Cruise control cable adjustment

[Chris near Kansas City]

In case anyone was wondering how to do it, here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHhJmGpqeYQ

[SgtSlag]

I have the DVD showing Carl discussing how to do this. Unfortunately, Carl is holding the actuator in his hand, standing in front of a group, not a bike... I really did not understand how simple this is!

Thank you for sharing this with us. I need to change out the fork fluid this weekend, and that will likely require removal of the Tupperware, so now I can tackle that cruise control cable adjustment, as well, with confidence that it will be very easy. Our's is reaaally bad: have to engage the cruise control, then hold the throttle for 30-seconds, and then begin to s-l-o-w-l-y release the throttle, and hope it engages properly. Once engaged, it works well enough... My wife hates it, as it can take her three tries to get it to engage; I usually get it by the 1st or 2nd try, but sometimes it takes me three tries, as well. Can't wait to get it adjusted, and take it out on the highway! Cheers!

[richardb, austin]

Good stuff Chris. Thanks

[biggersm]

That's neat; how many other do-it-yourself videos for the XII are on Youtube? I think I saw one about the center stand once.

I'd like to see a video or still photos in the maintenance section of this forum (or both) of some of the other more common tasks that new owners need to know. Some ideas that come to mind include:

1. How to tightening the stem nut for loose handlebars
2. How to change engine oil (sounds simple but we always hear about someone who didn't get the second drain bolt or who can't put the cartridge filter back together)
3. Fuel filter change
4. Air filter change
5. brake pads and bleeding hydraulics
6. rear shock replacement
7. front fork spring replacement
8. Coolant

I would do a video or two if I had access to an XII.

[SgtSlag]

Good points all! When I put my Progressive Fork Springs in, I left the spacers/oil filters in, on top of the Springs... It was really bad, super stiff... It just plain sucked a hot exhaust pipe.


It can be very daunting to attempt many of these maintenance jobs with just the FSM to guide you -- it is not written for beginners. I'm going to have to search YouTube for some of the maintenance jobs I have pending -- seeing it done, is genuinely worth 10,000 words. I've tried things on my own, only to haul parts into my preferred Shop to ask them to save me from my lack of skills and understanding. Cheers!

[Chris near Kansas City]

You're welcome guys. Like I said in the video, I'd talked with people before about it, and had several bikes apart since that discussion and never remembered to video the process, or was in a hurry to get the bike back together. I knew this bike would be in pieces for a couple of days, so I planned ahead and recorded it. I've thought about doing similar videos for each process on the XII. Simple stuff like taking the windshield off, to the more complicated stuff, but breaking the harder stuff down into sub sections. Like if you needed to adjust the cruise cable, you'd watch the windshield removal vid, the fairing vid then the cruise cable video. I know the Norcal Voyager guys have some DVDs for sale that have some stuff on them and didn't want to cut into their retirement cash by providing the same thing for free, LOL. I understand not being able to fully understand how something works with it sitting on a table from 4 rows back at an open forum. It's even tough for me at times at my work to try and see something in my head that someone is describing to me over the phone that I've never seen in person. Once I walk out to the shop or the lot and pop the hood, it makes perfect sense.

I'm glad it helps. I'd never imagined my kickstand video would have over 15,000 views, heh heh. So simple when you see it done.

Did you hear me drop the first 10mm screw in the cruise cable video? Like I said, "One take."

Chris

[kjsett]

You're welcome guys. Like I said in the video, I'd talked with people before about it, and had several bikes apart since that discussion and never remembered to video the process, or was in a hurry to get the bike back together. I knew this bike would be in pieces for a couple of days, so I planned ahead and recorded it. I've thought about doing similar videos for each process on the XII. Simple stuff like taking the windshield off, to the more complicated stuff, but breaking the harder stuff down into sub sections. Like if you needed to adjust the cruise cable, you'd watch the windshield removal vid, the fairing vid then the cruise cable video. I know the Norcal Voyager guys have some DVDs for sale that have some stuff on them and didn't want to cut into their retirement cash by providing the same thing for free, LOL. I understand not being able to fully understand how something works with it sitting on a table from 4 rows back at an open forum. It's even tough for me at times at my work to try and see something in my head that someone is describing to me over the phone that I've never seen in person. Once I walk out to the shop or the lot and pop the hood, it makes perfect sense.

