My New C50

B

Blue Fashion

New member
I just signed paperwork for a new 2007 black C50, and I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has any advice on care from an actual owners prospective. :whistle:
 
:welcomes:

I almost bought a C50 but got a S50 instead. But there's lots of C50 owners here so I'm sure you will get some good advice. Seems like everyone likes their's.

I've been in Tompkinsville, KY a few times and the roads are getting to be pretty good in that locale. I hope to get my bike down to the Smokie Mountain area this summer for Deals Gap or the Skyway, etc.

Anyways let me be the first to welcome you to the forum. :bluethum:
 
Based on my experience with an '05 C50LE:

Change the oil regularly (Ok, that goes without saying). Always use 20w-50 oil, at least until the daytime temps drop below 35F. Some people have had good experience with Rotella Series 3 (diesel) oil.

It runs hot; keep the fan & radiator clean.

I haven't yet been able to see the coolant level through the inspection hole in the cover; I always end up taking it off. Get a good set of long hex bits for your ratchet wrench.

The initial valve adjustment is important, but 600 miles is too early, IMHO. I wanted to get mine done at about 1500 miles, ended up being closer to 3000. There seems to be a wide range of opinion on how often to it it after that. My bike started being a little noisy about 15K miles after the initial adjustment, at the end of this season. Re-adjustment is scheduled for spring service.

I had to remove the battery box to adjust the rear suspension, and ended up putting the suspension back where it was a couple weeks later.

Even though it's a V-Twin, it doesn't seem to shake anything loose.

On very, very hot days, the LED indicator will momentarily flash 'CHEC'. I've worked with the dealer for a fix, but it's hard to duplicate. Might not be an issue with newer bikes.

Most of the time, 10% alcohol gas makes it backfire like crazy.

Once you start riding it, you'll need a gallon of grin remover.

A couple of things that I rate as "must haves"

If you have a wind shield, a set of these lowers

One of these backrests

Have fun!
 
:welcomes: and black is a great choice.... black IS faster...lol
I have a black '05 and love it.

...a windshield is a great addtion...
...you will love the backrest Bud mentioned...
...the stock seat may be a pain for much distance riding. If you find that, I recommend the Airhawk cushion long before one of the replacement seats.... AIRHAWK Seat Cushion - Medium Cruiser Seating System w/Cover
this helps enormously especially if you are taller like me.
...you may hear a little 'clunking' in the shifter in low gears....seems common
...GET ENGINE GUARDS! they work...saved my bike and my left leg once... I like the Cobra guards.... MeanCycles - - HIGHWAY BARS- ENGINE GUARDS - COBRA
...I agree it runs hot on hot days... my fan runs a lot above 80 degrees unless i am on open road.... might need to watch this in city driving on a hot TN day ??

ride safe !
 
As a fellow owner of the C50 Black... I like to use Mobil 1 for my oil changes. 20w-50 during the summer then switch to 10w-40 during the winter. As for the add-on's, I've been wanting to change my seat since I bought the bike. But since I ride so much now, that I got used to it. Just take care of her, bro.... and she'll take you where ever you need to go. :bluethum:
 
welcome, I have an 06 C50T, love it. I'm just waiting for spring, as it is a bit cold in MT this time of year.. Enjoy; check the forums as there is a plethora of useful info to be found. Ride safe and have Fun...
 
All Excelent sugestions.....I put 18611 miles on mine in 16 months or so. Just a note...MAKE SURE YOU USE THE OIL THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE WORDS "ENERGY CONSERVING" in the little circle on the back. It will bring about clutch problems.
 
Learned something new tonight. I did not know the C50 was liquid cooled. Wonder why the difference between the 50 and 90. Hummmm?
So Annie and Bud you are both happy with the grasshopper back rest? I was just looking at it today and trying to decide. From the pics on the site it looked like it might have some backwards give or is it fairly rigid?

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum DC!!
 
That would be great Annie. I guess I would have to actually have it on the bike to see if I like rigid or some give but I would appreciate some pics so I have an idea of the mod.
 
I'm very happy with it. It is pretty rigid, although there's a small amount of give. You wouldn't want to use it to pick the bike backup. When I first got mine, it was set a little too far forward; the vendor offered to modify it for me. Now it fits perfect -- it's just "there" without being obvious.
 
...so here are some pics. Basically I had the thing reinforced and pointed straight up and down... I did find the lower piece bent away from me a bit so I had a welder friend do this. Also had to cut off the tail of the pad section as well. Now if it seems to be moving back a bit I simply 180 deg turn the backrest piece and it is great again.....the piece on the bike is completely rigid.
I recall this worked with the pillion seat too...but I changed that out for a rack a while ago...
If the pics arent clear at this resolution let me know and I can send originals to ya.... the photopost page seems broken for me for some reason...cant post big photos...?
 
I ride in and around Murfreesboro a lot and lived there for 10 years. We'll have to hook up for some rides. I have a bi-weekly Friday night poker game near the campus, and when the weather's real good, ride up, play, crash at buddy's house, and ride around and back Saturday morning.
 
That is the reason i sent mine back, didnt like the movement of the back rest. I wanted to be able to actually lean against it without it flexing back. I bought mine off of ebay, it stays on permanently and is much more sturdier. In my opinion.
 
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