danster
-
Posts
26 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Yamaha Racing News.
Media Demo
Store
Collections
Classifieds
Posts posted by danster
-
-
evening all,
long time no post - with the weather picking up recently I've gotten the toolkit out to carry on fiddling with the bike and even better gotten back out on it!!
anyway, has anyone replaced their fenders? or does anyone know of someone who has?
I'm wondering what the options are, whether anything other than made-to-measure for the dragstar 1100 classic will fit or if i can go to universal or other parts? direct replacement yamaha parts seem expensive....
I'm after something much much smaller than the normal classic fenders (front and back actually) in fact more like the custom but maybe smaller / cleaner if that makes sense. not sure what kind of job i am in for on the back though?
any comments welcome - hope everyone else is taking advantage of a bit of sunshine lately and getting out too!
dan
-
afternoon all, i know the show only starts today but i thought i'd start a post off about the bikeshow at the NEC.
I'm going up thursday with a few ideas and things i want but mainly to have a nose around, check out the babes and see whats at a good price.
i thought if anyone already knows, or goes this week and spots anything cool / cheap / worth a look etc etc they could update the post so that any of us who go up after can take a look?
my own shopping list will include at least....
optimate - again, lost the last 2 i have owned and i dont think i ever used either of them!
roof boxer helmet
some tools to continue my idiot learning curve of trial and error!
5 degree front end if the price is right....
some new gloves
forward controls, again if the price is right
and bound to be some gadgets or things i dont need that i will buy anyway - same as every other year i've been :-)
dan
-
Unlikely.
I wrote a long piss-taking reply about Cruisers, chrome etc, but the internet hiccupped and lost it.
Check the Hein Gericke catalogue.
You will find a couple of bits there and maybe some manufacturers who are willing to custom build. It will be expensive.
Beyond that and without spending shitloads of cash, little chance really.
cheers mate, i suspected as much - would be nice but not worth getting stuff custom made.
out of curiosity, which was did your rant go about cruisers and chrome - for or against?!
dan
-
afternoon all,
just on the hunt for the bodywork side of the bike (after bars, mirrors and exhausts done now) mainly around fenders and maybe some engine covers etc
has anyone ever come across any carbon fibre bits for the xvs / dragstar / v-star models? things are coming up a bit light on google searches....
any links / comments appreciated
thanks, dan
-
Good on ya, Dan.
Nothing quite like spending 9 hours fitting custom stuff to your bike!!!
OK, I was wiring lots of stuff and it was my first project, but it was great fun!!
I also kept stopping for ciggies and stuff
OK, for the bars....
I will assume your 1100 is assembled the same way as my 650 in this respect.
First, plan out precisely where the bar will be positioned.
Make sure NOW that the new position won't stretch or pull the control cables at all.
Remove the grips.
Various ways to do it, but basically they're glued on.
Use careful pressure to pull the bar ends off. I say careful, because they're basically chromed plastic. Ease/work/wiggle these off. Do not force them. It may take half an hour, but you must avoid damaging the grips.
Then, work a long stemmed, thin flathead screwdriver under the grip rubbers and separate them from the bars. Be VERY careful with the right one, else you'll damage the throttle slider. Finish by carefully pulling off the grip buffers.
Some people reccomend working some washing up liquid or glue solvent under the grips.
Loosen all the handlebar fitments.
These will be secured with allen bolts or screws. Just loosen the fitments - Do not try removing them.
Use a small flathead screwdriver and lever out the four screw caps from the risers on the yoke.
Undo the four bolts holding the riser tops in place and lift the bar out of the riser.
Now remove the fitments. Slide them off the bar, remembering which way round everything goes. You remove the bar first so you can manoeuvre it about and avoid stretching the cables!!
Re-assemble in reverse order.
Slide the control fitments onto the new bar and finger tighten only.
Position the bar where you want it.
Re-attach the riser tops and finger tighten only.
