winter tune up

[bchaffin]

I hate to ask this cause I know it is on here somewhere. I just got my xs this year and I want to go through it this winter and change the fluids and tune it up. I am trying to get everything together before I start and I am trying to figure out what all I should do to it. I have seen a post on this before about what to do when you buy a bike but can't seem to find it now. Can anyone help?

[DGXSER]

Look in the FAQ section, unde "What to look for in a neglected XS11". Also, get a manual and go through ALL of the maintenance section items in the book.

[bchaffin]

I have a manual and have changed the oil and plugs. The one I bought probaly wasn't neglected but you can never be to careful. I knew there was a post about that but couldn't remember where. Thank you.

[CatatonicBug]

Be sure to completely disassemble the entire brake system if you haven't yet. Take the calipers and MC completely apart and clean behind the rubber seals. Clean the old fluid out and replace with new.

Go through the electrical system and take ALL the connectors/switches apart and clean the corrosion off of them and lube them with dielectric grease. Also clean all the ground connections, and dab them with anti-sieze (conducts electricity & prevents corrosion) before re-assembly. This includes the Reg.Rect under the tank - it grounds to the frame, and can get nasty underneath. Also, if you haven't yet, replace teh old fuse block with the spade-style fuses. TC sells a nice setup for $11 shipped. Just add fuses!

[bchaffin]

I am in the middle of getting a fuse box from TC. Had to wait for him to get back from vacation. The electrical seems good still. I will still go through it but I plan on reworking the brakes. I got lucky and bought one that was road worthy all ready. Just don't know when things had been done last so I will fell more comfortable doing them myself. One of these days I will get some pictures up of what it looked like when I bought it.

[TomRodgers]

FWIW.....my $.02 ...i have done this will all my equipment be it bikes, mowers, or whatever...

1. remove gas from tank/tanks
1.5 consume summer beer from fridge....
2. start engine and run dry (sometimes i use a fogging oil to lube stuff that will be sitting a long time)
2.5 send SWMBO to store to stock afformentioned fridge with winter beer.
3. drain all oils (engine, middle, final)
3.5 check quality control of winter beer
4. change filters
4.5 confirm quality control of winter beer
5. fill new oils to the max....keeps moisture out of it (not sure if its needed, but i do it anyway...)i take the key and hook a plastic card to it that says (DRAIN OVERFILL OILS!!!)
5.5 beat on brother-in-laws head as to why my fairing for "ghost" isnt painted yet....which in turn requires replacement of electrolytes in the form of hops/barley/malt products
6. check out everypart of machine...that way what $$ i need to spend i can budget and get parts over the winter to fix on the dreary days!!!

im sure i forgot something...but add those to your list!!!