Ttaskmaster

I'm a bit busy moving house and working on the new job. Once things is calmed down a touch, I'll get to it.

Niceley!

You callin' my bike gay, are yeh? Eh? eh? EH?

Working at another site all this week - 80 mile ride each morning to get there!!

Probably a local branch of the Virago & Star Owners Club (VSOC).

Try turning the idle up.

I think they're straighter than mine!!

Chain fell off????!!!! Bike sounds like it's in a real state of disrepair. I suggest taking the bike to a mechanic and getting a top-to-tail service!!! Ask him to let you watch and learn everything you can about keeping it in shape.

Welcome to the club, Grumpy!!!

Went to the cinema last night and saw the new 3-D film about the Isle of Man TT races... I'm not a fan of Sports bikes and racing, but this is definitely something WELL worth seeing!! For those that don't know, the TT (Tourist Trophy) races take place on the Isle of Man every year. The big thrill is that this isn't a racing track - These guys are racing on normal public roads, through what are normally 30mph limit areas and around mountain roads at up to 200mph!! There are several races of different classes held over a week or two and these guys are blasting past brick and stone walls, lamp posts, sheer drops and all sorts. Accidents can and do happen - In it's hundred year history over 230 riders have lost their lives to the races. It's widely regarded to be the most skilful and the most dangerous race in motorcycling. The film is a very open and frank account of the TT in general and follows the riders, Guy Martin in particular, during the 2010 races last year. Every aspect is covered, from what these guys do in normal life (they are not 'professional' racers - they all have day jobs), what they and their familes think about the races, the expense, the risks and the costs, the history and everything. There's some stunning footage of some famous incidents and the 3-D makes it all the more unbelievable. Seeing riders crest a small rise in the middle of a 30mph town at over 100, both wheels off the ground and go speeding by is simply stunning. For those that don't know, last year Guy Martin crashed with a full fuel tank at around 170mph, resulting in a huge fireball and him sliding over a quarter of a mile down the road. Another rider lost it on a bend and slid off the road, only to tumble straight down a steep and almost sheer drop!! One more guy is banked over, cutting the apex of a corner at over 100mph when he clips the stone wall on the apex - Head-first!! I was lucky enough to see the film with a former Manx resident and life-long fan of the TT. After all the times she's been there and seen everything, even she was awestruck!! Go see this film!!! As an aside - I won't go into too much technical detail but, for various reasons, the 3-D won't work for everyone. I happen to love 3-D movies and am friends with some in the industry, so I have a deeper understanding and appreciation of it (I'm also very critical). If you're unlucky enough to be outside the requirements to enjoy 3-D, just rent it from Blockbuster or something and watch it on the BIGGEST DAMN SCREEN YOU CAN FIND!!!

Nice deal, there! They can feck off and shut it. Elitist pricks, the lot of 'em, ha ha!!! I have less polite things to say about Harley snobs, but this is a public forum. No problem with Harley fans... so long as they don't think the sun shines out their exhaust pipes. I don't hold much respect for 'scene' types and people who tell me what they think I should and shouldn't be doing as if they're some kind of authority, when they clearly aren't. Which area are you in? Check out your local MAG group, too. Usually a sound bunch of folks, they are.

2-up it's a bit slower, but still has more than enough grunt to shift. Like most bikes, you still have to plan your manoeuvres better, watch your braking etc etc... Works best with a backrest, so you don't get pillion drag on your... err... Drag. Yeah.

Ohhhhh yeaaaaah.... I just Wiki'd Viragoes. Hmm - Learn sumfink new everyday, eh!

Tuning and mechanical maintenance costs vary, depending on who does it. Yamaha dealers are usually FECKING expensive!!! Specialists are next, usually preferring to work on Harleys, so they'll act like they're doing you a favour by lowering themselves to accept your business. Most mechanics charge around £20-30 an hour, plus parts. Find and make friends with a local independent mechanic. One who works for beer is invaluable!! Customisation... Literally, your choice!! That's the whole point - You decide what you want. IMO - Forget customisation for now. Get out there and ride for a while. You'll learn far more than your training could ever teach you. Then, start looking at what to add. Most of my own mods are either functional and/or through neccesity.