Now sit on the bike and lift it upright. Use a hold on the tank to lift it (because the bars are still loose, remember) and if possible, have someone help you hold it. You will need your hands, so keep the bike stable with your legs and the weight of your arse on the seat (sorry - best way I can describe it).
Adjust the cant of the bar to where you want it.
NOW - TEST THE CABLES ARE FREE!!!
Do it now, or it will be a pain in the arse later and you might break them. If there are problems, sort them out. This is, however, a whole other topic which I won't cover at this particular moment.
Once placed and all is good, then you can tighten the riser bolts properly.
Confirm the position of the control fitments and tighten in place.
Reassemble the grips in reverse order too - Buffers, rubbers, end-caps.
Grips will have to be glued back in place.
I use Superglue myself. There are other threads on here that discuss the various options.
While you're letting the glue set, give everything a final check over, make sure everything works etc. Careful with the throttle grip.
Pay particular attention to the clip-on plug that connects the cable to the front brake light switch. This pops off easily.
That should just about do it.
If the cables won't reach the new position, longer ones can be obtained, but I haven't fiddled with this part of things myself yet, so I'll leave that for someone more learned like OldGit.
Various peoples' opinions will differ, I'm sure and I may have slight errors or something. This has taken about an hour to type and I am knackered, so I'm going for a ciggy.
Hope you have fun, matey!!!!
Woody.
Woody,
I can't thank you enough mate - that is absolutely brilliant!
I got impatient and got out there to get the current bars off, did most things as per your list apart from not realising until it was the last thing that there were little inserts on the bolts for the riser clamps!!! i thought it was all done as one piece from below - what an idiot!!
i'm pleased with how it went though, a lot less worried about having a stab at things now, for people who know what they're doing, the bars are a piece of cake - but it was a good starter for a moron like me.
ended up having to change the bars as 1 - couldnt get the current factory risers off but 2 - more importantly, realised i will actually need some bars on risers to get a comfortable riding position anyway. popped back and swapped the wishbone bars for t bars which are pretty much the same just connected across the bottom to form a square so that they are now intended for use in risers / clamps.
will be having a go at fitting it all later today or tomorrow so the second half of your instructions will come in very very handy - positioning it all etc etc.
again, thank you very very much - i'll post back the progress and some before / after shots for anyone who cares ;-)
more bits to add to the list of things i should sell now, can get rid of the screen, saddle bags, supports, tool bag roll for front already - next will be the rising lights / spot lights, indicators, front and rear floor boards.
can't wait for the exhaust to turn up - interesting to see what a challenge that presents!!!
thanks, dan
-
afternoon all
didnt last long before i went to the local shop to buy another bit for the bike after the exhausts lastnight!
am now the proud owner of some highway hawk wishbone bars and am going to attempt to fit them tomorrow - anyone got any advice or idiots guide comments?
anything at all welcome - i work with computers so useless with practical things - but am now determined that my previous approach of me earning the money and then paying the experts to do this sort of thing isnt the way forward! am hoping to do the bike up myself as a bit of a learning excercise and hobby too
thanks, dan
-
Morning all, me AGAIN!
for once I did search before I posted though ;-)
Finally got started off on the road to throwing away a fortune by means of modding the bike lastnight!
I've bought a set of highway hawk fat pipes for my 1100 classic, does anyone have any experience of fitting these, and does anyone happen to know if I need to be getting the bike setup again once they go on?
thanks in advance as always
dan
-
oop's forgot to write something before i clicked!!!- ( newbie )
i think bike looks awesome with that extra rake & it's not over the top i.m.o.- am fancying the seat for my dragstar custom though-but then again i'm always 3 steps in front < don't take my test till end of nov- still am out & about as much as poss on 125!
I don't blame you mate - I was just the same, shopping for bits and ideas before I got my first one earlier this year, and then looking for an 1100 a month or so after I got that first 650!
welcome to dragstar riding then, best of luck with your test
-
I hope you're joking!!
TBH, most people won't have a clue about raked forks.... including me.
