Ttaskmaster

Wearing them. No, really, it works. Wear them around the house, drive in them, ride in them. Works a treat and has done for generations. Failing that, use some leather conditioner.

I would suggest removing ANY details of, or links to information about disabling motorcycle security systems. We can't do much about other webshites, but we can help stem the spread of this information on our own. Basically, armed with that info I can now go out and nick an R1, safe in the knowledge that once I get it back to my shop, I can fiddle it and set it up to sell on. Without that info, it's one more thing that disuades a thief from nicking the bike.

Wotcha! I'd suggest first opening teh rear drum up and making sure it's well cleaned out. Buildup of brake dust and road crap is usually teh first thing that affects performance. DIY or be like me and pay someone to do it. Make friends with your local independant mechanics - Many will let you watch and learn as they do stuff too, especially if you offer a helping hand and bring the beer!

Heya! Welcome to the forum. 71, huh? Sounds nice! Expect some things to break, requiring maintenance and all that, but that's all part of the fun, eh!

Nothing specific, but since it's a separate unit from the control cluster, just find one that fits well enough for comfortable use and adjust to preferred settings.

Wotcha mate! Welcome to the forum

On your hands = Fail. On your feet = Might pass. Right one on right foot, left one on left foot = Pass! My leathers always go outside. If Cruiser Updraught is a factor, they just get cinched tight. Getting a pair of 'trouser-blousers' from yer local army surplus place (or even online) costs a couple quid and makes them proper tight. Easy on, easy off, stash in small pocket, no worries. Waterproofs always go outside.

It always has to be said - "TWAT", ha ha ha! Now that the formalities are done with - Sorry to hear that, mate. Never a good thing and most of us do it at some point, with varying degrees of repair needed. I 'dropped' my Drag once, simply because I stopped and actually forgot to put the sidestand down - How fecking stupid did *I* feel!!! I'd been riding it for several years too, so it wasn't a newbie mistake. Just a slip of the mind. But hey, you got straight back up, practiced your swearing and got on with getting going again. That's what it's all about! Good riding to ya, mate!

Welcome, dude!! Good intro - Making friends is what it's all about. Once you have that, the help comes free, along with some seriously fun times

Welcome to the forum, mate! I love 80s bikes! Sounds like a fun project. Always check and replace the cheapest parts first... You checked the speedo cable, I assume?

Well, my current projects do involve some great guns... M1 rifle, M2 mortar, 30cal machine gun and, if I'm lucky, a couple of things mounted on Jeeps and tanks.

CLOSE my Google account??!! No, I actually want them to SEE all the sick, disgusting shit I look up and search for. If they don't want to know the darkest traits of humanity, they shouldn't go spying on it.

Yeah, well, so do my cigarettes and my bike fumes, but both of us are still working...

Based on the picture that you linked to, those white areas are there by design! Joking aside - Given that we're in/around Winter, I'd hazard a guess that the white patches are just road salt. Taste them, if you want to be sure, heh heh.... I'd personally just scrub it with cold water & a soaking wet cloth, then hang up to dry. Use a brush maybe, but consider reproofing it afterward. I know some textile jackets are machine-washable though, so do check the label!

AH-HAH!!!!! I knew there was a good reason!

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/Articles/Maintenance/Easy-scheduled-maintenance.aspx

I wouldn't try it, personally. There's a reason why the bottles specifically have 'Motorcycle Oil' written on 'em

Wicked! That looks almost exactly like the Mrs's one (except for the pipes).

Lockie should be able to do it. Impression the lock and cut a new key there and then. Set of 3, for £15.

Opinions vary. Crash bungs are more for fully faired sports bike where even an undone button on your underwear can affect wind drag. Engine bars are big with the Cruiser crowd, of course, but many others use them. Some use both. Depending on where you mount them, some people find the crash bungs focus the impact on those small points, which is more likely to cause damage than the impact-spreading engine bars. But really it's more likely down to personal choice.

What sounds right will be what sounds good to you and will rarely be within the correct range. This is why our mechanics use the proper kit.

Yep, Custom it is!! My preferred model, actually. Just a shame they only make Classic styles these days. Customs look just that little bit less poncey, IMO. Pipes - Continue shopping around. They will be expensive, to be honest. I got a cheap set of Gemini pipes (full set, rather than slip-ons) off an Italian guy on eBay. Good sound, removable baffles, reasonable build quality... The finish is a bit poor and mine are now suffering, as I ride in all manner of bad weather and treat my bike like a sheer workhorse, but still good value for money. It's worth checking out some of the overseas sellers. The eBay chap might even have some slash-cuts himself (can't check right now as I'm at work).

New Kid On The Block??!! Man, I loved your album back when I was six, ha ha!! Seriously, welcome. Good choice of bike there - Classic or Custom, was it? I assume the latter, but then I'm biassed

My last tyre, an Avon Venom, lasted 19k. I don't know how many of those miles were on it when I bought it, either.

The 650 Dragstar should be set to idle at 1,500rpm, according to the manual