Author Topic: What have you done with your V-Strom today? (Read 1394510 times)

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #12980 on:** February 13, 2025, 08:24:49 »

Did you know it was a 'KEMI' bag before you bought it?

Just asking.........

Phild · « **Reply #12981 on:** February 13, 2025, 09:14:42 »

That’s what I ordered and that’s what got delivered.👍

KemiMoto are a recognised brand, that’s why I thought I’d give it a go over other cheaper none branded stuff I saw.

NTBooth · « **Reply #12982 on:** February 13, 2025, 20:20:18 »

Replacement tank lock ring arrived, fitted the Givi tank lock XS319Y - big enough for my phone, wallet, keys, glasses.
No missing parts, clear instructions in English, screws made of metal...not cheese.

Top job.

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12983 on:** February 15, 2025, 15:30:43 »

Finally cleaned my brakes, I did not realise just how much easier it is to clean radial mounted callipers. I’d be putting off the job for weeks as I never seem to get more than 20 minutes to myself, my kids or wife always have something they want me to do. Will strip these often as it took just 15 minutes to strip, clean, grease and put back.

I’ve got a coolant leak on my car so busy replacing the tank, thermostat housing etc. just waiting for parts to arrive thanks to Mr Amazon…if they arrive late tomorrow then I’ll have to use the bike! I’m a fair weather rider, so hoping parts arrive early tomorrow and not late in the evening

nigel s · « **Reply #12984 on:** February 16, 2025, 14:44:51 »

One of those perfect winter rides today. 5c but still air, dry roads and even a little sun to lift the mood.
What started out as a quick blast to keep the Strom used turned into a 3 hr b road chasing explore.
Days like these remind me how good the 650 is at doing what it does.
Do have one thing that I have found though, the new style Evo Oxford heated grips on the Strom are not as hot as the old type on my RR ( Both are wired direct to the battery and the Evos do shut off MUCH quicker if left on ). Both are hot enough not to need them full on, but on the RR I never have them above 60%. The only thing I can think of is that on the RR they are on clip ons rather than a full handlebar

Church

Ho Hum

purplebikeunicorn · « **Reply #12985 on:** February 16, 2025, 22:04:58 »

Brakes, bloody brakes. Uncovered and awoken my bike to find that the front calipers were seized up almost solid, the rear dragging a little too. Rear eased up with a small bit of running on the centre stand and using the rear brake. The fronts needed completely stripping down and cleaning as front wheel almost completely solid.

Hopefully the weathers good tomorrow!

Sir Trev · « **Reply #12986 on:** February 16, 2025, 22:11:38 »

I too took advantage of the dry roads and still, if murky, weather. The dash said 8 celsius when I set out after lunch but after 90 mins it was down to 4 and I'd scratched the itch enough so came home. My new textile A-Stars trousers are comfy, as is my new Schuberth E2 lid, although with the top vent closed the visor mists up in slow traffic behind my stock screen. I'll get used to lifting the visor more often so no drama. I have the Oxford heated grips with the switch built in to the grip, and were fine today on the lowest setting, but I've never had them before my RE so have no comparison. Them plus my OEM handguards worked very well.

Happily Bullseye fired up first stab of the button after three months hibernating, so kudos to him (and the Optimate he's plugged into).

Frozen me on getting home.

Rixington43 · « **Reply #12987 on:** February 19, 2025, 10:53:35 »

Turns out it's never too late to find something a previous owner/shop monkey did wrong.
Looking at parts fiches for another user and I find that my rear axle and chain tug blocks have been in the wrong way round since I got her.
It makes no real difference other than this way the nut sits on the high side when parked and gathers marginally less crap from chain fling and gutter grit. I also used to find that the chain would get fractionally tighter when I torqued the axle nut up but now it doesn't. Possible coincidence.
Inner Fuss Gremlin satisfied.

mr_diver · « **Reply #12988 on:** February 20, 2025, 08:30:01 »

Deauville owners would flip the rear spindle around on purpose - otherwise you needed to remove the exhaust can to change the back wheel.

soothsayer · « **Reply #12989 on:** February 21, 2025, 17:36:58 »

Got the new to me 650 out for a good clean before it gets looked at in more detail. Doesn't need much as it's only 10k miles but I will give it a deep service as I do that with all my bikes. Fired up my pals Pegaso with Akropovics to compare the exhaust notes, ha, strom sounds like a sewing machine beside the big single.
I know which one I would rather travel far on though and I'm looking forward to the first long ride. So far only a 30 min test ride and then the ride home 2 weeks ago in freezing wind.