I'm glad it helps. I'd never imagined my kickstand video would have over 15,000 views, heh heh. So simple when you see it done.

Did you hear me drop the first 10mm screw in the cruise cable video? Like I said, "One take."

Chris

Chris - thank you, thank you, thank you....
My cruise, once I replaced the switch in the handbrake, has worked a lot better, but still dropped out on any kind of hill or was poor above 70mph. Your video (i have Carl's) gave me the courage to try it. I had never pulled the fairings before (a real chicken cause too many times have tried to take the wrong screw/nut/bolt off and "now what to do") but gave the manual a look and decided to try before an over 2k ride starting next week.
1st question: where is the CC unit. I didn't want to pull the whole bike apart. So I went into my library with the manual and one 'drawing' gave me a hint. Ok, so took off the lower right (riders perspective) fairing (4 easy to access screws, no biggie). Not there. (But now I know where the horn is).
Where from here? I thought I saw a cable going into something under the upper fairing. So now what? Took off a couple of screws. Oh, the trim Chrome under the windshield had to come off. Took off both mirrors and 2 screws later, it was off. Two bottom screws below headlight (careful of the top tabs), and now I could finish taking the screws off the fairing and removed enough and loosened the others for windshield removal (adjusted it up 3/4" for more protection). Removed wind deflector. The mounting clips really be careful, they like to fly (already short one).
Anyway, got to where your video started and it was a breeze from there. Mine was still adjusted up against the stop so has never been touched since factory. It took about 3/4" to adjust. Decided a little loose was better than too tight, but think I got it.
Note: discovered I had my video camera from work here so thought I would video reassembly (had it all apart before noticing it), but no tripod and then found the battery almost dead from graduation activities Saturday night. Died before done and was moving too quick cause of the blinking light. Next time.
Just saying, videos take a bunch of the fear out of 1st time (or 2nd time when it has been awhile) service/repair at home attempts. I plan on buying more NorCal videos at Reno, by the way.
Again, thanks

[Chris near Kansas City]

[gearheadfla]

That gives me a idea, would it be helpful to some when I start stripping down my 01 for it's repaint and redo, that I make some videos on how to remove the tupperware ? I will be taking ALL of it off from front to back. What else would help people out that hasn't been covered on video ? Just wondering, the worst thing that can happen is you will have to look at my ugly face.

[SgtSlag]

My Tupperware is somewhat hashed, likely from PO's not doing it properly... I don't know exactly what is missing, either: parts are missing, there are some things which I know are broken, so seeing how it should be put together, would be very helpful. Also, if there is a better (proper) way to disassemble the Tupperware, that would be helpful, as well, since I have had to blunder my way through it thus far -- I may have stressed the plastic unnecessarily... Thanks. Cheers!

[Chris near Kansas City]

I will probably be taking my '01 down in preparation for whatever becomes of it. I can do separate videos for the windshield, lower fairing, upper fairing, radio and cluster.

[kjsett]

Finally got to try out the Cruise yesterday on the freeway. Wow, is that how it is supposed to work. I took more than a 1/2" of slack out of the adjustment. Why did it take me so long (oh yah, fear of the unknown of covers removal ).

I will be giving it a real workout this week. Our son is meeting us here in Phoenix, and we will be riding together (the three of us) as far as Merced, CA. He bought a Yamaha something or other with the V4 1300. We will both be pulling a trailer, but his only has 5 gallons available.
Nice chance for a real world comparison (his is a pretty red though).
Pictures and story when we get back. Rough itinerary: Phoenix-Barstow-Bakersfield-Merced. Son goes on to a Strawberry music festival next to Yosemite and we head to Hollister.
After that, we will work our way up the coast and eventually get to Portland/Vancouver area where my parents live to see them (dad still with Pancreatic cancer, not doing so good).
Problem: my wife wants to get and get back. Me, I just want to enjoy the trip and it takes as long as it takes. Compromise, we get there, spend a few days, then hightail it back in two.