Some upgrades for my Fizzer today

[Botch]

These aren't really mods, so I hope its okay I post this here.

Took my Fizzer to a local shop today, they threw on some brand new Michelin Pilot Powers. I also had them throw in some new iridium plugs, and finally to clean the chain and use Teflon lube instead of chain lube.

The tires didn't feel "right" at first, but after a few miles I was thinking, wow, this sure is easier to turn! Admittedly my original Bridgestones, at 10,400 miles, were a bit "squared over" and that's probably the majority of what I'm feeling. I scooted up and down Ogden canyon just to wear them in a bit, and that's the most comfortable I've ever felt driving that stretch. :thumbup: :thumbup: Now we just need to see how long they last.

The plugs seemed to make a difference too, not in total power but just in the smoothness of the engine. I won't be gunning her at all until the tires are broken in a bit, but I'm glad I did it.

Couldn't tell a difference with the chain lube, there's a new "howl" that I hear as I accel/decelerate, but I'm thinking that's the tires. One question: with Teflon, do you still follow the same lube schedule (ie every 500 miles)?

Nice to have improvements on your bike. Crap! Tomorrow's only Tuesday!

 

[VEGASRIDER]

How much did they charge you for putting in the new plugs? I bought some Michelin PP and had them installed for $278 inlcuding tax and labor a few months ago at the local Yamaha dealership here in LV. But they ended up making a mistake, and put on the 2CT's on the rear .

 

[DaFiz]

The plugs seemed to make a difference too, not in total power but just in the smoothness of the engine.

Of course they will last much longer and save you the replacement cost at the next service. The real noticeable change comes from a new air filter. It makes the engine come alive again.:rockon:

 

[reiobard]

nice upgrades!!! i would be happy to hear how the tires wear in

 

[Wolfman]

Have got the Pilot 2ct's myself...great tires. Rear is getting close to needing replacing, so as winter is not far from over, i plant to put a Power on the rear at least.

Would love to hear what sort of wear you get out of yours.

 

[Tailgate]

I saw a R1 in the Peppermill Casino parking lot the other week and it had a rusty looking chain. Geesh! I just squirt a little bit of chain lube periodically (and bring a little can along when on a long trip) and don't really adhere to a set schedule. I have about 7K miles and the chain hasn't stretched hardly at all (I try not to jerk accelerate, don't do wheelies, etc.)

 

[Botch]

How much did they charge you for putting in the new plugs? I bought some Michelin PP and had them installed for $278 inlcuding tax and labor a few months ago at the local Yamaha dealership here in LV.

$25 to install the plugs (they told me they had to loosen the radiator, so now I know how to do it myself next time); $30/wheel for installation, and the remainder of the $478 bill was the tires themselves; OUCH! And I thought this small independent shop would be a bargain compared to the Yammie dealer.
Live and learn, I guess. To top it off, I dropped the bike this afternoon, first time, partly because of the new tires, I posted about it in the "Hall of Shame".

 

[sportrider]

just so you know, you don't have to remove the radiator to change the plugs, it's tight but you can do it. I always ran PPs on my FZ6(with the exception of the one set of shinkos) I averaged about 3500 miles on them before being into the wear bars on the rear, but I seem to be a tire assassin. my last set did last almost 4500 miles, but that was trying to conserve fuel.

I have them on my R1 and I'm impressed with how well they are wearing, I turned 3500 miles on the way home today and I figure they still got about a 1000 miles left in them before I'm due (maybe)

 

[Botch]

just so you know, you don't have to remove the radiator to change the plugs, it's tight but you can do it.

I tried, but my hands just wouldn't fit (I wear XXXL gloves, and have a C-to-F span on a piano!). Two bolts on the radiator will still be cheaper than $25.

 

[sportrider]

I tried, but my hands just wouldn't fit (I wear XXXL gloves, and have a C-to-F span on a piano!). Two bolts on the radiator will still be cheaper than $25.

very true!!! my XL hands just barely fit in there.

 

[n1one]

These aren't really mods, so I hope its okay I post this here.

Couldn't tell a difference with the chain lube, there's a new "howl" that I hear as I accel/decelerate, but I'm thinking that's the tires.

The howl could be an over tightened chain...dealerships tend to tighten them to the spec in the manual, but it ends up being too tight and then it howls...I would try loosening the chain just a little. Had the same problem....loosened the chain just a little and the howl went away!

Just my $0.02, enjoy the new goodies!:thumbup:

 

[Botch]

The howl could be an over tightened chain...dealerships tend to tighten them to the spec in the manual, but it ends up being too tight and then it howls...I would try loosening the chain just a little. Had the same problem....loosened the chain just a little and the howl went away!

Just my $0.02, enjoy the new goodies!:thumbup:

n1one, thank you! I checked the chain and sure enough, it only had an inch of free play, the manual requires 1.7 to 2.2". I didn't have a 32 mm wrench to loosen the axle nut, so off to Sears for a socket, and since they're cheeper by the dozen, a set of sockets! Nothing like a Friday night with shiny new Craftsman tools! Made the adjustment; not only had they overtightened the chain but they hadn't set the axle square either, definitely something to check in the future.
The noise is still there, so it must be the tires themselves, but thanks for having me check the chain! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[n1one]

n1one, thank you! I checked the chain and sure enough, it only had an inch of free play, the manual requires 1.7 to 2.2". I didn't have a 32 mm wrench to loosen the axle nut, so off to Sears for a socket, and since they're cheeper by the dozen, a set of sockets! Nothing like a Friday night with shiny new Craftsman tools! Made the adjustment; not only had they overtightened the chain but they hadn't set the axle square either, definitely something to check in the future.
The noise is still there, so it must be the tires themselves, but thanks for having me check the chain! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Your welcome..It sounds like maybe it's just the tires? I noticed my stock rear Bstone is flattening in the center and starting to square off? Is yours that way? Or maybe my wheel is not square?

I will have to take a look at it to day when I lube the chain.

BTW.....It's this kind of back and forth idea swapping that makes this website a valuable resource!...thanks for the Rep!

let me know if you figure out what is causing the howl!:thumbup:

 

[cp04]

That sucks you dropped your bike. I actually got 5,500 miles out of my pilot powers before i hit the wear bars. I've gotta loosen my chain today also. The guy I got it from took it to the dealership right before we switched to get an oil/coolant change. There is almost no slack in the chain now.

 

[Botch]

I noticed my stock rear Bstone is flattening in the center and starting to square off? Is yours that way? Or maybe my wheel is not square?

Yeah, my Bridgestone rear was very flat towards the end (10,400 miles), you'll really enjoy the new tires when you see how easier it is to turn and track.

BTW.....It's this kind of back and forth idea swapping that makes this website a valuable resource!

True dat! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: