Dav3y

If the free offer proves a no go, Lids direct sell Box helmets from £45 upwards. Problem buying a helmet online is it's very difficult to be sure it's going to fit. Not all sizes seem to be equal and they have tight spots which could prove uncomfortable unless you can try on in a local shop and then ask them to price match a website when you know it fits.

That looks like a self tapping screw so as long as you have a good fitting screwdriver then do it up tighter and it should cut the thread into the new cap. Once you've done that off the bike it should be good to go back on.

Regulator/Rectifier ? Apparently there are 6 and 5 wire versions

Is it possible the filter element could have got water on it and be starving the carb of air ? Does very much sound like a blockage rather than a leak to me. Means the engine runs like the choke is on permanently.

All I can add is get your Theory and CBT booked ASAP. This will leave you setup for the DAS with a shorter cheaper course as you will already be prepared to go straight to MOD1. They are both requirements before MOD1 anyway. As for a bike, I did my DAS on an XJ6N and on then passing went and brought an XJ6F as I liked the bike and wanted an upright. All I can say here is try and sit on a few and see how comfortable you think you would feel on it. A 600 is a perfect first bike for a year before moving on if you feel the need.

How does your mate know the mixture isn't right. Did you remove the plug and inspect it ? Could be that the choke isn't working at all if you say theres some confusion over which way it works. Does it make a difference when the engine is warm ? The idle/air screw adjusts the mixture at tick over / low throttle and is usually set and hidden behind a plastic plug. I think what you need might be the throttle stop screw that just holds the throttle open but this is normally set when engine is up to temp otherwise engine would run too fast when warm at tickover. Does the choke appear to be working at all (try it when warm) and try and find the throttle stop screw as others have mentioned. Using the handlebar adjuster on the cable is meant for cable free play and if you adjust that out to raise the tickover you could then find moving the handlebars from side to side alters the tickover. EDIT:- Another thought. Can you get a couple of photos of the carb and post them up here ?

If you get the job done and fancy a rideout or want a hand with the job, I'll be in Colchester on Saturday morning first thing for my second service on my bike. Hope to get away from Colchester Kawasaki around 10ish

As the start point is so far away for me I'm doing the Margate run instead (weather permitting) Maybe one day........

Meeee, Don't know yet whether I'm doing Margate or not. Quite fancy Margate as I missed it last year but really need to do a rideout with forum members.

Should be a pretty straight forward job. If you have no manual, take lots of pictures as you take things to bits or label them for peace of mind when you refit everything. That way if you find something you're fitting can go in two different ways and still fit, you should have something to refer back to. I'm sure there is someone up your way on the forum that would be happy to give a hand if necessary.

Can't do this one due to a boating holiday. It's also the Hastings run that day, I would have done that if I was able. Deffo up for another one on the late bank hol or another weekend as long as it isn't morning of the 16th when my baby goes in for her second service.

I had BT021's on my XJ6, they squared off in no time. Replaced them with PR3's and what a fantastic tyre both in the wet and long lasting. On my Z1000SX I had S20R's, although a much better performing tyre, again the rear squared off very quickly. Have replaced these with Maxxis Supermax Diamond and so far they're pretty good. Just waiting for the wet weather.

Buy a sports tourer with no top box or panniers. Buy top box and panniers and fit them. There, project done. Sounds like a whole world of pain and aggravation to me to try and build a bike and if it's and off the shelf kit, is there really any point to it as it's not likely to have that custom element to it ? Maybe a renovation project on and old bike might be easier ?

Hmmm, how come i got my bike from Colchester Kawasaki and took it back there for a service and don't remember this roundabout. I will look out for this next month when she goes in for her second service.

If you're doing DAS i'm sure your instructor will arrange the tests for when you are ready although i would have thought they would be included in the course fees (or at least one attempt anyway) My 3 day DAS was 2 days of riding and practicing exercises for Mod 1 and learning the routes while errors were being nit picked and the last day was a quick practice for the Mod 1 in the morning followed by the Mod1 test and then another brief ride around before the early afternoon Mod 2 test. Yes they were both on the same day with big potential for things to go wrong but the instructor i was using included additional training if necessary in the cost so must have been pretty confident with his training techniques. See what your instructor recommends though, it's in their best interests for you to pass and pass on good comments/recommendations. Bet ya can't wait !!

My DAS was £500 for 3 day course including bike hire and test fees and any additional training if required although test fees would have been extra. They also did a 4 day for an extra £100. I would think with previous experience 3 day would be all that's needed.

First of all, concentrate on the AS exams as when they're over you can give your undivided attention to biking A lot of new riders do the CBT and then get a bike, slap on L plates and pickup a lot of bad habits. I'd certainly be an advocate of getting the DSA learning to Ride book. It's a good introduction to biking and usefull in preperation for both CBT and furthur. Although you might not be planning on doing a theory test anytime soon, it would certainly be helpful to get a copy of the highway code as well as has already been said. Both are available on Amazon for not a lot of money. If you do intend to buy some biking gear, I'd get a good fitting helmet with a good sharp rating and borrow clothing from the school doing the CBT. Decent ones will have stuff you can borrow. Goodluck with the exams and then the biking.

Great news. Sounds like you're pretty much all set for DAS/MOD1/MOD2. Good luck.

Finally a picture. Have had both tyres replaced as the front picked up a screw and I've been riding it around for months with a plug in. The rear as well as having squared off due to the high amount of dual carriageway riding also picked up a 4 inch long nail. The front tyre is on the right way around before anyone mentions it. Bit weird as tread patterns normally oppose each other but hey ho. [album]1371[/album]

Finally a picture [album]1371[/album]

Just did mine last weekend with a £5 chain brush from Busters/M&P and some WD40 and a rag. Transformed a chain with a lot of surface rust that I thought I was going to have to replace to looking like new. Re-lubed with some Gear/Axle oil and retensioned. Running great. Is the scott oiler working properly as I would gave expected it to keep the chain in tip top condition ?

Before I'm afraid. http://www.dreamland.co.uk/

Shame there isn't someone local to you to have a gander at the noise. Probably chain as has been said although I guess pads worn out could be causing noise. Have you tried cleaning and lubing the chain ? The coolant thing, I would just keep a beady eye on the coolant level in the tank and the temp gauge when you're out and about. With air temperatures rising this time of year, it's easier for everything to run that little bit hotter and cause expansion out of the system. Make sure you get a price from the shop for extra work outside the quoted service price. If you're supplying parts, it should just be and extra hour of labour. Certainly changing pads isn't going to take too long.

Anyone going to Margate Meltdown this year ? I planned to last year but decided against on the day due to rain. http://www.acecafeevents.com/1659_southend%20&%20margate%20leaflet-2.jpg

Hmm, I thought it was all pretty well behaved last year. Yes, there was the odd dickhead with the stupidly loud exhaust and there was indeed an accident i passed on the way home up the A21 where someone had been going too fast around a bend and left the road. Roads didn't seem overly crowded at all to me considering. I thought on the whole though it was a good day out.