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Hi Mark, Mike is right about it not being a 5 minute job, and it's bloody difficult to get the thing to split apart without breaking it, so advice is whatever you do do it slow and careful, first tho check that the fuse is not faulty and that the earth is ok BEFORE taking the damn thing apart, check behind the head light to make sure that all the plugs and such are clean and connected they get cruddy from rain and dirt even with all the panels in place, buy some switch cleaner to get them nice and clean but also check for broken wires and connectors. Christ I could go on for hours about the things you need to do so do one thing and then move on DON'T try to do all the jobs at once, hope that helps some. Martin P.S Buy a Haynes for your bike it will make things much easier and will have all the dimensions and bulb types for your bike.

Hi, I am going to Aus to visit my Bro next year and had the same idea about taking the bike with me BUT the Australian customs are a bitch to deal with they want to know all sorts of things about you and your bike and to tell the truth it is easier to buy a bike out there and sell it when you come back, the only thing is that bikes are really expensive out in Aus/NZ as they tend to drive most every where in chuffing great 5 litre tanks, if you contact the Aus/NZ embassy in London they will send you all the stuff you need to set it up but be prepared to pay a shit load of money for the privilege, the shipping is about 6 to 8 weeks (part load container) and that only gets you to the docks after which there will be IMPORT duty and such to pay (which I think is refundable when you leave) but don't expect them to make it easy or quick. Sorry to be so negative about it but unfortunately that's the way it is, I am going to borrow my brothers old car when I get there and just rego it for a few months while I am out there, not as much fun as taking the bike but to be honest the thought of jumping through Australian customs hoops and all the hassle it would take to get it there it's not (in my opinion) worth the effort, just go and hire what you need and then give it back when you leave seem's to be the best option around. Martin.

Hi Firewalker, I was wondering if the RED KNOB might be the kill switch that is on the right side handlebar by the throttle, if so it usually is forward (towards the Front!) is OFF and back is for the start position, then you have the choke on the left side handlebar under the switch gear, fuel is pretty obvious really and that should be it, if it fired 4 times then you at least know it goes so it's just a question of figuring out why it wont run for prolonged periods. I would suggest that after 4 years standing still it might need new oil new plugs plus you might check that the timing is correct. Also you might ask the guy you bought it off why he stored it, it might be that it was having trouble starting? Hope at least some of that helps, let us know how you get on.

Up.yours can be a bit blunt about some things but he's spot on with this one, who gives a shit what it looks like, your on it and can't see it anyway, just avoid looking in shop windows as you go by and you'll be fine.

Hi Jack, It might be a good idea to say Hi first "new members" section before asking total strangers how to fix your bike, plus it is only polite when you meet new people to say hello and NOT how do I fix my bike! Just a thought mind you, so say HI FIRST then ask in the workshop section, some one here will be able to help I'm sure, Welcome to the YOC.

Hi Nic, welcome to the YOC, it MIGHT be an idea to introduce yourself FIRST in the "new member" section BEFORE asking questions, some of us like to know who we are talking to, so introduce yourself and tell us about yourself THEN ask your question again, some traders like to pretend that they are newbies and get free advice for problems they can't fix and we tend to get a bit grumpy about manners (well I do) . Welcome once again.

Welcome to the YOC chippy, Nice intro, did the same thing to my XJ last year you can't beat taking it apart and gettiing to know your bike bolt by bolt, good luck with your project and keep us informed.

Bonjour mon amie, love France the food the wine and yes even the people are friendly and welcoming, so here's a friendly welcome to the YOC. P.S. Your English is a damn sight better than my French so don't worry if it sounds a bit off your doing great.

If your a Uni student then ask in your engineering/machine shop, talk to one of the lecturers and see if they might be looking for a project to get on with, if you don't mind some hairy arsed group of trainee mechanics having a go and it's free, tho to be honest it might need respraying after they have finished.

Looks like your up the creek without a paddle mate, all I can say is buy the one you like that way at least you know that you like the bike no matter what other bikes look like, plus there are loads of mods out in the web that can make your bike different, not that I advocate sticking loads of chrome and useless junk on a bike, I want a bike to go when I twist the throttle and stop when I grab the brake anything else is a matter of taste, if you want to go the harley route with lots of bits that actually don't do anything then fine but it is a matter of spending your money to get the bike you like not what you think you should have cos other people might not like it, as for your dealers not knowing what to tell you about your choices I would go and find one that does know what he's talking about, look on the net for the bike you want and then go find someone to supply it and tell the other dumb arses to f**k off. On that happy note stay safe and let me know what you get, always interested to know how the colonies are getting on (joke) as my bro lives just outside YASS in the ACT.

