The Bar

Hey fellow Yamaha Owners I just recently came accross this website. Are their any other Stratoliner owners on this site?

Hi all not sure if this is the right place for this please move if not. I have got myself an old twist and go to keep the miles down on the Midnight star ,the problem I have is the header pipe is starting to corrode ,I have tried to protect it by removing the loose rust and painting it with high temperature paint I have done this twice now and both times the paint has burnt off in a matter of days . The paint I used is Halfords own brand, am I doing something wrong ,Ive tried increasing the temperature gradually but it still burns of ,is there a better brand or is a downpipe just to hot for any paint. any suggestions appreciated . Cheers Dave

apparently their looking at removing the MOT test for bike's over 30 years old http://www.dft.gov.uk/classic-mot/motorbikes/

Hey peeps. is there anything stopping me from removing the killswitch from the bars and simply shutting off the ignition from the key? i.e. will it pass an mot or any inspectionwithout one? trying to neaten up the bars on the FUCR, luckily i still have a set of clubmans under my bed so they will have to suffice for now. plan is run the bare minimum, possibly jawa style ignition whereby the key is turned beyond the ignition position to illuminate the lights.

Hi all, so I've literally just got back from my CBT which I passed fine. Now do I have to have L plates on front and back, I know they say yes but realistically what can I get away with ? I've seen some with only one on the back which I guess isn't as bad and as ugly as one on the front as well

A consolutation paper regarding modernisation of the CBT I'll post highlights once I get a chance to read it

Brilliant ride out today in the sunshine to the new forrest where I spent the day with my eldest and his other half but on the way home in the dark 4 or 5 deer came out of nowhere like bats out of hell and lept across the road in front of me and behind me, fuck knows how they missed me.

Like most bikes the horn on my bike is crap and I am thinking of replacing it with one that people could actually hear, does anyone know of a good loud horn that they could recomend.

Just to say I have sold the FJ, met a nice guy while I was down at the FJ owners club who said he was interested and lo and behold turned up today and bought it. I shall really miss my old tank , got my asking price and so looking for something else now. A 125 or 250 2T would do nicely just for a bit of a project so if you hear of anything that might suit give me a shout, don't mind even if it's a basket case as I have plenty of time to fettle with oily bit's.

Just got the latest mag and guess who's in it? Our one and only foams going on about his dt50 well done Steve

Where you been?

Started my motorcycle training last week for my full licence, Had a spare couple of hours other night so decided to go have a play on my little YBR doing some mod 1 stuff, Just about managed 40 minutes before my clutch decided to disintegrate, Do i just buy an EBC clutch kit from ebay or does anybody have any other recommendations, Am quiet handy with a spanner so going to do it myself,

Hi, I'm a new rider and currently taking my A2 licence lessons, I'm 57 years old and like cruisers and understand I will be able to ride the dragstar 650 or 400 which I like both. My worry is if I go for the 400 how will I be fixed for things like spare parts and extras for example a back rest as the rear mudguard is different with indicators on it. Would I be safer with the 650 as the 400's are all imports from Japan an may be harder to maintain, forgive me if these questions are a little naïve but this will be my first bike for 40 years and I really don't want to get my leg in cash wise on something unsuitable. Any advice will be gratefully re…

My SR has developed a noticeable rattle in the engine, but I'm a bit of a bike retard so I don't know what it actually is, does this sound like a crankshaft bearing? Only thing I know is its a long job to fix so another question is if I have a problem with the bottom end how long is it safe to keep riding?

Hi all, ive been riding an 86 fj1200 for about a year now and late last summer i noticed a slight drag on the clutch when i first start the bike. (first gear with the lever all the way in and it pulls away and or stalls) I rebuilt the leaking master cylinder a few months back with great results and fluid is topped off. is this a common issue with this era FJ or is there an issue i need to deal with? thanks Paul

Hello. yep bought my first bike(xvs 125 Dragstar), I can't put in to words the excitement felt, couldn't sleep for nearly 2 days and certainly could pay attention at work, which when your a butcher this sort of stuff isn't very helpful. so, I have long ol' of stuff I need/want todo. I'm asking advice on: *where do i get a workshop manual from? *how do I replace snapped off mirrors *best fixes for massive dents on the nice curvy petrol tank *ive got a 15-20mm hole in the exhaust what's best to bang in there? *if I put after market slip on mufflers (12" cafe style shorties) will I need to Danny about with the fuel air mix. …

Well its here, a rather dubious trip in a borrowed trailer that was 'legal honest officer' and its home. Not quite as I remember it, still the odd colour that appertains to be I don't know exactly what colour, Honestly I would prefer it back in the blue its supposed to be or a proper shade of the original 2 tone gold/white, clutch is stuck and the brakes do little if anything. Tyres are 30 years old. She runs, badly, thanks to a worn ig advancer plate. and some epically gunged up carbs I think. Still its all there. I was thinking of running it up to squires but it needs too much work at the minute and it would be an epic rush with shortcuts. My plan, tap Dr…

Just purchased my first motorbike (17 years old, UK, Scotland, Highland) , it's a Yamaha YBR 125CC, I'm desperately needing motorbike gear asap. I can't seem to find much relevant information on how much i should be spending. I can find boots for £500 and for £30, Jackets for £5000 and £50. Pretty much what i need opinions and facts on is: What price range would you be looking at if you are riding a bike all year round and as much protection as possible. It's inevitable I'll have an accident within the next 2 years on some kind of scale, I'm not scared of blood, grazing and bashing. As long as my gear can keep my bones from my breaking and my brain from smashing!! …

Hey! i recently picked up a '78 dt175. Everything was running fine until one day I noticed the tube coming from the oiler no longer had oil in it. after getting the bike back (in a truck) I started looking at what the problem could be. I had recently tipped the bike in the woods, so I first tried bleeding the system. (I drained the tank and added 50:1 until I was certain the pump was working again) no air bubbles appeared while bleeding, but I continued to bleed it for 30/45 seconds or so. Put the bleed screw back on, started the bike and looked to see if the pump was 1. Pumping, and 2. Was the oil moving. Needless to say after 3 times bleeding the system, …

On the way home yesterday at the start of my journey; an Audi in front driving poorly (not sticking to lanes/no signals etc) - I decide to pull over to buy some food, drink and such. Hanging about for 25 minutes or so. Jump back on the bike - head off - 5 minutes down the road guess who I am behind again! made me laugh - taken the guy 30 minutes to move 2 miles.