Hi, the bike has reached 25000 and my question is do I really need to have the valves checked?
Money is a bit tight at the moment and I could do a small service my self,  but the valve check is way beyond me.How critical is it to do the check?
Can I wait till next year ( I am only doing less than1000 miles a year)The mechanic doing the job is unhelpful and non committal.I understand many will say it is important to follow Yamaha service schedules.
Just wanted to know what are peoples experience with the valve check and how many have had to do any adjustments.

Is it possible to fit a speedo/Rev counter assembly from a later model that has a double trip and clock button to a earlier 1999 model?

Recently found that one of my forks was leaking oil and decided that the seal was probably shot. I have had the bike for 16 years and it's been out in all weathers and never let me down. Had a look on YouTube to see if it was possible to change the seals myself. Watched a few videos and it all looked pretty straight forward so I bought all the relevant bits such as seals, new circlips, bushes, and thicker fork oil. After a little bit of trouble managed to get the forks off and stripped down. Replaced the seals but then found that for a reason that totally alluded me when all the internals are put back inside the spacer protrudes about 4 inches above the top of the stanchion and I cannot put the end cap back on. I followed the instructions on the videos exactly but something is wrong. Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi has anyone had this test recently,any advice on getting a first time pass.
Thanks

Not having much luck with my bikes lately...Went to use the thou for work the other morning and the batteries flat. Stuck it on charge which worked but a couple of start-ups and its flat again  :\ ...Battery is only 2 years old, charged iam on 13v but soon drops to 10v not enough to start and run...going to need a new battery, Motobatt looks to be the best buy ATM but not if they only last 2 years....Anyone else rum Motobatt ? Had any problems ?

Greetings all,


Had a spare taller seat that i purchased on here a while back. Unfortunately, it was a little too tall. Took it to be reupholstered but when they took the cover off, the foam etc underneath was pretty much rotten / been eaten. It wasn’t cost effective to have them rebuild it from scratch.


Soo…..


Anybody got a slightly taller than standard reworked / comfort type seat that they’d like to part with for sensible money please?


Thought I’d ask here before I go to that auction site to pick up a cheap second hand seat to be recovered.


I’ve tried a gel pad strapped on top of the standard, but don’t like the way that you roll around on it whilst riding and tbh, I didn’t find it much, if any more comfortable. It’s really a little more height that I’m after, to reduce the angle of my knees and hips as I get older.

Hi,it is that time, 25000 mile service.
Spoke to my mechanic before covid and he was going to get everything needed to remove the AIS system,  now he says I have to get what's needed and is not being very helpful.
Looking on Pat's page he shows what he calls a carb intake boot which blanks the hole in the carb, unfortunately I can not find it on Fowlers Yamaha parts list, any Idea what the part number is and how to get one?Any idea what to do about the hole in the air box?Is there any thing else I need.The mechanic is going to crimp the ends of the tubes so don't need the bolts to fill the holes in the engine.
How important is it to have the valves checked at 25000 miles,  can I wait a few or thousands miles? It would certainly help me out at the moment as the bill is not going to be cheap.
Do you do a oil change at the same time as the valve check.? Because if I can get away with out the valve check I will do a oil change and small service  my self.

Got my 1999 exhaust headers welded £180 lasted about 1year. Don't want to waste more money. Now going the stainless steel route. What one fits perfect and what one is best thats stronger than a baked bean tin

With hopefully an upcoming trip to Spain in September, I’ve got it into my head that at 16 years and 40k miles, a throttle cable could let go at any time. I’ve read through Pats Page and also Mike’s carb removal advice, and am assuming there’s no way a changing them without carb removal. If that’s the case, is it necessary to remove the carb bank totally from the bike, or would enough space be gained by separating the carbs from their inlets. Thanks in advance for any advice/info.

I've decided to make this thread a sticky and add a few more sites with useful guides for riding technique and tips for everyone's benefit

If you have any suggestions for sites/ links/ videos etc to help other people improve their ride, please add them below :thumbup

GrahamM - Moderator


Hello guys.
I ´ll share with you, and with any 2 wheels rider, I know, what I find is one of the best websites for riding improvement, skills, technics, safety, tips, etc etc.
It gives us great tolls (for instances "Trail Braking" which I didn´t knew) to improve our riding and specially to be a safer rider.
The most, biggest and dangerous mistake, is assuming we are great riders and that we have little or nothing to learn, just because we have been riding for years. We need to keep learning and be willing to improve our riding all the time.
This website is absolutely great. Dave, seems to look that he actually knows what he is talking about (It sounds logic to say the least). Is from USA, but suits every rider.
It also give tips and advise on bike maintenance and riding equipment reviews.
Check it out and comment back your opinion if you wish so.
As Police Scotland says: "Ride Safe - Home Safe"
https://www.canyonchasers.net/