chris66

ogoab has probably hit the nail on the head but you can also have a tight spot on the chain, and the chain has been adjusted incorrectly because of this. it tends to click under strain. if there is no signs of seized links roll the bike forward testing the chains tension every 8 inches or so and adjust correctly on the tightest spot you can find. chris

welcome to the forum, the problems people on here have with newbies is the fact that most join to get mechanical help, then we never here from them again. all is asked is a introduction and you have more than done that, that was a good insight into a new rider and i hope you continue to ride. as for not liking the cold or wet, i expect i speak for a lot of riders when i say i did all my commuting in all weathers when i was young, now my bike has never seen rain since i have owned it. not because im a wimp but i only ride for fun now. chris

woodford cycles are a good dealer very helpful and good mechanics, only downside they only work on modern bikes.they wont touch any thing i could afford to own. they are in south woodford. Woodford Motorcycles 51 - 53 George Lane South Woodford London E18 1LN Tel: 020 8989 3157 chris

this will be my new advise, if your bike needs a new connector buy a new bike sorted easy chris

they sell them at halfords but they are about a tenner each, i got a set of four for £20 off ebay . chris

my yzf750 used to get through a set of plugs every 6 months, i have had my iridium in for over a year and they havent fouled up once.i will never go back especially as you can get a set of 4 for £20 on ebay. chris

it probably blew the main fuse

bone dry battery indicates regulator rectifier, it turns hi voltage into around 13 volts then sends in to your battery to keep it charged. if your battery has boiled dry probably means its knackered. chris

what i ment was when you turn the key on, is it as if the ignition is off ie no dash lights etc. chris

i would start with the fuses, is it like you have taken the key out?

i would expect a good clean and set up would work wonders , good luck

the low revs issue is usual dirty pilot jets, running out off fuel could cause this so carb clean probably needed. as for the mixture being to rich this could also cause bad running at low revs as the bike warms up. You need to adjust the mixture/ idle screws in a little. but anyone working on there own bike should have a manual, this would give you the factory setting and go from there. chris

on my yzf 750 there is four pipes, one smaller diameter than the rest this is a vacuum and has to be connected to the tank. the middle fat one is the petrol and also has to be connected to the tank and the other two are breathers and go nowhere

the sp has flat side carbs, the r regular carbs. chris

fowlers do mail order 01179770466 they will need your frame no

i remember many moons ago on my ty50 16 years old 1982, overheating on a sunday going to the local bikers haunt at high beech epping , many bikers stopped to see if i was alright including about 30 zz top lookalikes all riding in a pack was like something out of mad max. at the time i was a bit intimidated being no more than a child really, but now realize they were normal bikers trying to help, so yes bikers are a really nice bunch of people usually misunderstood. chris

going from 5th to first with clutch held in cant be done on many bikes. i have always changed down gears as the the bike speed decreased until second then if i need to stop then put it straight into neutral. this way if the lights suddenly change and you are not made to stop you are in the correct gear to continue. your way will catch you out eventually, if the lights change before you stop[ you will be fumbling for the right gear, and as you are new you will probably have to stop and find first holding everybody up. chris

if you unscrew the cable from both ends and turn the inner cable see if it turns at the other end. if it doesn't then the cable has snaped if it turns then connect it back to the clock connect the other end to a drill. when you operate the drill if the speedo moves its the drive in the wheel that's at fault. chris

the cable is the first thing to check , its probably snapped inside. unscrew it from the front wheel. chris

sorry , just noticed you are in the usa. plus gas is a very thin penetrating oil, loosens anything,

front tyre slightly out of shape can cause bad handling issues.chris

any screws i think may be a pain i use plus gas its a very fine penetrating oil. i putt some on every few hours and leave overnight for really stubborn ones. chris

i expect you undo the bolt holding it on the spline and put it back on one notch up. chris

great illustration barkwindjammer, you have shown the bit i am trying to describe in one picture well done. chris

there are little chrome coloured screw on caps on the plugs themselves that have to be removed before pushing on the ht cap