What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[Brockett]

if my wishes come true.....

[Asmith61]

Had my bike mechanic friend come to work today to take a look at my v-strom
As previously posted it all of a sudden got a fuel leak.
And even though the battery was charged the bike was completely dead.
I had already checked all the fuses including the 30 amp main fuse which was OK.
I had 2 batteries which were both charged.

So while I was working Steve started to work his magic.
After a while he rang saying both batteries are showing they are charged, but as soon as you put a load through them they both fail.
So a new battery was purchased then he then removed the panels and lifted the tank and removed the fuel unions. After a visual check they looked fine he cleaned them up including the o rings and fitted them back together.
He then turned on the ignition and the fuel pump started and no leaks, he pressed the starter and it started straight away and ran fine.
At this point he rang me I could hear the bike running 😃
He said it’s running fine now with no leaks. He finished putting the bike back together by this time it was my lunch time so went over to see him.
Now it was time to see if I could get on it anymore ( my mobility is not very good since having an operation on my knee) and sadly I now have the answer I can no longer get on my beloved V-Strom anymore so I have to make the tuff decision to put it up for sale ☹️

[nigel s]

Shame ,but needs must if you can't ride it
Good luck with the sale.

[Rixington43]

That's sad to hear but good news it didn't cost much to sort it beforehand.
I hope you can find it a conscientious new owner who'll treat it right.

[Pete O Tube]

@Asmith61 - ask your man if he checked the short hose that connects the two throttle bodies, the crimped clamps relax over time and lead to intermittent fuel leaks.

[Asmith61]

Pete o tube I am seeing him tomorrow so I will ask him 👍
I will give it a good clean and will put it on here for sale with a run down of all the bits I have added to it.

[Pete O Tube]

@Asmith61 - it's a known fault on gen 1 1000's but an easy fix (other than having to take the tank off), if the hose is in good condition, with a couple of proper fuel hose clips.

[Asmith61]

@pete o tube
I see him tonight on way from work.  He said the hose and everything looked fine, I mentioned it was a known fault and he said let’s keep an eye on it 👍

[nigel s]

Out early this morning to avoid the traffic ( if not the suicidal pigeons ) to try a little road I spotted coming back from Ipswich (admittedly on an already small  b road) that may bypass a local town.
Two hours in and getting near the turn I stopped for a refresh,and a piss.About as long as I can last these days.
I set the beeline for compass mode to home and toodle off down the turning.
Yeah ,I could have set a waypoint and it would have taken me home ,.......but where's the fun in that.
10 minutes in and I have NO clue where I am.
But  I amble on , on roads 10 minutes ago I didn't know existed,the sun comes out and all is good.
I am talking roads people walk dogs down off the lead 'cos they seldom see anyone.Yep that happened.
Slow down ,smile, and they smile back I have found.
Finally come out near Norwich and a road I recognise.
So I seem to have added an hour to the journey but....... I don't mind.
Some lovely scenery.

[Rixington43]

Wrenching day today, new oem discs and pads all round then chain and Sprockets and an oil change. Damn am I glad I coughed for the genuine D.I.D chain tool, utter doddle compared to last time. All buttoned up in daylight so jumped on for a run to Matlock for a chippy tea. It promptly shat down so we turned tail and headed for home, now walking to the chippy but happy bike.

[graingerblaze]

Looking very nice there Rixington43, proper job! It’s great to see these bikes being cared for, having seen some shockers on Autotrader I’m glad those here love there bikes. Bet those brakes feel better 

[Asmith61]

Yes I agree nice job 👍 it’s a shame the weather interrupted your ride 😠
I see you have an abba stand.   They are a great stand and they are manufactured very close to me.

[Rixington43]

The Abba stand is great for anything front wheel related and very stable for when you have to wail on something like a front sprocket nut.
The brakes are far nicer, the old fronts had developed an almost pulsing feel to them as I think the disc thickness was a little uneven, not quite bedded in yet but definitely an improvement. The old chain and Sprockets also seemed to have a really bad tight spot which made it impossible to get good chain tension but this set are perfect and, along with new cush drive rubbers last year, the drivetrain is feeling much smoother with less shunt and better gear changes.
She's a pampered old thing but I do love her.

[MartinW]

Life is still getting in the way for me, so only just done my second ride of the year and only 38 miles. Good to be out though.

Finally nudging 31K Miles after 19 years. Must try harder.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Spent a bit of time yesterday fixing my heated jacket which seemed to stop working again - this time it was the bike side wiring which needed the positive terminal stripping and replacing due to mild corrosion.
Went for a bike ride today to test it out, but was too warm so didn't need the jacket. Managed 10miles and topped up the tank ready for a mid week run down the M1.

[nigel s]

Had a run into Nottinghamshire for my annual tool hunt at the  'Normous Newark auto jumble.
The A17 is a deathly dull road but needs must.
Cold on the way up a warm 17c  on the way back.
The ride back was better,on the way up I made a mental note of the speed cameras ( every few miles through  Lincolnshire seems like ) and so knew where they were for the way back
Busy at the autojumble as usual.
When walking around I ignore the pro sellers and like to rummage in the tool boxes half forgotten.
I got a Presto drill set,all new but missing the 7mm (I get supplied drill bits at work but not the case,my old one at 25 plus years old was past it's best) ,worth about £70.The seller wanted £15 ,I got it for £12.
Also a heavy duty nut splitter,he wanted £5 ...£2 for cash.
Didn't find an 8mm ratchet spanner or an extra long 6 mm allen key..... but not to worry.
Every year it is 8mm spanners and 6mm allen keys that go missing
The 650 made it the 245 miles there and back with it's usual ease and on a single tank ,the first light coming on 20 miles from home,30 still left when I arrived chez Nigel.......nice.

[The Doctor 46]

That's what I would call a perfect day out, with tea and a few chats too. 

[purplebikeunicorn]

nigel, you didn't find any 10mm's at the jumble then?! :D

Washed the car, then the bike looked grubby so washed that, the XCP is bloody stubborn to get off! Then the chain looked grubby, so had to do that as well.

All spick and span and hopefully out tomorrow for a little bit!

[nigel s]

I didn't see any 10mm, surprisingly I'm OK for them,............but every other one I picked up seemed to be 3/8".

[crump]

Needed to pick my new specs up this morning, missus had the car so took the Vstrom. Was out about 2 hours all told, including a trundle round Northern Shropshire, not far but still lovely to get out on the bike.
Weather was pretty good, mostly sunny with only a few spots of rain here and there......was a tad draughty though, the little one coped with it fine.