clarke

That looks much better - well worth the effort!!!

Are you running your tyres at the right pressure (41psi rear)? I tend to take it easy for the most part but I do some hard accelerating every now and again... Do you ride solo or two up? I guess your steady could be my pushing it? - I've only ever scraped the floorboards twice in 18 months and that was accidentally, whereas some people say they scrape them in every bend. Let us know which replacement tyres you go for. From what the US riders say about car tyres they handle well even in the bends but you have to get used to it - it takes more push to get the bike to lean and the bike wants to sit up more. That said they claim it has loads more grip and one you get used to it they say they will never go back to a m/c tyre on their 1300 again. Guess it must be good?

I've just done 6500 miles on my OEM tires - the front looks fine and there's some life left in the rear tire but I guess it will need changing around summer time. I was thinking of trying either a Dunlop E3 or a Metzler 880 on the rear. I've heard both these tires (which are radials + slightly wider than stock) handle much better & give between 2-3000 miles more riding. A lot of US riders are now switching to car tires - they're claiming 20,000 miles but I'm sticking to a M/C tire for now... Graham

I have no idea if this fella could help, but given he sponsored the Yorkshire ride out for help the heros here's his link Could be worth a contact as he does motorbike seats/leathers etc... Hope you get sorted

I got mine from alchemy too but very expensive (£70 8o) £13 would be a bargain!!! OR you could make your own: http://vstar1300.pbworks.com/w/page/5760698/Jack%27s-O2-Mod Graham

Really good turn out and the ride was fantastic. Thankfully the rain stayed away for the ride so all was good (got a bit wet in the yorkshire moors afterwards but nothing too bad). Was a great sight when we got to the A64 to find the police had blocked the road then did a rolling roadblock behind us all the way to Camp Eden. All along the route people lined the bridges/side of the road waving and taking pictures. Fantastic! They're hoping to do another event next year, so would be good to see anyone who couldn't make it this year then. [few more pics here: http://www.ybfevents.co.uk/photos/ ] Graham

Few pics from today's ride... good turn out and good run out. [Hope you weren't in a car on the A64 today when the 750 of us went for a ride!]

Does the needle move at all when you drive? Does the bike start? I've heard of cases where the speedo sticks due to warping of the speedo dial. But before you panic check your battery connections are tight... If you bought it from a dealer I'd take it back and ask them to fix it as it developed a fault within 100 miles of purchase.

From my figures above = 43mpg. Have to admit I probably COULD ride more fuel efficiently but where's the FUN in that???

The most I've had from mine is 146 miles from a tank before the fuel light came on, but I've heard of others who say they've had 160-180 miles from a tank before the fuel light comes on. Of course there's all kinds of factors, I always ride 2 up and have bags and a windshield installed. Also it will depend on how heavy you are with your right wrist... [its a great bike by the way] click HERE for some useful info on mods [how to section]

I imagine you'll be absolute hammered on insurance...?? That said, sounds like an interesting project if you can afford it

Thanks for all the help. I came across THIS post on the FOC-UK forum last night just before midnight, which as RevIt says is the plastic peg in the sensor. So at midnight I ran out to the garage & pulled the front wheel off and there it was a speed sensor with two snapped pegs... Went to the Yammy dealer on the way to work this morning, £17.50 for a new one but I get 10% off so £15. Only problem now is it won't be in until Tuesday/Wednesday At least I can get out on my 1300 this weekend Thanks for all the help

Can't go wrong with a Dragstar... failing that I had my 1300 restricted to 33bhp when I first got it

Cheers mate, didn't think to check the owners manual (checked service manual instead). I'll swap it tomorrow to see if it helps as not convinced the neighbours will appreciate me riding up & down to see if it works... (having said that - the numbers on the odometer come on, they just don't move and the needle sits on 0mph which makes me think its the wire or the speed sensor).

Me neither!!! Worst case I can always attach a Tomtom and use that as a speedo [though guess the MOT man won't buy that )

Well I lifted the tank and fiddled with the wire but it was fine & still doesn't work - bugger!! Anyone got any other suggestions? All I can think of is to take the front wheel off and check the connections at that end... Had to resort to the other half's 125 for the commute to work today - not as good as my Fazer

I think you will need to re-map... you may be able to get the power-command cheaper from the US? I believe Midnight61 (one here) obtained both his pipes and a power commander for the price of the pipes in the UK. Maybe send him a PM for more details. (Man his pipes are LOUD!) Also, as much as I rate Custom Wizards, checkout SSCustomcycle.com over in the US to get an idea of different prices. Don't forget there's shipping, import tax AND VAT to add on it all (and the taxes are added to the shipping as well as the product value), but from my experiences you can still save a few hundred). Also I cannot recommend Shane at SS enough Graham

Noticed today on my way to work that the speedo has stopped working & just sits at 0mph (everything else on instrument panel works fine apart from odometer). I know the speed cable has a connection box under the tank which I'm hoping may have come loose when my braided steel lines & risers were added on Saturday, but was wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar before I start dismantling the bike? Any comments would be appreciated, Graham

I thought about putting something like this on mine http://www.motoxmatrix.co.uk/dual-road-handguards-21694-p.asp may try and get there this weekend and see if they fit

I've got the OEM screen on the 1300 (had tall one but chopped it down from 23" to 17" so I could see over it rather than through it, tall = dangerous in rain). Screens are must for comfort on cruisers and I wouldn't go long distance/motorway with out it. The OEM screen on the 1300 removes easily enough - four allen bolts and its off...

Light at 7am, still light @ 6pm = spring for me Oh, and the conservatory no longer keeps my beer cold

Does look really nice. Whenever I've watched American Chopper and Nubs has sprayed stripes he's always sprayed everything the colour of the stripe first (i.e. silver) then once dried he masking tapes off the stripe then paints everything the top colour (i.e. blue) in order to get crisp edges. I hope someone has a better suggestion on how to do it the other way around, otherwise you'll end up masking everything but the stripe.

Don't really know any breakers, however these came up on google which could be worth a look? (Wyke, near Bradford) - have passed these on a train a few times. and G.N.D. Motorcycle Breakers, Unit 1, Alkincote Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD21 5JT, Tel: 01535 690620 Good luck

I had my XVS125 until June last year - never seen another XVS125 in Leeds... at least with you're mods you'll be easy to spot.

If my XVS 125 was a 250 I'd still have it... given they're so rare I'd leave alone and save the £££ for something else (why have one bike when you can have two?) and mod the second bike. If you ever want to sell it...