The Chop guys all tend to have their own websites coz they build their own.
Certainly, I'd not want to try riding a chopped Drag around the narrow English roads!!
I had enough scary moments on the 125 with a massive turning circle.
But yeah - Try asking all those chopper peeps. Bound to be at least ten forums full of 'em!!
part serious part joke to be honest mate, i appreciate most or none of us on here know or have experience with these kits, but i was more curious about peoples opinions etc as its a massive leap into the unknown. i was hoping people might have shared their thoughts on it - i'm not easily offended if it turns out everyone hates or recommends against them but were too polite to tell me ;-)
i've had good experiences and like the forum since I've been using it - but sometimes it seems a bit hard to get peoples comments or answers on things, im not defending that 125 rider's comments the other day, but i could see how people might not think there is a lot shared or imparted on here.
i would bet its most likely me though, most of my stuff has been newbie or stupid questions or all on the same subject - i often find where i think there is a problem, it turns out to be me ;-)
-
welcome to the forum and to dragstar ownership - my first one lasted about 3 months before i went up a size so they seem to be a bit infectious!
enjoy
dan
-
The link doesnt show anything other than other links lol
I havent any experience of riding a bike with a rake kit (im assuming thats what you're talking about), but i do know it will affect the turning moment of the bike - you will need to turn sooner to get round the corner. 5 degrees dont seem a lot but once it is on the bike it will make a difference, but one im sure you will get used to.
Why not have a look on ebay for a bike with a rake kit on it - not necessarily a dragstar, and ask the seller?
Be better to ask someone who has ridden one i reckon.
thanks goff - i survived the urge to make an impulse purchase and am waiting to find out more, i nearly got trapped when i spoke to the shop selling them and they said they could get it here saturday morning and it would only take a few hours to fit!
99 views and 1 reply to the post though, time to find a better forum methinks
-
afternoon all, i'm really wanted to stretch out the front end on my dragstar 1100 classic but am really worried about the everyday rideability of the bike and how hard the kit might be to fit
does anyone have an opinion or experience one of these? I'm REALLY tempted to just buy it as they can deliver tomorrow but then worried 5 degrees won't make much change or other extreme is it could be too strange a ride
any advice / comments / experiences greatly appreciated
thanks dan
http://www.customcruisers.com/custom2005/c...arget=d128.html
-
thanks for the info guys - i actually ended up buying a classic as it was just down the road and got a decent price for what they called a fixer upper but is fine as it is!
am just putting the shopping list together at the moment, i am glad i waited to get this 1100 before i spent anything on doing one up, the difference in grunt and braking is massive so i am really happy with the 1100 now.
have spent the last 3 weeks away from home so not had the chance to touch it really :-( but managed to get the windscreen, front toolbar roll, saddle bags and supports off so far.
next is tricky - for things like forward controls, exhaust, handle bars and especially a 5 degree raked front end i would love to see one already done to compare so that i can choose but i havent got a clue where i can get to. hopefully enough people will still venture down to the poole quay meet near me and i can get along to see if anyone with a modded one is already there
thanks, dan
-
Thats because i have no life.....
This is another that came up for sale a few weeks back. This one is a 650 - if i had had £4950 ida snapped his hand off:
Yamaha V-Star 650 2003. built by Moonshine Steel in Pine Knot, Kentucky. Just under 3,000 miles on the bike. The neck has been raked 40 degrees and a set of 6 degree Triple T’s added. ‘Forking by Frank’ of provided the 4 inch over stock 41mm fork tubes. 60 Spoke chrome 21inch front wheel. Rear suspension lowered by repositioning the shock mount . Sits at about 4 inch ride height and seat is at about 20 inches. The custom steel rear fender is attached to custom made brackets giving it that low tyre hugging look. 18 inch 1.25 diameter Apehangers with internal electrical wiring.
Maltese Cross mirrors, turn signals and tail light on billet side mount for licence plate, all LED plus a Cobra Rocket Headlight. Hard Chrome 2.5 inch big straights exhaust system, Mapam forward controls and custom seat.
