Valuable Lesson Learned

[GrandpaDenny]

Not afraid to embarrass myself when I make a mistake... learned the hard way to make damn sure the o-ring on the oil filter is seated correctly all the way around. Rotella T6 15W-40 is apparently only sold by the gallon, and I lost more than the ten ounces saved back from the gallon I used for the oil change. Oil level is at the bottom of the sight glass, so she won't blow up on me. Got another gallon coming. Boy what a mess I made in the parking lot. Next time I change the oil I'll make sure to do it in somebody else's favorite parking spot

Also changed the coolant yesterday.

Today, went to get my official motorcycle license (didn't come in the mail), oh boy it was windy, cold, and, yes, snowy. Just minor squalls, nothing sticking. So add me to the list of people who will ride if it's snowing, as long as it's above freezing and the snow isn't sticking.

Upcoming projects:
- final drive oil change
- clutch fluid change
- brake fluid change
- lopping 4" or so off that monster windshield.

I checked the steering after fixing the center stand (WOW it's EASY to use!), seems to be just fine. Nice and tight, no movement when I lifted the front end (had a friend push down on the trunk) and pulled and pushed. Wheel and bars flop to the side smoothly as well. So, the steering is fine. I've still got a kind of banging noise coming on bigger bumps, might be something loose in the fairing? I noticed that it is really easy to get the front end to extend, say if I'm sitting at a light and pull up on the bars. Is that normal? I'm running 5lbs. in the front forks. 36lbs might be too much in the front tire for these Philly roads, she about beats me to death! Knocked my heads-up display and phone loose on the highway, boy that was fun trying to keep my phone from falling off the dash at speed in traffic.

[Nails]

Oil level is at the bottom of the sight glass, so she won't blow up on me.

The sight glass is inaccurate. You might want to search "oil level" here.

lopping 4" or so off that monster windshield.

Why stop there? I only have 9" left above the cowling, and would cut that off except it'll look funny on the huge fairing.

I checked the steering after fixing the center stand (WOW it's EASY to use!) ... So, the steering is fine.

XII have quirky front suspension. Don't be surprised if you get shimmies or other weirdness on the road. Lots of things can be wrong (and generally are on these old bike), but almost all of them are easy fixes.

I've still got a kind of banging noise coming on bigger bumps, might be something loose in the fairing?

Mine does, too. Dunno, couldn't find it. It's a reminder to mellow out on the rough roads -- these aren't dirt bikes.

I noticed that it is really easy to get the front end to extend, say if I'm sitting at a light and pull up on the bars. Is that normal? I'm running 5lbs. in the front forks. 36lbs might be too much in the front tire for these Philly roads, she about beats me to death! Knocked my heads-up display and phone loose on the highway, boy that was fun trying to keep my phone from falling off the dash at speed in traffic.

I have no idea about fork pressure because the air forks suck. Like most of us, I put in Progressives. But the air shocks totally rock -- if you replace the oil.

With the other tips you can find here (search "steering" or "suspension"), you can easily end up with really stellar handling. Doubt you'll start there, though.

[SgtSlag]

One of the very best upgrades you can give your XII, is to replace the OEM front Fork Springs, and the rear shocks, with Progressives. Do a forum search for "Progressive", and you will find many postings on this subject.

With the Progressive Fork Springs, you will not need any air assist in the Forks -- ever. You can run whatever Fork Oil weight you desire: 8-9 is "normal", higher numbers will be stiffer, lower numbers will be mushy-soft. If you use Dexron III-VI ATF fluid, you will have very inexpensive, 8 Wt Fork Oil. It is also highly detergent, keeping your fork system very clean, in between changes. The new Dexron VI ATF is full synthetic, and it should last four years, instead of the usual two years for Dexron III-V types, or other non-synthetic Fork Oils

Progressive makes Air Assist Rear Shocks (416?), if desired, but they're not necessary, IMO. I believe the standard model for the XII's is the Progressive 412's. Verify, before ordering. Like their Fork Springs, they are equipped with dual-rate springs. They're basic, and simple, but they work nice.

If you ride primarily one-up, go with the Standard Springs; if you ride mostly two-up, order the Heavy-Duty Springs... I ride mostly two-up, and I made the mistake of ordering Standard Springs -- blew out one of the shocks within two months of riding. Replaced both Shocks, ordered them with Heavy-Duty Springs, and they've been fine, now, for over three years, and 7,000+ miles, two-up. Cheers!

[Barry]

Denny,
Thanks for bringing a smile to my face with your experiences so far. For years I used the site glass for checking oil level. Such a bad idea has it's consequences. It's possible to overfill using the site glass, even though the top of the oil level is showing. It also will indicate you have no oil on occasion. Don't panic when this happens and ad oil. I did add a few ounces once and then on a long ride hundreds of miles from home the oil seal next to the clutch slave cylinder blew out. I can tell you that smoke & burning oil on the exhaust isn't fun.
If you're running factory front springs, the banging sound could be from one of the springs being worn out. Pull them and make sure they are exactly the same length. Add washers to increase length. Or better yet, just put in some progressive front springs. Search fairing tapping sound for more ideas. Looking forward to hearing your discoveries and problem solutions. Once sorted out these bikes will run forever with proper maintenance.

[cushman eagle]

I had a tapping sound on my VXII,which ,after doing much searching, found to be the 6 bolts that fasten the fairing support frame to the main frame had come loose.

[Nails]

Mine was loose, too. This fairing support frame should be re-torqued regardless.
My fairing still has some clacking rattle, especially on WV roads. I've given up trying to find it.

[GrandpaDenny]

The problem with the oil level is, after carefully measuring out 3 qts. 22 oz, I didn't have the o-ring on the filter properly seated, so an unknown amount of oil hit the pavement. I added a quart today, and will leave it at that.

Nails and others, I was thinking the same, that the banging in the fairing is probably loose bolts. I start school tomorrow, so I don't know when I'll get to dig into her again.

I did a couple of projects today - see the "what I did" section in a few minutes.