midnight61

seeing the thread below about handlebar grips made me decide to share how i fitted my vista (throttle lock) with you. ...the kit comes with a handlebar clamp that fits the other side of the brake master cylinder (i didnt use it), and a 'crossbar' thats supposed to fit over the switch gear (i didnt use that either)...because i couldnt make either of them fit in a way i was satisfied with, after 90 mins of trial and error. instead i made a small 'L' shaped bracket and fixed it to the phillips screw just underneath the top throttle cable on the front of the switchgear. i fitted the slip ring that goes over the twistgrip the wrong way round , i also fitted the 'cam/thumb lever' the wrong way round, its meant to be on the back of the switch gear facing the rider, mines more on top and facing forward, but not in the way of the brake !, i can set the throttle lock by pulling the cam lever back with my index finger(admittedly its not perfect), but then again...your not gonna set it unless your on a long straight road, i can then just flick it off with my right thumb when i'm done with it very easily. Also, the throttle lock isnt adjusted up 'tight', what i mean is, i can still close the throttle with the lock engaged if i had the need too. This method works for me, and it's not in my way in normal riding, nor does it affect throttle 'sensitivity' in normal riding. hope its of interest to some of you

i was all set on the black mate, my wife talked me out of it and i'm glad she did...i like this colour, it grew on me as for MATT black .....yuk...LOL

no worries mate, i have family in Leeds and will certainly be up there over the coming months, and dont worry...you'll hear me before you see me....LOL

my bike is a maroon colour mate,(yamaha call it "dark red") it's not an import either...i thought the colours available were black, blue and dark red....but you and i have 2 different shades of red which confuses me ?. The cobra shorts are a work of art and fitted like a glove and sound AWESOME , i'm sure its not just my imagination, but it picks up MUCH better now... i also have a tall screen which i only put on when i go on long journeys, you can see the brackets in the pictures at the top of the forks. I have no plans to change anything else ... i would like to single seat it with a rack but that doesnt sit well with "her indoors" so it may not happen, i'm going to look at a throttle lock (cruise control) next...i did look at the Vista universal cruise control but am unsure if it'll fit, any ideas guys ...?

and here's my cruiser now, with cobra speedster shorts, cobra fuel processor, K AND N air filter and a subtle drilling of the air box. She rides like a different bike now and will hold 25mph in 3rd gear on a steady throttle with no surging. just how it "should" have come out the factory hey, clarkegray, nice bike mate, mine seems a different red to yours ...?

hey clarkegray...... i'll be putting em on tonite mate...photo's to follow.and like you ....i prefer to source my stuff from the uk but i was quoted big money, i had no choice really and its paid off . mike, i got the pipes from here... http://www.gm-cycles.com/Items/2725-080925?&caSKU=2725-080925&caTitle=Yamaha%20V-Star%201300%20Cobra%20Speedster%20Short%20Exhaust

cobra speedster shorts, and closed loop cobra fuel processor have now both arrived from USA, total cost ....£549 inclusive of everything.... very pleased. Would have preffered to buy from a UK outlet but it was down to cost, saved myself £ hundreds £ ....

hi mike, a real shame the USA wont send to sweden, i'd have a real good think of how you can get around that ?...have you a relative in another country that they will ship too ...? I only ask because america is where all the really good, reasonably priced stuff is

although its frowned upon in certain quarters for very real reasons, ive just imported ... a set of cobra speedster shorts ....a cobra fi2000cl fuel processor ....total cost, including delivery, customs, import duty and other handling charges..... wait for it... £549 ALL IN ...!!! all arrived in perfect condition. there are risks and pitfalls, but it worked for me, saved me BIG money

well, its just a guess roy, but i reckon he's after wing mirrors and indicators for starters....and probably chrome at that..

Avon do whitewall tyres, http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/gangster-0 i believe they are under the catagory 'gangster/AM9 universal. or some of the venom tyres have whitewalls. Or look here for paint http://www.frost.co.uk/result_search.asp?keyword=whitewall&gclid=COuktfWoq6ACFZUA4wodxmNnpA aerosol or brush if you've got a steady hand, I may take the plunge myself at some point ...probably with aerosol

well, there's definetly a vast improvement in the charging since you found those dry joints on the regulator/ rectifier, and from what you describe, those connections have some 'history' if i'm not mistaken. As long as they are clean and back on tight i would keep my eye on them and see how you go now mate...dont forget, that with a voltmeter you are only checking regulated voltage output at the battery, it doesnt tell you what current (amps) is going into the battery. Its not uncommon to see a dip in the regulated voltage if lots of current (amps) is going in the battery BUT if the very least you've seen is 13.3 v revving at a fixed rpm for say 30 seconds with loads applied (lights etc)with NO further drop in voltage i'd run with it and see how it goes. p.s. dont forget the optimate...LOL

