The Bar

Well, I don't do forums much. I had, some time ago, posted looking for help on my 82 XJ650 (found another forum that had lots of help). But the carburetors are still giving me loads of trouble. So I decided to get me a new bike. Today I'll be picking up a 2012 FJR1300. It's been a showroom bike since the dealer got it new but since it's older they can't sell it as new. Getting a fair deal on it. I really like the lines and feel but gotta get a trunk bag with back rest for the wife to ride with me. Just thought I'd share the happy news. Keep the shiney side up.

Hi, just wondered what people though the value would be on a bike I have. It a 1980 XS250 in black (Mars bar) its in showroom condition and has covered just 3300 miles in its 34 years. I have every Mot, original keys, handbook, tool kit ect. It really is a beautiful bike but I have no idea of its worth as the only ones I can find on ebay and such are ratters. This is pristine, taxed, mot'd and genuinely original. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Hi, My Divvy has single front disk brake which doesn't seem very good at all. I've tried bleeding it which helped in that the lever no longer has the spongy feel as before but stopping power is still pretty ineffective compared with other machine I've ridden. Last time I took her in for an MOT I asked them to check the front disk and pads and was told nothing wrong (well I suppose they must have worked well enough to pass the MOT). Is this a common complaint do you know? I assume that's the reason that they upgraded later production models to twin disks at the front. Also I'm experiencing an alarming tendency of the rear wheel to lock up with only moderate …

Hi there, looking for some advice. I want to buy a chrome clutch and oil filter cover and a stator cover for my xvs 1997 (metallic orange colour). Really really hard to find second hand parts for this bike. So i searched some sites in the states and have found parts but I'm not sure if they are compatible with European models. I also have the 1997 model which is the first xvs 650 model. Are the case covers compatible compatible on v-stars and dragstars? I tried looking at the part number and they seem the same but one has an extra 00 at the end. Anyone here with experience of buying parts in the states? Also if not possible, what year do the parts change on t…

Hi guys I have been running my "new" 1975 dt175 and it runs pretty good. Hard to start it at time but overall pretty good. Since I am no mechanic I want to take it for a checkup. Does anyone in the forum know of a mechanic in Vancouver I can take it to? Somebody that understands these bikes. I called a local garage they they were quick to tell me it was expensive to fix old bikes, but I am thinking for somebody with experience these bikes are pretty simple. Any ideas welcome Cheers Alex

After reading an old post by obriens65 I discovered Loomies, I ride along the A272 quite a lot and didn't know it was there, I usually use the mcdonaulds at the A24 junction but not anymore. The pie mash & beans was great and they do a lovely brew, not sure about radio 1 playing though, as I was always a radio Caroline man myself and could never bring myself to listen to what I considered a crap radio station that was brought in by the establishment to replace the pirate stations that same establishment killed of the pirates in the first place. Back in the day I was a bit of a rebel.

You may be interested in this week's Motorcycle News with a FREE 24-page pullout celebrating all things Yamaha... Here's a little taster of what's inside the Yamaha Special... Everyone started on a Yamaha -For over 40 years new riders have learned, loved and laughed on Yamaha motorcycles -We get a little nostalgic about starting out. When Yamaha really ruled the world. No other factory has been in MotoGP as long as Yamaha. We salute the tuning-fork brand's premier class champions.. Teen spirit Yamaha’s new, whippet-like, lightweight twin, the MT-07, has been claimed to rekindle the spirit of the iconic RD350LC. But does it? MCN puts them head-to-head to fi…

Hi Everyone I need help Big time My brother game me this bike to fix it up for his grandson. Im tring to find out some info on this bike. I have checked the net and there is nothing much online. This is the info I found on the muffler (Yamaha Krizman spark arrester Model KS-250) Im not sure if this is the spark arrester model or the bike. The V.I.N. is 367-656488 Im not sure if it is a 2 stroke or 4 stroke my brother told me it was a 2 stroke but i think its a 4 stroke it has a oil dip stick and a drain plug when i started it it sounded like a 2 stroke so i stopped it right away. If anyone has any info about this bike Plzzzzzzzzzzzzz let me know Thank you v…

Concerns where raised somewhere over fake NGK plugs causing 2 stroke seizures , this may help you tell what is what http://www.slideshare.net/athangal/distinguishing-fake-ngk-spark-plug

Could anyone suggest which indicators I can get for my YBR? front and back.. Cheers

Hi Guys, when i push my bike a little bit harder when in gear (without holding down the clutch), it is moving forward. Is this common or i need to check anything...??!!

I am on an A2 licence and I have taken my fz6 for restriction, but the garage keeps saying to me that the part hasn't come due to the dealer awaiting a registration certificate from vosa, now he has given me 3 different days it would arrive but hasn't due to vosa not sorting the paper work, is this the proper procedure for this or am I being take for a ride...

Locking up the Virago at work Friday, slight reddish tinge on the hub. Got home lifted front wheel off the deck, sure enough, bearing on the way out. Two new bearings and a seal bought and fitted yesterday morning. Then in the afternoon, on the Radian, fitted new wheel bearings and seals front and rear, new rear brake shoes, plus re-fitted the wheels with two new Bridgestones on em, brakes/chain adjusted. Bowled along at my own pace, several brews along the way, radio on, nobody bothered me Had a good day

Hi, Michael here i am new to bikes and have got myself DT125R and was wondering what would be the right oils to use. I have got myself a Haynes manual which recommends a Yamaha air cooled 2T oil, however doesn't mention if it should be fully syntheic or not / premix so didn't know where to start. I would also like the know about the Motor oil tank at the front of the bike and if this should be the same oil as the engine oil which is recommended SAE 10w30 SE. Another note would be should i stick to the recommended oils or is there a better alternative?

Thought I would check the oil on the XL185 today and it was low. Tookthe dipstick out but then got involved with charging a battery on a scooter so forgot to tighten it. Then went for 10km ride to get something. Outside the shop noticed puddle of oil under the bike..looked closer..NO DIPSTICK..and back of bike full of oil. Oil was already low so thought now there is nothing in there. Rode it home very gently with a gaping hole where the dipstick was and made it back ok...no funny noises developed (says something about these old engines). Retraced my ride with the DT but no dipstick lying anywhere. So guess I`m in the market for a Honda XL185 dipstick.

Finally got the bike running, had no power around 3500 revs, changed the jets and air screws etc, now the damn thing ticks over and then revs to excess of 10000 revs, not good when still running in after rebore and several electrical bits changed. Only done 108 miles since rebuild so now worried. Not leaking around the carburettor/engine seals, considering the bike is 42 years old do not want to scrap it. Any suggestions and ideas would be appreciated. Many thanks, Colin.

It must be. Larger than normal first post wants with no into and a growing number of workshop questions in the bar again.

Good or bad bike ????

Hi. Today I was walking round a 'vintage' car & bike show. I was re-united with my old fizzy. It's been 34 years & brought back some great memories. This got me thinking if any of my other old rides are still out there. Does anyone have any ideas how to find out??? Thanx.................

Hi guys I've bought a tail tidy for my 06 fz6 and when trying to install it today there was 2 Allen head bolts and 2 bolt holding it to the rear, the 2 bolts there we no problem but the Allen heads wouldn't budge I have reed everything to get them out and have even cut the head off of one of them to slide it over and then I'd would have drilled the old bolt out if it's was threaded but it fender holder still won't budge any ideas?