Author Topic: What have you done with your V-Strom today? (Read 1394515 times)

Landsurfer74 · « **Reply #12960 on:** February 01, 2025, 10:04:27 »

Picked up the bike from my LMBS ..Manhattan Motorcycles of Sheffield … 25K, valve shims done, new air filter, coolant, throttle cables etc …. £550 👍. I’m happy with that.. 2016 650 V Strom … dismantle the bike job ….. They always do a great job…

nigel s · « **Reply #12961 on:** February 02, 2025, 04:57:08 »

Ran the Strom up to Bury via Norwich and saw this little beauty parked up. Love the ethos, where is the battery?. Did not see the owner but he will be easy to spot due to the line of mud up his back

Ho Hum

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12962 on:** February 02, 2025, 12:00:42 »

A massive thank you to the most generous gentlemen, Phild. Not only did he send me a free low seat for my 1050, he also sent it next day delivery for free! He wouldn’t even accept any beer tokens, thank you very much kind sir.

It arrived this morning and is like new, can’t believe you ever used it. It didn’t look that low until I put both on the floor for comparison, but it’s got to be nearly an inch lower which will be perfect for me. A few photos below to demonstrate, can’t wait for some warmer weather (and less salt) to give it a go. Big thank you again Phild.

Phild · « **Reply #12963 on:** February 02, 2025, 12:50:14 »

My pleasure Sam.

I used the seat for nearly 5k miles, including some VERY wet days, before the demise of my first 1050XT. I’m happy with slow manoeuvring, but it’s no good if you can’t reach the ground when you stop. The low seat enables me to enjoy the bike, which is why I got a replacement straight away.

Great colour match.

Hope you get on with it.👍

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12964 on:** February 09, 2025, 01:27:08 »

Took the front sprocket cover off for the first time since I bought the bike. I don’t think the previous owner ever removed it, so much gunk for a bike that has only done 5k. All cleaned up, going to tackle the brakes tomorrow… my OCD is happy

porter · « **Reply #12965 on:** February 09, 2025, 10:23:57 »

It's a bit of a design fault that sprocket area on the 1000, catches so much muck no matter what you do. My first chain I used only dry lube chain spray then on the second chain fitted a Scotoiler, better but still a messy business.
Ps. at only 5k miles I wonder why the front sprocket is not oe?

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12966 on:** February 09, 2025, 10:34:38 »

The front sprocket is not OEM? Interesting, I will have to have another look as I just presumed it was all stock. The previous (and first) owner took it to my local Suzuki dealer for a service every year wither it was needed or not. But like most dealers, they never properly clean so I know he never personally worked/cleaned the bike. It was immaculate on the surface when I got it, but you know if someone properly maintains a bike by looking in the hard to get to places, like the air filter etc which was clearly original. I shall research the sprocket, thank you Porter.

Brockett · « **Reply #12967 on:** February 09, 2025, 10:51:03 »

What a pity motorcyclists are still content with inadequate mudguards and an exposed drive chain. Things have only got worse since the introduction of the early Honda Cub. But who wants a front mudguard modelled on a Roman soldiers helmet ? My 350 Jawa with its silly, fully enclosed, non O ring , graphite greased, chain only managed 43,000 adjustment fee miles. And yes it was a low powered engine but it did also lug a sidecar around for half it's life.

porter · « **Reply #12968 on:** February 09, 2025, 12:00:06 »

Graingerblaze, the oe sprocket on my 2014 1000 was rubber damped. That one looks more like a the Renthal sprocket I have fitted now. Maybe it's a 16tooth, a popular mod, standard is 17t.
Brockett, the chain on my old MZ 250 lasted longer than it's big end did! The only two shaft driven bikes I've had (650 katana, gs12) both had leaks in the final drive.

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12969 on:** February 09, 2025, 14:07:40 »

It does look like a Renthal, but it is in fact the standard 17t factory sprocket… well looking at the image in manual. For a moment I thought the previous owner had done something, but no, all stock.

porter · « **Reply #12970 on:** February 09, 2025, 21:11:29 »

Suzuki saving another few pence on rubber damping between the 1000 and 1050!

NTBooth · « **Reply #12971 on:** February 11, 2025, 08:14:54 »

I rode a Deuville for a few years - god I miss that shaft drive...

Fitted a givi trekker skid guard to the V-strom - WHAT A PAIN IN THE ARSE.
specifically, getting the rubber washers between the plate and the bracket - I managed 3 of them and there was no way on earth for me to get the 4th in so left it off

Crap instructions too.
but now its on and should stop crap flying up at the engine, so....

mr_diver · « **Reply #12972 on:** February 11, 2025, 15:23:31 »

Yeah, but getting the back wheel off a Deauville - remove half the back of the bike!

and the factory wouldn't grease the final drive splines resuling in worn gears and loss of drive.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #12973 on:** February 11, 2025, 18:17:02 »

Took my bike for it's MOT which meant a nice quick ride across Dartmoor in both directions. It was a lovely day for a ride but only 2c on the moor, even with quality gloves and heated grips my fingers got cold.

Bike passed with flying colours and I had a great ride (no speed guns on the moor in winter) so a great day.

NTBooth · « **Reply #12974 on:** February 11, 2025, 20:36:14 »

Quote from: mr_diver on February 11, 2025, 15:23:31

Yeah, but getting the back wheel off a Deauville - remove half the back of the bike!

and the factory wouldn't grease the final drive splines resuling in worn gears and loss of drive.

This all sounds like a problem for whoever buys the bike after me

NTBooth · « **Reply #12975 on:** February 11, 2025, 21:19:26 »

Fitted some handguards - Some knockoff oem style ones from ebay....wait for it...Pain in the arse...as usual...

In all honesty though, it was the straw that broke the camels back this time.
I hate paying OEM prices as I generally think they're extortionate so always buy some knockoff cheap tat, and then get shafted with it not fitting or not doing exactly as I expect.
So, I have resolved to only buy "reputable" brands that are tried and tested and OEM equipment from now on despite the price. Not sure why its taken me 30+ years to learn this lesson.

On another note, my tanklock tankbag arrived today - lovely bit of givi kit.
.
.
.
Ordered the wrong adapter ring

I ordered bf10 not bf01.

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12976 on:** February 11, 2025, 21:27:05 »

Completely agree, save up and buy right once rather than buy cheap and replace in no time. The only exception for me is if the part is purely cosmetic, like a sticker or fabric sleeve… Ali express is fine for those

NTBooth · « **Reply #12977 on:** February 12, 2025, 14:35:38 »

couldn't rest after those hand guards were installed yesterday.
Had to go back and have a look - I've swapped the two nuts on the bottom for nylock ones, I added in a spacer and an extra nut aswell as 2 washers on the left hand side.
Completely inadequate kit that was sent to be honest - will be discussing it with the seller

MilozFolly · « **Reply #12978 on:** February 12, 2025, 14:57:42 »

I've got shite handguards as well. They're OK now I've added all the hardware that should have come with them in the first place. Same as you, washers, proper nuts, spacers etc. I've just ordered a genuine knock-off vstrom handlebar bag from Mr Ali to hold my card, passport, peage pass etc when I go galavanting in May. £7. I'm sure it's also shite but it might get a handful of uses so I'm not stumping up for quality products.

Phild · « **Reply #12979 on:** February 12, 2025, 20:05:10 »

Here’s my handlebar bag. I think I paid £12 from Amazon. It’s not guaranteed waterproof, but it’s fine in light rain.

I was test charging my phone and battery pack in it a couple of weeks ago.👍