Ttaskmaster

Not on just a CBT, you can't. - No passengers - No motorways. - No riding without L-Plates.

I think I'll put up another post, suggesting that it might be unburnt fuel... That much is a given, but finding the location is the key. As others have pointed out, it can be anywhere along the system, so check everywhere for leakage before you start spending money on replacement parts.

Sounds like a back-fire to me. If it's just bangs, then yes. Bangs when you release the throttle is often a symptom of there being a hole, or an open joint somewhere. Check teh system, make sure it's all tight. But do you have actual flames? If so, then I believe the flames are simply caused by hot unburnt fuel igniting when it reaches more air (ie out the back of the pipe). From what I understand, this is one of the main reasons you re-jet when you change the pipes. The other is that this straight-through set-up will KILL your fuel economy. You'll get maybe half the MPG your bike is rated for? Seriously, if you're getting FIRE out the back of your pipes, I'd try re-jetting.

I guess I use clickers - You set the pressure, then wrench stuff with it. It starts to tighten and then, as you reach the exact point you need, it slips a touch and goes click. You can still tighten after that, so be careful to listen/feel for that CLICK. I keep a smaller one for fiddly bits and a big 1.5' long one to make heavy work much easier.

Winter or Summer gloves or clothing (unless you have both). Tool kit Bike jack Chain New tyres Full service Chrome accessories New helmet Saddlebags Luggage rack Service manual The list is endless....

Bloody hell.... Pretty valid arguments there!! My remark about knowing was concern over something going in and out, making a hole that was then plugged - I was worried I'd not know the tyre had been compromised (which it technically is from an engineering perspective, even with a perfectly good patch). Then again, at the time I posted that, I'd not even heard of Puncturesafe and just knew of other peoples' troubles with Autoseal and similar.

Welcome to the forum, chap!! You're In Newbury, are ya? A few of us round there, with me (and some others, I think) up here in Reading!!

Notice how clear the roads are, though...

Well... It'll be a bumpy ride...

It has been done quite often. It would have been a 650 Dragstar you saw, or a Virago 535. Either way, the method is the same. Drill however many holes you want, 6-10mm should do it. Go deep enough just to make the holes. Some create two complete crescents around the exit pipe. Personally, I don't think it does much to the sound of a 125. It's a bit louder, but not neccesarily better sound - nothing like a 650, an 1100 or a big 1900 and it will sound pissy next to a Harley. I advise against it as it is not street-legal and can lower the resale value of your bike. It may also affect your performance. Choice is yours.

Until recently, that used to be the case in South Africa. If the intruder was black, often the police would drag the body back onto your property and square things away so the evidence matched, making it a clear cut case and minimal paperwork.

Sounds like some pretty advanced features. Notable similarities/rip-offs from the Glock and other such polymer pistols, but I like Beretta so I don't mind. I'd buy one, but only after I'd bought a 92F, Tomcat, Bobcat, Jetfire, Cougar and a couple of the 1930s models. Given that we can only buy deacts/replicas under current UK law, I'll have to wait until I win the lottery!!

Aha, I have heard of these. I must go Google them!!!

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy shit, is that a Beretta Cougar 8000? I always wanted one of those ever since I saw it!!! I love Berettas.

Feckin..... Feckin..... Feckin..... Feckin thing!!!!!!

If you have the index (or an existing key) and a key cutter, it's a 10 minute job. So if you can get the thing to them, there's no call-out charge. Some guys also a mobile key cutting machine in the van, so will try and stop by on their way back from an existing call-out or something, eliminating the need for your call-out charge. Downside is it could be at any time, but they'll phone with as much notice as possible to make the appointment - It saves you some cash though. Low-costs = word of mouth = recommendations = future work!

Is that this Keyfax place? Did you ring round a few local chaps, too?

Have you looked around breakers' yards? Sites like PartFinder.com, PartsFinder.com, Part-Finder and all the other derivatives thereof, will actually ring round a bunch of breakers for free (more if you chuck a couple of quid at them) and the breakers then ring YOU with whatever they have. There's also eBay and the like. Failing that, buying a whole bike might not be a bad idea, especially if it's in good nick - They're usually quite cheap and you'd have some spare parts to use/sell on. In total, individual parts can sell for quite a decent amount - That's why 125s are so prized by thieves.

Personally I'd NEVER recommend riding gear that has less protection, especially to a Newbie. If people CHOOSE to ride with the less protective kit, then that's their choice. But they must do so while being fully informed. Open face lids are great in Summer, but whatever the season, if you come off and hit the road face first (as in a car pulls out on you and you go over the bonnet) kiss your good looks goodbye... Again, your choice - But try EVERY lid and go with what is first and foremost the best fit.

If you have an existing key - £7 to cut a set of three. If you have the cut index - around £15 to cut a set of three. Timpsons, Keyrite and similar charge almost double for the same work.

Get hold of a local independent Lockie - Stay away from the big national ones, or any with a big/pretty advert in Yellow Pages. It usually needs the guy to impression the lock, test-cut, re-impression, re-cut, rinse and repeat many times over until a working profile has been established. He will then finalise the test cut and create a set off that. Most lockies charge a call-out fee, so if there's ANY way to get either the vehicle or just the lock to him, that'd be cheaper. If there is an index number on the lock, that could help cut down a LOT of work, as that can often tell the guy what cuts to make. If he has a system like the VAG 66, he may also be able to get the info off the registration/vin/engine/chassis numbers. Try and locate as much proof of ownership as possible as some Lockies refuse this kind of work without it, to safeguard against theft. A decent Lockie will be miles cheaper than a main dealer. With the above info, could be as little as £20 for a set of 3 new keys. If you need any more help, gimme a shout.

A helmet has beed designed and assembled in a very specific way, for a very specific reason, by very certified safety people who understand, far better than us riders, the implications of helmet construction and it's variables on safety. DO NOT fuck with it. Unless you are a certified helmet repair technician, rated for that exact make and model of helmet, DO NOT fuck with it. The mere idea of 'unscrew and attach a new strap' is probably just for certain types of lid and certainly not any type I'd ever buy. None of the lids I've had even had the strap anchor points accessible without breaking the thing open. Again, this was to stop you from fucking with it. I currently favour Caberg lids - Very good for the price and pretty faultless. Just over £100 is a bloody bargain price, yet you're getting a top rated lid. Go down the bike shop. Try all the lids. Find those that fit best. ONLY THEN factor in safety ratings, cost, style and so on. Your primary factor will be how well it fits. Go for one that is slightly too snug, but not crushing your head. The padding will settle within a week and you'll be nice and comfy.

Yeah +1. Fecking about with it, however minor, will likely invalidate your warranty. Let the dealer sort it - That's what the warranty is for. Who knows, you might get a few little extras out of it, too!

I'm doubtful. IIRC, the 250 Drag is essentially a re-bored 125 engine - the 535 Virago engine was re-bored to create the 650 Drag. I could be mis-informed, though...