Author Topic: What have you done with your V-Strom today? (Read 1314384 times)

InvictaMoto · « **Reply #10400 on:** March 25, 2022, 17:17:15 »

Yesterday I finally got around to fitting the Shad 3P system to Vera so I can mount the SH23 panniers I bought of a forum member last year!

Pretty much plain sailing apart from a couple of what can only be called "chocolate headed" allen bolts. I'll need to get the off and fit something better. Also, one of the instructions said to drill out the mounting holes in the plastic cover to 16mm. My largest drill is 10mm! Anyway, job done with scissors to ream the hole!

Once mounted they do look a trifle small but for £60 and brand new I have no complaints. In fact they are the same size as the saddlebag style panniers I had on the RIII.

InvictaMoto · « **Reply #10401 on:** March 25, 2022, 17:26:30 »

Okay, not actually today but last week. I fitted the Givi Airflow to my 2018 1000. The oem screen was fitted on the highest mounting holes and so that's where I put the Airflow lower section.

The top part was initially placed in the centre of sliding scale. On the first ride out it was way too high and once I had done about 15 miles and arrived at Jo's Café, I moved it down. It's maybe a third the way from the bottom now. Perfect for me.

Wow.

Sitting behind it is like being behind a car windscreen! No air rush. No buffeting! I can see over it rather than through it. As a result I have noticed that I am going faster without realising it! On a second shakedown ride with flip up I was doing 60 and still no wind. With helmet locked closed I am doing 70 before I know it. Need to be careful.

I have got a slight wind tug on my shoulders though. Not enough to irritate but at just under 17st I am quite wide!

For the £87.80 it cost to come from Sweden from XLMoto it was been worth very penny.

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #10402 on:** March 25, 2022, 18:17:46 »

I always found, as you have, that more overlap between the two blades was more effective. The shoulder tug may be down to the oem mirrors.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #10403 on:** March 26, 2022, 22:15:30 »

Stripped it to plug the rear brake cable back in. I think the coolant pipe might have been resting on it and caused it to disconnect so have repositioned it behind the pipe which will hopefully stop it happening again.
Also lubed the throttle linkages again whist the tank was off.
Just got to put the side panels back on tomorrow

Rixington43 · « **Reply #10404 on:** March 27, 2022, 18:51:12 »

Having quickly fitted a new gear linkage pivot bolt on Friday evening which took most (if not quite all) of the slop out of the shift action, the missus and I set off for a friend's 40th birthday party near Milton Keynes. Nice scenic bimble down through Melton and the like yesterday and then home via Market Bosworth Country Park for coffee and naturally Matlock for chips.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #10405 on:** March 27, 2022, 21:31:48 »

Great pictures Rixington43, sounds like a fab day out.

Bike reassembled and back on charge as the voltmeter was showing 9.8v by the time I finished faffing around with the bike - still started albeit sounded like it struggled. Might be new battery time as this one is from 30 Jan 17, having been replaced by Newcastle Suzuki when my bike died in live traffic on the A1 - no hard shoulder

(They couldn't find the fault as bike started for them, so changed the battery saying the original was weak. The actual issue was the wiring loom near the frame being knackered as per the warnings of wire loom damage in that area)
Might bunk off work in the morning for an hour and give the bike a test run

Rixington43 · « **Reply #10406 on:** March 31, 2022, 10:52:37 »

One of those small but annoying jobs today that I've been ignoring since I bought the bike. A previous owner had already fitted a Tanklock flange and left it on there when trading in but one of the machine screws was too long and had lifted the fuel filler ring to beyond breaking point so I had a split alloy ring sitting proud of the tank which flexed when removing the new tank bag. Judicious application of Loctite 638 in the fracture and then a blob of JB Weld on the back to reinforce. See if it holds or if I need to source an old fuel filler and switch out the outer ring.

bigpie · « **Reply #10407 on:** March 31, 2022, 14:13:43 »

Booked it in for MOT. It's been SORN'd a while and weather had been nice recently

InvictaMoto · « **Reply #10408 on:** March 31, 2022, 14:32:08 »

Mine not sorned. Had the day clear today to have a ride out to see what it's like with the new panniers fitted and woke up to snow. Even on the south east coast in Kent it's -1C, strong winds and snow.

