What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[The Doctor 46]

Kwackboy, I have read the advice and help you give to members on this site. You are very knowledgeable and if I lived closer then you would be my mechanic of choice every time. 

[kwackboy]

 Thanks 

[Lemonwizard]

Attended a free (donations welcome) motorcycle riding training held by the police. Surprisingly I was the only attendand (lots of people sign up but don't show the instructor told me). Fortunately the weather frog must've had a few too many beers or something because despite the weather apps foreseeing terrible storms it was just dandy.

I took the same course last year; tipped over at least six times back then.
But this time no falls, and the instructor was impressed with my skills. He even set up a small course which they use at internal motorcycle police competitions. Well, I won't win any competitions any time soon, but I managed to complete even this course fairly well. 

[Youngman]

I heartily concur with you graingerblaze, I got a mining degree at Newcastle and I can guarantee it was no frigging use at 5,000 feet underground in a gold mine
It was all about people, production and safety. No time to compute the bending moment of an I beam when you're trying to hold the roof up. It was all about experience and keeping a clear head. Good fun as a young man though!

[mrp192]

Today I finished fitting a Scottoiler X System to my 1050.
I have had V Systems on my last two bikes, a Glee and 650 Bandit, and maybe had to adjust the chain once between services.
Now up to 3000 miles on the 1050 using chain lube and had to adjust it  four times already. Either Suzuki have economised on the quality of their chains or a drip oiler does make a difference.

 

[porter]

You've a lot  more torque on the 1050 that a 650 and more uneven running at low revs so the chain will need more adjustment but in saying that I got 25k miles from the oe chain and might have stretched it a bit more. Current DID looks like new with 15k.

[The Doctor 46]

I've been a motorcyclist since I was old enough to say "Motorbike". I'm no mechanic but when I was younger would take on some mechanical work on the many bikes I've had over the years. Strange I know but I never feel confident that I have adjusted a chain correctly.

When I've had a professional change a rear tyre for me they always seem to adjust the chain much slacker than the manufacturer would recommend. I questioned this the last time I had a tyre fitted and was told that my chain was too tight when I brought it in. The measurements were as per the manufacturer and I do know about tight spots.

I adjusted the chain this morning after checking it and finding it a little slack and when I took the bike  out for a ride, the gear change was much sweeter. There are a few different types of alignment tool on the market, though I usually just use the marks on the swinging arm. Which tool would you recommend as the easiest and most accurate to use please and are the marks on the swinging arm accurate enough to be used?

[purplebikeunicorn]

Have been away with work for a bit, so haven't been able to tinker. Have sorted my throttle tube now (thanks endintears)! Throttle is now smooth as silk.

Hoping for decent weather tomorrow for a little jaunt out for a couple of hours... knowing my luck it'll piss down! 

[Rixington43]

Had a slightly worrying clicking/creaking noise from the front forks when turning the bars whilst stationary or if I held the front wheel and loaded the bars. Have recently changed both the headset and wheel bearings so was worried I'd screwed something up. Turned out to be a slightly loose bolt on the Cosmo fork brace the bike came with. Removed, cleaned, smear of grease on the clamping rings and all good. That niggling thought was really eating away at me.
Sun's out, time for a test ride.

[Upt North]

Fitted the Optimate Lead to The B. Found the earth lead was barely tight.
I used a modified and painted STrom brake hose bracket to hold it in place.
It should (?) be OK.
Upt'North.

[Add]

fitted a Pyramid Plastics mudguard extender... I was surprised how fiddly removing the front mudguard was!

[UK_Vstrom650]

That front mudguard is awful! Stromtrooper has a sticky thread warning about it, which I hadn't read before I tackled it...

I was supposed to go riding this afternoon, but the brakes were binding slightly so I spent a couple of hours cleaning the pistons, and then refitting the centre stand which I repainted this week. Those springs are a pain to refit - ended up using a spring puller and ratchet strap around the rear wheel which worked a treat but bent the spring puller in the process...

[Cadbal]

Had a day off so spent the day fitting a givi monokey pannier frame, a centre stand and lubed my chain, now I need to take out a mortgage to find a hard luggage set 

[Whiterose]

Replaced a broken exhaust clamp.

Installed the BigPie Aux Fuse Box and connected the Oxford heated grips.

[Upt North]

Went for a day ride to Alston, Cumbria yesterday. Blummin lovely in a twisty, wild and snow pole littered sort of way. Probably around 220 miles in total and the STrom performed perfectomundo. But that seat has to go, soon.
Upt'North.

[graingerblaze]

Yes the ride up to Alston is great, always bloody windy at the top though. I live just round the corner from there and regularly ride that road, never gets dull! 

[Upt North]

We came over from the A69 and then over to Stanhope and the A68 back north to gods country.
Like you say, nice ride and pleasant weather for Alston.
Upt'North.

[TLPower]

B6277 is the best road to Alston.

                                                       The End.

[pichulec]

Replaced those with titanium bolts.

[Lemonwizard]

I just read up on the properties of titanium... Such a badass material!
Anyway, I'd like to replace some of my bolts as well. May I ask where you bought these?
(inb4 these cost me a kidney)