockme stated. However, I thought it was only the early to mid 90's Kawi's that had a soft head issue? Has anyone actually had to REDUCE the shim size on a bird? Kev

Good to know. I'm looking at a few items on the Clear site so as soon as I get my X-mas money LOL Kev

I too am a technician (mechanic) and rest assured no one else has ever laid a hand on my XX. I've seen way too many hack artists out there and have personally seen some of the work/damage they do. I'm not saying they're all bad, but a lot of mechanics don't take any pride in what they do... Kev

Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Have you eliminated the sharp edges & if so how do you find the seating position now? Any close ups? Kev

Here's the part I don't understand. Why would you buy a complete new harness to the tune of $600.00, pay someone to install it costing another $750.00, when all along you know where the problem lies & what it would take to permanently fix it?! I really don't get that part... :?: :?: :?:

Pics are here... http://www.cbr1100xxforums.org/photos/thum...s.php?album=414 Kev

Has anyone tried modifying their stock XX seat? I find it comfortable (not as a Corbin but...) except after a long day ride in jeans. The edges almost seem to cut into my lower thighs. I was contemplating shaving the foam slightly to give it a little more of a "Gunfighter" type pocket and try to eliminate those edges. Anyone, anyone, anyone...? Kev

For those that want something a little more descreet, I used one of those "Plug into your cig. lighter" type LED meters. Green is good, yello is caution, & red is, well, dying. Gutted the unit and used the board & LED's in a smaller case, filled it with epoxy for waterproofing and then mounted the 3 LED's up top where the windscreen meets the dash cowling, Looks great, clutters nothing and is very functional! If anyone wants pic's I can post. Kev

CCT = Cam Chain Tensioner The chain that drives your camshaft(s) from your crankshaft. Kev

You think? Mike probably swapped your Castrol for vegetable oil when you weren't looking! Seriously though, I'd suspect valve lash. Especially if it shows up after a hard ride. Kev

One more thing to add to the winter "to do" list. :? Kev

I've got this annoying "buzzy" type sound @ about 3800 - 4000 rpm. Almost sounds like a lose fairing bolt or plastic rattling but all is tight. Have had this for about 15K Km now. I have 32K Km on the XX. Suspect CCT? Kev

I flushed with just off the shelf regular coolant. Make sure it's aluminum compatible (most are anyway) and go for a reputable name. Prestone, Delco etc. I added Water Wetter and noticed very little difference. Think I'll try Engine Ice nexxt time. Kev

Personally, I wouldn't put Dex-Cool in my lawn mower! I've pulled apart more cooling systems that have been ruined by Dex or another long life coolant. In a perfect world, under perfect conditions Dex would be great. But, as soon as you get the mixture off just slightly, introduce air into the equation, or still have some remaining "green" coolant in there for it to mix with, forget it. You're just asking for it. What was wrong with the ethelene glycol based coolant anyway? No one ever complained about it now, did they. I.M.O. - Stick with the green/ethelene glycol. Kev