AndPhil

I have the same thing - the lights been out for quite a while. I have it in my mind that it's a 1.7w capless bulb, but until one of us takes the old one out and has a look we're not going to know for sure...

Wemoto - that's the place in Shoreham isn't it? I bought since bits there recently, very helpful bunch.

Hello! My 2011 ybr125 seems to be picking up rust and mechanial quirks at a fair rate - a 1988 bike must be a whole different challenge. I was on Brighton seafront earlier today gathering more salty air which no doubt helps...

Welcome! I know nothing about the xs250 but from Google images it looks pretty cool. 1979? I wonder who has the oldest bike here...

It's back together! I think I was clumsy with the torque wrench, didn't realise the importance of holding it correctly, being smooth and consistent. We live and learn, and YouTube is a big help. Reassembly was straightforward with Haynes and the photos I took beforehand, and unusually for me I had no parts left over. Unfortunately with my wife out for the evening I couldn't leave the kids to test it properly, but I pootled to the end of the road and back. I'll be out on it first thing tomorrow... I've been warned that a new tyre is likely to feel slippery to start with, so I'll be going careful. I'll also be keeping a close eye on everything I've touched for a while - chain tension, rear brake and various bolts. Slightest concern and it's going to a professional next time, but at least I know a lot more about it than I did before. I appreciate the encouragement and wisdom of Slice and Cynic, and I think I'd encourage fools like me to seek expert help unless you really have the time to research and learn to do things properly...

Admittedly I greased the threads before starting. I'm since reading that might not have been a good idea...

Brief update on my biking career so far. Did the CBT, bought a bike, went out twice and got a puncture. On taking the wheel off I decided to change the chain and sprockets... Couldn't find any kind of link on the old chain, so eventually I gave up and sawed it off. I ordered a DID 428D chain and JD Sprockets as per the compatibility spec on www.wemoto.com I put the front sprocket on today - easy enough. With the new rear sprocket in my shed I re-used the old nuts and bolts, and with my brand new torque wrench set to 40nm (as per the Haynes Manual) I proceeded to shred all the threads while tightening them. Then I spent an hour destroying numerous drill bits drilling the bolts out again. I've phoned 'Wemoto' and they've ordered replacement nuts and bolts. Admittedly it was my first time with torque wrench. Seemed straightforward enough. Now I'm obviously dreading it'll happen again when i get my new bolts. Meanwhile, my wife is losing patience with my new 'hobby' (I'm supposed to be decorating the bathroom, not swearing at lumps of metal on the driveway), the summer is ticking away and I'm spending a fortune on the train. Hopefully in a few more days I'll have this 'simple' job sorted, and the moment I ride the bike again I'll forget all about it... “The real cycle you're working on is a cycle called yourself.” Robert M Pirsig

Thanks Slice and Cynic for your replies. I've heard tyres can be repaired, but I don't know the history of the current one (manufactured by Cheng Shin/C no less) - I'm almost wondering if it's original but maybe that's rather unlikely after 9500 miles...), and I don't know who I'd trust to repair it, so it's going to be a £65 new one tomorrow (a Michelin City Pro, which is the only one the tyre place could find). Apparently the Custom has to be tubeless ... I'm looking at chain sets, even more confusing than tyres ... Haynes says it was an O-ring DID 428V originally, and as I can see that written on the links it might also be original. It's in pretty bad shape - frozen links and a missing tooth on the rear sprocket. I've read that you mustn't swap an o-ring type for a standard link? - presumably something to do with the spec - but saying that the only replacements I can currently find are standard link types. I've just about worked out that it needs 118 links, 14 teeth on the front and either 43 or 45 on the back - surprising how many sellers online tell you it's suitable for your bike without actually revealing the spec... If I'd been riding longer I'd probably be a bit less precious about getting everything right, but having only ridden twice since the CBT and now having the bike wheel-less on the drive, I'm keen to do everything the right way in order to have some confidence when I get back on it (though admittedly I'm not keen to pay someone to do it all for me)... (Slice - you're probably right, I came here looking for info! - but I've since introduced myself in the newbie area, and hopefully in due course I'll have something useful to contribute to someone; it's a steep learning curve right now...) Thanks A

Hello all, New to riding (CBT two weeks ago), new to bike ownership - 2011 YBR 125 Custom - and still a rather wobbly rider. I managed two outings on my new bike, in and around West Sussex and the outskirts of Brighton (Devil's Dyke to be precise) before getting a puncture, so the bike's been on the drive for a week while I start to negotiate the world of tyres, chains and sprockets (about which I've already posted somewhere else in the forum)... Looking forward to getting out and about again, and the principle plan of a twenty-mile round commute. I'm rapidly realising how much motorcyclists like talking about motorcycles, and I'm already thinking ahead to 'DAS' and bigger bikes - but I may struggle to get that past the committee (I'm still somewhat amazed she agreed to me getting on two wheels in the first place...) Regards And

Hi all, I'm a total newbie - passed the CBT a week ago, bought a 2011 YBR 125 Custom, been out on it twice and got a puncture! in DIY style I've removed the back wheel and will be taking it somewhere for a new tyre shortly. Are there any recommendations for the best tyres for these bikes? I don't know if there's much of a range available. At the moment it has tubeless 'CSC's which might be the original ones. Also - chain wear was an advisory on the last MOT (in April), so I'm planning to replace the chain and sprockets at the same time (trusting that the Haynes Manual will get me through). Any recommendations for brands/suppliers of chains & sprockets gratefully received. Anyone know if I need a particular chain-splitting tool? I doubt the one for my pushbike will fit... I didn't expect to be taking the bike apart quite so soon after getting it, and I'm just looking forward to getting it back together so I can head out into the sunshine (wherever that's gone...) Thanks all A