clarke

And use blue loctite to stop them coming loose again

Can't answer your question but can recommend Custom Wizard in Sheffield for parts: http://customwizard.com/product_list.php?page=1&id=&brandid=&bikeid=46

When I bought my bike new, the dealer said I didn't need to tell my insurance of the "free" extras such as windshield/passing lamps etc (only any performance mods) but I should insure the bike to the value of the bike + accessories... I thought about this as I assumed the dealer knew what he was on about. Maybe at my renewal I'll see what they say... I did tell them of my restrictor kit so they charged me an additional £300 for reducing the bikes power When I took it off I phoned them to say no longer restricted and they said it makes no difference to us we don't charge anything extra for restriction kits - I said you charged me an extra £300 but never got it back - robbing gits!

What is a "modification"?? I was looking on one comparison website and they list a Scotoiler as a modification. I always thought it was things like new exhausts/risers/handlebars/bored engines etc. They also ask has it been modified from manufacturers original specs so if they bike comes with "free accessories" then I guess that counts too. Does my aftermarket tax disc holder also count?? As for my Fazer - its 10 years old... I have no idea if it's been modified from manufacturers original specs, the bloke that sold it to me didn't say it was but he didn't say it wasn't either??? Why can't they just say unless its increasing BHP etc then list your mods, value the bike with accessories and be done with it?

Shoe box in the middle of the road... we were lucky if we got a ditch

I think you're right - just remembered the Kury came with it's own throttle sleeve...

just looked on autotrader, of 52 bikes listed 4 are Maroon red, loads are bright red. The bright red appear to go from 07 plates, whereas the maroon start in 08 but one (from the dealer where I got my bike from) is listed as 'genuine UK model'. Maybe the maroon are 08 models and the rest are 07s that they never shifted since the bike launched??? You may be right about 800 sold being the 950/1300/1900 combined as I've not seen many + only know of half a dozen UK owners... Hopefully the Avon tyre will be out soon, 6,800 miles isn't much per tyre + at an hours labour to fit it'll be expensive every 2-3 years

Only left (clutch) is glued. Remove as above... if you would like pictures look HERE (it shows how to change handlebars but includes removing grips) Which one's did you get? I swapped my handlebars to RSTD handlebars and put on Kury ISO grips. Graham

There's a trick to this, don't give them your phone number and have your email set to filter everything as junk. Most of them you can opt out of marketing info etc which also helps.

Those gloves do look mean... The problem is if someone's going to behave like that they probably carry weapons in their car or would be stupid enough to try and knock you off the bike. I doubt very much they have the mental capacity to think through their actions and possible consequences thereafter. If it happens again I'll make sure I get the reg no and report them to the police.

These type of companies (bright house, car craft etc) all operate on the principle 'our customers are scum, they can't afford to go to proper places to buy things so they come to us, which is fine as we'll sort them out a weekly payment plan that costs them 3 times as much, however if they complain they can f&ck right off'. If I were you I'd go to which ever shop you 'need' to (which is just fobbing you off by the way) and refuse to leave until you have your money back. Ask to speak to the manager and if they don't refund ensure everyone nearby hears that if there's a problem they don't care. Also tell them you're going to trading standards etc as they're clearly breaching their contract and if they don't refund you immediately you will take things further. Or you could send a letter to their office (recorded) demanding a refund within 14 days otherwise you will seek damages. I was once told by Barclays I had to go to a specific bank to withdraw money to buy a car!?! I asked them why was that when they quite happily take my money from any branch in the UK. I got my money, and now no longer bank with them.

hmm, well I think I saw 3 riding together on Friday just gone... was on A1 heading north and am sure I came across the 'Yorkies' on a ride - about 15 bikes in formation all a mixture of Viragos, Dragstars and 1300s BUT all of them state they imported their 1300s... had I not been in my car I may have joined them for a while? Just got a service reminder letter from my dealer saying to bring in my XVS1300 07 for its service. Guess that explains the colour differences between our bikes (I've always suspected mine might be an 07 model even though they said it was an 08 when they sold me it). I'm going to speak to them about this and the clutch basket and the clutch cable. Going back to tyres, I emailed Metzeler to ask why their US site recommends their 180/70/16 tyre as a 'stage 1' upgrade i.e. can fit to stock wheels with no problem, whereas Metzeler UK say no. Their response = different (stricter) regulations in the UK re: which tyres you can use. Graham

Mines a 2001 so at a guess, yes... You should see your speedo cable running down to your front wheel along with the brake hose. The speedo cable will then 'attach' to the wheel on the inside of the fork leg. When you take the speedo drive out and look at it, it will be (wheel side) a round plastic 'O' and should have two lugs/tabs sticking out. I bet one of them has snapped. there's two links in this topic that will explain it better (posts 9 and 10).

