Thumper Club Forum
Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: niblue on February 03, 2009, 10:42:37 AM
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A few hopefully quick questions about the XBR500S-J:
1) What's the correct battery for it? The seller originally told me it was a cb12a-a however on trying to fit that it's obviously wrong as the wiring looks meant for a battery with different fittings (connectors screwing directly down). He's sent me an update apologising and saying he thinks it should be a YB14-b2. Before I buy one could someone confirm if that's the correct fitting?
2) Any recommendation for pattern oil and air filter suppliers?
3) Any particular tyre recommendations? My one has a BT45 on the front and a Cheng Shin on the back (squared off and horrible). I was planning to stick a BT45 on the back as well (had them on other bikes and liked them) but I'd be interested in other recommendations. Don't care about mileage - grip in the wet and dry is the priority.
4) I've seen a comment about the Micron exhaust (which my bike has) being horrible. Is that horrible in terms of performance or for looks etc?
Thanks in advance.
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As far as I know, the battery for all the XBR500 models is YB12A-B. With the oil filter, I always use the pukka Honda item, bought from Two Wheels (or David Silver).
Tyres - my bike is running on Avon Roadsters and they are ok in most conditions.
Exhausts - I have the original twin exhausts as well as a pair of reverse cone megatron silencers on a pair of original downpipes. They sound great.
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3) Any particular tyre recommendations? My one has a BT45 on the front and a Cheng Shin on the back (squared off and horrible). I was planning to stick a BT45 on the back as well (had them on other bikes and liked them) but I'd be interested in other recommendations. Don't care about mileage - grip in the wet and dry is the priority.
Based on your criteria I would stick with BT45's
Steve
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As far as I know, the battery for all the XBR500 models is YB12A-B.
It's definitely not the 12a-b as the connectors are vertical and the bike is wired for the cables to be screwed into horizontal connectors. A few places list the 12a-b as the fitment for all XBR's however there are a few (e.g. http://www.impex-corp.co.jp/English_version/yuasa-honda.htm (http://www.impex-corp.co.jp/English_version/yuasa-honda.htm)) that list the S as using the YB14-B2 which looks to me like it has the right connectors.
With the oil filter, I always use the pukka Honda item, bought from Two Wheels (or David Silver).
Got a few bits and bobs that I need so will probably place an order with Dave Silver as I'd be surprised if Two-Wheels have stock.
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The battery you need is a CB12A-B. Buy a decent make... I bought a cheapo and it's Cr*p! won't hold a charge for more than a couple of days and then it struggles. The old battery it replaced was better!! Big singles take a lot of turning over from cold.
For filters etc try David Silver for genuine Honda parts or www.wemoto.co.uk for good quality pattern items- I've used them many times and they are good.
Most people recommend BT45's. They don't last as long as some but the grip is much better and the XBR is fairly gentle on tyres.
GET AN CHAIN OILER - singles can kill chain's especially cheap ones (Ask GC). I use a 'Loobman' oiler which is very basic but does a good job and it only costs about £18 - www.chainoiler.co.uk (i think). It's worth buying a decent O ring chain.
Not many choices on exhausts. The micron - as far as i know - is OK but prone to rotting fairly quickly. The original Honda system is good but you cannot get hold of them very easily - Dave Silver did sell them but I don't think he has any now. Predator systems make a stainless system but it's a bit pricey. The main problem with XBR's is the down pipes, if your original downpipes are OK you can fit all sorts of silencers (Goldies sound nice!)
Hope this helps. ;D
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Aye niblue,
May see you about, live in Perthshire and come into Auld Reekie now and again.
http://www.yuasa-battery.co.uk/motorcycles/motorcyclebatteries.html (http://www.yuasa-battery.co.uk/motorcycles/motorcyclebatteries.html) Try this if you've a while to spare, it's no very friendly, but the Yuasa site. I've just spent a wee while wrestling with it and went in via the battery type, tother way via machine type is >:(.
Yuasa battery for GB500 89-90 = YB12A-B (Not anything else in the Yuasa range!)
We are running an SRX600 and Honda Bros400 on Avon Roadriders and after Metzelers, Pirellis (one and the same, delaminating and through to nowt in 4K >:( ) they grip and wear well.
I'd re-enforce SteveC#222 comments about getting a chain oiler of some description fitted. I've used Scottoilers and their oil, also chainsaw chain oil and EP90 with a touch of ACF50 in it [the latter two NOT being applied by the oiler, but a toothbrush to the inside of the chain after washing down].
Also elsewhere on this site there is a 'topic' about Motad prepared to manufacture XBR exhausts providing they get at least 10 requests for a batch. Several members have wrung or Emailed Motad, but not owning an XBR means I haven't kept an eye on progress.
Enjoy bopping about and go safe.
My regards, Bill.
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Niblue ,
I get all stuff through Dave Silver . Not always the cheapest , but the service is superb .There's not much difference between the price of pattern filters and genuine . I take as I find and as a supplier I've always had good service from them .
Regards ,
Rob .
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Hi Niblue
Nice bike. I wish I had spoked wheels on mine.
I use Yuasa YB12A-B batteries in my XBR. I've got an Avon AM21 on the rear, fairly cheap, hardwearing and plenty grippy enough for me. The Loobman chain oilers are fine once you get the idea of how much oil to pump through. You'll probably chuck oil all over your back wheel a couple of times first though.
I can't remember what filters I used last time, I think they're from David Silver though. If you discover you need some weird little part and David Silver doesn't have it, www.cmsnl.com are very good.
I think the main issue with the Micron pipe is that it's considered not too pretty. Having said that, I've got a Predator on mine which has that strange kinky bit on the bottom, it was on the bike when I got it. The Predator was about £280 last time I looked. Laser used to make a really nice 2-1 but you can't get them anymore. As for performance, I dunno, one's probably as good as the next. GC might be able to tell you more about that.
All the best,
Dave
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Thanks for the updates. I'll check Dave Silver out for the service parts and get an order placed.
I've got a scottoiler on my CBR and may do the same on the XBR, although I'm not yet sure it'll be doing enough mileage to justify it.
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There's a battery on ebay for 30 quid. search under gb500...
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GET AN CHAIN OILER - singles can kill chain's especially cheap ones (Ask GC).
(http://www.thumperclub.com/photos/2005/thumper4377b8af8dd00.jpg)
Not many choices on exhausts.
Why not put your name down for a new Motad, if we get a few more people asking for them they will make a new batch. I can say that this is the best combination of looks and performance of any exhaust I've fitted to my XBRs. See HERE (http://www.thumperclub.com/smf/index.php?topic=2921.0)
Having said that, the Predator currently fitted to mine is years old and is still looking solid.
Cheers
GC