Campaman

The grading (strength) of metric fasteners is done by a proof load test, which basically tries to pull/push the bolt out of the nut to a specified value without damage to the threads. There are two ways to meet a higher proof load (grade). 1. Heat Treat the parts 2. Make the nut deeper, more threads = higher proof load. We make parts in the material that we would use for a grade 8 nut that are approximately 30-40% deeper than standard to meet a grade 12 proof load (the highest grade), so as a standard M8 nut is 6.50mm deep your 24mm of thread depth is more than enough to mean that the bolts can perform as they should, if you were left with only 10mm of thread then I would think twice about it.

They were on the Cressex industrial estate, now called Geodis. Was on the B6047 on Saturday with the Pan, only did it up to Tilton on the Hill as I was going to Gates garden centre at Cold Overton. Locally we call the B6047 the Roller Coaster.

I have owned and ridden many different types of bikes over the years (passed my test in 1979) but these big bikes make is so effortless, I was really torn between the FJR1300 and the ST1300, if I could have afforded the newer FJR then that would have been the choice but the Honda just pipped the older FJR to the post on test rides.

Sorry no criticism meant, my business manufactures nuts so I am always keen to educate and help with threads :-)

Bolt sizes/threads (external) are easy enough to measure with just a steel rule (larger sizes) or a Vernier gauge, pitch gauges are useful for internal threads where you can't get a rule or vernier into them, the ones on that gauge are only any good for external threads though. Still a useful gauge for quickness though.

I remember the sidewinders, the pivot meant you could lean the bike for cornering as though the sidewinder wasn't there. IIRC if you had a chair fitted there were no limits / classed as a three wheeler, I used to drive my Dads three wheeler Morgan as it had no reverse gear so could be driven solo on a provisional licence.

Hi and welcome I used to work for Cavewood Transport who had there head office in High Wycombe.

As above can't see it being a problem on the 950 as I never noticed any real difference in acceleration with the wife on the back of the 650. The wife prefers the Honda ST1300 I have now though, her words after the first trip out on the Pan European was "That's so smooth compared to sitting on the back of that old tractor" meaning the XVS650

From what I have read it should do as its exactly the same bike available in Classic and Custom varieties made for the Japanese home market but with the smaller engine capacity.

Yes

Petcocks of old used to have an arrow engraved on them so you knew, I never was sure with the dragstar which was on or which was reserve.

Apart from the condition of the chrome, the rear shock mounting can rust and its not easy to spot as access isn't too good. Oil leak from the Neutral switch on the nearside, easy fix with a new O ring.

Had a nice ride into work today, a nice spring morning 10°C, still had the heated grips on though.

I had a run out last week, only about 30 miles but it was nice to get out. Yup roll on tit Monday.....

On my XVS650 when I pull the clutch lever in I can hear a slight click with ignition on or off which I presume is a micro switch which tells the side stand cutoff that the clutch lever has been pulled in so you can start the bike with the stand up when the bike is in gear. There is no loud relay click from anywhere so maybe someone has messed up the wiring.

At a guess I would say the relay click is part of the side stand cut off switch system

For clarity M6 X 1 and M8 X 1.25 are both metric coarse pitch, fine would be M6 X 0.75 (Non-Preferred) and M8 X 1 You can specify and get fine pitches in the smaller parts but they are classed as Non-Preferred in the standards, we actually produce a M8 X 0.5 Nut for a German company which would be classed as Extra, Extra Fine pitch.

if I have done this right this should be a scan of our catalogue page that gives all the thread pitches including extra fine, I work for a Nut manufacturer so anything you need to know just ask.

I did enjoy the Draggy it was a good introduction back into biking having had a break of 5 years without a bike, my previous bikes before the Draggy were XJ600 and XJ900 and I really missed the riding position, performance and handling, I always felt the Draggy seemed unstable in tight slow turns like mini roundabouts. Just need the frosty mornings to sod off so I can start enjoying the Honda.

The only problem is after riding the Honda the Dragstar feels like a rough old tractor :-)

Having tried a Trophy, found it too bulky around the fairing, the FJR was nice and ticked most of the boxes but in the end I picked up a Honda ST1300 Pan European last Saturday. The Honda just felt a bit smoother and handled better round tight bends and in traffic than the FJR even though its heavier and the fairing seemed to give better hand protection from the elements, it also came with the Honda top box, heated grips, aftermarket seats and a tinted puig screen. I have kept the Dragstar for now so still have a Yamaha as well.

Sellotape, we had to make do with cards and a peg.

Been doing a bit of research on the suggestions so far and its given me more possibilities than the Honda's and BMW's I was looking at. Need to find a few bike shops now as I took a ride out to our local one World Of Bikes in Corby yesterday to find its gone, now replaced by a company called Auto Union selling prestigious, performance and classic cars and bikes, £19,995 for a Ducati 916....

I am definitely want to get away from the cruisers. Have been looking as FJ,s and FJR,s, also had a look at a Honda ST1100, but it was a bit to old. Not looking at new, but ideally want to get something younger than the draggy, which is a 1998

Currently got the 650 Dragstar which I have enjoyed but I am now hankering back to what I would call a normal bike. The wife doesn't find the Draggy's pillion perch very comfortable over distance so her wants are better pillion seat and ideally some lockable luggage that can take two helmets and possibly our jackets. My wants on top of hers are full fairing for better weather protection and more oomph. Any one got any suggestions on what to start looking at based on experience? Doesn't have to be Yamaha as I may keep the Draggy as a summer run around.