What did you do to your bike today?

[delarbreavous]

I had a problem with the brackets supporting the Givi rack on the the rear frame, three out of four brackets were broken.

I assembled the rear re welded the brackets and made a support ( as seen on one of MZ rider's posts) with a 1/16 by 1 inch strap of metal.

I think I now can tow a truck with it!

AND!

I also installed my brand new RPM superbrace

Alain

[fb747]

Yesterday I put a new front sprocket on so I am now running an 18t up front and 41t out back with a 180/55/17 tyre. I find this combination to be quite close to stock and comfortable on the highway with good acceleration and top end.
I also did a full fork rebuild including both inner and outer sliders, new seals, 15w oil and a good clean out.

The result is that I am now a happy little vegimite.   

[billwest]

Not just today, but over a few days, I replaced my exhaust system, with the one from sandybikespares in the UK.
This was made for the XJR1200/1300. Link is here.

I removed (2 kg or so):



and (about 6 kg each):



and replaced it with this (about 6kg total):



The old collector is now replaced by a 4-2-1 collector and is much simpler and lighter.



I cut about 20cm off the pipe leading from the collector to the can, so it doesn't sit too far back.

The whole lot is stainless steel, well made, and it fits.  Sound is good, not overly loud (quieter than my original setup).



I may have to play with the idle mix a bit, turning the mixture screws in half a turn, as it is now a little too rich.
I will also add that handling seems improved, due to less unslung weight.

Bill.

[Flynt]

"...I will also add that handling seems improved, due to less unslung weight."

Bill.

[billwest]

You're right, Flynt.  It is not unslung.
But, it handles nicer, anyway.

[fb747]

And looks good too Bill!

Did you just cut and weld the XJR mount right onto the frame? I've gotta get back to oz where there is a shed and real tools.
Did you paint your foot peg mounts, they look nice... nicer than mine anyways.

[billwest]

No cutting nor welding of mounts.  The exhaust strap was supplied, and I used a bit of flat with holes in the correct spot, to mount to a suitable spot behind the footpeg mount.  I did paint the mounts btw.  I had to, after one of my young ones came to grief on this bike a couple of years ago (he blames some young female in a little yellow car).  The original footpeg mount was cracked.  Bought some 2nd hand ones.

I am looking at raising the can a bit, by getting the pipe from the collector bent up.

Bill.

[fb747]

Yea it is better to have everything unboltable it just looked stuck on from the pic.

Those girls in little yellow cars are very dangerous, especially in the summer months.

Shouldn't be too difficult to bend, just get a bit of pipe that fits in the end of the exhaust tube and stick that in the vice, then slide the exhaust on it and heat up the area you want to bend with an oxy and bend away. Then just chop a bit off the top of your mounting bracket and bills your uncle!!! I crack me up.
It will look better sitting up a bit as the can would be in sync with the lines of the bike. The V&H I've got now will be perfect when I get a pensky and raise her up a bit.     

[axiom-r]

The whole lot is stainless steel, well made, and it fits.

Hey Bill that looks really good.  Does your center stand line up correctly for the "stay arm" on the new pipe?  Any other fitment issues beyond nipping the end off for proper length?

cheers- tim

[billwest]

Lines up just nicely.
Fitting problems - a bit fidly fitting the collector part on to the 4 downpipes.  Nothing too difficult.

Bill.

[mijohnso]

I layed it down in a parking lot. Like an idiot.

Thought for long periods of time what upgrades I can sneak in while fixing it.

[weymouth399]

I layed it down in a parking lot. Like an idiot.

Thought for long periods of time what upgrades I can sneak in while fixing it.

Mike are you all right, the bike can be fixed easier than you. Let me know if I can help with any parts.

Bob W

[markmartin]

Well, 10 days ago,---Jacked the rear end up by about 3/4" by adjusting the Penske Sport Shock.  Both wheels touch the ground now when parked on the center stand.  Also cranked the spring up (down?) to bring the ride sag to about 30mm (180lb solo rider) from a previous 40mm setting.  She's feeling quite sporty this way.

As everyone has said , the turn in is much quicker, especially around town, but also noticeable on the open road.  I should have done it a year ago.

It also handles much better when riding two up which was the incentive for the adjustment.

[Brook]

......just had the seats recovered



[edit] Brook, I put your photos in for you. - Pat

[FJmonkey]

...... in the misc FJ photos!!

Just one photo? Really??? You would suck less with more details... Looks like you did some work to get that look. What was involved?