What did you do to your Yamaha today?

yeah, I think I need the progressive springs in my forks. They bottom out every time I hit the brakes aggressively. I checked the free length and everything is in order, but dam n they are soft! I guess 25 years is a long time for springs. Anyone know anywhere to get the springs for less than 100 beans? Things are tight right now with the wedding coming up in 2 weeks.

 

check dennis kirk. I think I paid 75.00 for mine

 

A coupla questions re: springs:

1. How can I tell if they are progressive? I just got the bike and have no idea what mods have been done?

2. It looks like there are five (?) preload settings, currently set to the middle. I'd like to make them a bit firmer. I can't see from looking how to do that. It doesn't look like the typical c-spanner job. Or am I missing something?

 

Progressive springs are wound tighter on one end. They aren't uniform looking all the way the length of the Spring.

I've seen lots of bikes with Progressive Springs already in when doing Fork Seals.

 

Your rear springs have the preload. Progressive springs are put in the front forks.

You change the preload on the rear by turning the ring on the bottom of the spring seat. A special wrench came with the bike, but is probably long gone. You can use large pliers against the boss with the hole in it (that is where the original wrench caught it. Wrap with a rag to keep from scratching.

 

Rick the springs I pulled out were tighter on one end. THe major difference was the diameter of the coil. So far the bike has alot less dive on the brakes and the nose seems to stand a bit taller. I still used about 2 inches of PVC spacers instead of the 4. So far I like it

 

So if I have to have the rear shocks on the highest pre-load to keep from bottoming, or having too soft a feel in the corners, is that a pretty good indication that I need a new rear set of struts?

 

PghXJ, if you weigh 150 to 300 lbs.? Probably.



600 lbs.? No... You need a diet.

 

try 165...

 

I bought a new tank and side cover set for my 1982 XJ650. It was $50 on ebay for all of it!! I was shocked I got it, but there was some good TV on tuesday night so no one else was bidding on it.

 

SCORE!!!

 

LMFAO Gamuru
I bet the mileage does "down down down" with his butt riding

 

Quit making fun of me ...

I was just road testing that scooter after Colortuning it! : )

 

That's no scooter! That used to be a Goldwing!


To keep with the thread, I fixed my fog light switch today...

 

I put some fresh high-test and some Fuel Injector Cleaner in the 900 and went-out looking for bikes at lights. Didn't find to many outside, today, as it was rather cool in New England.

Stayed out and did enough zooming around to slosh some fresh, clean, gas i n the Fuel Bowls ... and play "Enemy Fighter Pilot" with everything on the road that was going fast.

Had the tach up to the limiter twice. She's still young at heart. But, I'm going to be looking for a new home for her soon. I'm bumping back to being a one bike guy, again.

I'm keeping the Maxim.

 

Had to put the ride off for a couple of weeks. Decided that the weather isnt cold enough The bike is ready to go though...... Dam bills got in the way


Sean

 

Haven't had to spin a wrench in a few weeks - Nice! Checked tire pressure as temps are quite cool and the new battery spins 'til she starts, even with mornings at -4C or 26F. Bought a shield for the helmet and the cooler weather is much more enjoyable for riding, maybe even better than summer. You get all the benefits without being hot, soaked, sticky and burned. Add the gorgeous colours bursting from the forests - man, it can't get any better than this.

 

Nothing major over the weekend...bought her a bike cover and I'm trying some Tarp Tape to repair a tear in the seat, will see how it holds up.

Also did a plug chop, she's running lean need a nice day to get her running richer to smooth things out a bit.... (not today, anniversary...wife wouldn't be happy heh)

Damn...-4 up your way, we've hit 4C as a cold point so far.... she still starts with one touch of the button....

 

Did my Instrument Panel.
Went with the "Techno-look"
Pulled the Speedo and Tach ... Epoxyed a crack in the plastic case ... Pulled the rubber Bulb Sockets ... yanked the clear Bulbs ... Armoral Treated the Sockets with a Q-Tip ... Put-in BLUE Bulbs ...

Then ... went to the Hobby Shop ... got a bottle of Florescent Yellow Paint ... Painted the Needle indicators of my Tach and Speedo ... the Epoxy was dry by then ... so, I put it all together, nice ... and rolled it into the Garage ... turned-off the garage lights and admired the job.

Much better now!

 

I did a little research on speedometers and found that some in the motorcycle realm are using bike computers (bicycle) on their motorcycles with great success. So I ventured down to the local sport shop and purchased one (cheap...$24.99) and installed it today. Took a little while to figure out how to fabricate a bracket for the signal pick-up on the fork. And with a little L-shaped bracket, I got it in just the correct position to read the signal.
So...I jack up the front wheel off the floor, spin the wheel and WHALLA, the speedo reads 8 mph!!! So I figured it worked and had to take it out for a test ride. I reads perfect and actually has a odometer, clock and reads up to 80.5 mph ( I don't run much faster than that unless I'm passing on the interstate)
There are more expensive models that will go up to 160 mph, so I may have to invest in that one when I get done with the mods I have planned for this winter.
I'm ready to remove the stock gauges now and clean up the front end a bit. I have to fabricate small plate to fit three tini LED lights for my high beam, signal, and nuetral indicators. That should look slick when I get'r done. I'll have to snap a few photos after I finish and post'm here, >PD<