What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[Ianmc]

     Replaced the knackered rear wheel and sprocket bearings and seals after finding them noisy after turning the wheel to check the tyre pressures.
   The caliper side was the worst being full of rust and the other side was full of emulsified grease.The sprocket bearing was in good order but I changed it anyway whilst is was stripped.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Good effort Ian 
How many miles was that? I think I did mine at c. 18,000 but not since so they might be due a look.

On Sunday, I managed another 36 miles bumbling around, and got caught in a downpour- forgot how rubbish riding in the rain is. I also put another £20 of petrol in - that's the second time I've topped it up since March 20, and had only put 180 miles on since the last time I topped it up sometime early last year.

[Ianmc]

     The mileage is 26,600 mls. I have only had the bike about 14 months and 7000 miles, and the more I look at it I think it wasn’t looked after too well in the first 9 years of its life.I had the bearings and seals ready to replace them at the next tyre change, so that was a bit of luck for a change.

[graingerblaze]

I've just changed my wheel bearings for the first time at 29k, my bearings looked in a much better state than yours so I guess the previous owner of your bike used the dreaded pressure washer too often... glad the bike is in caring hands now 

[Barbel Mick]

It's not the pressure washer that's the problem it's the person using it and how it's used.
I've used a pressure washer on mine from new (8 years) pretty much weekly and when I changed my bearings @ 39.499 miles they weren't that bad, in fact still reasonable but changed for preventative maintenance reasons.
Don't have the washer on full blast & don't point it direct into the bearing area!

[mr_diver]

Josh is correct.

My bikes would eat bearings, fat bloke, ragged bike used in all weathers.

[porter]

The rear bearings only lasted 21k miles on my 1000, well looked after dry weather bike, never power washed. Suzuki had not fitted double seal bearings, inner seal missing. Aluminium can be porous and my guess is the water got in that way. Front still OK but I'll change them next tyre swap.

[Mr Nick]

I'm disappointed that you're not chucking the old bearings in the dishwasher to use again...

[Pannier Down]

Fitted a Cosmo skid plate. Really pleased with it and it fits the standard XT engine bars. Cost was £128 delivered and it arrived in under a week.

[Barbel Mick]

Friday really, but picked the bike up after it's MOT.
After reading all the posts on here about the bearings in the suspension linkage I went & got some from the local bearing shop and asked 'my man' to fit them for me, I'd asked him to do a few other minor maintenance jobs as well.
'My man' wasn't a happy bunny when I arrived to pick it up, the front nut & bolt in the linkage had seized & the bolt had seized into the spacer. It took some getting out by all accounts! The bearing in the front was corroded, the others were OK but changed anyway.
I think I'll check them before another eight years is up.   

[timangus]

I’ve got new head-race taper roller bearings to replace the ones I had fitted in NewZealand. I've also located a set of straps from Motohaus made by SW Motech to replace the ones that were left of my bike while it stood in the Kazak heat for 6 months waiting for me to bring it home. The originals had perished, and would literally disintegrate if rubbed.

[graingerblaze]

Getting high on petrol fumes today… I have opened the garage door a few times but the wind and rain are not helping! Stripped more of the bike down, emptied the tank and replaced the fuel filter. Not a fun job but one I don’t think has ever been done. Will put back together and have a well earned beer 

[graingerblaze]

Decided to bite the bullet and install my Quad Lock more permanently. I did try the bar mount but the phone was just too low, I like to see my dials as much as my Sat Nav. I got one of those ancillary bars that mount to the two top screen carriage bolt holes, but that raised my screen too high… so I went for the adhesive base and short arm. It’s a cardinal sin to drill but I don’t fully trust glue hence a few self tappers to be safe. Now my phone is mounted, adjustable and secure. Not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for me 

[Rixington43]

Got out for a few hours around The Peaks.
Flash was typically freezing for coffee and cake, nice to get out though and finally christen the missus' new steed with some Staffordshire road grime.

[Asmith61]

Glad you both got out great looking bikes 

[UK_Vstrom650]

Gave it a quick clean before the rain arrived. Managed another c.30 miles on Friday and c.50 ish yesterday, all good & nice quiet B-riads, though had a bit of a moment riding on wet grass around a car on a single track as I rejoined the road. I must be close to equalling 2021's mileage

[graingerblaze]

Finally back on two wheels, only been 4 months… the sun has motivated me to get the bike finished now. I drained the coolant out, caught most of it but gave the driveway a sprinkle. I’ve got all new hoses and coolant so that’s my next job. Hopefully be done in the next week or so 

[pstm]

Been lurking since I bought my 1000 last Sept. But been adding a few things when time and funds allowed. Apologies if it's a bit image heavy. Loobman fitted today, will probably tidy up the tubing a bit at some point.

[graingerblaze]

Replaced the coolant and hoses. Compliments to AS3 Performance who supplied the hoses, a perfect match to the originals so fitted easily. I went for blue but other colours available.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AS3-SILICONE-RADIATOR-HOSES-for-Suzuki-DL-650-V-STROM-2004-2011-/142006640494?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Original hoses seemed fine but after 17 years I thought it was probably time to replace!

[Lemonwizard]

blue hoses

God damn, my eyes are about to pop out and attach themselves to the screen. That is beautiful!