{"id":13,"date":"2013-12-13T17:54:37","date_gmt":"2013-12-13T17:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.micha.name\/blog\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2013-12-13T17:55:29","modified_gmt":"2013-12-13T17:55:29","slug":"michas-dragstar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.micha.name\/blog\/motorbikes\/michas-dragstar\/","title":{"rendered":"Micha’s Dragstar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h2>\n

\"Micha's<\/p>\n

This is my current pride and joy and is my first ever new vehicle. I bought her in the beautiful spring of 2003 to explore the British Isles with and have had some very nice trips with her so far with many more planned.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Model<\/th>\n:<\/td>\nYamaha XVS1100a – Dragstar Classic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Year of Manufacture<\/th>\n:<\/td>\n2000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In-Service-Date<\/th>\n:<\/td>\n2003<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colour<\/th>\n:<\/td>\nBritish Racing Green (factory)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Fuelly\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Modifications and Extras<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Alarm System<\/th>\nMeta M357<\/td>\n2003.03<\/td>\nRex Judd<\/td>\n\u00a3250<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saddlebags<\/th>\nLeatherlyke<\/a>\u00a0Cross Country Bags<\/td>\n2004.02<\/td>\n?<\/td>\n~US$480<\/td>\n\"LeatherLyke<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Exhaust<\/th>\nHard-Krome<\/a>\u00a02.75″ Big Straights<\/td>\n2005.02<\/td>\n?<\/td>\n~ US$400<\/td>\n\"DG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sissy-bar\/Luggage rack<\/th>\nMapam-Restyling<\/a><\/td>\n2005.06<\/td>\nBikercom<\/a><\/td>\nUS$256.03<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AIS System<\/th>\nComplete removal of the AIS System<\/td>\n2005.07.23<\/td>\nn\/a<\/td>\nn\/a<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windscreen<\/th>\nYamaha Windscreen<\/td>\n2005.08.31<\/td>\nRex Judd<\/td>\n\u00a3<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oil Filter Relocation Kit<\/th>\nBarons<\/a><\/td>\n2006.08.11<\/td>\nSecondhand from Rob (robvstar1100) of the Great Bears – thanks mate!<\/td>\n\u00a3100<\/td>\n\"Baron<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Barons Big Air Kit (BAK)<\/span>
\nReplaced by the SS Customcycle Chubby Air Kit<\/th>\n		Barons<\/a><\/td>\n2007.03.25<\/td>\nCruisercustomizing.com
\nNotes: Re-jetted with 115F, 112.5R main jets.<\/td>\n		US$269 + US$30 shipping<\/td>\n\"Baron<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pillion seat upgrade<\/th>\nRe-padded pillion seat<\/td>\n2007.xx.xx<\/td>\nOrganised through Alchemy Bikes<\/td>\n\u00a3??<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passenger Floorboards<\/th>\nBaron Custom Adjustable Passenger Floorboard<\/td>\n2008.06<\/td>\nCruisercustomising.com<\/td>\n~US$240 (incl. mounting brackets) + US$35 shipping<\/td>\n\"Baron<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Handlebar Risers<\/th>\nPro-One Handlebar Riser and Clamp Kit, Ball-Milled<\/td>\n2008.06<\/td>\nCruisercustomising.com<\/td>\n~US$110 + US$35 shipping<\/td>\n\"Pro-One<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intercom System<\/th>\nStarCom1 Digital Intercom<\/td>\n2009.05<\/td>\nStarCom1.com<\/td>\n\u00a3260 + \u00a37.50 shipping<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crash bars & Highway Pegs<\/th>\nRenegade Crash Bars and Highway Hawk “Sundance” footpegs<\/td>\n2011.06<\/td>\nCustomcruisers.com<\/td>\n\u00a3210<\/td>\n\"Renegade\u00a0\"Highway<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seats<\/th>\nMustang Two-Piece Studded Wide Touring seat<\/td>\n2013.04<\/td>\nSecondhand from JC in the VStar1100 forum<\/td>\nUSD280 + USD100 (shipping) + \u00a340 (customs & duty)<\/td>\n\"Mustang<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Air filters<\/th>\n“Chubby” air kit<\/td>\n2013.08<\/td>\nSS Custom Cycle
\nRe-jetted using #152.5 main jets (front and rear), #20 pilot jets, and stock needles (Slot 4 from top, plastic spacer, no shims), with 3.5 turns out on the PMS mixture screws.
\nUpdate: 3.75 turns out on the PMS mixture screw.<\/td>\n		USD135 + USD39.72 (shipping)<\/td>\n\"SS<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
Sissybar \/ luggage rack<\/th>\nCobra tall sissy bar \/ tubular luggage rack<\/td>\n2013.08<\/td>\nFrom a mob which I can’t currently recommend.<\/td>\nUSD???<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Towbar \/ hitch<\/th>\nFreewheeluk custom-built towbar<\/td>\n2013.08<\/td>\nBuilt by Alan from\u00a0freewheeluk<\/a>.<\/td>\nGBP280<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