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12990 on:** February 21, 2025, 19:30:49 »

Fitted what I thought was a missing plate… turns out the XT came with this plate/cover as standard but it was removed off the standard model to save costs. Oh well, £9 delivered from Aliexpress and the quality is really good

Woodyflyer · « **Reply #12991 on:** February 21, 2025, 22:37:25 »

Quote from: graingerblaze on February 21, 2025, 19:30:49

Fitted what I thought was a missing plate… turns out the XT came with this plate/cover as standard but it was removed off the standard model to save costs. Oh well, £9 delivered from Aliexpress and the quality is really good

Noticed you get a lot of heat from the exhaust in this area , especially on a really hot day your gets a bit warm

Woodyflyer · « **Reply #12992 on:** February 21, 2025, 22:39:06 »

Oops
Leg get a bit warm

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12993 on:** February 21, 2025, 22:42:13 »

That would make sense, will hopefully find out this summer when it eventually warms up. If needs be, I can just remove but time will tell

nigel s · « **Reply #12994 on:** February 22, 2025, 11:52:18 »

I just realised, sorry if it has already been pointed out, this is page 650.... wahey.

Anyhoo,
Recent talk of wheel bearings, yes the OE ones are still single sided seals ... boo....
Before the recent MOT I was checking the bike and found a maybe , slight, is it or isn't it feel at a certain point in the rear wheel. Hmmm
It went through the MOT and Shane the MOT tester said the same, OK but there IS a maybe bearing on the way out, change them when you put a new tyre on..fine.
Had the bearings for a week or two now and as it is wet decided to change them anyhow. Got these with double sided seals.
Had a drift made from an old boat rail, did the job well.
Fitted the disc side one first , spacer then sprocket side, It doesn't come across in the pic below but the spacer IS a tiny bit higher than the bearing seat as expected and stopped fitting when seated against the spacer, not the seat. Fitting the bearings this way round ensures proper wheel alignment.Then finally the sprocket carrier bearing , all good.
The old bearings looked good, ignore the dirt all over them in the pic , that is from rolling around on the concrete outside

.
All back together and don't really know which bearing was on its way out

, but all solid now

Ho hum

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285004256202

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #12995 on:** February 22, 2025, 12:40:24 »

I find it amazing that a bearing works at all, when you think of the weight they carry, sometimes with the bike, two fat people and luggage. Then they sometimes bang and bash over boulders and holes when riding off road (or on road in our country) it really does amaze me that they work. I guess we should be very grateful engineers can design these things that can do the job and safely. When my bearings need changing I will be seeking the very best quality available no matter what they cost, and I'm not rich.

nigel s · « **Reply #12996 on:** February 22, 2025, 16:34:14 »

Well ...the new bearings made it the 150 miles up to Bury and back Doc

And I only stopped twice to check they weren't collapsing on me/ had put it all back together wrong

Those Koyo bearings ARE made in Japan....NOT China .... so I have high hopes.

Ho Hum

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #12997 on:** February 22, 2025, 16:49:50 »

To all the shielded bearing buyers: are you buying 2rs or ZZ?

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12998 on:** February 22, 2025, 17:24:59 »

2RS = rubber seals on both sides, best for protecting the bearing but on the flip side, if water/dirt does get in then it’s harder for it to come back out. ZZ = metal shields both sides, better than open but not as good as rubber sealed… but water gets out easier. I suppose if you like to jet wash, go with ZZ so at least the moisture can come out. If your bike rarely gets dirty, then the rubber seals (2RS) might be good. Their is a difference in friction and maximum rpm, but you will never notice on a bike

graingerblaze · « **Reply #12999 on:** February 22, 2025, 17:34:33 »

I fit 2RS as I never use jet washes, hand wash gently every time. Then again, I change things like bearings far earlier than I ever need to so it probably doesn’t matter. If you hate maintenance and wait for the MOT to find a bearing is going, then perhaps the ZZ would suit as I find they are usually less rusty because they let moisture escape.