Well, I took the bike out today to give it a blast and did some off roading as well to see how she handled it.

Once I got it back I gave it a good clean and here she is. I think I am going to leave it now for a while as it is and use if for the summer.

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I have been using the bike most the time of late, weather is pretty good at the moment so I am enjoying it.

The rear tyre had an advisory at the recent MOT and last weekend whilst out and about I noticed a nasty cut in the tyre, it may well have been a manufacturing defect but as the tyre was right at its end of life I purchased another immediatly off Ebay for a delivered price of �114.95.

I tried to get a local dealer to fit it for me but they said 8 days! I told him no thanks so as I have the tyre irons and rim protectors thought I would give it a go. As its the rear I have not bothered with balancing.

Other than trying to break the bead and pop the bead back in place when refitting it was pretty easy but did take me 2 hours not including removal and refitting of the rear wheel which I still have not mastered the technique, as that took me 2 hours itself. Its a right pain if I am honest (refitting the rear wheel that is).

Anyway its all done. Looking forward to tomorrow to see the improvement in handling now I dont have a heavily squared off tyre.

New tyre



Old on, new yet to be fitted



Rear wheel rim all on its own!



New fitted, old ready for recycling at the local tip

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Bravo Tony!

Yes indeed it is... it's just that darn brake caliper.

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Wow what a different a tyre makes! Scrubbed it in over the weekend and I have noticed a large difference in handling. The new tyre has made the bike alot faster to turn and feels sharper when upright & progressive when cornering.

Next and final job is to replace the front disc. Its not bad at all but annoying at slow speed feeling the slight warp in the disc. I think come pay day I am ordering an EBC disc unless someone suggests anything better. I have discounted the wavey ones as I am not sold on them even though they look good.

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Well the final part on the bike that actually needed to be replaced is the front disc. Since I have had the bike there was always the feeling of a slight warped disc at slow speeds. Nothing to really be concerned about but I decided to replace it anyway.

I did loads and loads of looking around and finally decided to go for the EBC disc option and use our forum 15% discount as well.

The disc arrived in 2 days as per the FOC Parcel Force 48hr promise and with some trepidation I opened the box to find a lovely looking disc (no photos on the net I could find of an actual XT660X front disc). I was thinking of getting a wavy disc but the cheap ones from China are a risk (I think), the Galfer ones are silly money so I paid partial silly money and opted for this beauty.

Its was a really easy and satisfying job to fit the disc and would recommend them to anyone. I have yet to ride it so I will feed that back at a later date once it has bedded in as there is little on the forum about discs in general, especially for the XTX. The new disc is noticably lighter than the OEM disc as well just for info.

Anyway the obligatory photos.

Old & New







Fitted on the wheel



Finally on the bike

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I just cannot stop tinkering!

As per my other satnav thread I have just fitted a power adaptor & ram mount to accomodate a satnav. I originally positioned it in the centre between the clocks & screen but it rattled a little enough to irritate me so I have repositioned it to the right and its loads better. It also gives me the option to charge my phone and other bits and pieces if I need it too. I like the functionality of it and it is easily removed it needs be.



I also saw on Ebay a couple of brand new blue panels, my tank scoops and rear fender are all old and faded so I have replaced all of them except the right hand side scoop, that one will get replaced as soon as I see another bargain like the ones I have just got.





My front fender is already new so its looks nice and glossy. I am truly shocked how faded panels can get over time but at least its not expensive to replace them. I need to stop now as this bike is slowly becoming mint! I dont want mint as I will stop riding it!!!

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Wow, inspiring stuff. Great restoration job, it looks tops. Although you are clearly a tinkering addict. My engine paint looks like sh!te, so was wondering how you prepped the old surface to receive the new paint. Was it a good old wire brushing and some sort of chemical treatment? I need to do this to mine before it gets any worse.

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only dead fish go with the flow..................

I rubbed it down with fine wet and dry, dried it off and undercoated, primed and top coat and finally a coat of clear laquer. Its holding up very well so far and I ride in all the rain we have had.

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After 9 days of waiting my right hand tank scoop plastic finally arrived! Fitted it and it looks superb. Very happy with it, all the panels look glossy and shiney now, they should do as they are all new!



Anyway I am starting to get the urge to change the cans again! Arrrghhh, no, I dont need them but I want them!

Current preference is going like this but in no particular order:

• LeoVince X3's
• MTC stainless oval with carbon end pieces
• Arrow 2 into 1 but keeping the standard headers under the bike

I have been trying to find out who and where I could get a 2 into 1 like the one pictured but with no luck. I think it may be a one off special TBH as they utilise the standard headers and neatly come up out the side into a single can. Not a fan of the traditional 2 into 1 going at the side of the engine, to much "leg warmage" going on for my liking and as I have an X I dont need anymore ground clearance.

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