welcome aboard roy, you rang me a few weeks ago with some advice which was much appreciated, i'm sure other's on here will also benefit from your expertise.... enjoy. Maybe sometime soon i'll get down to see that midnight star of yours

looking at the 2 bikes i cannot see any reason why it cant be done

good luck mate, it definetly aint charging properly....could be a connection

Just buy an optimate, £43 off e-bay, and it comes with the "fly lead" that you leave fixed to the battery, hence you can couple it in seconds....do that every time your leaving the bike to stand for more than a day, and thats it. (providing the battery is good to start with, and the alternator is actually charging it when the bikes running). test the charging system at 3000rpm with the headlight on, if it its less than 13 volts your looking at a regulator/rectifier/alternator fault, at which point you disconnect the regulator/rectifier and check for unregulated ac volts coming outta the alternator, if thats ok, its the regulator/rectifier. first off, charge the battery and take it to a battery supplier and get it tested (usually free) for peace of mind. In your earlier post you mentioned the bike was misfiring with no power as you rode...THAT could be because the battery was discharging whilst you were riding along, resulting in the ignition breaking down which indicates a regularor/rectifier/alternator fault or the associated wiring (multi plugs etc) ?. Its so difficult to diagnose on an internet forum without seeing the bike, ive been a mechanic for over 30 years but without seeing the bike its awkward. hope this gives you something to go on

how easy would it be to disconnect the power commander for a few days ?...see if that cures it ...?

the huge exhaust will soon be a thing of the past

hi eggar, i dont think you'll regret changing from harley to midnight star, a friend of mine has a heritage softtail classic, my cousin has a road king, and after seeing and riding my '08' xvs1300 they realise just how much they've paid for the "badge". Clarkegray has covered most points, although i personally find the stock bars fine (for me). As clarke gray says, possibly the worst thing about the "stock" bike is the surging at 30 mph (it's easily overcome), and because of that you cannot hold 30mph in 3rd gear as its "surging" because its running so weak for euro 3 emissions ... you end up riding in 2nd gear in 30 mph speed limits so that the bike's smoother, jack's 02 mod is the cheapest option to eradicate this.... However, i have some "cobra speedster shorts" and "cobra fuel processor" on order (ready for summer)...thats how i intend to eradicate mine , not only that.... but the stock bikes oh soooooo quite. There is an issue with front fork "clonk", its a funny one, mine does it, but not on potholes as you'd expect, mine seems to only do it on the slightest of humps and not always at that.... i've heard that some bikes have been found to have stipped steering stem nuts, i did take mine back to the supplying dealer and was told it was "just the bushing" and it's nothing to worry about. These are the points i've found with my bike, and they echo clarkegray's opinion...so i'd say there pretty accurate....you may like the bars, and may i say, after riding a harley, you may not notice the surging or the slight clonk from the forks...the bike is THAT good. I got mine last june, and i still believe "pound for pound" its the best middleweight cruiser out there....by far, i'm very happy.

going off on a slight tangent here, but i cannot bestow the virtues of an "optimate" battery optimiser enough, (e-bay,£43) the only charger you'll ever need for a motorcycle, PARTICULALY a motorcycle that isnt used regulaly. my last motorcycle was 9 years old when i sold her and it still had the original battery on it. All my motorcycles over the last 12 years have always been connected up to the "optimate" 24/7 and ive never purchased or had a single battery issue.... my optimate is now 12 yrs old and doesnt owe me a penny. A really good piece of kit, to know you can go to your bike safe in the knowledge, not only will your battery be fully charged, but also, if there are any issues with its performance, the LED's on the "optimate" will bring it to your attention because it monitors, charges and tests your battery continually, and it works !, well!

thanks mate, but my mind is made up on the shorts and nothing else, i would consider second hand if they were as new, as my bike is "as new". i intend to run the pipes "closed loop"....if your processor is the "02" model, and if you were prepared to split it from the pipes i would be interested in that, i understand cobra do to processors, open loop and the one for the 02 sensor. thanks again

hi, i e-mailed shane at ss customs, he didnt reply...maybe he aint keen to export ?, perhaps he's had problems before....most annoying thing is no reply..... i got the same from another company over there. We have custom cruisers at alfreton....but there £474 plus VAT !...PLUS the processor (another £200)...a lot of dollar eh ?

hi guys, im after a set of cobra speedster shorts for my 1300 midnight star, along with the cobra fuel processor, saw and HEARD another 1300 midnight star with them on and just GOTTA have em. After some enquiries they aint cheap.... can any of you suggest any outlets that i could contact for a price ?

greetings and salutations to you all, as my user name implies ...i ride an XVS1300A midnight star, having recently converted from a string of sports bikes (last one a fireblade), i must say its a breath of fresh air to cruise along without my ankles round my ears (must be getting old). Anyhow, i just thought i'd say hello