grey haired git

Hi all. I have an 09 Midnight Star 1300, I was cleaning it today and noticed ripples going across the width of the top of the headlight surround, it appears that the headlight surround is being compressed or twisted in some way. Has any other owners had the same effect happen to them?

I bought my o2 sensor from the guy in Greece last year, I think it was about £14. I wasn't too sure if it would work but for £14 it was worth a try, it arrived within 5 days, took 10 mins to fit and the difference in the performance and slow running was very noticable. I think you will be pleased.

http://forums.delphi...ar1300/messages Jacks o2 mod.

Hi, if you have a look at the USA XVS1300 forum I seem to remember there is a person they list that makes and sells the O2 sensor. I will try to find the link and post it here.

I have the first MOT on my XVS 1300 next month, I fitted an O2 mod a few months ago. Does anyone know if I need to reconnect the original sensor for the MOT.

Hi, yes book me down for one. Black t-shirt size XL. All the best.

Hi Graham, no problem publishing elsewhere. Pictures as promised, they just show the foam on the inside of the cover to make sure the filter is still tight against the back surround. The bolts are 1/4 inch longer than original and the rubber grommets are 3/8 inch tap washers. The visible gap is only small but the sound is far better than normal. Hope the pictures are ok, first time I have uploaded images.

Spurred on by the 02 mod success I have been looking at Yamaha Airbox mods. The usual way is to drill 75, 1/8th holes in the plastic surround. With my drilling skills I decided to try alternatives, I bought 4, 1/4in wide rubber tap washers and longer airbox bolts, cut three pieces of heavy duty foam and fixed them to the inside of the cover to make sure the air filter was still pushed flush to the back surround, put the washers between the chrome cover and the black base and tightened down. This leaves a 1/4 inch air gap around the whole of the airbox. Results... smoother running and best of all the sound is now superb with a real growling noise when accelerating. I realise that if riding in heavy rain you could get a problem but the major part of my riding is now fair weather so with a bit of luck I should be ok. After these two mods the bike now feels right, previously after riding the XVS650 for a few years the move to this machine was not what I expected with the hunting at low speeds and the lack of a smooth pickup on sharp corners and roundabouts. But after the 02 mod and air box, huge difference.

Yes, replying to your side comment, it would be interesting to know how many XVS1300 there are in the UK, I have had my bike for just over a year and haven't seen another yet.

They certainly do, fitted the sensor today, took 5 mins, went out for a ride, it feels like a different bike, smoother, better acceleration, no hunting at low speeds, no snatching. Best £16 I have spent.

Thanks for the info, just read your instructions and had a look behind the panel, as you say it looks pretty straight forward. This is me being positive as usual, just before I undo a bolt and a large portion of the bike falls off. Thanks for the offer of help. Have a good holiday.

Thanks for the info, just ordered one a few days ago. Where does it fit, is it under the small panel just above the exhaust or is it near the battery under the seat?

Hi, not sure if you are back in the UK but found this low mileage XVS650. Worth a look. http://www.metriccruisers.co.uk/acatalog/Yamaha_XVS650_Dragstar_Custom.html

I passed my test at the age of 56 in 2007, I had ridden an XVS125 for 6 months before my test and for 6 months after, I then bought an XVS650 and rode that for 2 1/2 years, at the end of last year I went in to my local dealer to buy a pair of gloves and instead bought an XVS1300, that was an expensive day. I am glad that I bought and rode the 650, the experience I picked up was invaluable in handling a larger, heavier machine. The 1300 Midnight Star is a fantastic machine but I found the 650 was a pleasure to ride and a part of me wishes I still had the 650, it was excellent for motorway cruising and town riding and always attracted attention. My advice would be to go for the 650 and gain more experience and then look to a larger bike in the future.

Hi, yes I average about 45MPG. If I was a bit easier on the throttle I could return more but as clarkegray states above where's the fun in that!!! Great bike though.