Youngman · « **Reply #10409 on:** March 31, 2022, 21:18:02 »

Must be screen fitting season! Puig Touring Screen on - now just need to test it without freezing my nuts off...

bigpie · « **Reply #10410 on:** March 31, 2022, 22:10:34 »

Quote from: UK_Vstrom650 on March 26, 2022, 22:15:30

Stripped it to plug the rear brake cable back in.

It's usually clipped up in that bundle of wires iirc.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #10411 on:** April 01, 2022, 12:02:34 »

Yes it was until I fitted a Bigpie fuse box...

it's my fault as I removed the fuse box when I did the valve clearances and didn't reattach it at that time as I was intending to tidy-up my wiring mess but haven't got round to it yet...

Took the bike for its MOT today, just got a text saying it has passed but an advisory for front brakes binding. Looks like I'm cleaning them tomorrow.

(That's lack of use as it's just sitting in the garage - must get out on it more)

Sculptor55 · « **Reply #10412 on:** April 01, 2022, 20:23:56 »

Bit lonely at the High Beach tea hut today. 5 degrees and occasional snow flurries might have had something to do with it....

graingerblaze · « **Reply #10413 on:** April 02, 2022, 18:59:59 »

Was out for a ride and decided to pop into my local Suzuki dealer, who are also a Triumph dealer (KC Superbikes). Just wanted to look at some shiny new stuff… well that was pointless. They only had three Suzuki’s, no V-Stroms at all! The eager salesman said he had six DL650’s on order but all were now sold, no 1050’s planned as apparently no one buys them???

He had lots of very expensive Triumphs but again most had sold signs on them. He said he could get new bikes within a few weeks but he had almost no second hand stock. Where are all the good one year old bikes gone? Even if I wanted to change I wouldn’t buy new and he had nothing, guess I will be keeping the old girl

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #10414 on:** April 02, 2022, 23:47:15 »

Probably global bike shortage and high demand... but definitely keep the old girl if there's nothing wrong with her

Cleaned the front brake calipers today following the MOT advisory.
Also depressed myself when I looked at the mileage on my MOT certificate - between 05 April 2021 and 01 April 2022, I did a grand total of 505 miles

I cycled more than that in the last 12 months

graingerblaze · « **Reply #10415 on:** April 03, 2022, 00:33:31 »

I will be keeping her, as you say there is nothing wrong at all with the bike and no need to spend thousands for a newer version that really offers very little benefits.

505 miles is a little low but hopefully the sun (when it returns) and lack of Covid restrictions will allow much more fun this summer!

Bobmc · « **Reply #10416 on:** April 09, 2022, 17:36:22 »

Fitted pannier racks for my first trip of the year in a couple of weeks

Dark-Strom · « **Reply #10417 on:** April 14, 2022, 15:39:29 »

Visited the working establishment of the forums chief trouble maker, a loverly bike garage in London.
One Vstrom restricted for A2 use, thank you so much Kwackboy

graingerblaze · « **Reply #10418 on:** April 14, 2022, 15:57:20 »

Finally got round to fitting the MRA screen that a fellow member here kindly sold me. A big thank you to 'Alstrom' as the screen is brilliant and is like new!

I also changed the number plate and added the required black and white UK badge to the rear in preparation for my ride to Europe this summer. I bought a set of Givi E22N panniers, great size for me (as I only ever ride solo) and I wouldn't want more carrying capacity, the more room you have the more non-essentials you carry around. Plus you can still filter with these, so very happy given the quality and price. All ready now for lots of miles... if only I could find fuel as every garage in and around Penrith have run dry today thanks to the big Easter get away.

Ianmc · « **Reply #10419 on:** April 14, 2022, 16:44:05 »

G.B. I see you have a UK plate on the number plate as well as the separate one, isn’t that enough or do you HAVE to have the larger
one ?