christofeser

okayokay. So many choices! This forum has spoilt me for advice So POA (plan of action) for tomorrow is: 1. Wirebrush down all relevant parts 2. hand-paint exhaust with heat-proof paint - preferably exhaust manifold paint. 3. hand-paint all other relevant parts which need touching-up with Hammerite (that will do if it's not a "hot-part" right) 4. Head down to B&Q and find necessary screws to attach heat-guard safely. 5. Attach heat-guard safely. 5. Hitch my girl up on the back and ride her around on my shiney bike cheers! chris. p.s 6. Take some pics, upload them, and show you fruit of all your advice

Okay I'll have a search around. Probably end up using the Wilko stuff as it's more convenient. I don't REALLY know too much about taking exhaust pipes off either (is it simple) so I'll have to masking-tape it up. That would be okay right? Cheers

Even extremely heat resistant Araldite? My dad has tons, and assures me it's heat-resistant... :s I think I trust you lot more I'll try the horseshoe ones then... Instead of the wilko aerosols, can I paint on with Hammerite like someone suggested? Could I use a paintbrush to do this, or do I have to buy aerosol hammerite too? It just seems easier painting it and getting into nooks and crannies with a paint pot and brush than having to remove/mask up a load of parts. Cheers

Okay thanks. I bought a jubilee clip today, I'm going to try some Araldite to get it on the inside of the cover. It's heat resistant and I think enough to hold it. If that doesn't work, I'll try find a horse-shoe style like you described. Like I said I only bought it the other day and, by the looks of it, it has been dropped on the right side and scratched into the chrome muffler a little - got a tad of rust around it... only a light brown-ish colour. Any tips on improving these aesthetics? Covering up the rust and scratches. I think on the exhaust pipe which is really black I might go with the wire-brush & drill combo with some Hammerite, and get a sponge and some elbow-grease on the chrome covers. It's a similar story on other black surfaces - you can tell it's come from someone who hasn't cleaned it every day as if it was his baby (as it is my first vehicle - it's very much the case with me - I cherish it!) So yeah, I'll keep you informed how it goes - I'll take the opportunity now to thank EVERYONE that's taken their time to help me out. Cheers guys/girls. Chris

Okay thanks. Any recommended on-line part-finders? Chris

Yeah, thanks, great advice! I guess I'm going to have to get working on it - I knew it wasn't mint, but I kinda needed a project for the coming summer anyway. Anyone got any tips on how to get rust cleaned up? Or should I just search the forum and stop being lazy? Cheers, Chris

hahahaha Yes I did mean the other end! I'm not THHHHHHHAAAAT silly. I think tomorrow I'm going to give everything a good old clean-up. Looks a bit grubby huh? It's a really nice bike - loads of people have already complimented me on it. Nonetheless, my friends mum turned up on her Harley Sportster today. She claimed to be "just passing by", but we both knew she was there to show off her 1200cc's against my (10th of the size) 125cc's! grrrrr. Anyway, I'm really pleased with it, especially for £1,000. Just needs a scrub up and some minor work. Ride's nicely still Chris

Right so I've worked out how to get pictures The exhaust pipe, yeah it's still strong and attached - it's just the chrome cover for it... which goes over the top of it... Here's some pics to help out: 1. Just to show that it is the top pipe concerned: 2. Show's the concerned pipe's chrome covering closer up 3. After easily "slipping off" the chrome cover (as stated - previously attached by jubilee clip) I am left with the underneath exhaust pipe which is attached firmly at both ends. Lastly - a semi-related question. At the end of the exhaust pipe - what's the big bit it goes into called? I'm rather embarrassed at my lack of motorbike knowledge/terminology - but I figure it's better to ask and find out then mess something up! Cheers

Wow, Thanks for the diagram! This is why I bought a yamaha rather than an cheaper imports - I knew I would get the support from somewhere! Anyway, It seems like it's the chrome that covers the pipe yeah... it seems it was previously attached with a jubilee clip and there's no evidence of anything else ever being there. When I work out how to upload pics I'm sure I can show you... cheers again!

Okay cheers Hopefully will find some further help by searching around a little. Cheers

Ah thank you! That's the name of the clip, haha! Okay, I think I'll do that. I know someone who built a trike who's pretty competent with welding, so he know's a bit about both welding, and bikes! I might see what he can do. The pipe underneath the casing seems incredibly dirty? Is that a problem? Should I clean that (despite it not being on show) or just leave it be? Cheers Chris

Hi there, I'm completely new to the forum so HI! I'm also completely new to motorcycles, so hi again! It's also my first ever vehicle, which I'm really excited about. Anyway I'll stop rambling and explain. Yesterday I bought a Yamaha XVS125 Dragstar (2002) from ebay. I got it at around £1,000 in the end - which I didn't think was too bad. When looking at it though, he did detail some minor problems which I "could resolve with ease" - probably - if I knew a little bit about Yamaha's, let alone bikes! So there are two main problems, which are only minor. Firstly, the battery casing on the right hand side (the side with the lock), is actually missing the lock and therefore is not secure underneath the saddle. Does anyone know where I can get this lock from, and how easy it is to install?? Secondly, the exhaust. There is a main exhaust pipe coming from the engine (the upper one) and a chrome cover over the top of the pipe, usually attached with one of those round clips (sometimes found in plumbing). Problem is, the round clip has snapped due to rust on it. Will I have to buy a new one and weld it onto the inside of the chrome? Or is there an easier way of doing this? Any help is appreciated. I'm only a novice and rather un-savvy when it comes to motorbike. I really want to learn a little - which is why I'm here Cheers Chris