My bike is also on Cruisercustomizing.com\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/th>\nCompany<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2013<\/td>\nBikesure (Adrian Flux)<\/td>\n\u00a3207.20<\/td>\nFully comprehensive @ \u00a36000 (inc. Europe-wide roadside assistance)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2012<\/td>\nBikesure<\/a>(Adrian Flux)<\/td>\n\u00a3256.62<\/td>\nFully comprehensive @ \u00a36000 (inc. Europe-wide roadside assistance)
\nSwitched to Bikesure as eBike did not reply to some email queries; also slightly cheaper due to affiliation with\u00a0MAG<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011<\/td>\neBike Insurance<\/td>\n\u00a3263<\/td>\nFully comprehensive (inc. Roadside assistance) + Europe-wide Roadside Assistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010<\/td>\neBike Insurance<\/td>\n\u00a3248<\/td>\nFully comprehensive (inc. Roadside assistance) + Europe-wide Roadside Assistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009<\/td>\neBike Insurance<\/td>\n\u00a3234<\/td>\nFully comprehensive (inc. Roadside assistance) + Europe-wide Roadside Assistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008<\/td>\neBike Insurance<\/td>\n\u00a3240<\/td>\nFully comprehensive (inc. Roadside assistance) + Europe-wide Roadside Assistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007<\/td>\neBike Insurance<\/td>\n\u00a3221<\/td>\nFully comprehensive (inc. Roadside assistance) + Europe-wide Roadside Assistance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006<\/td>\neBike insurance<\/a><\/td>\n\u00a3234<\/td>\nThird party fire & theft
\nChanged from Vauntage to\u00a0eBike insurance<\/a>\u00a0as Vauntage didn’t ring back when promised; also eBike is slightly cheaper, more flexible as regards motorcycle modifications, and has fully online insurance management.
\nThey also include UK roadside assistance as standard in their package and offer Europe-wide roadside assistance for an extra \u00a350.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2003-2005<\/td>\nVauntage<\/td>\n\u00a3286<\/td>\nThird party fire & theft
\nFor the past couple of years I’ve insured through\u00a0Vauntage<\/a>\u00a0as they were the only mob I found who would organise insurance for me with an Australian drivers license.
\nNow that I have a British license I will shop around a bit but it looks like their prices aren’t too bad..<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Roadside Assistance<\/h3>\n

2006 onwards<\/h4>\n

I now get Breakdown Cover as part of my insurance policy, with only a small surcharge for European cover.<\/p>\n

2004 onwards<\/h4>\n

Not having the luxury of friends and family with Ute’s here in England I ended up getting\u00a0RAC<\/a>\u00a0breakdown cover after they rescued me from a flat tyre in Brighton once.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Service History<\/h2>\n

Prior to 2006 I had annual bike services by various professional shops in London – including Yamaha certified Service centres.<\/p>\n

But due to being dissatisfied with the work performed (the bike got some scratches from some shops, I never got a bill of work done, and various other issues) and the exceedingly high prices I started doing my own servicing on my beloved Draggie.<\/p>\n

