Toutsuite

With a battery less than a year old gone under 12V and needing replacement, I suspected the charging circuit might not be working so tested the RR and sure enough I'm getting readings between 680 and 705 Volts which means new RR. Should I go for OEM or try and find a bargain alternative? The cable length might be an issue with the non-OEM one, as it needs to reach underneath the tank where the connector is.

Well, it's been raked, which will affect both the steering and the braking.

I just helpfully shout "Stop texting ya CUNT!!!".

Hey there and welcome inpar! Ride the hell out of 'er! And post some piccies in the gallery when you get the chance!

...or you could just get some foam earplugs. That's what I use on long rides and it works fine. You should use them regardless of how loud your pipes are, as just the sound of the wind buffeting your helmet alone, for hours on end, is enough to cause hearing damage.

I should be there, barring unforeseen thingies...

Sweeeeet! Now if you would be so kind as to post an intro about yourself in the new members section!

I was there! No access to t' interwebs on my mobile though, so couldn't see your message obriens65...

The weather's usually nicer down this way as well! Congrats on your new job/promotion, an welcome back to the hustle and bustle of ol' London town!

This is where I got mine from. Give the guy a call, you might be able to haggle the price down a bit. http://www.customcruisers.com/Custom2005/customshop2005/contents/en-uk/p8603.html The jet sizes should be on the V&H website.

Whichever pipes you go for, they should have a recommendation as to what size main jets to install, depending on whether you're putting in a fancy filter/airbox or not. The jets themselves are about £3 each, so Noise has it about right. £90 for a jet kit??? Wtf? If you don't fancy installing them yourself, a seasoned bike mechanic can whack them on in about 20-25mins. So £25 labour. To give you an example I got mine done at a dyno place, and yeah it cost me £90, but that included 2 dyno runs, and 2 jet changes, till the guy got the mixture right. (The reason I went that route is cause I had some extra quiet baffles - since removed - bolted on to the back which changed the back-pressure of the pipes, so couldn't go off of what Vance & Hines were recommending). Now regarding the cost of the pipes themselves, as long as you like the blued look, yeah, don't spend an extra £100. If on the other hand, you're partial to a bit of chromey bling, and depending on how tidy your bike looks anyway, and you're thinking about compromising, will an extra £100 really break you? You could always wait till you've saved some more...

That's fine, as long as you don't mind your pipes bluing, which they will do pretty much from the off. Jardines and HH are both single-walled pipes.

Yes, pics! And maybe even a vid with the new sound! Well done!

um... kay...

"Fehk yoo azz hoell!" Hahaha!

Clutch slipping makes the engine sound and feel like an automatic. Is this what is happening? If it is slipping then you'll need new friction plates. Not very expensive. Might be a good idea to get a new set of aftermarket stiffer clutch springs while you're at it. Exhaust any other possibilities though, as at 12k it's a bit early for the clutch to start going. Unless the previous owner was a dork who kept riding the clutch... Edit: just seen that you've just picked it up from a garage. Talk to them about it.

Regarding rejetting, you can just use the jet size v&h recommend, if you fancy opening the carbs yourself.

Yes I rejetted, had it done in a proper place with a dyno. Cost me about £90, two dyno runs and labour. No, AIS still in place, and likely to remain so. Haven't made a video myself, but have a look here:

Ask the seller if they come with baffles on. They'll be loud either way, but it will be the difference between Loud and f***ing Loud!

Try these guys: http://www.customcruisers.com/Custom2005/customshop2005/contents/en-uk/d13.html I've had the V&H cruzers nigh on 2 1/2 years now (Done about 10-11k miles on them) and there are no issues with the finish or the integrity of these pipes. And they sound fab, they're specifically designed to make smaller displacement motors like the 650 sound bigger!

1. Should be fine. The draggie is a long and low design, not the tall and squished design of the viggie. 2. Well if you prefer the looks of the classic that's a big plus for the classic. However, as mentioned above it's about 20-30 kilos heavier, so slower and a bit less manoeuvrable. Also it has footboards instead of pegs, so more comfy, but less able to really lean into corners without scraping them. 3. A few minor ones, mostly cosmetic, but if you're fitting aftermarket pipes it might be important to know what year your bike is. 4. Rear shock, clutch can start slipping around 40k miles. 6. Around £2200 to £2500, yes. 7. Shitloads. If you go for the classic it has footboards already. I recommend Vance & Hines Cruzers for price/looks/sound. 8. If you're really good with getting your hands dirty you should have no problems. Most complicated thing I've done to mine is change the clutch friction plates and springs.

Right folks, Ace Café are doing another one of their charity runs, this one is in aid of NSPCC. http://www.carolenash.com/insidebikes/shows-and-events/news/previews/900-ace-cafe-southend-shakedown-21-april-2014 I plan on joining the run from the A12 (I live in SE London), hope to see some of you there!

Presumably you're thinking of getting the bits powder-coated? How about matt black instead?

...apart from two fairly rusty rear shocks, grotty rims, oh and some cunt pushing the bike over where I'd parked it and denting the lovely new Fuel end can But then she is my work horse; still a shitload of fun though!

Resurrecting an old thread! The stud count has been somewhat reduced... And my two babies!