Did yours need adjusting this time?
Mine apparently was all in spec last time. I had it done at 6k and left it till now for the second one as I serviced it myself at 9k but just did all filters and oil.
The darkside with a twist of fun
-
Supermofo
- Posts: 5001
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
- Has thanked: 4361 times
- Been thanked: 2851 times
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
No all the clearances were within spec. I did feel they would be just by how it starts and runs, but it never hurts to check the rocker arms are still in good condition.
The 690 isn't as complicated as other bikes with bucket and shim adjustment. Once you find tdc the timing isn't moved , the cam stays in place and its only 4 bolts to remove both rocker arms to gain access to the shims. I find i spend more time cleaning everything in that area rather than the time it takes to check the clearances.
-
Supermofo
- Posts: 5001
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
- Has thanked: 4361 times
- Been thanked: 2851 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
Judging by the starting/running I'm expecting mine to be fine, I'm only doing it for the rocker arms to be checked. If they didn't fall apart I wouldn't bother with a valve check yet
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
My Internet has been poop all this week so some of the changes are spread over last weekend and today 
I added some r&g engine case covers ,MT 09 graphics to the airscoops and some radiator side panels.
The graphics went on easily and the engine covers were a doddle as you'd expect, although the graphic on the right side cover is at the wrong angle and messes with my ocd, but I think it'll be easy to sort with a bit of heat applied before removal and reapplication.
The radiator covers however were annoying.... There chinese specials and came with no fitting instructions so it took a fair amount of time to just work out which bracket went where and how they all fitted together
Whilst fitting them i thought it would be a good time to check the coolant level and was surprised to find when I tried to top up the radiator it was filling the expansion tank aswell and then dumping it on the floor..... I'm pleased to say the neighbours children were indoors because I might have let out a few swear words at the top of my voice at this point
It took a few times looking at schematics and a work shop manual to work out the two small bore hoses had been swapped onto the wrong spigots on the back of the radiator. when I went to swap them back it also became obvious that the hoses also needed swapping to reach correctly
Thankfully after a bit of faffing to get the one of the hoses connected to the spigot on the cylinder head without stripping the whole bike down all seems fine.
Shakedown run....
The eagle eyed may also spot a new flat topped seat, which on first impressions is a good improvement over the standard seat comfort wise.
I added some r&g engine case covers ,MT 09 graphics to the airscoops and some radiator side panels.
The graphics went on easily and the engine covers were a doddle as you'd expect, although the graphic on the right side cover is at the wrong angle and messes with my ocd, but I think it'll be easy to sort with a bit of heat applied before removal and reapplication.
The radiator covers however were annoying.... There chinese specials and came with no fitting instructions so it took a fair amount of time to just work out which bracket went where and how they all fitted together
Whilst fitting them i thought it would be a good time to check the coolant level and was surprised to find when I tried to top up the radiator it was filling the expansion tank aswell and then dumping it on the floor..... I'm pleased to say the neighbours children were indoors because I might have let out a few swear words at the top of my voice at this point
It took a few times looking at schematics and a work shop manual to work out the two small bore hoses had been swapped onto the wrong spigots on the back of the radiator. when I went to swap them back it also became obvious that the hoses also needed swapping to reach correctly
Thankfully after a bit of faffing to get the one of the hoses connected to the spigot on the cylinder head without stripping the whole bike down all seems fine.
Shakedown run....
The eagle eyed may also spot a new flat topped seat, which on first impressions is a good improvement over the standard seat comfort wise.
-
Skub
- Posts: 12167
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
- Location: Norn Iron
- Has thanked: 9828 times
- Been thanked: 10145 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
Looking smart.
Now you've mentioned the R&G decal,I can't unsee it either.
Now you've mentioned the R&G decal,I can't unsee it either.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
-
Taipan
- Posts: 13948
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:48 pm
- Location: Essex Riviera!
- Has thanked: 15957 times
- Been thanked: 10248 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
Very nice and that's a very shiny exhaust! I'm really taken with the MT range!
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
As plain as it would be I think I'd sooner see it without the decal
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
It has an ecu reflash by Track electronics as far as I'm aware.... the ecu does have one of their stickers on it atleast
The bike was already fitted with the full system and ecu and its the only MT09 I've ridden so have nothing to compare it to..The only thing I can say is yes its more responsive in A mode but I wouldn't call it snatchy and its fine for me.
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
The looks don't seem to be to everyone's taste but I don't think you can knock either the CP3 or 4 engines as a road bike engine, neither are lacking in power
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
The looks have really grown on me. So much so that I bought the SP, which I think looks fantastic.
-
Supermofo
- Posts: 5001
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
- Has thanked: 4361 times
- Been thanked: 2851 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
Must admit I've been liking the MT's more as time's gone on. It was definitely an XSR of the 2, but now I'm not so sure. I think it's cos of spent so bloody long looking at them on ebay!
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
Ha - yes I think that's what happened to me. I was obsessing XSRs but they look pretty dull in greys and blues. I nearly agreed a deal on a Kenny Roberts one but then I saw the SP in R1M colours at the right price and caved in...
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
Im back 
... A poor Internet connection that was getting worse with no support from the provider lead to me throwing my toys out of the pram. Thankfully a new provider has been great at sorting the problems but its taken a fair bit longer than I anticipated, but alls now good 
First ride on the MT-10 a few weeks back I found the back brake a little soft so that's had new brake fluid and new pads. There was still plenty of meat left on the original nissin pads but they looked like they'd been overheated at some point and even though I fitted some cheaper brand pads braking is better than it was before.
The 690 has had an oil change and I bought another seat....
It's a seat concepts seat which I've wanted to try for a long time. This is the older seat cover and foam kit on a standard seat base which is no longer available due to the original seat pans being fragile. SC only sell a complete seat now and by the time you add delivery from America the price is north of £400.... Too salty for me.
All I can say is its the best accessory I've bought for the 690, its turned a good bike into a great one for me and made it so much more useable. Already managed two 150 mile rides in reasonable comfort where I'd be lucky to manage 75 miles before... Result
... A poor Internet connection that was getting worse with no support from the provider lead to me throwing my toys out of the pram. Thankfully a new provider has been great at sorting the problems but its taken a fair bit longer than I anticipated, but alls now good First ride on the MT-10 a few weeks back I found the back brake a little soft so that's had new brake fluid and new pads. There was still plenty of meat left on the original nissin pads but they looked like they'd been overheated at some point and even though I fitted some cheaper brand pads braking is better than it was before.
The 690 has had an oil change and I bought another seat....
It's a seat concepts seat which I've wanted to try for a long time. This is the older seat cover and foam kit on a standard seat base which is no longer available due to the original seat pans being fragile. SC only sell a complete seat now and by the time you add delivery from America the price is north of £400.... Too salty for me.
All I can say is its the best accessory I've bought for the 690, its turned a good bike into a great one for me and made it so much more useable. Already managed two 150 mile rides in reasonable comfort where I'd be lucky to manage 75 miles before... Result
-
weeksy
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23421
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
- Has thanked: 5451 times
- Been thanked: 13087 times
-
Supermofo
- Posts: 5001
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
- Has thanked: 4361 times
- Been thanked: 2851 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
My mate's been after one of those seats for his 690 Rally. He's not yet due to cost/finding one as well.
-
Scuffmark
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:03 pm
- Has thanked: 264 times
- Been thanked: 191 times
Re: The darkside with a twist of fun
I owned an Enduro R before this Smc and wanted an SC seat for that so its taken a fair few years to find a used one ..... I think I was lucky to find this one
Ive found the comfort so good It's got me looking at the foam and cover kit for the MT-10.