Yamaha Customs

Got shunted in the rear at a junction, my XVS1100 leapt out from under me, and me and tbe bike ended up on the floor. The driver nicely drove off, leaving me on the ground. Thankfully they left their calling-card (their numberplate), so the rozzers are looking into that matter Pre-empting that they will catch them, and I will need to get an insurance quote, I'm going to have to take to places that are sympathetic to custom bikes. Whilst the damage is cosmetic, exhaust, rear mudguard, pegs, these are all non-standard. I know the pegs are highway hawk forward controls, but the pipes and mudguard, no idea... Can someone help me identify what they are. Thanks.

I need a luggage rack for my VSTAR 950 tourer. Looking around the standard Yamaha STR-3D-851-30-00 one is reported to break, does anybody know of a really good one that bolts straight on to the standard sissy bar? Thanks, Geoff

hi there! i`m looking forward to buy some accessories for my bike and i need some advice from xvs950 owners. first step, I want a seat, single with backrest, if anyone can tell me what is the best options (confort-price) second step, I need a windshield. i`m 6'2" (1,87 m). I hear about yamaha windshields are crap, so, i exclude this option. those are more important things... next years I will need also some panniers but I guess the standard touring yamaha are fine... also i think the yamaha engine bar is ok but I will not ignore any advice until I will find a way to pay my membership so I can post in wanted area (I still wait an answer after 2 months …

I'm wanting to strip the rims of my bike and polish them up to a mirrored finish, i have heard that modern day paint can be a real pain to remove. Anyone know of a good paint stripper? i have heard that aircraft remover is good but cant find it in the U.K. Once i have the paint off, how is the best way to get a mirrored finish? Thanks X-KID

Hi guys n gals just a wee question to you all Ive notice that my draggy has developed a little rattle/buzzing noise, its in every gear tho quiter in 1st and louder as the bike picks up speed and warms up. Now she runs and rides great can do 55-60 smooth as a smooth thing so performance wise shes ok. Shes has plenty of oil in her so I know shes not dry but she gets a bit hot but after a 30 mile one way commute I thought it might not be something to worry about but thought to mention it. Checked the drive chain and sprockets and they are all ok and it sounds like its coming from the engine ( checked for loose nuts bolts casings brackets etc ) so Im wondering and hen…

Well after your comment on my panniers being close to the new exhaust on my bike I didn't heed the warning! I know I should have had a closer inspection but on a long trip yesterday it did burn through the bottom of the pannier! The first I knew of it was a loud bang while doing 70 on the M11! Gave me a bit of a shock and after finding somewhere to stop it had burnt the bottom of the pannier out and left most of the straps i had in there hanging out the bottom! As for the loud bang, I had a puncture repair kit in there with co2 cartridges and one of them had gone off! putting a golf ball sized dent in the silencer! i count myself lucky it didn't do any more damage. On the…

I bought an XVS1100 yesterday and rode it home (110 miles). Bike looked OK and I checked it over quite well. There's wear on the front and rear discs but this was factored into the price. However, I noticed that the steering is very heavy at slow speeds and braking is pretty sluggish too. I'm just wondering if this is normal for these bikes (the largest bike i'd ridden previously was an FZ750).

Hi all, I have a 1995 Virago XV500 . Its a nice clean bike which starts first time every morning and which i ride to work 15 miles away. I've only been riding it for a few months now and so far my top speed is about 75 miles per hour. It seems to me that this is probably at the top end, i can't see me getting any more out of it. I'm wondering is this about the norm for this bike and would like to hear about other bikes of this size. Cheers Ray

Hi just bought xvs 950 midnight star 2009, first ride and if under 40mph I had to be in 3rd, or if crusing only managed if in 3rd or 4th and even then engine seemed to be hunting felt like piston slap? goes ok if exelerating, any one any ideas Nev

Hi, Im thinking of changing my handlebar on my bike. Does anywone here know if this Zbar will fit my xvs650 without changing any cables? http://www.robscyclesupply.com/jammer-cycle-products-jammer-z-bars-8-in-wide-style-detail.htm?productid=8079774 cheers!

Looking at a fairly cheap xvs 650 which is in pretty good nick apart from the read fender right at the bottom has a rust patch. Is this a walk away job? Is it likely the whole thing might be corroding from within? I rubbed my hand on the underside of the fender and I had a light brown colouring on my hand (like a mix of dirt and rust) Thanks

Has anyone changed the standard bars for straights? I'd like to reduce the distance the bar ends travel for slow riding such as U-turns. Or does anyone have any other bright ideas?

I'm in a predicament here, and i cant decide on a new bike. The hot weather is making me even more impatient with myself. I had a Virago 535 which was good fun, but it was too small (im 5ft 11) so i felt cramped after a time. It also lacked power. One up on the motorway, past 65ish, it would vibrate A LOT. I couldnt see well out the rear mirrors because of it, and my feet and hands got very uncomfortable with the vibrations after a time. So i sold it. I want a bike that can cruise at 70-80 without much vibration or fuss. I also want to go touring two up at times. This would give a combined weight of around 22 stone. This would also involve motorway riding. Narrow…

I am probably being rally stupid here but looking for new pipes and it seems half the ones I like are for the later model! Mine is a late '03 custom. But V&H have the short shots up for '04 and up :s Looking to get a black set too so not sure where I would even start!! Thanks for your help in advance guys.

Anyone in the Reading area free Saturday morning? Weather permitting of course.

Well i need a new front tyre for the Dragstar and im also getting the rims and hubs powder coated and some new spokes, so i thought id have a go at removing the tyre my self to save a few pennies and this is how i did it (if you ever wanted to do it) TOOLS NEEDED: Two thick long screw drivers (i used a flat head and phillips head) WD40 (lube) Your foot To start with you will need a tyre to remove but do just go out and steel some poor fuckers wheel. Thats just not cool any more and remove ALL the air (take the valve out if you can) Remove brake disc place foot on the tyre by the rim and brake the beed. NOTE: jumping stamping screa…

Hello newbie to this site, but loving it already Im looking to buy an xvs125 very soon, but I sat on a 54 plate xvs125 today at a dealers and was wonering it im to big for it. Im 6 foot 3 and 15.5 stone. Is anyone else a big man driving one of these? do you manage okay? Has anyone invented? or do they sell a seat which moves back a bit? or a new seat which replaces the other two so I can sit further back?, or can I move the original seat back somehow? Please help looking to buy one ASAP Regards Pantsdavies

I'll be purxhasing a 650 soon and one of the first things I want to do is buy a new exhaust for it. The best sounding one I have found is this: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c1QkoNDhX0Q Its foreign but they are called 'Caligula'. EBay didn't find them, anyone know if they can still be bought? I like that lower down throaty kind of sound they produce, whereas others like the v&h cruzers don't quite sound as good as that. Any recommendations?

535 Virago Anyone know if its possible to change the rear shocks springs. The one on the bike were obviously cheap and the chrome has worn out just leaving the nickel plating. If I can split them I'll get them powder coated

Wanted in the wanted section please.