Author Topic: What have you done with your V-Strom today? (Read 1398377 times)

Downunder · « **Reply #8900 on:** March 18, 2019, 08:17:07 »

Definitely. Also the best on fuel by a large margin! Not too shabby keeping up with the 996 on the twisty bits either.

Ianmc · « **Reply #8901 on:** March 20, 2019, 19:11:12 »

Had a run up to The Oil Can Cafe at Holmfirth with the Wednesday Wrinklies Club. Fantastic weather and the views over The Strines were amazingly clear. Interesting but the food is expensive. Their prices have definitely shot up since last year.

john storrie 69 · « **Reply #8902 on:** March 21, 2019, 15:50:15 »

What I done today, that's a joke, just spent 2 hours freeing off the F,ing links in my chain, only done about a couple of hundred miles over the winter and, the chains F,ed, poxy RK chain, I'm fastidious about my chains but 2700 miles and the chains F,ed not a happy birthday bunny!
Just ordered a new decent DID replacement though, what's the chains like on your bigger Stroms, .mine is only the baby Strom DL250 bikes only done 2700 miles from new last August, someone's arse is going to catch fire later this year...

mr_diver · « **Reply #8903 on:** March 21, 2019, 16:02:56 »

What pitch chain is it?
The 650cc is 525 and the 1000 is 530 pitch.

If it's a 520 pitch they don't last long unless it's an x ring one. But that will cost a fair bit.

I have a RK 525 XW (Ultra heavy duty) on the Varadero and that's been fine with the lay up over winter. The DID I had on the TTR was naffed after only a couple of weeks layed up last winter (520 O ring)

Scottoilers are wonderful things. The chain on SWMBO GSX14 hasn't been touched since the last ride in September until it went back out a few weeks ago.

The gold plated ones don't rust so quickly, but still will rust if wet and unlubed even for a short while.

graingerblaze · « **Reply #8904 on:** March 21, 2019, 16:07:37 »

I've just replaced my chain and sprockets, treated the bike to a decent D.I.D. 525 VX gold chain. My last one did 20,000 miles but could have done more, I just didn't want to work on the bike mid summer

mr_diver · « **Reply #8905 on:** March 21, 2019, 16:11:08 »

Out of habit, I change every 15k as waiting for the chain to get bad is false economy. If it snaps you're in a whole world of hurt, so I change it.

infidel · « **Reply #8906 on:** March 21, 2019, 16:34:54 »

Re-insured the collection for another year - saved 200 quid with Devitt. Quality.

porter · « **Reply #8907 on:** March 21, 2019, 18:26:59 »

Passed the MOT. Nearly failed as the headlight was low. Tester said is it easy to adjust, I said no, you need to take the clocks off to get to the adjuster bolts! He let me go.

wurzel · « **Reply #8908 on:** March 21, 2019, 20:29:38 »

Porter, that headlight adjust is something Suzuki should adress,I'm working on a fix that allows a turn knob in the dash, but need time to get the project right.

porter · « **Reply #8909 on:** March 22, 2019, 08:41:51 »

That would be a good fix Wurzel. I'd dropped the light down as I'm two up most of the time and I was blinding everyone but solo it's too low then. My tiger800 had a wee lever to flick for two up use, no such luxury on a Suzuki!

john storrie 69 · « **Reply #8910 on:** March 22, 2019, 10:19:24 »

Quote from: john storrie 69 on March 21, 2019, 15:50:15

What I done today, that's a joke, just spent 2 hours freeing off the F,ing links in my chain,

the bit I omitted was I only did about 200 miles over the winter, sprayed it whenever I got home.
And looking at the other replies then if I use the Aprilia futura RST1000 that gets over the 22000 miles mark (up for sale by the way, anyone know anybody might be interested FSH dealer or rather ex dealer serviced...me, get in touch).

timangus · « **Reply #8911 on:** March 23, 2019, 11:04:37 »

Rode 111 miles out of Kuala Lumpur where it’s 70 degree humidity and at one point the temp gauge read 45 degrees. Only things to look out for are the scooter jockeys who ride on both side of you as they overtake. By way of protective clothing they wear their jackets on back to front. In the country its the monkeys who gather on the side of the road. Still petrol is 45p a litre and we just had a chicken meal with drinks for £5 for two.

TLPower · « **Reply #8912 on:** March 23, 2019, 11:45:22 »

That thing about monkeys at the side of the road, pretty much the same as Doncaster.

Petrol is £1.15 a litre though, not sure about chicken meals, the rabbit stew always comes with buckshot whether you ask for it or not.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #8913 on:** March 23, 2019, 20:49:43 »

Replaced the rusty exhaust clamp. No idea why the original is spot welded on, but touching the clamp removed half of it (it just fell off), a poke with a screwdriver and a quick go with the dremmel soon got rid of the rest. Nice new 43-47mm clamp fitted and torqued to 18nm.
Also noticed the new oil filter seemed to have a small weep. Tried to tighten that to 8nm as printed on the filter, but was unsure if it was clicking as soon as I touched it, so gave it a couple of turns and will wait and see... Tried to check the oil level tonight but the bloody sight glass is just white with fog

TLPower · « **Reply #8914 on:** March 24, 2019, 05:39:51 »

Let the new filter leak, it will stop your new clamp from rusting.

I'm always happy to help.

pb · « **Reply #8915 on:** March 24, 2019, 07:01:49 »

Yesterday morning went for a quick run down to Llandovery, short route down, via Beulah. Coffee and a buttie at the Owls nest , then back the long way via Brecon. Needed to be back for 1pm as I had the final Blood bike Wales assessment on their bike.
Wow what a difference from my glee, the bikes they have for the Powys area are 2 Honda NC750X , the auto ones

.
Very heavy steering, seat like a piece of wood, so uncomfortable, only did about 30 miles ,back down to Beulah, over to Builth and home, bum had completely gone to sleep, couldn't wait to get back on my glee.
When you've owed a good bike for a while it's not till you try something else that you realise just how good it is.
Passed the final assessment so am now ready for the start of the service, just wish they had V-Stroms !!

tallpaul · « **Reply #8916 on:** March 24, 2019, 07:38:58 »

Well done on passing. Maybe buy an Airhawk for when you are on duty?

IMP · « **Reply #8917 on:** March 24, 2019, 11:53:33 »

Adjusted the screen to the highest of the 3 strut positions, which has made a small improvement. I have also tried the 3 "push" positions and find that, for me, the nearest ie. the lowest works best.
Softened off the suspension by 2 clicks front and rear from standard. Not yet tried it, though.

kingmunky · « **Reply #8918 on:** March 25, 2019, 22:02:21 »

Service time:

Oil, filters, plugs and coolant changed.
Chain scrubbed, tightened and lubed.
Heated grips fitted
New screen fitted, courtesy of @kwackboy
Rear caliper and piston cleaned up
Engine bars brushed and resprayed black.

Good day all round, made possible by the help of a good mate paid only in caffeine

Emma84 · « **Reply #8919 on:** March 27, 2019, 16:53:08 »

Washed and polished, adjusted the screen, cleaned, adjust and lubed the chain and covered her in acf 50