Author Topic: What have you done with your V-Strom today? (Read 1398832 times)

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #9020 on:** May 30, 2019, 14:38:17 »

There's got to be a big fat book with thousands of pictures in this when you get back, Timangus. Put me down for a signed first edition hard cover.

Gassoon · « **Reply #9021 on:** May 30, 2019, 17:08:20 »

Seconded!

Stonec0ld · « **Reply #9022 on:** May 30, 2019, 20:42:21 »

Got new tyres, went for Michelin PR5's. At first I thought the bike tipped in a lot slower, but realised it's probably because I'm no longer riding on tyres like a 50p piece.

Working in Manchester today and tomorrow so plenty of opportunity to scrub them in.

Andy52 · « **Reply #9023 on:** June 01, 2019, 22:40:28 »

First short ride today to check everything is still working after giving the bike a spring refurb. Replaced the 9-year old Tourances with Avon Trailriders, having had a minor spill in January when the back tyre let go on a dry road (cost of repairs - £10 for pattern footrests). In pursuit of being able to get both feet down I took the opportunity to replace the modified (jacked-up) rear subframe with a standard one; removed redundant lugs, de-rusted and sprayed black. The Shad seat previously on the bike no-longer fitted but I got a nearly new standard one from Fowlers on eBay for £30 - bargain! I can now just get both boot toes down together. I'm working on modifying the Shad seat to take the latch from the new seat, as it will be lower still.

One fork seal was leaking, the stanchions were badly pitted and on dismantling I found that one had a damaged top thread, so I replaced them with new JMP ones from Brooks Barn, using an All Balls rebuild kit. The grey sludge in the forks was replaced 7.5W oil to soften the front end a bit (the bike and I are lighter than standard). The ageing chain was replaced with DID and the sprockets with JTs. The rear wheel bearings were OK but the sprocket carrier bearing had broken up, so that was replaced too.

The rear disc was badly scored, so I replaced it and pads with EBC. To free up the brake piston I took the caliper off. Removing the slider pin took the thread from the piston with it, so I had to get a replacement caliper from a breaker. That one had a seized bleed nipple, which broke off, but they gave me a refund and a second one was OK. Trying to bleed the brake showed that the master cylinder seals had gone soft and weren't pushing fluid out, so I had to order a kit and rebuild that. With the brake reassembled and bled, the hose from the reservoir to the master cylinder started sweating brake fluid and took off a spot of paint from the newly painted subframe.

Each of these events, of course, resulted in a several days delay waiting for delivery of parts so it's taken weeks longer than anticipated.

It'll all be worth it once the tyres are scrubbed in!

MartinW · « **Reply #9024 on:** June 02, 2019, 08:54:43 »

Nice work Andy52

I went for an early morning (6am-8am) ride round 90 miles worth of B Roads. I always try to get out early in the Summer months as the roads can be clean, dry and empty.

2019's mileage is looking better than recent years

MartinW · « **Reply #9025 on:** June 03, 2019, 14:36:32 »

Now that I have just finished the contract that has kept me away from home (and my Strom) for three years, I had to go and return the Laptop and iPhone.

Queue an impromptu ride out to do so, taking the non-commuting route there and back and taking a stop for another "Dodgy Place Name Game" entry.

I seem to have murdered every insect between Swindon and Andover so I'm off to clean them all off before the rain.

BigAldo · « **Reply #9026 on:** June 04, 2019, 09:31:28 »

Been back a few days from a three week, 3000 mile camping trip to the South of France. No planning, just went. Plans changed along the way due to weather being unkind.

I did a blog here https://bigaldo.home.blog/ for the family, and as you will see, the early entries were a bit ropey...

I would like to recommend a B&B in Folkestone, with garaging for bikes.
28 Cherry Garden Lane, Folkestone CT19 4AD (tel Susan on 01303 627297)
Easy access to the M20 and 10 minutes from the Eurotunnel.

ggreen1959 · « **Reply #9027 on:** June 04, 2019, 12:54:24 »

Sounds like a great trip.

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #9028 on:** June 04, 2019, 14:47:45 »

Changed the oil & filter, plus gave it a check over after last weeks tour of Yorkshire ready for next weeks tour of Northumberland.

Just in case anyone is interested I went onto Robinsons Foundry web site to buy a new filter & sump plug washer to find they have an offer on for both.......
Filter (16510-07J00) = £6.59
Washer (09168-12002) = £0.40
ordered two of each!!

kingmunky · « **Reply #9029 on:** June 04, 2019, 15:16:56 »

Last night the oil cooler on my '11 plate 650 got swapped out, just in time for the MOT, looks like the previous owner had severely over-torqued the banjo bolts and split the casing on both sides. Noticed it a while ago, but obviously it decides to start leaking just in time for my MOT!

Lubed up the throttle cable, tightened the chain and added new oil after the cooler change so she's feeling pretty smooth now

hotbulb · « **Reply #9030 on:** June 04, 2019, 16:54:38 »

Having read Barbel Mick's post above, I've just ordered a couple of filters (and washers) too - thanks Mick

ivorydawn · « **Reply #9031 on:** June 06, 2019, 16:34:15 »

Collected my 2019 DL1000 Vstrom yesterday, out scrubbing in tyres today. Absolutely love riding this bike, such a difference from my GSXS1000F, It's going to be fun riding this Vstrom.

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #9032 on:** June 06, 2019, 19:19:54 »

The bike needed a quick run out, so thought no better place to go today than the National Memorial Arboretum.

Lincsman · « **Reply #9033 on:** June 09, 2019, 13:38:39 »

Packed her up, as I'm off to Norway for 2 weeks, ( Via the ferry in In 3 hrs time ) Holland, Germany, and Denmark, then Norway, here I come.

infidel · « **Reply #9034 on:** June 09, 2019, 16:42:18 »

Played with rebound on the front suspension then 120 miles in mid morning sun - much better..

Changed the oil changed (No filter) this afternoon with about 3000 miles since last oil. Overkill I know but it was looking quite dark and I got 12L cheap online so why not. Stored used oil for chain lubrication. Changed clutch fluid - again it was dark and looking black.

Re-oiled chain with used engine oil.

graingerblaze · « **Reply #9035 on:** June 09, 2019, 23:34:45 »

Having looked at the weather forecast for the week ahead I decided to do a proper service. Been changing oil every 7-8 weeks or so as clocking up 600 miles a week at the moment. So having a few days off to clean, change all the filters and check for anything loose.

kingmunky · « **Reply #9036 on:** June 17, 2019, 09:24:33 »

New starter motor fitted at the weekend and she's alive again!! Went with the £50 ebay option rather than the OEM route which is about £280 more!! Seems to work just fine, will keep an eye on it for any issues in future.

Dee Dub · « **Reply #9037 on:** June 18, 2019, 16:44:12 »

Riding over the Brecon Beacons mountain pass with the South Wales Renegades.

mr_diver · « **Reply #9038 on:** June 18, 2019, 19:16:12 »

Went out with that lot before.
The lads on 125's were an accident waiting to happen and cocky with their ability.
The bigger bike riders weren't much better.

(Apart from one bloke on a Z800)
And they wanted to ride through the centre of Swansea to dick around and cause a scene (nuisance) Along with lots of wheelies on public roads.
I went the long way, on my own over the Gower, got to Port Eynon before them and had nearly cooked my sausages before the first of them had turned up.

I won't be associated with them- they are quite quickly developing a reputation for reckless yobish behaviour.

Nice pic though.

TLPower · « **Reply #9039 on:** June 19, 2019, 05:37:40 »

Come on Nathan, stop sitting on the fence, what do you really think of "The Renegades"?