Hi - I'm going to be fitting a new C&S kit so will be removing my swingarm, I also want to take my shock off to give it a clean. I was after any advice i.e. what nuts I should slacken before removing the wheel, any useful maintenance I could do with the swingarm out etc, any non-standard equipment required. The bike is a 2001 Gen1 and has done 33k, do you think I should be looking at replacing any bearings or would a regrease and re-fit be OK?

The Ivans kit doesn't improve fuel economy and fitting it for that sole purpose would be a mistake. If you read the information about the kit on Ivans site you will see that he clearly states that Yamaha compromised on performance for reasons of fuel economy (and emissions) and his kit is purely designed around performance without these constraints.
 
As VNA comments the kit does enable you to potter around at low revs as the fuelling has been improved enabling the bike to be more usable across the range, and the enevitable result of using less revs is less fuel consumption (I can get 55MPG if I try hard). However this is a performance product designed to extract the full potential of the engine at all revs and riding around at 4k everywhere greatly misses the point. An Ivanised engine whilst happy at low revs does encourage you to explore the upper reaches of the rev range an experience which is usually rewarded with a huge dollop of arenaline and a fat grin, something that you will want to repeat again and again, until your fuel light comes on after 120 miles and you're reminded that nothing this good comes without a price. I must admit that as finances get tighter and the opportunities to fill the bike up get fewer I do sometimes question whether having the bike ivanised was the right decision as I've personally seen about a 10% drop in fuel economy on like-for-like riding, but then I wind the throttle back, pupils start to dilate, the smile becomes a grin and I know .......................

Because I wanted to replace like for like I got the Nitron Track Shock as it has the remote reservoir which the basic Sport shock doesn't. It was a huge improvement over the knackered original shock and is definately the best upgrade I've done on my Fazer. Having said that, if I were in your shoes I would probably go with the R6 shock conversion as you'd be spending considerably less money for pretty much all the same benefits.

If like me you want a standard looking horn the acumen ones are good. I got one from these people on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acumen-Motorcycle-12V-Extra-Loud-Replacement-Horn-/261103345031?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3ccaf8dd87

They are stamped 105db but rumor is they are about 115db. also comes in a nice tin

Purchaed one of these to replace my OEM horn which varied in volume according to whim, nothing like venting your anger on an idiotic car driver through the means of an electronic wasp fart. I wouldn't say the replacement horn is noticeably louder than the original but would suggest it's pitch is slightly higher. I'm not displeased as it's obviously a cheap item designed to replace OEM horns and as such it fits the bill assuming it has a reasonable lifespan. For those seeking something significantly more disturbing for errant road users than the OEM horn I would suggest that this is not what you are looking for.

Just replaced my rear 023 for the MOT it lasted less than 3000 miles so that's 25% less mileage than I was getting from the Avon Storm II's. I made the switch because the Storm Front was wearing oddly and I wasn't the only one who had the issue.
With the 023's the bike was slower to tuck in than the Storms and at first I didn't like this but after a while of getting used to them they grew on me offering the usual Bridgestone feeling of predictable and confident handling, they did feel grippier than the storms but I'm not sure this warrents the 25% shorter lifespan.
Next tyre change will be both wheels so I'll be giving a pair of PR2s a go.

I think the Honourable Gentleman has misquoted by a quite signficant amount ...

Sorry about that Mike, you deffinately did tell me to raise my idle speed though and I thought you said that was the reason, if not can you remind me what the reason was.

What have you got your idle speed set at? When Mike Ivanised mine he told me to set the idle at about 13500 - 14000 rather than the 1200 I had it on and said that idling a bit faster helps with charging the battery.

a thousand cc is not really needed for the road

Pretty sweeping statement that - at 23 stone with a frequently used pillion perch I'd say a thousand CCs are more appropriate for my requirements than 600  Logically you could extend your reasoning to argue that anything capable of exceeding the national speed limit is not really needed for the road which I'm sure you're not advocating  .
 

I've not always had a car and have done 40 mile commutes to work in freezing fog wind & rain on a bike, now I have the choice I only use the bike on the occasions that I know I'm going to enjoy rather than endure the experience.

Ah! So a discussion a totally different bike on a thread titled CB1300 is relevant??
 
Good - I quite like the Pan European myself.
 
Lets see where that takes us. 
 
Whale

Does this make you happier 
I test rode the CB1300 along with 2 of it's direct rivals from Suzuki & Kawasaki. For me the handling and performance of the CB1300 was between the GSX1400 and the ZRX1200 inasmuch as in my opinion the Kawaski is a better option than the Honda which in turn is better than the Suzuki. Personally I would suggest that if you are considering a CB1300 you should also try a ZRX1200 as like me you may find it suits you better.

You can get a seat hump for the Gen1, not that common but they crop up occasionally, give a more sporty look but you'll have to take it off if you want to carry a passenger.

aye............ but for £100......................

There's always the chance you'll get stung for import duties which will be another £20, and obviously if it falls apart you'll have no legal comeback.