neversaydie

Pleased youve got your cash back. I hope they repair it before they flog it someone else

Cant help with the pitch, but if in doubt, get the longer ones, you can always cut 5mm off with your hacksaw. The more that you can fill of the threaded hole the better, but dont bottom out on the hole

Lovely card Mervin. Have a good Christmas all, keep safe Ray

Front wheel bearings, or steering head bearings? It might be a pain to have to go back to Oldham, but cant you test ride it after the repairs, just to set your mind at ease some? Looks nice and clean, good luck with it

Not familiar with the bike, but some basic rules: Make sure that you fit the same bolt that came out of the hole. Make a cardboard template/sketch and shove the bolts into the holes so that you've got a map Its the diameter of a bolt/screw that governs what you order. A bolt with a 10mm hex head across flats will be 6mm diameter by whatever the length is when measured from the underneath of the bolt head ie 6 x 30 is 6mm diameter by 30mm long Countersunk screws/bolts, length is the complete length of the bolt/screw from top to bottom 8mm across flats is 5mm dia 10mm across flats is 6mm diameter 13mm across flats is 8mm diameter 17mm across flats is 10mm diameter 19mm across flats is 12mm diameter Having said that, you might occasionally come across some oddball sizes, most important is that you get the diameter and length right For the bolt that you say isn't long enough, measure the depth of the hole, add on the thickness of the part that is clamped between the bolt and the hole, then take 3mm of that figure.

Should be putting out 14.3 volts to 15.3 volts @2,000rpm. Battery needs to be fully charged to start with. You got a multimeter?

Spot on

There aren't many of us Virago owners, and I couldn't answer your question

Yeah, not very pleasant riding home at 11 last night, had to keep wiping the visor clear, last couple of miles with visor up. Kept quite warm though, old sheepskin flyin jacket, insulated lined overtrousers, heated grips

Hi Graham, Cant help you with the question as I've never ridden either Fazer. Is this in addition to the V Strom or a replacement for it? Ray

Hmm, difficult I can only think of a couple of options, both involve some neat drilling 1) Screw extractor. Normally available as part of a set. Drill down the centre of the screw, the extractor then screws in anti clockwise to unscrew the screw 2) You can buy reverse fluted drills. When put against the head of the screw and the drill switched on, it may unscrew the screw. Either of these options is not for someone inexpirienced, risk of damaging the carb Can you get the carb off and take it to a local engineering workshop?

Assuming that the spring is on the centre stand still: Stand at the left hand side of the bike, bike upright and off the side stand, facing the bike, left hand on the left grip, right hand on the sissy bar/grab rail, right foot on the centre stand lug. Quickly transfer all of your weight onto the right foot as if forcing the stand into the ground. The bike should pivot over the balance point and onto the stand. I'm only 10 1/2 stone, and its no hassle. To get it off the stand, hold at the same points, then just shove quickly forwards Forget tyres till youve got the motor turning over, it sounds like youve some way to go yet Filler cap lock, release oil/penetrating oil (I recommend Plusgas) down the keyway, key in and out till it goes in and out smoothly. Oil the key, then keep trying (GENTLY) to turn the key a bit at a time. Be patient, it may take days. Same stuff on the cap hinge, work it slowly

Same size as the one you took off?

Be aware that a missing chain ring can cause an annoying click click click related to engine speed. Must have dropped one when last cleaning/lubing the chain a couple of weeks ago, buggered up the connecting link even though the rest of the chain is in good order

All year round, only had half a dozen or so trips to work in the car last winter. Wont do it in thick fog though

Forward planning I don't want muddle your head with too much to think about on the test but if there's a chance of ice, think ahead. Its likely to be in the shade of a tree/bridge/tall building cos the sun don't get too high in winter If you hit some, try to travel straight, don't grab for the brakes, keep a bit of power on Mikes right, the examiner will take account of conditions, and is likely to know which of the routes will be least affected by the conditions, and select accordingly Above all, be confident, keep calm, and good luck

really nice looking bike, serviced regularly will last for years. Just check the underside of both front and rear fenders, finish can be average under them, get some ACF50 and brush it onto the underside of the fenders, paint can fail at both fender tips £1850 is a fair price for that Good luck with the test

Good for you Post a photo up of the bike

Aye, not been may bikes in the car park these last few days, only the Radian. Oddly, the cheap as chips waterproof pants and jacket bought from Yeomans outdoor store are actually waterproof, bargain at less than £20 The rain has left a lot of crap on the road surfaces though, and washed away some of the top dressing, cant see some of the holes under the water

Always try DIY first, on all things, decorating/gardening/mechanics/building. Built my own garage in the 90s, brick built with pitched and tiled roof own design and drawings for planning foundations, the lot. 12 week night school course on brick laying, and books from the local library on brick bonding/trench work, roof structures etc. Took 2 years as I kept running out of cash (2 young ones then), but probable the most satisfying piece of work I've ever done. Cost 3 grand for materials in the early 90s, would have cost 6 grand+ to have had the builders in. Sadly, seems to attract all of the stuff that no one uses anymore but can't bear to chuck away, cant get any of the cars in, but both bikes are in with plenty of room for hydraulic platform and working area/tools/bench etc. Sanctuaryyyyyyy

Diplomacy comes easy to some

Hats off to you Neo, cracking idea

Just like cars, all tend to look the same these days, cant fix em when they fuck up electrically, designed down to a cost, too aggressive looking, elbows out hunched forward, not many today are things of great beauty. I've a hunch that most people who buy "classic" bikes do so because it pleases them, not for investment.

Looks like an example of the bike being masked by the car turning left. Not particularly good conditions either. filtering is legal, youve got to be aware that youre more than likely in the cars blind spots

Really please that you're back on the road, hope your recovering from your injuries. Bike looks in good shape, early 90s? Rivet heads should drill off, keep the baffles, you might need to rivet them back in for the next mot