What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[2112]

I picked my bike up from Ian Bell Motorcycles with it's fresh new Avon Trailriders fitted and a new 42 tooth rear sprocket. After several steady miles scrubbing the new tyres in I gently upped the pace and before long there was much footpeg dragging fun ! I love these tyres, really fast turn in and I even got to try them out on some gravel and they didn't budge, which is nice. Full report to follow when I get some miles on them in the tyre section. The 42 tooth rear is a much nicer gearing for the Vee (only 2.5% difference in case you were wondering over the stock 41 tooth item) in my opinion. I had a 43 tooth rear on my last one and that was probably a bit too much, although it accelerated like a bat out of hell ! Cue furious comments from the 'friends of the 41' brigade...

[alibx11]

Just put a nice new DID Gold chain and Ognibene Silent sprockets... hope to get a few miles done on Sunday if the weathers good to see just how silent they are. 
Also changed the handlebars to Renthall High Roads and put my 1" bar risers on them, they are narrower than standard so no issues at all with cable or hose length.

[2112]

Today I fitted my Cosmo center stand to my Vee. It was a bit of a struggle (mostly due to having fingers like links of sausage) but it's on.

[2112]

Another successful day in the garage - +25mm jack up links fitted, 25mm Cymarc peg lowering kit installed and the Heed engine bars are on. Off out for a 50th birthday party tonight 

[Geordie20]

Stripped out clutch basket and sent to Sharealike to see if we can stop it sounding agricultural. 28000 miles and it sounds like a diesel. Here's hoping

[Sasquatch]

Sprayed exhaust pipes black
changed oil and filter
fixed 5v charging point

[Fat Rat]

Wheeled the Africa Twin past it and went out for a ride.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Discovered a fork seal leak... have tried the old photograph film trick to see if it resolves the issue otherwise it'll be a seal change all round 

Went for a short ride around some fantastic B-roads and killed a squilion flies - suppose I ought to clean the bike now   

Then whilst riding home I started to convince myself I don't *need* to replace the Glee, just before discovering the hazard lights don't work again (although they do if you indicate with the switch on). This is a reoccurring issue with the bike, namely as I don't use them they don't work, then I have to turn them on/off/on/off/on/off... then leave them 'on' then they start working again and are fine for a while. Have sprayed half a can of contact cleaner in the housing. Why oh why does Suzuki feel the need to ruin a fantastic bike by using the worst electrics I've ever come across on the motorbikes I've owned..?   

I'll be test riding a Tiger 800 next weekend...

[Hugh Mungus]

Today I fitted my Cosmo center stand to my Vee. It was a bit of a struggle (mostly due to having fingers like links of sausage) but it's on.

I fitted one when I got my Vee last year. I have had a few grounding out issues when riding with a pillion (she only weighs 8 stones so weight is not an issue with her). I have the rear suspension on max but the stand still seems to sit quite low. The centre stand grounds when cornering at speed, I'm wondering if the rear shock is past its best (like most things have been on this bike) but if I jack it up I will struggle to reach the floor. I might take it off and see if I can do without.

[2112]

It sounds like you could have a mushy rear shock to me. Most bikes rear shocks are on the way out by the time they get to 20,000 miles anyway, some hang on a bit longer. Depending on the mileage it could be well past renewal time ? Mines not very good (29k) but it will last until winter when I will either replace it or have it rebuilt. The front is also mushy and soft and will be getting rebuilt over the winter too.

[user650]

Gave it a bit of TLC ahead of the Devon Meet
Changed brake fluid not technically due but brown ale colour in sight glass made me do it early 
Refitted standard dog bones as much two up riding causing bike/road contact 
Noticed play in shock area, traced to not tight top shocker mount, a few have had this so check yours, (Torque setting 50 Nm) 
Removed the wheels to get the new t130 evo's fitted on Thursday, hoping they last a bit longer.

[Graham62]

I had play at top shock bush two years ago, Torqued it up all still OK.

[endintears]

"Retighten top shock bush"me
too.

T30 tyres

[SuzukiSte]

Rode it in the pouring rain, and sailed home from work.

[Hugh Mungus]

It sounds like you could have a mushy rear shock to me. Most bikes rear shocks are on the way out by the time they get to 20,000 miles anyway, some hang on a bit longer.

I was thinking the same. About time I checked the sag, probably way over the limits...

[UK_Vstrom650]

Saved myself a job of cleaning the squillions of bugs off the bike by going out in the rain    more time for riding now 

[hotbulb]

I've just finished fitting a (birthday present  ) Scottoiler to the Glee ...... perhaps the rain will stop (eventually) and I can go for a "test run" 

[2112]

Today I dropped the seat off in the capable hands of Jeff at Saddlecraft (www.saddlecraft.co.uk) to have it re-shaped and have a gel pad fitted. It'll be ready for me when I get back from my hollies 

[Sasquatch]

Fitted Oxford x20 tank bag, using bodged up engineered mounting ring. Couldn't find confirmed working ring. Oxford useless support never sent me drawings of all rings, so I've bought closest match, OL282(type3 7 hole Honda). Didn't fit, so I made it fit:

ring on the bike:


how it's done:


bag on bike:


almost forgotten about aprillia style mirrors

[hotbulb]

Got my "test run" for the new Scottoiler - Forest of Dean / Tintern. The Scottoiler's working fine........ and I enjoyed my few hours out on the bikes.