Yamaha Customs

This is my first post so any feedback would be great. I've got a XVS 1300A Midnight Star which I think is superb. Passed my CBT a year ago this month, bought a Suzuki EN 125 2A which I rode around on until March this year for experience then took a 5 day DAS course at West Pennine Motorcycle School who i'd reccommend to anyone. Once I heard the examiner say, Congatulations you've passed, I'd already bought the bike in my head ) I'm still learning as prior to my CBT i'd never ever been on a motorbike. Had my first experience of a diesel spill the other day, exiting a roundabout. Soon as I hit it the front wheel went, I eased off the throttle, feet went down, bike stayed…

Right, posting this here as I've fitted them to my XVS 125 Dragstar (review may differ on a non-custom bike?) Ok, bought a set for £40 thinking as 'overgrips' easy to install, remove, less hassle than replacing the standard grips as they just velcro over the top. First thing I noticed is the wires coming off each grip aren't long enough to reach more than halfway down the handlebars, which means that the connections (which aren't waterproof) are exposed halfway down the handlebars. Ended up electrical taping them up, which kind of defeated the purpose of buying them. Also, alot of wires exposed on the bars which whilst spent ages making them neat, still look pretty …

Hi people! this is my first ever post on here, well I did only join up about 10 mins ago lol. I really need you guys out there to help me out on this one... I have a majorly customised XVS 650, thing is, it only has the one seat, my Mrs wants to come out on the back so i am fitting the original pillion pegs and I am also getting one of the suck on pillion pads (no way I am screwing/drilling through my custom paint job! lol) Here's the thing folks, I'm after a sissy bar at the end of the day, I was wondering if sissy bars from larger xvs models would fit, or if ones from V-stars or classic models would fit etc My main question is, are the dimensions of the …

Hello Everyone, Just joined the Club and thought I'd pop in to say Hi and ask a few questions, to which hopefully someone can provide a few answers. I recently bought a 1995 - XV250S(L) Virago in the UK which had been standing in the previous owner's garden shed since 1997. The bike has 5495 original miles on the clock as it had never been ridden since 1997. I would like to replace the cables and hoses with Stainless Steel Braided and wonder if anyone knows of a supplier of such (as well as stainless steel hose clamps/clips) for the XV250S. Also does anyone know what the (L) stands for? its how the Owner's manual makes reference to the bike [XV250S(L). The bi…

I'm a tad upset Riding to work on tusday morning, Pulled away from some lights - Crunch, crunch, bang, rattle, Stop. Seems I need a new final drive unit (the bit between the drive shaft and the back wheel) which cost in the region of £1200. Anyone know of anyone breaking an XVS650???

I recently bought a 2004 V Star 650 Custom. The speedometer cable came loose at the wheel, and the inner cable fell out on the road. How do I install a new speedometer cable?

Does anyone know whether it's legal to wire up the passing lamps on my 1300 so they're on all the time or low beam only? My dealer installed them to only be on when the high beam is on. Is this standard? I understand (from another website which has an excellent guide on how to install them) that you need to wire them up to either: On all the time – green wire with blue stripe (accessory plug power wire) On with High beam – Yellow wire On with Low beam – Green wire Now its a US site so says that it's illegal to have them on with high beam... I'd prefer mine to be on with low beam or all the time as I don't think they're needed when the high beam is on (heck i…

Can a stock Yamaha Dragstar screen fit on any Dragstar? Specifically - could I fit a 650 Custom screen on a 1100 Classic? Thanks UD

Hi Gang Can anyone please tell me if the V Sar 1100 and Dragstar 1100 are identical. I want to replace stock seat with Mustang however as they are only availble in America they are advertised as V Star. So far (two weeks to be exact) no response from Mustang. Any advice would be greatly appreciated Steve

Hi everyone, I wonder if any of you felt the need to replace your dim headlights with HID (xenon) conversion kit? There are so many of them on the market. they vary in price from around £50 to over £100 for the kit (single H4 bulb Lo/Hi) some advice or comments would be greatly appreciated from those with experience. Many thanks in advance. Zoro

Hi lads! I want to have a set of passing lights on my Dragstar 650 classic but the kits are available on the web are very expensive: around 250 USD for the lights and the same amount for the mounting bar??!! This is mad... Could you please advise any cheaper alternatives/installation without the expensive bar? Thank you Ride and Rock and Roll

Hi, just joined your site, looks great!! Can you advise re purchase of my next bike please? Am interested in a Roadliner which is an U.S version (I'm sure you know this!!) have also seen midnight star. The midnight has all the chrome of the roadliner, so I cannot see any difference. Is the performance the same? The dealer with the roadliner says his is the more powerful bike ( 124 ft lbs torque) He implies the difference is very noticable - but then he would, wouldn't he?! Did test a Strato last yaer which was U.K spec, and really was under powered. Hoping to pick your brains. Thanks so much, in advance.

Hi All I have a 2004 Yamaha V-Start 1100 Classic. I need to replace the original seat. Can anyone recommend a seat or a web site. The problem is the passenger seat is just really uncomfortable. Thanks for your help

Hi all, How can I remove the rear fender of a dragstar xvs 650 custom? I can see 2 screws next to the tail light and 2 bolts at the underside, but there must be something else I can't see. Thanks

Hello, I've built 3 karts (http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4257) and 3 minibikes (http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4256) up to now, starting with my first kart when I was 12, followed by a trike, and when I was 17, I started with the front of my last kart. Well, this is a compilation of the building of the basic frame: I started in the summer of 2007, then took a brake, because I did not find an engine. When I finally got a Yamaha engine in the spring of 2008, I had to extend the (rusty) 8 months old frame . I was pretty lucky to find this unfinished Yamaha XS400 chopper project for just 150€ (200$): It's a 1980 Yamaha XS400; 2…

I was riding a charity ride through Germany when I had a seizure near Berlin I have stripped the engine down to the point of splitting to get the crankshaft out. One con rod has worn to f**k, but to replace, I have to replace the two conrods and the pin at a cost of 200€ plus. I don't have that to spare at the moment, to repair andd the cost to bring back and as I must bring it back soon, I am contemplating cutting the rod and leaving the end on the pin and remove the timing chain etc to reduce the engine size and limping it back slowly as a 62 cc. Before I embark on this madness, has anyone had a rebuild and have a spare good conrod available. I know it's a long sh…

Wanted a windshield for my xvs650a in Australia

Both silencers have pin holes along the bottom. If I can get the holes welded over/tacked up, would this be acceptable for MOT test? I expect that the plating will peel off around the weld, but as the holes are on the bottom, I wouldn't be too worried about that. Any guidance greatly appreciated, thanks.

Hi everyone, I am new to the YOC and I have a shaft driven,1980 XS750 SE US CUSTOM....it`s in really good nick and i luv it. Got my license in `68 and have not ridden since `70 but have now been riding again for 3 months...her in doors ain`t happy though..but a man`s gotta do etc!! I am not very techy but able to do basic stuff, however, I have 2 clever biker mates who help me out. Right, now to my problem......it starts fine (electronic)and I keep the battery on constant trickle charge (optimser). If I travel a short distance (say upto 3 miles) turn off the machine...it will start again with no probs. If I travel further (say 15 miles) it will not start again (unless bu…

Not even looked at doing this yet - gonna take 'em off as getting mine all re-sprayed. Are there any tricks / pointers to bear in mind when taking the forward / rear fender off?.. I'm assuming its dead straight forward... .. regards, -Mits-