awa355

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

Most of you have probably seen this website. The link is under the performance section. The ratios are for a xvs650 but you can put in all the figures from the 1300 manual. http://www.650ccnd.com/calc.htm

We have non licenced asians here in new zealand. They drive Mercs. Apparently Mercs have big bumpers, so indicators aren't required.

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.

It's to bolt the trainer wheels to. Should be one on the other side as well. Seriously tho', The motor has been used in other models so will have threaded mounting points for various frame attachments used on other models such as the 535 Virago.

Dont worry about it, Brakes only slow ya down :eusa_shifty: I find the end of the garage is quite useful for coming to a stop at the end of a ride. The mountings are something most of us never look at. One thing I have found on a regular basis, is a loose speedo cable nut at the front wheel hub.

From what I have read, its easier to simply upgrade to a larger bike. The hassles with re-jetting, airboxes, etc, for what little increase in hp you get, make me wonder if its worth the effort to drag more power out of a mid size cruiser.

Has anyone done their own valve clearances? I had bought my bike with 12,100 miles on the clock, At 17,000 I had done all the basic serviceing, not knowing when the previous owner had done the work. Valves were one job I didn't want to tackle, after reading that the fuel system had to come off. I strip the tank, false head covers etc off myself. My mobile mechanic called in and he checked the valve clearances They were within the tolerances, . so no adjustments were necassary. Mechanic said if adjustments were needed, then we would've had to remove the carbs, Has anyone had to remove the carbs as part of serviceing the valves? Also, what mileage do you do the valve checks? And if I ever find the slope eyed bastard that designed those plastic "chromed" head covers that sit between the frame and engine,!!! i'll shove his head through the same space he left for me to remove them. What ever happened to simple home maitainance??

I have a simple answer to scrapping the floorboards. Learn a better cornering technique. I can corner reasonably quick with my Dragstar and rarely ever have anything other than the tyes in contact with the road. And I'm no expert,( 45 yrs riding), just ride within the bike and my ability. A lot of peg scrapping etc, is leaning to the 'Max', Not the same as fast cornering. . Re exhaust, In NZ the law requires any aftermarket system not be louder than the original noise. Thankfully, most Garages put their own interpretation on that law. I thought about drilling out the original mufflers, but dont like the sound of similar efforts on You Tube. Once drilled, the mufflers are buggared,

Has anyone fitted a rev counter to their XVS650? I read on here that at 100kph the 650 is doing 4,000 revs in top gear. Can anyone tell me what revs the bike would be running at 50kph in 3rd and 4th?. With the rumbling and growling from the transmission, it's hard to tell whether the engine is staggering, or pulling freely. It does seem to pull away in top from 50kph ( 2,000 rpm? ) smoothly, without any hesitation.

If the cables have been working ok and not been interfered with ie; left alone, they shouldn't suddenly develop a kink.

A new sidecar in NZ will set you back about $3-3500nz before fitting. Expensive in relation to the average wage. A local chap imports and sells Ural sidecar units. I have to admit, they look the part. Especially in the military colours. I would imagine the wear on the front tyre would be horrendous, with the added forces under load.

It is the same in NZ. The current vogue is for 17" tyres. The selection choice for 16" , 18" and 19inch tyres is abismal. The only 16" front tyre to fit the FJ1200 in NZ is a Shinko. It is almost the case, you grab what ever you can find irrespective of whether it is compatible . Surely, the manufactures could standardise sizes for any particular any style ( cruiser, tourer, etc).

The luggage support racks are the same as mine except for the piece off the back that wraps around the rear indicator. My beast has the genuine Yamaha saddle bags that screw to the strap. I prefer the look of the bike without the screen and bags, but winter riding here, is a lot easier with the screen in place. My bike was purchased new from Cross street Sales, Cheshire. The 1st buyer imported the bike to NZ about 2006. Re; rust, When I removed the rear wheel for a tyre change, I found the front of the swingarm with surface rust due to the road chips etc probably sandblasting the frame as it flies off the tyre. Primed and painted now, but rust is a problem here when under going the 6monthly road warrant checks.

I bought a CT1 175 new back in 1971. In NZ, they were only sold in the red colour, The DT2 250 was the Yellow/gold as was the 125. $242 NZ back then , It was a damn good alround bike. The first of many sold, that I should've kept.