Well, I suppose several different brands of approximately correct oil is better than none at all, eh..... To start with - Take off the covers, replace the oil filter and any broken seals, then put the covers back on and check all the bolts are torqued up to the correct spec. Then top up with the correct amount of oil. If you seed a service manual, there's a load of links around the forum to where you can find free PDF downloads.

Viragoes came in 920cc???!!! News to me...

Get a TomTom Rider (V2). It is fully waterproof, is designed for use with gloves, has several bike specific features and comes with everything you need. It mounts to the bars using a RAM-Mount (included) and can be wired in to be powered from the bike. It also comes with a Cardo Systems Scala kit - This is a little box that mounts to your helmet and has a flat speaker that attaches with Velcro to the lining of your lid. This then links to the SatNav via Bluetooth, so you can hear all the directions, camera warnings etc. I have one myself. I love the fact that I don't have to take my eyes off the road.

The 1100 is indeed a 'large' bike. However, while the 650 weighs in an 230kg (37 stone) and has 40BHP to shift it, the 1100 is almost 100kg heavier and only has 60BHP. You WILL notice the power difference, but it's not that much extra for all the increased weight. Additionally, the 1100 has more common faults than the 650, particularly the starter clutch and the oil filter is a BITCH to change. The 1100 will cost you a lot more to look after. By comparison, the 650 will happily keep pace with an 1100 and is only slightly slower off the mark. You still have enough power to get yourself into (and out of) serious trouble. The 650 falls nicely in between 'Hoolie Bike' and 'Heavyweight Powerhouse', making for a great everyday bike (just look after it) and a comfy long-distance ride. I can personally assure you it copes admirably with the twisties in Kent, Cornwall and Scotland!!

Oh, I believe you. I just didn't find the same myself. A-ha-ha-ha-ha!!! I LOL'ed!! Hmm... if they're notably different, perhaps one cylinder is running richer (and thus hotter) than t'other? I usually have my rear one tuned to run slightly cooler as it's behind the front and so doesn't get quite as much air cooling. This is why I have a mechanic who works for beer. Small jobs like this can be done for the price of a 4-pack of Windhoek or Bud

For those wondering, these are the straight versions of the same pipes that Elvira has on her. Really? Interesting... Must be a nuance of the Classic. The Custom's reg/rec was fine. Ah... yeah.... sorry - I think I forgot to mention that part. I chose to bend my bracket, resulting in very straight and level pipes. Have to say, t'was the first thing I noticed.... If you do decide to bend the bracket, just be gentle. If you run the bike with NO pipes at all, it goes bubble-bubble-bubble-bubble-bubble.... Literally. It's hilarious!!! Bubble Bike!! Baffle-less, mine was quite barky, rather than raspy. Damn straight, they do!! It's an angry puppy, is that bike. Just not as small a puppy as you might expect!! The only part I dislike is the resigned growl-down when you slam the throttle shut. I said raise the jet a notch. A full re-jet is only if the raising doesn't work. It shouldn't be that expensive. Maybe not this month, but next payday, perhaps? I'm also starting to find some discolouration at the pipe heads, so I'll be looking to fiddle with my jets soon. No no - MORE economy. You're using less fuel because the mix is lean. I have to say, I last filled up quite a while back and have not even hit reserve yet... A bit less torque, yes, but you should still be able to beat most cars off the light easy enough. Actually, you might be doing OK on the top speed as you're slightly more aerodynamic with that screen... And yes, I am aware that I've STILL not taken any photos!!

Usually it's me that scares the newbies :lol;

You will if you alter the mixture enough. Downside is that your acceleration and top speed will suffer dramatically. A stock 650 Drag should get a standard 175 miles on a full tank. Expect 120 before hitting reserve.

Alternator? I didn't think bikes had one of those. You mean a regulator-rectifier cover?

Responses deleted by Admin? Or just nothing to say?

I heard of a Dutch TR1 using a Drag tank, but heavily modded. Why would you want to, though? Is this some experiment or a styling thing?