Tom so you are just 17 and a learner with an A1 category licence therefore you should be riding a restricted bike until you pass your test. if you find out the reason for this apparent lack of performance is due to any restriction the manufacturer did you will void your insurance if you remove it. Not what you wanted to hear I know
My link
Stuff Posing As Meat
or multiple links to websites unrelated to the the general interest on the forum, as the forum is a motorcycle forum one link to another isnt spam, it's promotion. If it were a site in direct competition though
Theres hope?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Fairing/auction-356057997.htm
Buy your parts from mr Yamashita
http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/107097349/YAMAHA_V50_motorcycle.html
V50 is also known as MATE
http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?SearchText=YAMAHA+mate&CatId=0&IndexArea=product_en&fsb=y&sq=y&tracelog=detail__direct_0914
John I use PJ1 satin engine paint on cases and I think it's good for the barrel and head head too. Also plast-kote BBQ paint is also good for the barrel and head
well it's a bit tricky on these bikes but...
with a hot engine
remove the fuel tank
remove the spark plug and screw in the compression tester
open the throttle wide
kick over the engine until the tester registers its max reading (about 4 good kicks)
read the indicated compression, should be around 90 - 110 psi
as far as the pv goes have you checked it? does it make the characteristic buzz buzz of the cleaning cycle when you turn on the ignition? have you looked at the pulley when it does this and seen it move back and forth?
How about a V50D ?
Look at these images
http://classic-motorbikes.net/gallery~Yamaha-V50
http://classic-motorbikes.net/images/gallery/12341.jpg
I think they are very rare, you will have a heck of a time trying to source parts
Welcome cutious one, no idea about the step through and thats a lovely tree thing that is spoiling the viewing of
...Paul
Look at the sunburn on one side...is the sun always in the North down under