Yamaha Customs

Hi folks, can anyone recommend (or advise ro avoid!) any companies for rechroming worn or damaged chrome-plated components or fittings? Cheers JF

i saw this on the http://www.650ccnd.com/ht.htm website. Made it in about an hour, using the squab off the pillion sissy bar as a tempary pad. What a difference. Did 200miles yesterday and no 'numb bum' at the end. It seems to support my back and gets me off my tailbone. I love the look of the bike without the plastic barn door ( givi) and this back rest negates the effect of the windblast on my chest. I can cruise easily at 60mph without having to 'grip' the handlebar. Cant seem to load up my pics. http://www.650ccnd.com/back.htm

Iv increased the main jet size by x 2.5 set the needle to the bottom setting and put another 20 thou washer under the needle, and its still back firing and missing when I open her right up, she's ok up to say half throttle, do I need to go bigger still with the main jets, oh and the plugs are a very light tan, Im getting pissed off with it now, this is the second time the carbs have been out, I'm tempted to put the original jets back in and the stock pipes back on, but these big bore slash cuts do sound good, what to do???

Does anyone know where you would get replacement parts for an XVS 950A, can you simply call Yamaha or a dealer with part numbers? I am looking for: 90176-06041-00 = a wee nut crown 5S7-2787A-00-00 = a bracket I am not sure though if the part numbers are the same here in the UK as they are in the US. Thanks, Andrew.

Has anyone tried a brighter bulb in their 650? I have an allnighter coming up and would like to upgrade the Original headlight bulb. I haven't checked yet, but presume it will be a 60/55W bulb. The bike has no extra lights or electrical fittings apart from the OE. I did consider fitting an additional tail light to the rear of the sissy bar backrest to give a bit higher view of the tail/brake lights. The original light is okay, but I thought a bit brighter beam wouldn't go astray. Have thought about extra driving lights, but dont want to go over loading the electrics. Years ago, we would fit a 90/80W bulb without any problems.

Friend of mine has one and he would like to know what's its worth and how desirable it is to a biker

Hi I have just bought 2001 650 Dragstar, it was fitted with Remus pipes. The top pipe gets really hot and is a burn hazard, is there anywhere I can get heatshield?

Hi all Are there any aftermarket (bigger) headlights for the XVS 125?

Hi, I have to change the plastic fuse block that sits just below the speedo and tachometer and under the indicator and ignition warning light aluminium panel. Alas one of the metal bayonet receptors has been pushed to far in as the old plastic crumbled away and there was nothing to hold it in place. There is a picture of the fuse block in the manual, but thats it, no other reference to it. There are no retaining screws that i can see, and I did think about taking the speedo and tach housing off but theres no reference how to do that either. I have the new part waiting to be fitted but am very perplexed about how to proceed..............and i bet its something so simple…

Here are a few pics of the little progress I have made so far. Ignor the missing bolt on the belt guard, wasn't amused when I discoverd that one had fallen off. Trunk supports fitted in preparation for Tsukayu Strong Trunk Ghost brackets fitted in preparation for Tsukayu Strong Saddlebags. I couldn't get the Ghost brackets to align correctly when keeping the original pastic bits that go along the back fender, so I have had to make do without Hopefully more progress will be made on a weekly basis... ...pics finally sorted.

Can anyone recommend the best place to put the autocom unit on a 950A midnight star if I put it under the seat on top of the battery it give off interferance in the headset and I dont want to put it in a tank bag I want it permenently attached to the bike so I just plug headset in and away anyone come up with a solution

Quick question: Does anyone have any experience with a lift / stand for a cruiser? I am really looking to keep the bike upright (so that I can install some goodies) rather than lifting it off the ground (however if the price isn't too bad, then something that can do both would be beneficial). Thanks, Andrew.

Hello all. I wonder if any of you could help me please? Out of curiosity I put my vtn number, JYA4VR00000002807, into the motoverse decoder and it wasn't found. Reading various "help" articles didn't help either as they seemed to vary in what they thought was the correct way of reading it! The odd thing is, that the date code number on mine is 'zero' and according to available info it should be 1-9 or an 'x' but no '0'! It's not a matter of life or death, but could anybody make any suggestions where I could go from here? Cheers.

I've been thinking of changing out the stock seat for the Mustang Wide Touring Two-Piece Vintage Seat. I think there will be an extra couple of inches width and the seat comes with a backrest. My commute is approximately an hour each way and I am planning another tour to France this summer. We will be riding 2 up on the tour. Seat: http://www.customcru...n-uk/d1987.html - bottom one. Has anyone changed out their seat and find it beneficial or did you discover any problems? Is there any cheaper alternatives to make the long rides more comfortable for both myself and the lady friend? I had seen some gel pads online but I'm not sure if this could lead to slipp…

Howdy. Battery died on the XVS 650 this week at the worst time. But it seems to have happened since fitting LED indicators and load resistors. Weird. Anyway, as I'm new to the biking world I thought I'd ask the question. What batteries will fit in the 98 XVS 650? Halfords list a Bosch M6 013 but as usual never have any in stock. Does anyone have any experience with fitting alternative batteries? All advice appreciated. Auzz

Was looking at adjusting my gear shift lever and spotted just to the right and slightly below where the shaft comes out of the case a threaded hole with nothing in it, anyone got any ideas what this is? The threads look clean as though something has come out of it, so I have used the car today can't find anything in the owners manual so now ploughing through 360 pages of the workshop manual.

Hi, does anyone know why the rear right wheel bearing on an XVS650 is 4X the price of the left 1?

Hi all Is it worth installing crash/engine bars to an XVS125? If yes, is there a particular model you would suggest?

hi all im in the process of rebuilding the bobber whilst inspecting the frame for painting iv noticed some rust which would be cause for concern. considering my bike is 8 years old and was in a good garage for 4 of them i thought i best mention it. the seat bracket was corroded underneath, no holes or cracks, but needed a wire brush on a drill to clear it, so could go in time. on the bottom of the frame, where the kick stand bracket is welded. there was a hole about the same size as a 5p and a crack going round the tube effectively compromising the structure of the frame when i grinded it back there was a hole (3inch by 1inch), which i patched and…

This is my first cruiser and I have now done around 700 miles since getting it last August and with the better weather approaching I want to make the most of it as I really like the bike, but I have a few possibly stupid queries regarding the riding position. My Classic has foot pegs rather than the boards that newer ones seem to have and it feels like my feet are slowly slipping sideways off the pegs, I am constantly having to move them back inwards, is this just me or is it actually happening. I am finding it a bit tight between the peg and gear lever, so I assume its just a matter of adjusting it using the nut and thread on the shaft? When riding I find I have…