Which tech tips do you use?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey folks,

Just a quick Poll regarding how the site is being utilized.

This site has 2 locations for the tech tips. There are actual Forums where the tips are displayed, and there are the Drop Down menus at the top of any page. We want to find out which ones do folks use and look at the most, especially for the newbies that come to the site.

If one is used almost exclusively, then we can cut down on the amount of effort put into updating and maintaining both versions vs. just 1.

[Rasputin]

Hit the wrong button there. I use the forums not the drop downs. Sorry

[crazy steve]

I'll put in my thoughts....

One of things TC and I discussed with me coming on board as a mod was updating the 'closed' tech forums (maint/repairs/mods) to bring them more up to date. As many have probably noticed, searching the 'open' forums can sometimes be a bit frustrating when looking for a specific tip given the volume of posts. And more than a few of the posted tips in both the open and closed forums have gone 'bad' with broken links, missing pics, and sometimes out-of-date info, so there's definitely room for improvement there. So I guess a better question would be, if the closed forums were updated, would you more likely to look there rather than doing a search? Keep in mind that we're not looking to post everything in the closed forums, but think that permanently posting some upgraded maint/repair tips would be helpful, particularly some more carb/electrical info. As far as the 'mods' forum, I see updating where needed some of the more popular mods, as well as adding any that come along that will offer improvements and/or solutions to disappearing parts.

One last idea; is there interest in a 'restoration' forum? There's been some interest lately from members wishing to restore their bikes to 'factory new', but one problem is Yamaha did a lot of 'running' changes that don't show up accurately in the parts fiche, so trying to do a 'correct' restore (with all the 'right' parts) could be difficult, particularly if you have any bits missing. I see this as taking time to put together, and obviously info off 'frankenbikes' won't be helpful; this will be an appeal to those who have relatively unmolested bikes. There are quite a few 'detail' differences between years/models such as the factory-fitted kick lever on the '78 bikes was chromed, while the '79 models got a zinc-plated one. It's things like that we'd be trying to document.

Any and all comments welcome!

[tom clisham]

It's not always easy to find specific info.

I like Steve's comments & believe there should be some way to update & simplify specific categories. IE: carbs, lights, elec. components, frame, etc.
Grouping info all together on one topic in one area would help, no matter where it is.

[WMarshy]

I didn't know there was a dropdown menu... I go through the form and also use the search feature as there seems to be some usefull information in the discussion area that hasn't been moved/made into tech tips.

[crazy steve]

I didn't know there was a dropdown menu... I go through the form and also use the search feature as there seems to be some useful information in the discussion area that hasn't been moved/made into tech tips.

That's one of the things we'd like to address... if you have a favorite tip that's in the archives, let me know.

[WMarshy]

That's one of the things we'd like to address... if you have a favorite tip that's in the archives, let me know.

I think the auto cct mod needs to go in the tech tips. James England started a thread titled CCT Conversion and there is some lessons to be learned in that thread if doing that mod. I'm not saying it has everything in it to make a tech tip alone but it has great info in it that should be incorporated into a central location... Another one is the FD mod, not that I have much interest in it personally but, I don't think it has been placed into the mod section...
Thanks for your future contributions Steve.

[bikerphil]

Couple tech tips maybe for the mods section...

Full power ign. coil relay mod
No-slip stock cam chain adjuster
Side gap spark plugs
FJ forks

[3Phase]

A New Moderator!

Congratulations, Steve! (or should that be, "Condolences, Steve!)

I usually use the dropdown menu to find Tech Tips now but I also read the read-only forum sections when I first found the site.

At the time I had trouble finding things again after I read them because some info seemed to be under the menus and some in the forums. I don't know if that was just me or if it was fixed. In the meantime I've learned how to use the local site Search function along with Google search.

I thought the Idle Talk forum was about restoration but a specific forum with O.E.M. details down to fully-bearded gnats would be useful if the topics were organized and moderated instead of a freewheeling free-for-all.


Oh, and can someone please fix the typo in the 750/850 Mod so it has the correct torque settings for the Type I and Type II final drives? Telling people AFTER they've put the 'new' drive in their bikes and already gone for a trip or several is sort of a buzzkill, you know?

[fredintoon]

Hi TC,
me too "what drop-down menus?" OK, then I looked. The white guys way up top, right?
So I looked for my sidecar string via the drop-down & guess what? You can't find it, or the entire sub-section that it's in.
AND, I'd dearly like to edit that string to remove the redundancies and the typos that only show up after the thing is locked into print. Some way you guys could let me at it?

[mjpxs11sh]

i use the drop down. easy to find.

[CatatonicBug]

I never touch the archives, and only ever use the links from the main xs11.com home screen (same place you get to from the drop-down). I like the idea of a restoration section though. It would be nice to have a place to find paint codes, tips on rust removal and details for differences between the years (side-cover emblems, grab-bar configurations, etc.).

[je2wheeler]

I'll put in my thoughts....

One last idea; is there interest in a 'restoration' forum?
Any and all comments welcome!

Count me a yes vote. I was fortunate when I found my SF, it is a snapshot of the completely orignal. My SF is a daily rider so I have brought some things up to date for longivety and safety but every bit of the orignal is taged and boxed so that if need be it can go back orignal that includes the rotted brake lines.

[Yahman]

I voted that I use the drop down menus, but I actually use both equally. There was no option for that vote.

Larry

[Irukandji]

In regard to the electrical part of the restoration It would be nice to see corrected color and wiring mistakes printed in the manual. That members have found.

99.9% of our problems