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Hey guys,
Rusty has turned 59,500 original miles and is running like a Swiss watch.
Bike is completely stock and original except for removal of octopus and rear shocks were replaced with new ones 3/4" longer than stock. This has made the steering much lighter due to decreased rake and trail. Bike now handles beautifully and steering is neutral at any lean angle so I take back nearly all of my previous complaints about the XS11s piggy handling. Also the added ground clearance means the exhaust doesn't scrape in the corners any more. Forks have been rebuilt and I run 2 lbs. of air in them (I weigh 150 lbs. soaking wet). Muffs rusted off at the collectors but have been reattached with muffler tape and judiciously placed hose clamps.
Recently did cam chain adjustment and cleaned and regapped plugs.
Added a set of Optronics driving lamps (15 bucks [!] from JC Whipme). Drilled the headlamp ears just below and behind the turn sigs. Owner's Manual and Clymer say don't exceed 50 watts on the auxialliary power tap but I figured that a 10w fuse x 12 volts = 120w so the 2 55w lamps = 110w. I hooked 'em up and lo and behold the fuse and all wiring remained cool.
So far no problems. Charging system handles the added load just fine at highway speeds though continued pottering about town will slowly drain the battery. The kickstarter easily started the bike with low battery though. Have had these annoyingly bright lamps a couple of weeks and so far no moron cagers have turned left across my path! Before the lamps this occured about 2 or 3 times a week.
Also have added a Priority Lights turn signal coupler (around $45 from Competition Accessories). This neat little device causes the single filament rear turn sigs to operate as running and brake lights. Turn signal function remains normal. To be legal when running this device the amber signal lenses need to be replaced with red ones. These are available from Mike's XS. Since there wasn't room under the seat for the module, I placed it in the tool box since I carry my tools in a fork bag anyway. I definitely feel safer with 3 tail/stop lights rather than the stock single bulb.
At the risk of starting yet another oil thread
I want to report that for the last few oil changes I've been using 15w40 Shell Rotella T diesel tractor oil (around $2/quart at Kmart and Walmart). My clutch had started to show a tendency to slip due to previous use of auto oils but this has now ceased since Rotella is designed for wet clutches. I imagine that Chevron Delvac would work good in these bikes too. Why am I using tractor oil?
Because I'm a cheapskate, that's why. My oil change interval is 2000 miles or if the oil smells burnt, whichever comes first. I do ride the bike hard. 
Rusty has turned 59,500 original miles and is running like a Swiss watch.
Bike is completely stock and original except for removal of octopus and rear shocks were replaced with new ones 3/4" longer than stock. This has made the steering much lighter due to decreased rake and trail. Bike now handles beautifully and steering is neutral at any lean angle so I take back nearly all of my previous complaints about the XS11s piggy handling. Also the added ground clearance means the exhaust doesn't scrape in the corners any more. Forks have been rebuilt and I run 2 lbs. of air in them (I weigh 150 lbs. soaking wet). Muffs rusted off at the collectors but have been reattached with muffler tape and judiciously placed hose clamps.Recently did cam chain adjustment and cleaned and regapped plugs.
Added a set of Optronics driving lamps (15 bucks [!] from JC Whipme). Drilled the headlamp ears just below and behind the turn sigs. Owner's Manual and Clymer say don't exceed 50 watts on the auxialliary power tap but I figured that a 10w fuse x 12 volts = 120w so the 2 55w lamps = 110w. I hooked 'em up and lo and behold the fuse and all wiring remained cool.
So far no problems. Charging system handles the added load just fine at highway speeds though continued pottering about town will slowly drain the battery. The kickstarter easily started the bike with low battery though. Have had these annoyingly bright lamps a couple of weeks and so far no moron cagers have turned left across my path! Before the lamps this occured about 2 or 3 times a week.Also have added a Priority Lights turn signal coupler (around $45 from Competition Accessories). This neat little device causes the single filament rear turn sigs to operate as running and brake lights. Turn signal function remains normal. To be legal when running this device the amber signal lenses need to be replaced with red ones. These are available from Mike's XS. Since there wasn't room under the seat for the module, I placed it in the tool box since I carry my tools in a fork bag anyway. I definitely feel safer with 3 tail/stop lights rather than the stock single bulb.
At the risk of starting yet another oil thread
I want to report that for the last few oil changes I've been using 15w40 Shell Rotella T diesel tractor oil (around $2/quart at Kmart and Walmart). My clutch had started to show a tendency to slip due to previous use of auto oils but this has now ceased since Rotella is designed for wet clutches. I imagine that Chevron Delvac would work good in these bikes too. Why am I using tractor oil? Because I'm a cheapskate, that's why. My oil change interval is 2000 miles or if the oil smells burnt, whichever comes first. I do ride the bike hard.
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