Hi Chris, My speedo stopped recently - it was the speedo sensor located at the front wheel, clutch side. Was around £18 from a Yammy dealer + easy to fit (front wheel off + it slots in just ensure plastic lugs are seated correctly then wheel back on [you may need to loosen brake capilers from forks to get wheel off]) As for parts, try Wemto.com Hope this helps Graham

Makes sense to get the cover for piece of mind... I remember older policies saying 'where is the bike stored overnight', but my latest on says 'where is the bike normally kept'? Slightly different wording but I bet they'd use it as an excuse... I KNOW if I go over the mileage I stated (and I'm betting even by a 100 miles) they'll use it to get out of paying me in the event of an accident... Graham

Hi Kinder - saw your PM first and replied, however will repost here. I had a luggage rack made - cost me £80ish from a local welder... am happy to post some close up pics if you want... or depending on when you want it you can get a chrome luggage rack from value accessories in the USA (http://store.valueac...EMBrackets.aspx) either way they attach to the sissy bar. I actually went to the welders on my bike and took the picture of the VA rack with me, and he used this as a template for my rack. DON'T BUY THE YAMAHA RACK - its not strong enough for a top box (max load 10kgs). I got my DMY trunk from a site in the US (http://www.mutazu.co...ries&s=prod.php). I ordered the pad for the box as well and used it to replace the upright part of the Sissy bar. Also ordered a rack for the top to tie the tent on. What colour bike did you get? Graham

I'm sure I read somewhere they're planning on the commercial bikes making the noise of a motorbike when in use. I think manufactures are aware pedestrians and animals take notice when they hear a bike coming - the last thing a manufacturer wants is to be sued by someone who was in an accident because no-one could 'hear' the bike. Thinking about it, with the new rules they're talking about bringing in to make it difficult to modify a bike, instead of new exhausts people will be buying new exhaust noises...

I was reading through my policy info and can't see anything about not being insured if the bike is not in my garage(?) I know one of my other policies says I'll be liable for an additional fee if it's stolen from within a certain distance from my house as it's not in the garage (between a certain time of day). [On a side note, MCE wanted copies of my driving licence and my current mileage so they can check I'm only doing my permitted annual mileage...]

I often get cars moving to block me filtering through stationary traffic but I just wait until a gap appears and filter past, whilst it can be annoying it doesn't really bother me that much... certainly not to the extent that I'd want to punch/fight someone. I was chatting to a lad at work a while ago about this and he said he tries to block bikers filtering as he hates being stuck in traffic and doesn't see why bikers get to skip the queues. I told him that was the point of bikes and whilst that's the plus side of biking, when it's peeing it down or freezing cold and he's in his car nice and dry and warm, I'm soaked and frozen. After a bit of a chat I think he saw he was being a bit of an idiot so hopefully that's one less person doing this? Hopefully the fella from yesterday was just having a bad day and that'll be the end of it? But I'll be watching out for him in case he is nuts...

I got offered a fight today on my way to work by an ejit in a car because I filtered past him [he was stationary] at traffic lights. He was wanting me to pull over for a fight then was shouting he'd find out where I live and come and get me... ! Not to worry, I gave him a two fingered wave as I drove off. Wish I'd have got his reg. no. as I'd have reported him. I guess he may recognise my bike if I come across him on way to work again?? Not sure how filtering past someone can irritate someone so much?

I was going to post the same link. Def worth a look Graham

Thanks for the photos - looking good I think I'll give that a try this weekend... (I'm guessing there's no issue with clearance against your leg?) I believe the FI processor re-calibrates for the extra air but let me know if you discover any issue with the plug. Graham

following on, ended up getting the Bridgestone again... should be fitted Wednesday I also emailed Avon and asked about a 170 tyre, they replied stating they are developing a 170/70r16 in their Cobra range and it should be available early next year... Look forward to try it

I'll see you all a Parmo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmo

Sounds like a good mod - I've been thinking of modding mine but reluctant to do a permanent mod so may well give this a try. Any chance you may be able to post some pics? Also if it's ok with you I may post this on another forum for others to use. Ride safe, Graham