Now THAT is what i call a NICE Dragstar
that is cool but crikey, i think i might have to hire you as my research assistant or something!
the lights, fenders, paint and number plate mount are all pretty much my first choices at the moment! that style of exhaust or maybe that but slash cut is probably second choice at the moment.
still undecided on bars, i think i like the straight style but which ever set i go for it'll definately be with as much hidden wires / cabling as possible, and anything left on show hopefully tied to things to hide (but thinking there is surely a reason i always see the brake / speedo cables visible) with grips, mirrors and switch / mountings no clue yet.
i'd also like to lower it but need to work all that out with the rake/front end and forward controls - the bike needs to be a daily rider ideally and be able to take pillion, although dont mind if i need to whip the sissy bars on / off for that one as i prefer the look without.
all sounds great, and its getting towards my dream budget version of an OCC production type bike - but also sounds expensive!!! i bet there are a million OCC wannabees like me roaming around - i'll just have to hide behind the billions of mid life crisis harley riders ;-)
-
I have never fitted one and i donmt know of any that have been fitted.
If you wanna go down the path of odding your bike - as i am - then i can possibly help you out. I am in touch with the guy who owns this beauty:
Piccies arent great but this is what he's done to it:
Seats re-covered. Forward controls. Snake exhaust. Solid s/s rear wheel, Snake eye headlight. Boomerang handlebars. Billet ally leavers. Hypercharger, etc etc, too many to list here atm!
Custom cruisers have some great stuff - but they are damned expensive. Shop around a bit or PM me and ill send you some details of bike places inthe US that i get my gear from if u like.
nice one, thanks again goff! seems like you and i might be the only people on here ALL the time ;-)
handy to know about the mods on that bike, im pretty set on the short version of the snake exhaust and forward controls, not sure from there but im kind of aiming towards the bobber / chopper look (i'm still new to this so probably getting the names for most things wrong) so its good to see some of the same mods on other machines
im just about to cave and do the deal on this 1100 (dealer just will not give on the price) so hopefully get that later this week, rip the bits off i dont want (might get some cash back for those which is whats justifying me not being able to get the price down!) and then start to tweak it from there
im just like a child though, all excited at getting the new bike and then playing with it!!
dan
-
morning all,
has anyone ever ridden a bike with this sort of modification or configuration, or even better has anyone done or ridden this on a dragstar?
http://www.customcruisers.com/custom2005/c...arget=d475.html
I'm tempted to add it to the list of things to get done to mine / new one, but am wondering whether this is a form over function type sacrifice - whether its a cool look (to some) but ruins the rideability and feel of the bike etc
thought i would throw this one out there to see what people thought?
thanks, dan
-
Which Dragstar? 125/650/1100?
Whats your reason for wanting to do this then?
hi goff,
was going to say 650 (current) but now i think it'll be the 1100 (hopefully later this week)
not sure if its my riding style or a 4 stroke thing but i like to know where i am in the range and whats left - i know we can all tell (once we know the engine) where we are in the range but i like having it there at a glance.
i still want to do the same few things to a drag star but it looks to all be up in the air over this 1100 i hope to get this week, i thought if i was going to make a long term project out of one i may as well find an 1100 and start from there...
thanks, dan
-
No
The Classic front fender is wider than the custom.
The front tyre on a 650 custom is 100/90 and on a classic it's 130/90.
Im not sure about the rear one though. If you get the Classic and want the bobbed rear fender look that the custom has then just chop it off.
Personally i much prefer the Classic - i like that "fat" look
get the complete specs for both bikes here:
excellent, thanks goff. i didnt realise the size difference so thats great - i agree with you on the fat look, it may also help with the problem i feel ive got at the moment with the front end grip.
so i can get the classic and look for an aftermarket front fender and cut the back one
thanks for the quick reply, very helpful as im going to try and look at both today or tomorrow. i just need to get wife authorisation now!