To this end I purchased a Clarke CML2 bike lift on recommendation from some of the Great Bears and went for it. I also built my own carburettor sync tool based on some instructions on the internet\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/th>\nMiles<\/th>\nItem<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2013.07.27<\/td>\n54921<\/td>\nRear Tyre\/Wheel<\/td>\nWhile replacing rear tyre and bearings, mechanic noticed bearing seats had worn and replacement bearings would not sit.\n
    \n
  • Rear Wheel (used) – eBay \u00a3130<\/li>\n
  • Rear Tyre (Avon Venom AM42 170\/80\/15) (\u00a3140, fitted; Big Jims Rims)<\/li>\n
  • Rear wheel bearings (3 @ \u00a36); rear wheel tube (\u00a318.50); sundries (\u00a31.50)<\/li>\n
  • Labour 1.5 hours (\u00a372)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Total: \u00a3250.<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2012.10.14<\/td>\n53058<\/td>\nOil<\/td>\n\n
2012.04.28<\/td>\n46906<\/td>\nBrakes<\/td>\n\n
2012.04.20<\/td>\n46906<\/td>\nFront tyre & MOT<\/td>\n\n
2012.02.25<\/td>\n46347<\/td>\nBasic Service<\/td>\n\n
2011.07.02<\/td>\n406??<\/td>\nService<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Drain & replace front & rear brake fluid<\/li>\n
  • Drain & replace final drive oil<\/li>\n
  • Clean & oil airfilter<\/li>\n
  • General check, lube, tighten.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011.04.16<\/td>\n37511<\/td>\nService<\/td>\nGeneral checkup and adjustments: oil, sparkplugs, valve clearance, brakes and brake fluid, tires and pressure, lubrication, carburettor balance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2010.11.06<\/td>\n36954<\/td>\nService<\/td>\n\n
2009.10.04<\/td>\n32500<\/td>\nTune-up<\/td>\nCheck & adjust sparkplugs, valves, carburettor balance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.09.25<\/td>\n32197<\/td>\nFuel filter & Spark Plugs @ \u00a312.58 (\u00a32.50pp)<\/td>\nFrom\u00a0Wemoto<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.09.05<\/td>\n31703<\/td>\nRear Brake Pads<\/td>\n\u00a315 from\u00a0SRS Motorcycles<\/a>
\nClean caliper, replace rear brake fluid.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.05.20<\/td>\n27605<\/td>\nRear Tyre<\/td>\n\u00a3116 from\u00a0F.W.R.<\/a><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Avon Venom @ \u00a386<\/li>\n
  • Inner Tube @ \u00a315<\/li>\n
  • Fitting \u2213 balance @ \u00a315<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.05.11<\/td>\n26139<\/td>\nMOT<\/td>\n\u00a329 from\u00a0Alexandra Motor Group<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.05.09<\/td>\n26081<\/td>\nService<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Oil Change (Mobil1 Racing 4T @ \u00a314\/\u2113)<\/li>\n
  • Check \u2213 adjust valve clearance<\/li>\n
  • Balance carburettors<\/li>\n
  • General checkup & lube<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.05.02<\/td>\n<\/td>\nBattery<\/td>\nVarta YT14B-BS battery; ~\u00a360 from\u00a0MDS<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2009.03.14<\/td>\n25440<\/td>\nOil<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Oil filter change (K&N 303c Filter @ \u00a313)<\/li>\n
  • Oil Change (various left overs)<\/li>\n
  • Clean and adjust spark plugs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008.05.23<\/td>\n19522<\/td>\nFront tire<\/td>\nF.W.R. \u00a3100
\nAvon Venom front, new tube<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008.05.20<\/td>\n19465<\/td>\nFull Service<\/td>\nAlexandra Motor Group<\/a>, \u00a3160<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Oil & Filter change<\/li>\n
  • Clean & adjust spark plugs<\/li>\n
  • Adjust valves<\/li>\n
  • Service rear caliper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2008.05.01<\/td>\n18830<\/td>\nMOT<\/td>\n\u00a325 from\u00a0Alexandra Motor Group<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007.04.??<\/td>\n18???<\/td>\nService<\/td>\nGeneral start-of-year service\n
    \n
  • Replace brake fluid front & rear<\/li>\n
  • Oil change<\/li>\n
  • Check & adjust valve clearance<\/li>\n
  • Replace spark plugs<\/li>\n
  • Balance carburettors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007.03.25<\/td>\n180xx<\/td>\nAir Filter Change<\/td>\nGot a Barons BAK which forced the air-filter change.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2007.03.06<\/td>\n17707<\/td>\nMOT<\/td>\n\u00a325 through\u00a0Alchemy Bikes<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006.08.11<\/td>\n165xx<\/td>\nOil & Filter Change<\/td>\nGot an oil-filter relocation kit second hand which tied in nicely to my next oil-change interval.\n
    \n
  • Castrol GPS 10W40 motor oil – \u00a324.99<\/li>\n
  • Barons Oil Filter Relocation Kit – \u00a3100<\/li>\n
  • K&N Oil Filter – free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006.07.14<\/td>\n14270<\/td>\nFront Caliper rebuild and new brake pads<\/td>\nWork done through Roy from\u00a0Alchemy Bikes<\/a>. – \u00a3165<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006.04.12<\/td>\n~12400<\/td>\nAir Filter<\/td>\nGenuine Yamaha filter; \u00a311.49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\nRear Tyre<\/td>\nDunlop; \u00a3130 from\u00a0F.W.R.<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2006.03<\/td>\n~12000<\/td>\n12000-mile service<\/td>\n\n