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.

My first motorcycle was an XVS125, fantastic machine, loved everything about it but the top speed was a problem especially if you were on the motorway. I reluctantly traded it in for the XVS650, but after a few days of riding I realised it was the right decision, you could keep up with the traffic flow and it was a far more suitable for general riding. I now have the XVS1300 which is a fantastic bike but I think the 650 is still my favorite machine.

Hi, I had an XVS650 for a few years, I rode the bike without a screen for a month or so and had the same effects as you with the wind buffeting. I decided to fit a screen and can report that it does make a significant difference, maybe not to your top speed or acceleration but to the riding comfort. I now have an XVS1300 without the screen and find it very tiring riding long distances. It would be good to find a fast detachable screen as I like the look of the bike as it is and the bulk of my riding is local with just a few long distance jaunts per year, it would be good to have a screen at those times. Hope this helps.

My love of motorcycles started in 69 with the purchase of a Honda 50cc moped, great little commuter, unfortunately I had forgotten I lived up a large hill/small mountain, luckily a long straight road leading to the hill meant 32mph could be achieved at the base of the hill then half way up pedal assistance took over, never needed a warm jacket as I was always a bath of sweat by the time I got to the top. Exhaustion and sweat rashes then lead to the purchase of a Honda 90cc, great little machine but frequent punctures, change was brought about by a can of tyre seal going off in my bike jacket pocket (good stuff, never got the pocket open again) and an unplanned excursion through a petrol station forecourt after hitting an icy section of road. Then rode a Honda 250 for a few years and then cars took over but the love of bikes never faded, I was an avid supporter of Speedway, Drag racing and Vintage bike shows, this filled the void. Eventually children left for jobs and University, I had spare time, got a second job, saw a XVS 125, everything I wanted in a bike, bought it, had it delivered and then realised I needed to take my CBT and test (up side was I was now considered very cool by my kids). Through a large amount of luck and nothing getting in my way I passed my test. Had the 125 for a further year and then saw an XVS 650, well it had to be done, a trade in was sorted and then I was the proud owner of a cruiser, went to many biker rallies met lots of bikers and visited shows, out riding most of my free time. A visit to my local motorcycle dealers for a new pair of gloves resulted in part exchange of the 650 for a 1300 Midnight Star, (most expensive pair of gloves I have ever bought). What does biking mean to me, you meet great people, it clears the mind, the power, the open road, the satisfaction of getting the right line through a series of bends, stopping at a road junction, picking a direction and just riding and the sadness at getting to the destination. With a bit of luck the knees will hold out for a few more years and then a trike conversion will be needed, sorted. This saying might be considered cheesy but I think it says everything... 4 wheels move the body, 2 wheels move the soul.

Thanks for the link, had a look earlier and that looks like a neat conversion, better than the billboard look at present. So thats my next project sorted.

Thanks for the replies, managed to find a chrome full size plate surround, not as smart as the highway hawk design but should be ok. On reflection will stay with the standard size plate (less hassle) but will look into a lay down bracket which might streamline the look.

I was thinking of buying a Highway Hawk chrome licence plate trim, size 195x145mm for my XVS 1300. Because of the smaller size I think it would look better than the standard number plate. The only concern I have is that the local Constabulary might take exception to the smaller plate, letters and numerals. has anyone else got this size plate and have they had any problems.

Hi Graham, thanks for the link and I will contact Roy @ Alchemy bikes and see if he can help as well. Once again many thanks.

I have been searching the internet for a supplier of chrome rear crash bars for a Midnight Star 1300 (XVS1300), so far with no luck. Does anyone on the forum know of any manufacturers or suppliers of this item, preferably in the UK.

Hi, bought an 09, XVS1300a Midnight Star 3 weeks ago with 500 miles on the clock, added 700 miles to that and have also found the gear change clunky and noisy, I think it might be a standard issue with the machine. But just the same as you I think the bike is fantastic, so pleased I changed from the Dragstar XVS 650 to this one.

Yep for the sake of £50.00 it makes sense. Found a small local motorcycle repair and tuning business, will go to them. Thanks to all for your comments.