| Author | Message | ||
     Elvis |
Am I a slob? I've never even thought about polishing the pipes. I like the singed, ridden look. It's not like it's a Harley or something, right? | ||
| Timbo |
lol Elvis, Hey it's all up to you. Go singe them puppies. It's your bike. Often times at gatherings I find myself drawn to the old bikes that look like they have been riden hard and maintained at home, often with homemade but no less effective parts. Not ratbikes but bikes that have a thinking owner that isn't afraid to do things himself. Timbo | ||
| Xb9er |
I like the "golden" look better than the polished SS. | ||
| Xb9 |
These bikes are not only fun to ride, they a work of art as well  My headers looked just like Captainplanet's after I polished them, and in my pics you can see how much browner (or "golden" ) they have became after 500 miles. Still can't figure out why they haven't blued like when the bike was new..... because the bike is running cooler now that it is well broken in, along with the RP synthetic oil dropping the running temp? As I remember the first few rides when the bike was new, it ran pretty darn hot. | ||
| S320002 |
José, "All else being equal, a 60 degree engine would result in a shorter wheelbase than the 90 degree Honda engine used in the Vincent." Agreed. However, all else is not equal. Like I said check the measurements. If you need another example check out the Nov 2002 issue of Motorcyclist magazine. Suzuki's TL1000 engine is significantly narrower front to back and shorter top to bottom than Hondas VRT 1000 engine. Granted the KTM 75 degree engine is smaller than both but again that has more to do with head width and height than cylinder angle. The 60 degree twin that you seem to be making implications about has very wide and tall heads. Also I don't think the "Vincent" designers intended to make the wheelbase as short as possible. Even with the current design it appears they could have shortened the wheel base if that had been a concern. Greg | ||
| S320002 |
I forgot to mention the CAD drawing I am referring to is on page 47 of the Nov 2002 Motorcyclist. Greg | ||
| Rick_A |
I kinda feel sorry for people that spend countless hours cleaning/polishing every slightest blemish on their bike(s). | ||
| Ken01mp |
i spend countless hours polishing and honing my RIDING. the wife does the cleaning. Ken | ||
| Xb9 |
Hey Rick_A, It really only took me about a forty-five minutes to clean those pipes, I guess I just like to take care of my bike. Take a little pride in her, you know. I spent COUNTLESS hours riding 490 miles on the edges in the southeastern Ohio twisties this past Saturday, what were you doing? Ken01mp, so how many miles you put on that M2 honing your riding this season? Bet I got you beat! | ||
| Ken01mp |
you do, im sure. i had a busy summer and worked a construction job where i needed to drive my truck. but trust me, the miles i logged were quality.i did go through two sets of tires, and part into a third, that count? Ken | ||
| Timbo |
Fuel question (XB9R), With fuel capacity listed as 3.7 gal. (including reserve) and the fact that I'm putting in right around 2.6 to 2.8 gallons each time I refuel. This leads me to believe my reserve light is coming on with approx. 1 gallon left in the tank. I usually refuel shortly after the light comes on, withing ten miles. My best estimates tell me I'm averaging around 49 to 52mpg. So I figure I have a safe 25 miles to travel before empty after the light comes on, and possibly as much as 50 depending on when the light comes on and how good my effeciency is. This leads me to my question. How far has anyone gone on their "F" trip meter before refuelling? I'm not suggesting anyone push it to see how far they can go. I know running out completely is NOT good. I'm just curious how far anyone has gone. Timbo | ||
| Archer |
28 miles and that was pushing it | ||
| Xb9 |
35 miles, took a little over 3 gal as I recall. | ||
| Shazam |
I got really desperate in the middle of Kansas, way off the interstate, on a sunday, and ended up with 41 miles showing on the "F" meter. That is 20 not so concerned miles, 15 very concerned miles and six of absolute panic. I had to backtrack for seven of those. I found the only fuel available on a sunday within 47 miles(or so I was told) at a lakeside marina. It took 3.4 to fill it. I don't worry about it any more I am sure there is an easy 50 in it. | ||
| Xb9er |
Just above 30 miles. But I remember it took 3.1 to fill it. | ||
| Bykergeek |
