What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[UK_Vstrom650]

Went and ordered some new tyres. Going to try Dunlop Roadsmart 3s to see how they compare with the Michelin Pilot Road 4s - should get them at the end of next week. Also ordered new caliper brake seals to see if it improves the front brake. 

[Sasquatch]

Changed all wheel bearings and wheel seals
Added LED spotlights, 30 Chinese watts turns out to be 6.5W on led chip itself,still  brighter than full beam H4's 
Fitted front EBC HH brake pads and gave callipers good clean
Put it back together, cleaned greasy hand prints from tyres and brake discs.
went for a ride and noticed:
a) new tyres are more slippery than expected, rear slid on roundabout  , kept it upright somehow
b) "chain" noise is gone with new bearing in 
c) front wheel is quieter, bearings were smooth so probably Michelin PR4T is quieter than Dunlop SR2.
d) I have to lean how to use front brake again.

[2112]

Fitted my new Motobatt and all is well again with my Vee. You really do notice the extra starting current available with the new battery.

[Pug27]

Started a 20 min job 4 hours ago changing the front pads. Couldn't get the bottom pins out. Tried Wd40, freeze spray and heat but the buggers wouldn't budge!
When the bleeding stopped after stabbing myself with a screwdriver I had to completely remove the caliper and drill the back with a 3mm bit and hammer them out even then they took a few haymakers to get them out
All good now with a liberal amount of copper grease to keep things moving!

[bigpie]

I've been there pug27, along with seized bleeder nipples.
I crack the nipples open just a touch every few months now, just so I know they're nice and free.

[Pug27]

Good tip Bigpie. Just stripped and cleaned the rear caliper just in case.

[mr_diver]

A small tip for bleeding brakes...

get some PTFE tape (the white tape plumbers use on screw pipe fittings).
remove the bleed nipples one at a time and wrap the PTFE tape around the threads, then reinstall.

they then should not seize, but also it will seal the threads when you bleed the system and not leak past the threads.

I do this to all my bikes within a few days of purchase.
I've also done the pad retaining pin threads.

[TLPower]

I like that a lot Mr Diver.

Top tip.

[roganjoshing]

Popped out for petrol this morning. Ended up in Cheddar Gorge.b

[S2Rgar]

Rode from Dijon, France to home. 854 miles (my most ever in one day) 4 tanks of fuel, 4 coffee stops and Spotify for company. Great end to a great week in the Alps.

[2112]

That's a lot of miles in one day (on European / UK roads) 

[S2Rgar]

Might have been about 370 in France (half of that on the motorway). It's the 480 in the UK that's the ball-breaker  Back to taking the Toon ferry again next year I reckon.

[Lincsman]

My 2016, 650 V strom had it's 7500 service done today, everything was OK. I do however question why the Spark plugs have to be changed at this mileage, and I'm told again at the 15000 mile service. Admitted they are the super doper ones, but really, at this mileage ??.
I'm no mechanic and would welcome your opinions. Here's a few pics of the one's that have come out today. I'm sure I read somewhere on the form a post by Greywolf saying it's daft to change them at that mileage ( Or something along those lines ) still whilst it's under warranty so be it.
Enjoy the summer everyone.

[revapi]

I'm surprised they changed them , any decent mechanic would of seen they're OK and saved you some money

[Lincsman]

Well I must admit that they look OK to me too, but I guess as it's under warranty they've changed them.
Still I have 4 spares now till the 15000 mile service.

[Sasquatch]

On Saturday went out to scrub in new tyres  . Ended up going Leicester->Manchester->Skipton->Leeds->Lincoln->Thetford->Ipswitch->Stevenage->home. 781 miles in total. Michelins are dangerous, I'm losing my common sense(aka chicken) stripes too quick 

[UK_Vstrom650]

Never got around to installing the new brake piston seals I ordered, however on Friday I set the brake level adjuster to '1' (farthest expanse) and cable tied the brake lever back so it touched the grip and left it until Sunday lunch time. With the help of my 3yr old daughter, I undid the cable tie yesterday, took the caliper off the discs and pumped the brake until the pads touched before pushing back in, reinstalling and repeating on the other side. Then we went round the brake disc bobbins and checked they were free.

The result on today's ride to work was the firmest brake lever I've had in years. So the lesson here is a) the 3 yr old is a better mechanic than me  , and b) even when you think all the air is out of the system and the pistons are working well, it's probably not. At some point I'm still going to strip the calipers and rebuild them though am not in any rush at the moment 

[pieman53]

Collected my Vee from my mechanic after a 40000 major service.
Feels like a new bike pulls like a train.can't wait for the weekend to get some miles under my belt. Roll on Saturday.

[Graham62]

Took it for the mot passed with one advisory (rear suspension bush has slight play). spent more time talking to him about the ride outs that we've been on and telling me how good Tyre is for sorting out routes.

[2112]

Back to taking the Toon ferry again next year I reckon.

It's my favourite way to cross the channel. Mind you, I only live 15 miles away from it so I'm a bit biased...