Well apart from nearly writing it off I had a chance to rode Craig's Stone back to Bunged End from Canberra. It's got nearly 3,000 km on the clock now and it's loosened up nicely.
It really is a very nice little bike, I think the Six Speed is great, really, I came back up the Mac's Reef Road which is steepish in parts and although speed limited there was no point when I didn't have exactly the right gear. Let it bubble along between 3,250-5,000 and it has adequate acceleration for any situation well up to and above the legal limit.
Once on the flat it will burble along at 130-140 quite happily. Even with my huge porcine carcass on it!
I think Craig has bunged a pair of IKON's on the back it's certainly a lot more compliant than it was originally. Forks are OK IMHO for what I was doing and let's face it you aren't going to be riding a V7 like a beserker!
All in all its a great little bike, another step up from the five speed, single TB smallblock. I really can't see them going wrong with this one.
One thing I did notice was the clutch adjustment had loosened off a fair bit. This seems to be a common observation with the II. I would suggest that people be aware of early increase in free play and be ready to adjust it. I haven't had to adjust anywhere but at the lever on the bars. Plenty of adjustment there on Craig's bike. It wasn't dragging like some people have experienced but it had opened up a bit. Just keep an eye.... And don't be scared to adjust it yourself. That's what the adjuster is for!
Pete
