Bike Improvements, well Service and Tyre

Hi All.

Just carried out my service today. All went well. It has done just over 8000 miles now. I decided to replace the spark plugs as well because of cutting out last week. I found signs of water ingress past the front plug lead despite the plastic flap below the radiator. I cleaned the leads up with a spray I have called Powerhouse. I used NGK plugs with twin earth electrodes. For all SV newbies out there, all I can say is make sure you have the plug spanner and 14mm spanner from the original toolkit. I tried using my own plug socket and couldn't get anywhere near the rear plug.

I got the oil, filter and plugs from Heine Gericke for £25. The oil is Motul 10w40 with anti-sheer enhancers and anti-clutch slip additives. Not sure if it is semi or full synthetic.

I had the front tyre changed earlier this week for a Z6 Roadtec.

One thing that amazes me with bike is how easy it is to feel the difference. The throttle response is now much better thanks to the plugs and lead clean up. The clutch engagement feels a lot better thanks the the oil. On the previous service I had used GM 10w40 Semi Synth I got from a Vauxhall dealer. Even the bite point comes in sooner. Sat at lights today holding the clutch in with 2 fingers the bike was just creeping forwards. Finally the tyre. Today was the first dry day I have been able to get the feel of it. Ditching the Dunlop has made the biggest difference so far. I now have a Z6 fron and rear. These are much, much better than the Dunlops from standard.

I guess with a car you are more insulated from the mechanicals so small changes go un-noticed. With a bike you feel it all.

I think my next job will be to check the TPS adjustment.

Kind regards
Tim

tyres next for me, prob 014's i cant wait to dump the plastic standard dunlops.

[Red ones]

I would adjust your clutch to avoid the creeping - it's wearing your plates. I would also avoid using any car oil - i.e.that Gm stuff from Vauxhall - car oils tend to have friction modifiers that knacker wet clutches.


i would be interested to know your thoughts on Z6 after 5,000 miles - I found they went off and were little better than the Standard Dunlops.

[Stu]

I'm pretty much copying you! Just shy of 7500 myself
But had the service done for me to keep it in warranty (is yours older?) and Stradas which are similar.
Was looking to do TPS myself as well - did you see the thread was dragged up again?
Where you getting the seccurity torx bit from, Halfords?

My Z6's are about 6000 miles old now. The rear is looking fairly squared off (but then I did do a 2000mile round trip to France!) Did another trackday last Tuesday and didn't have a single issue with the tyres - still loads of grip! Tread is still looking fairly meaty, though I think the rear will go down the centre of the tyre first.

I'd check the throttle synchronisatioon too. Fairly easy to do too.

Originally Posted by Stu

I'm pretty much copying you! Just shy of 7500 myself
But had the service done for me to keep it in warranty (is yours older?) and Stradas which are similar.
Was looking to do TPS myself as well - did you see the thread was dragged up again?
Where you getting the seccurity torx bit from, Halfords?

I got the bike in February this year. It has an 04 plate but it is a K3 model not K4. The bike was just a tad over a year old. I used to be a motor mechanic years ago so I have an extensive tool kit. I hate paying other people to do work I can do myself. The 2 year warranty is up soon. The bike is used most days and apart from cutting out a couple of weeks ago it has been trouble free.

I will probably get the Torx bits from Maplin as there is a branch about 5 minutes from where I work.