iwataomote

If it's been left over the whole winter with fuel in the carb, you'll almost certainly have a blocked starter jet preventing the choke from working and possibly likewise for the pilot jet. You will need to drain the carb and flush it through with clean fuel at least. If you are very lucky that might be enough to do it. Won't be a battery issue as MkIII models use AC flywheel CDI system. Cheers.

4FU and 2RH models use totally different engines. 2RH now pretty Jurassic cast-in liner, 4FU has plated cylinder. Parts not at all interchangeable. Better off buying a 4FU; will do 100mph derestricted !

I kinda recognise the wood in this picture - does it come from the vaulting horse that they they used in "The Great Escape" ?

Hi ed992, Not the most common bike you've got yourself there ! Timing this engine is actually quite simple. There is a "T" mark on the rotor which lines up with a mark on the crankcase cover. With the crank in this position you need to position both camshafts so that the dot on the lefthand "rim" of the camshaft as you look down on it (NOT from the side !)lines up with the timing mark on the cam cap.In this position the lobe of the lefthand exhaust cam should be facing forward and the lobe of the lefthand inlet cam should be facing the rear. With everything lined up as above, fit the sprockets to the camshafts, torque the bolts up to 20Nm and don't forget to recheck the timing once you've installed the cam chain tensioner. Hope this helps.

Hi a1dusty, Not too sure about the Maxim as it was not a UK model, but a friend of mine tried a similar feat with an XJ750 and XJ900. The engine fitted in the frame fine, sure, but the carbs/airbox were a right old game (i.e they didn't fit !!). So you may well have similar issues with your Maxim. Best regards, IO.

Dear Jennings, 12 digits is the right format for this year mchine. Yamaha 'competition' machines at this date only had a 12 digit VIN unlike the road going machines. Later on Yamaha decided to abandon this separate VIN category and give everything 17 digits irrespective of intended purpose for simplicity's sake. Contacting YMUK should give you greater clarification on exact dates. If no joy there Yamaha Motor Europe, in Schipol Rijk, Holland, will definitely know. Good Luck and Merry Christmas

Old YB100 models that were left standing for a long time were prone to rust the main bearings. You may well get things moving, even get the engine running, by using "freeing oil" as suggested, but don't be surprised if the mains are shot. How will you know - the noise will tell you !!

Dear Corby Lad, Could just be that the tacho itself is dead - not very helpful, yes I know. The 1990 XJ600 took its tacho electrical supply ("feed"), from either the orange or grey ignition coil primary wire circuit. A continuity check back from the wire on your tacho to the ignition circuit would be a simple enough first step. Give it a whirl.

Hi Alistair, Cam chain tensioner is "automatic",on a one-way ratchet, and cannot be done manually. At 55K it may well be due a new chain !

Hi dezr1, Sorry for delay in getting back to you. I expect you've sorted the bike and you and Mrs.dez already off on holiday on it! Yours is a "5PW" type R1 and can't put my hands on any chassis parts for one of them. Sorry.

You did not say how many miles the bike has done. Check the compresion (an obvious thing to do if you are taking the plugs out anyway) - if it has done anywhere near 18,000miles or more, I can almost guarantee it will be low. Common on "high mileage" YZFs even though the first check interval for valve clearance was at 24,000.

Key number WON'T be on the lock anywhere. Yamaha stopped doing that ages ago. If the bike has ever been "Datatagged" - you should see the number quite easily on the painted parts - you could give Datatag a call. Part of their registration details used to record key numbers whereas Yamaha never did.

Let me know exactly what R1 you,ve got : (2002/3), (2004/6),(2007/8) and I might be able to source a seat unit and pillion seat for you.

Dear Tom, Answer to your question is quite simple. Earlier Yamaha Custom Bikes were given the name "Virago" [A tribe of fiery warlike women for anyone interested - don't ask me why though] Their official model code is XV for example XV535, XV750 etc. When Yamaha changed to the more Cruiser like appearance, rather than Custom/Chopper styling, the range took on the name of Dragstar ( maybe Drag Star - not sure )Their official model code is XVS, for example XVS125, XVS650 As with all systems anomolies occur. For example the XV1600 is a Wild Star in Europe and Road Star in the States. Also letters on the end of the engine size indicate a variant to standard. "S" usually indicates a model with more chromey bits, while "A" on the end of the Dragstar models indicates it is the "Classic" version with small diameter,fat front wheel and heavy duty fenders - should that be mudguard (no offence, Chris) Hope that helps.

Dear rd350andy, According to the info I have the 3BR prefix was used on 4MC models [4MC1 - 4MC9; 1994-1998]of the XV535 & XV535S imported in to Europe, mainly Germany. Hope this helps in some way.