Life with my X11

[Guest Andrew]

Hi Folks

Still alive , and currently in Scotland after spending more time in France , Aveyron this time

The bike with approaching 45,000 miles is running as sweet and as good as ever , if not better with the miles added ...35,000 of those in past two years or so.

NOT ONE issue , and without doubt the most reliable bike I have ever had , and it brings a smile every time I ride it.

Getting about 45mpg on average , be it fast riding here or French motorways

STILL on original chain !!!!! with a wee bit still to go before a replacement due

It , in my mind depends on how you ride...I am a smooth rider..and The Scottoiler has no doubt helped prolong the life but I also clean weekly with WD40 ( so all that crap about damage to O rings is just that ..crap ) and have also been using WELDTITE TF2 to clean and lube. It works great , and no fling off , and can be bought for under £4 a big tin.

Do NOT use Scottoil in system...ordinary Gear oil , works fine..and cheaper

Tyres..well that's another thing... on 7th "set"..currently Avon on front and a Michelin on rear. No real affect with mixing , so again in my eyes... do NOT need to change as a set. but make your own mind up on that.

Plugs , can change in under one hour now, after being kindly shown by Peter (Standish) a quick way. Use Nidium NGK ..at £4.60 each !!!!!! from Jersey dealer on eBay.

Oil...change every 4500 miles with filter , tried many makes..all fine ...but using semi synthetic , as feels smoother , and gear box / clutch SLICK.

Wish list will be new springs in front , new rear shock although rear still fine ( spray with lube...to keep rust , corrosion at bay ).

Brake pads..use Honda ..David Silvers.

Valves / shims.....going to check at 64,000 , as Blackbird specialist who has worked on many high mileage bikes , including Police ....never found any out of spec. ... and over all the years only had ONE out of spec.

OIL changes play a BIG part in that !!!!!!

Use for long journeys..AIRHAWK cushion ... 1250 miles in 21 hours when last come home from France.

Fitted ( a present ) new heated grips ( use muffs in winter...Italian make ).

Wired through front brake switch but seemed slow to heat up..and not as warm as would have liked

Having read article on a PAN1100 site..one owner had same "issue" , so like him , have wired direct from battery with extra in line fuse..MUCH WARMER.. but remember to switch off , or will return to flat battery.

Finish on bike still EXCELLENT.. and whist I clean, do NOT spend days polishing.

OK..hoping to go to 100,000+ with ease

Ride fast , ride SAFE

Andrew

[Guest Andrew]

Hello Strangers

 

Hope you are all well..and  have enjoyed a better summer this year ?

 

My X11..  still loving it ..approaching 60,000..using daily

 

Not an single issue ..  only routine maintenance 

 

NOW with a NEW  chain ... replaced a few thousand miles ago !!!!..  replaced with D.I.D and original new front HONDA sprocket ....gear box still best ever used 

 

Changed front fork oil..wee bit heavier...BIG improvement ...may well replace springs later this year..JAWS doing  a good deal

 

Added "used" ( 3000 miles only ) rear  HONDA shock at 50,000 ...BIG improvement ...   we forget sometimes how good a new rear end feels !!

 

Tyres..   get about 4000 from rear...  now running MICHELIN Pilot 3 ...great !!  best yet

 

Oil and filter changed about every 5000 miles..SEMI synthetic ONLY

 

Rear , front  brake pads...use HONDA

 

Last plug change....back to original NGK.. ( £4.60 ..David Silvers )   as smooth , good as "fancier" types

 

Fuel ...after changing air filter... back to nearly 50mpg !!!!!!!!!!!

 

....sometimes add POSH fuel...does feel perkier , smoother

 

 

BIKE STILL CLEANS , POLISHES UP WELL ....great build quality

 

Used ACF 50..last winter , covering all bike...superb product !!

 

Ride safe 

 

Andrew

[Mick 162]

Nice one Andrew,

                           now you've made me feel guilty about all the jobs I was going to do. Maybe this winter.

[Kenko 335]

Great write up Andrew ...