-
afternoon all, bit of a weird one...
are the only differences between the classic and custom dragstar the fenders / mudguards / whatever we call them?
and apparently there is a difference in the seating height, but is this just a saddle difference?
the reason i ask is that i'm looking at upgrading my 650 custom to an 1100, there are two available at the moment one is a classic but i think a better price, the other is a custom.
i plan to do a lot to the bike anyway but i wondered if i can buy the classic and put the front and rear fenders from the custom on there?
thanks in advance
dan
-
afternoon all, anyone got or fitted a tacho / rev counter to a dragstar?
am thinking of fitting one myself but wasn't sure if anyone had a recommendation or horror story
thanks, dan
-
Morning all,
I've had my dragstar for about 3 months now, daily commute to work, and everything is going brilliantly - still got my ninja but I'm really enjoying this other style of biking too.
I've decided not to spend any money I don't need to on the bike, and get an 1100 later this year (hopefully), but one thing I really want to sort out is the front end grip - its terrible!
I'm hoping its just down to tyres, I wasn't clever enough to make a note of the tyre on there now but I wondered what front tyres you lot run and if anyone else has this problem too? At the moment the slightest thing - including the road markings like white lines etc, cause the wheel to move around far too much - but the back end is fine (thats a bridgestone of some sort).
Any tips / comments / tyre recommendations would be excellent
thanks in advance
dan
-
Hi there, just asking about for a very reasonably priced sissy bar for my dragstar classic. If anyone hears of one going, can you give me a shout Thanks in advance x
Hi, I've got some of the pannier support bars - or whatever they're supposed to be called - as soon as I can get the second one off (rounded out the inside of the flippin bolt!) I'm happy to swap them for a few beers and the postage if you want....
dan
-
Ha, I'm about 10 doors away from the richmond arms, just up Richmond Pk Rd. Small world eh!
Glad you got a good deal on yr bike, it wasn't the orange/black one I saw there a while back was it?
Oh god what does he want one of those for? does he want the leather tassels and chaps to go with it?
Yeah jap cruisers are much better! Either the Dragstar or the Intruder are my personal fav's.I sure will be down there next week, if it's anything like last night then best make it there early!!
im just about behind you then, just the other side of st leonards!
it is the orange one, 19k on the clock - but now im worried the way you say "it wasnt the orange/black one was it"
-
Hey Dan,
Welcome to the site.
You must be somewhere near me if phil's is local to you! I'm in Charminster. I know what you mean, Phil's is a bit of a 'local shop for local people' if you get what I mean lol. but there are a few guys there who are friendly enough. this guys dragstar is pretty cool
http://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/Custom/XVS650.html
Tells you exactly what he's put on it too which is helpfull. Other than trawling the net looking for pics all I can sugest is get down to poole quay and check out some of the xvs's down there. Don't know if you've been down there much but there's usually a fair few 1100's down there not too many 650's but a lot of the mod's are the same.
Cheers bud, i am indeed - just a stones throw from the richmond arms!
They seemed alright at the shop, i just couldnt tell if it was because i seemed a young know-nothing sports bike rider or that i had gotten him down to £2200 from £2400 that put phil in a mood ;-)
nice pic, thanks - bit of a shame so many parts are listed as "custom" but it gives me some good ideas, thats the style i want to go for, maybe a bit less chrome and more matt for the look im after, but excellent start.
the quay was my next shot, the father in law wants to get into biking (on a hardley dangerous, dont get me started on that one!) so i wanted to take him down there to see the scene and show him the jap machines are only £10k cheaper because theyre just plain more realistic and more reasonable!
we're due to go next week, you going?
dan
Thanks in advance x
Bugger
in Yamaha Customs
Posted
i hear ya bro - as a computer nerd this whole getting hands dirty thing is new to me, i'm loving it up until things like this keep happening to me and sometimes cost me more than the few quid i was saving by doing it myself!!
still, decent learning experience, and hopefully i'll know more about it all for next time ;-)
good luck with it