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These people have a good rep, http://mts-motorcycles.co.uk/services/fuel-tank-repairs/ at least worth a call to see what they can do and get a price.

If I knew what "Instagram " was I would press the button to? Can one of you tell me how to turn my phone on? Feel like I'm all back a the bus watching everyone talking in riddles!!!!

3 on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Yamaha-XVS-650-DRAG-STAR-DRIVE-SHAFT-ENGINE-SIDE-/222119852450?hash=item33b75ff9a2:g:taUAAOSwDwtUrEpW http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XVS-650-Drag-Star-Classic-VM022-Kardangelenk-Kardan-Kreuz-Gelenk-A6406-/311292919227?hash=item487a80fdbb:g:UncAAOSwqu9U3dVX http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-DRAG-STAR-XVS-650-VM03-KARDANGELENK-QUERWELLE-KARDAN-KUGELGELENK-R700-/221560242785?hash=item3396050261:g:HYUAAOSwPe1UJlwN 2 in Germany and 1 in Lithuania, from about £40 inc postage. Took me 3 minutes to find these! Also bet there are a dozen breakers in the UK that have one on a shelf somewhere.

Hi welcome to the YOC.

Oh dear, best suggestion, go to your local bike shop and get them to at least start it for you, then buy the manual for your bike BEFORE you even think about working on it again! PS never ever connect a CAR battery/charger to a motorcycle unless you really have a wish to see a bike wiring on fire.

If you have replaced the springs and gears then it has to be, as Drewpy say's, another problem, usually the battery would be the next thing to look at. Test it with a multimeter and see what the charge rate is. Should be about 12.5 volts when off and 14.5 volts when running. Do you have a motorcycle battery charger? DON'T use a car charger as that will cook the battery. You probably know this but it never hurts to say it just in case.

Hi Guilherme, welcome to the YOC.

When I was a very young man we had a woman turn up at the garage complaining about her car making a "strange noise", up on the ramp we couldn't see anything wrong so next round the front under the bonnet and still nothing obvious, lady took my mechanic out for a test run to demonstrate the "noise" he came back with the biggest smile! Seems that if your child leaves a marble in the ash tray it makes a "strange noise" The point of this story is that if it sounds like something loose in the air box then it's pretty certain that that's the place to check first, take it off and look inside to see if in fact you do have something rattling around in there.

My one over riding suggestion about how to ride your bike and live to enjoy it DON'T LOSE YOUR TEMPER no matter what the other morons do don't ever try to "get even" you see these muppets that smash mirrors off and kick the sides of a car for being cut up, these people didn't set out to kill or maim you or anyone else, they make mistakes like we all do and if you treat them as arseholes you should be fine. Well done passing your test, not easy nowadays and needs dedication and commitment, stay sharp and have eyes in the back of your head.

You need to be more precise when you say "horrible clunking noise" cos that could just be your lunch box in the pannier.

Good luck mate, you will find it different being a civvie tho. No more armed guards when you roll home drunk to tuck you in !!!

This guy seems to have a fair selection. http://www.customcruisers.com/contents/en-uk/d3142_yamaha-xv950r-bolt-floorboards-and-footpegs-footrest.html Also nice if you say Hello in the new members section as folks are wary of one hit wonders who don't say Hi. Just sayin.

Hi Mick, welcome to the YOC.

You sure that's not an advert for BMW AUDI drivers Sacha?

Usually the square type nuts are captive ie welded to the frame or part, they can be graunched off if you have fucked the thread and a loose nut used instead. If you want to save it then heat and plus gas or WD40 left overnight can loosen the broken thread and make it easier to get it out. Try what I do which is to get a small cold chisel and cut a screwdriver slot into the bolt sticking out ( if you have any that is) and then work it back and forth till it moves then gently work it out of the hole. sometimes it's easier if the bolt goes right through the nut on the inside to grab the end of the bolt with a pair of mole grips and wiggle it till it loosens.

something like this will be ok and pretty cheap to. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-1mm-16Amp-12v-Automotive-Cable-Wire-Auto-Wiring-Loom-Marine-Motorcycle-/171530693324?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368 ebay is your friend for these sorts of things.

Nice bike Blackhat, so that's your winter project sorted then?

Hi welcome to the YOC, your bike reminds me of the Vellocette LE from the 1950's I think, used by all good police forces for a long time, used to be called "THE NODDY BIKE" Super quiet super comfy and an all round good machine, it is tho FUGLY! Each to their own OO look what I found

Hey Malleus I have one of these on my FJR! It's not automatic but has the button on the left bar and I can have it anywhere from fully down to upright. This is a new one they are playing with at the moment mate. Or try here http://www.droptail.com/jsce-auto-screen-fjr.html

Do one thing then move on to the next, if you try to do to much it get's complicated really quickly!

This is the sort of thing they are talking about. You can buy it from most decent bike shops or off the net. it's best if you take the pipes off but it can be done with them on but you get a better wrap if you do it off the bike Various sizes available. Should cost about £10 to £15 quid a roll.

Hi, welcome to the YOC

Oh bad luck mate still you never know they might find your tale of woe touches their flint like hearts !!! But as Kev say's have you tried heat and plus gas? It will work just takes time and effort and can save you loads of cash. If you can grab the bolt shaft with a pair of mole grips and get at the edges of the stuck bolt with some plus gas and then get the thing hot (not glowing of course!) then there is a fair chance of wiggling the thing about till it gives in and comes out. Oh and leave the old oil in it as well if you can, it helps to distribute the heat around the engine helping to stop hot spots.

Hi Heebs, well your best bet is to go to your local bike shop and see what's out there, never take any notice of folks who say their bike is brilliant cos to them it is, to you, not so much. Some folks on here have the Fazer and say it's great but until you get your arse on the seat and take it down the road your never going to know. All bikes have problems be they Honda Yam or Suzi don't matter what they are. Find one your comfortable on and buy it. If you really want the spec sheet info on a bike go to the manufacturers web site and read up on it then if you like the sound of it go find one and have a bimble round the streets to see if it really is for you. Good luck in your hunt for the perfect bike mate.

Good lord and these are the SANE ones!!!!