Hi Ray, don't know these well but I think it's just chromy bits and bob's, they look the same, but which one are you talking about the Royal star or the Midnight star? Or some thing else, bit more info please.

Welcome to the YOC Jasper, nice to get an intro and yours is a doozy, I think your wrong you know they DO make an intercom for your bike shall I give your wife a call and tell her where to get one? Every teacher should get a bloody medal when they retire and a small plaque with the kids they should have strangled in gold letters to let you know that sometimes being patient is better than being in jail, plus of course you only have to see them once a day some poor sod has to live with the little scrote's. Someone here will have a fix for your problem so bung it on the workshop section and wait for lots of replies, not all will be of any use and some will be rude but that's bikers.

Okay I will say thank you for him, hope you feel better now Just makes me mad that people assume cos you got a bike that you will give free advice without so much as a hello, plus a dose of manners might stop him getting a good kicking next time he's in the pub.

AND we used PAPER BAGS for our shopping which we then used to light a fire cos we DID NOT have central heating, OH FUCK I sound like me bleeding dad.

Hi Nick, It might be an idea to go to "new members" section and say hello BEFORE asking loads of questions and looking for advice, people like to know who they are talking to before they get involved. Plus when you think about it just rolling up and asking questions of strangers is RUDE, so be nice and say Hi to everyone and they (might) be nice back.

Nice job Tommy, well worth the effort a beautiful bike and it looks like new.

HI Tris, just a thought but if your bearings are a worry then it is always possible to regrease them, if water and crud can get in so can fresh grease, this won't save a knackered bearing but it will increase the life of an old bearing, those of us from back in the day who rode BSA TRIUMPH NORTON and such can say with some degree of certainty that you can ride it till it squeals and still get home if you must. But most bearings are hardened steel and they will put up with an awful lot of punishment before you have to replace them, most modern bearings are made to very fine tolerances but there is a lot of slack in there for them to use before they need changing, and has been said earlier if your pulling them in and out on a regular basis the housing will suffer from the stress. So if it don't squeak or squeal and there's no crunchy noises and the amount of wear is not noticeable regrease them and they should last for ages. Hope that gives you some food for thought. P.S. Just so you know my XJ has the same steering head bearings that it came with and they are 30 years old I regrease them every year and they look like new.

Hi Morph, OG is right of course about being polite but you must be firm about the delivery, it shows in the details that the bike is sold WITH delivery and the extra bits (helmet gloves etc) as being extra to the original cost so by implication the delivery is part of the deal unless otherwise stated (which it's not) stand firm and let him know your not happy about the extra cost you might just swing a concession from him, if all else fais tell him your a member of the YOC and you will do a writeup of his sharp practice, you never know it might help sway him to drop the delivery charge. PS DT is right as well distance selling regs are pretty strict so fire them at him.

That's handy, got some where to park my bike!

Welcome to the YOC Justin, nice to mix and match stops you getting bored, mods can be nice guys to (well I heard that some where) good luck with your project and a nice intro is always welcome.

HI Morph and welcome to the YOC, might be an idea if you were to go to the "NEW MEMBER" section and tell us who you are BEFORE asking for advice, other than that the 125 is a nice bike have heard lots of good things about it and it has some excellent build qualities, but like most 125s it will struggle a bit on steep hills and fierce headwinds but down hill and on the flat it should rock your world, some one else on here will know about the exhaust issues but only if you introduce your self first, once again welcome and a HAPPY NEW year to you.

Hi And welcome to the YOC, it might be an idea to introduce your self first before you start to ask for help, go to "NEW MEMBERS" section and tell us about your self THEN ask your questions. It's only polite really when you think about it! You wouldn't just rock up to a stranger and start asking for help on your bke, so say Hi and everyone will be more than willing to offer an opinion about your problem and you might even get a sensible answer. Other than that WELCOME and a happy NEW YEAR to you.

GREMLINS or GNOMES buggers get everywhere, otherwise check for a fuel blockage or broken ignition wire/earth. Seasons greetings.

Merry Christmas to all of you & a Happy New year.

Time to wake up foamy the dream is over now & you have to do the washing up,Merry Christmas!! Forgot to add that the wife has said she will pay for the rechrome on my spare forks for the XJ, now that's the spirit of christmas as she hates the "BLOODY THING" her words not mine.