Madison Motorsport

Try Yellow Pages and ring round all the companies who do the kind of work you're interested in. Also, send out some covering letters with a CV to EVERYBODY. You should get at least a few interviews out of it.

If you are prepared to spend up to several times, potentially, what you paid for the bike and restore it to factory condition, then go for it. Otherwise, repair it as cheaply as you can and sell it. Aluminium welding may be an option but I can't tell for sure unless I see it stripped down.

Don't let that put you off, there's plenty of Cats to choose from. I forgot to mention that the 2nd gear problem more often than not occurs, IME, on bikes that have been raced. Check fixings for lockwire holes - that's a good indicator of whether it has been raced or not. If it has aftermarket fairings, that is also a tell-tale sign. There are so many more good Cats out there than bad ones. Just remember that a mint looking one will command twice the price of most others. Don't be put off by minor scrapes and bruises, the Cat is a popular 1st bike so the odd drop must be expected. Your best bet for a decent Cat is from somewhere like here or the Thunderace & Thundercat Owners Forum (I'll leave you to Google it rather than risk a telling off for directly linking). Try and avoid eBay if you can. From experience, I can tell you that there are more bikes for sale with non-visible and costly problems than kosha ones. If you do go down the eBay route, make sure you always see and test ride the bike before you bid. Don't get caught out like I have been a couple of times.

If there was no internal battery, ask them to explain how the odo keeps a record of the mileage seeing as that is also digital

It does sound like a bad connection somewhere, most likely a bad earth. Check all connection for any signs of corrosion. clean them up, add a smear of copper grease and tape them over with electrical tape to stop any further water ingress.

If it's of any help, I can recommend Bosch plugs

That's way too high for normal one-up use. I've always recommended 33/36 to my customers.

I have the Yamaha manual for the XT350 if that's of any help

Ah! Sounds like a fuelling issue if it's bogging down when you rip open the throttle. Too much fuel and too little air. You could try a K&N (OE style) air filter to increase air flow.

If I remember correctly, there was a model revamp in 2001. To be on the safe side, I would say you need clocks from a mid-2001 onwards model.

Try these guys Small Engine Starters I've used them a few times and their service is pretty good.

That's the new Scoot stroker isn't it? You may have a dodgy HT lead. For a few £s or $s, it would be well worth picking up a new one - handy as a spare if nothing else.

I remember it well I made a fortune thanks to some of those Beemers I took 14 of them away in a 7.5t wagon, paid a measly amount to Customs for them and sold them on for a wild profit :D

TZR250 would have made the list if I was allowed more choices

Any aftermarket end can will fit with the right link pipe.

Any Yamaha that has been crossed with a Suzuki :angry:

But it's not a Yamaha

Have you replaced the return spring on the carb and checked that it is located properly into the cut-outs?

Difficult to put just one My top five would be, in no particular order: 1) YZF1000R Thunderace 2) YZF600R Thundercat 3) RD350LC 4) YZF750 5) FZR400RR

It may be a simple clutch cable adjustment needed. Try that first before you go spending cash.

Please don't swear

Check the Banjos have not got any swarf in them restricting the flow of fluid.

My cat had EXUP. It was a 1999 model with the FZR600RR engine

In all honesty, probably the best bike I ever owned. Good tourer, good sports bike, excellent all rounder. If you are buying one, you need to look out for a few things: * 2nd gear - redline in 2nd on the test ride. If it pops into neutral, walk away. This means a 4 figure repair bill to re-build the box and replace worn dogs. * Rear Shock - Check the adjuster ring moves and check the shock compresses with weight applied. The lack of protection from the back wheel's crud flinging can lead to seizure if not properly cleaned and maintained. If a hugger or undertray has been fitted, this is a good sign of a careful owner. * Downpipes - Whip off the belly pan and check, with the engine running, for any blowing of the exhaust around the block. Don't think this can be solved by tightening up the exhaust clamps. * EXUP - While you have the belly pan off, check the EXUP is in place. With the engine off, turn the ignition to 'on' and listen for the servo whine (this carries on for about 4-5 seonds as the servo adjusts). Also check that the tacho isn't showing a 7k fault code for seized EXUP valve. Other than that, check the normal things like tyres, chain, sprockets, lights, etc. As a guide, for the latest 2004/2005 Thundercat, regardless of condition, I would not pay any more than about £2500.

Not 100%, but I think they are the same as the XJ600 and FZ600 ones