Polishing the Headers: I just tried some simichrome polish I had around for the Aluminum 2Bros on my Triumph. It worked wonders! Who would have known there was shine beneath that amber film... | ||
| Xb9er |
Why is everyone so into shining and polishing the headers? That textured amber coating is very beautiful looking, in my opinion. Just one of the many things setting the XB9R's apart from the rest. | ||
| Timbo |
Excellent, Thanks for the input on "F" range gents. Timbo | ||
| Timbo |
Xb9er, With time and use Stailess Steel pipes will go from a polished silver look, to a golden hue and continue to darken until eventually they are almost brown and usually pretty dull by this time. This is normal and will happen. The changing color is the result of heat. They will be darkest at the exhaust port. Personally I like the golden look they take on after a few good rides from being scrubbed. I say scrubbed because I don't try for the high polish sheen seen in some of the recent photos. When I scrub mine I use a red scrubber as described earlier and work at a 45 degree angle to the length then go back the opposite way giving the pipes (IMHO) a really cool cross hatch industrial pattern that has more of a satin sheen. It's not nearly as much work either. If you do just let them go, they will get kinda fuggly after awhile. Timbo | ||
| Timbo |
FWIW, This is a shot of my dearly departed '98 1200SCR w/SS pipes. I scrubbed the pipes a few days before this pic was taken and they are just beginning to take on a more golden hue (not sure how well the pic is gonna show it). Anyway, like I said FWIW.  Timbo | ||
| Xb9 |
These are the "before pics; a whole summer, 12K mi., they looked pretty bad. As far as why are we talking about our headers, for me, the weather up here in Cleveland lends itself more to "getting the bike ready for next year". Maintenance time.    | ||
| Rick_A |
Me personally, I keep the pipes clean...a dull hue is fine with me, as long as the road grime is off. Xb9...whoa there guy...that's wasn't a personal assault. I could care less what you do with your time...as you should about mine. I assure you, though...I was very busy. I have more than one vehicle to fix at the moment. Don't speak to me of mileage...when you've gone 500+ miles a day going 80-130mph for 3 days straight in rainy weather on an S1 with a stock seat, come talk to me!  Timbo...I saw your Sportster on a cafe racer site. Gorgeous man! Probably the coolest I've seen. | ||
| Bykergeek |
Chris Elliot in Cabin Boy:"My Pipes Are CLEAN! " | ||
| X1glider |
Timbo, that's a really cool bike. | ||
| Xb9er |
Wow, from the looks of XB9's pics, it looks like I'm in for some polishing work myself after a few thousand more miles! I will try to get the dull look like Rick_A and hopefully post some pics then. | ||
| Rick_A |
Nothing like that dull weathered look. Maybe I should paint all my bodywork flat black...hell yeah! All Timbo's bike needs is a flat numberplate and a flat track seat and he'll have a Harley 883 roadrace replica. | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Court Thanks for the tip on how to identify the correct replacement kickstand. Looks like I got the right one. It has a little "R" on the footplate just like you said it would. I was surprised that the stand was so dramatically different. It kicks out a lot further than the original. The bike had its 5000 mile service this week and a new rear tire. 5000 mile service $208 + another $40 or so in fluids, filters and shop supplies. Feels high. I've spent well over $500 on the first three service visits. Is this normal? Rear tire was $180 + $36 to mount and balance. | ||
| Xb9er |
1) You are getting gouged big time by your dealer. 2) Yes this (see #1) is normal for any H-D / Buell dealer service. For example, assuming you got a D208ZR 180/55ZR17 rear, they go for about $110.00. Mounting should be about $12 to $20. The dealer(s) here charge similar prices. Get used to it or do the work yourself. | ||
| Shazam |
charles, buy your tires at Freedom(the cheapest in town by far) if you can't mail order them. then take either your bike or the rim to Cyclops. give me a call next time if you need help with removal or anything. Cyclops is just down the street from my office and I could drop off and pick up for you. prices were as follows for my last set. Freedom: front pilot sport $84.00 rear pilot sport $105.00 Cyclops: mount and balance both $30.00 better luck next time? | ||
| Xb9er |
As I said, get used to it or do the work yourself. Another alternative I forgot to mention is to go to non- H-D/Buell dealers (as Shazam suggested). |
