frustated!!!

[graybird78]

well after 12 yrs happy ownership,not so happy these days. early this spring the cycle sound housing broke. broken housing =broken radionext thing to go is rear shocks. next thing to go is exhaust.broke clean in half at both mufflers on way to work. thank god guy at work is good welder. have been reading on here horror stories about ccts going bad, mine is still oe with 44k on it. now i'm getting noise at front of engine.kind of slapping sound. to afraid to tear into it for fear of something going bad. also getting some valve train noise . and also runs rough on cold starts only. and top all this off trying to buy new house. sorry for rant. just contemplating selling getting something different.parts getting to exspensive for this thing . had to replace exhaust 6yrs with xj because original exhaust broke at mufflers.other than all this has been excellent bike. no parts available around here.both used shops went out of bussiness.

[DGXSER]

The best inexpensive exhaust option I have rad about is looking on Ebay for new condition Harley mufflers. Most harley riders will have the factory system removed before the bike is even delivered and install after market systems. so here is this brand spanking new exhaust being offered on Ebay for a minimal fee casue they have four of them filling up garage space. Anyway, they fit well on the stock header/collector, and give good sound and performance (so I have read, not used one yet myself). Price, you can find them for $40 or so often on Ebay.

Shocks, I like the XJ air shocks I have on my bike right now. I got the pair for about $40 shipped and install was pretty much straight swap. I notice a definite improvement in ride comfort.

The slap sound may be a loose tensioner, or could be your cam chain is just worn out. depending on your milage, I would consider changing the cam chain and installing the ACCT. This is a little more money, and time involved, but a once or maybe twice in your ownership maintenance item.

[650mark]

i just installed an acct from a venture onto my '80 special and it made a real difference. much quieter now, and the used part was only $20.00 at the local bike salvage yard. took 5 minutes to remove it from the venture and about 10 minutes to install onto my bike after removing the oem unit. also i found that the stock unit was stuck so when i adjusted it a month ago it really didn't do anything at all. well worth the time and money.

[Poprock]

What DGXSER said. ACCT is the only way to fly. My SG has had Harley muffs off a Sportster for 6 years. Work great, sound stock but a little deeper note. Cheap fix for sure. You'd have to spend a bunch of money to find a bike as good as an 11, and a ton more to find one better.

[mack]

Cct

Putting an auto CCT won't help if the chain is already worn out. months a go I think 3 phase put in a brand new one and took a measurement from the housing for an old one and a new one. Steve if your out there see if you can find it and post for him. It was 4 plus inches if I can remember. If you do the cct adjustment routine then take your measurement you'll have a good idea if you need a chain replacement now or not. I agree though that an auto is the way to go even after ( hopefully not) you replace the chain. Bye the way, replacing the chain is easy. Couple hours max.

[graybird78]

thanks for replys. i know these bikes are next to indestructable, but for soo much to break in such a short time is frustrating. i'm a car tech for 25yrs, so not afraid to get dirty. and right now money is tight cuz of buying new house. house payment going to change ,but don't know how much.hoping the welds on exhaust hold up till winter. i know the bike needs some tlc. as far as the acct upgrade will do as soon as time permits.just did 200 mile ride with some friends. bike ran flawless. just hope it will last till winter. the thought of getting something nicer is enticeing. all said bike has never let me down. cant say that for some other certain makes. time will tell all. it does need vc gasket replaced ,leaking oil tho not bad,need to adjust valves to. now it looks like damn op switch is leaking to.we it rains it pours. everyone ride safe

[CaptonZap]

Look at it this way. How much trouble would you be having with a 30 year old car?
Steal some silicone gasket maker from work, and you won't need a gasket for the cam cover.
Pull the oil pressure switch, and see if the thread is something that is common with a metric car engine. All it is, is an on/off switch. Or, if you are handy, take a small drift pin and back the outer edge of the switch with a piece of heavy pipe, and carefully start crimping around the edge of the original crimp, using the drift pin. A little bit at a time, and see of you can stop the leak. The top of the switch usually has an O ring under it, which hardens from the heat, but which can sometimes be made to reseal by crimping down the edge a bit more.
Time consuming? Yes, but if you didn't have time, you would have money.
CZ