Old-codger

The problem you have is if the industrial estate is public road and as I understand it you have not passed your cbt so cannot legally ride on the public highway, and the last thing you need is to get nicked.

Not sure where you are in the country but can I suggest you look up an off road motorcycle centre. Some of them run coarses for complete novices up to experienced riders. It will give you the time to learn riding the bike without the hassle of all the on road stuff. I know it will be hard what with lockdown kicking in again but I think everyone should give it a go you learn so much about bike control and balance and when you fall off its only dirt or mud this time of year.

As others have said a decent ground anchor and chain in the garage and when out on it chain it to posts or railings. Also make sure your garage door is secure and alarms are cheap even if you dont have power in there use a stand alone shed alarm. And do not advertise on the outside of your garage stickers and signs saying things like "Parking for Yamahas only "and the like, you are just advertising to the lowlife you have stuff worth nicking. Its a sad world having to do these things but until I am in charge and can pass a law for the death sentence to bike thieves you just have to be cautious. Another thing when you are out riding keep an eye out for bikes and vehicles following you especially when parking up or near home. Thieves scout out bikes they can nick later on.

If its classed as a commercial or dual purpose vehicle with an unladen weight of more than 2040 kgs the speed limits are lower. As for vans vehicles like the ford connect and citroen belingo and others with the higher load rating are also on the lower speed limits. Loads of drivers do not realise this until they get the speeding ticket in the post.

Be very careful on what the pickup is called on the V5c as if it is registered as a commercial you have lower speed limits. Commercials over 2 tonnes laden can only do 50 on unrestricted roads, loads of people have got fines as they think their car/van falls into the car derived category but it does not. Check first.

They have unmarked Yamaha R1s as well and you would be hard pushed to see any lights on them even if standing right next to it.

NO NO NO It looks like one of those personal sauna machines from the seventies has crashed onto a bloody scooter.

I dont know how Halfords get away with selling that crap petrol resistant lacquer in no way is it resistant. form a mile away if you waved a petrol stained rag in its direction the lacquer peels off It is rubbish.

Nice job Bob are you going to spray the barrels before you fit them or are they good enough already.

Can I just mention as we are talking about our health and mortality if you havnt made a will go and make one. Like everyone I had been putting it off for years and never got round to it but my health has worsened this year and what with covid lurking about I got my arse in gear and made a will. It doesnt cost much and some places you can get it done for free or a small donation. You get to say where your finances and belongings go to and it saves a lot of hassle for loved ones left behind sorting things out at a difficult time. Also if you have any pensions update your expression of wishes to who gets it when your gone.

Sorry to hear that.......wishing you all the best! Thanks for that, as the saying goes keep calm and carry on.

Cant say its effected me much im a bit laid back and just go with the flow, Ive had a serious illness for twenty plus years that has really f###ed my life and body up which has taken its toll. I just get on with things and deal with life as it comes along, and just for a laugh at the start of the year I was diagnosed with cancer to really bugger things up. But hay ho life goes on and as the song goes "always look on the bright side of life". On the other hand my partner is finding it hard especially since the cancer diagnosis and the complications that is causing. I dont worry about myself just try to help and support the people around me.

Looking at the before and after Bob I thought it had been shot blast and pro painted, that is a lovely finish Bob.

Should it have restricted access and be covid secure so no crap gets out and infects the rest of the forum.

I had a very nice meal in the pub next door to the cafe last year while staying at a great cottage down the road.

If the corrosion isnt to bad I would remove the tyre and clean up the surface with a wire wheel then a bit of wet and dry paper to remove the rust then treat the bare alloy with an etch primer to seal. Tyre back on and jobs a good one.

Before you go stripping the engine to find the dowel get yourself a telescopic magnet pen and have a poke about down the cam chain tunnel. You never know you may pick it up. Ive used this method before on a multitude of things and it can get you out of trouble. The screws are JIS so a set of JIS screwdrivers will fit better.

Any particular brands ? Sorry the lot I have now is in a large jam jar filled out of a large can by a painter who was doing work on a house for me a few years ago. He was bemoaning how crap the paint strippers were to and he brought his from decorating supplies company.

Buy trade or commercial grade paint stripper, the stuff they sell to the public now is not much better than water. You can buy trade/commercial stuff online or decorating suppliers.

Mine arrived today and well pleased with it thanks very much, partner said I looked much better if I pulled it up over my face.

I would have the A team van as its practical, couldnt stick the program though

Some sprockets have rubber on both sides its ment to cut noise from the chain but whether you will notice it hard to tell.

Im with Xtreme if it says Made in China I am not buying anymore of their crap. If it takes a bit more searching and a few quid more I dont care.

I am amazed it still has the original exhaust still on it, I would bin it and put aftermarket exhaust on it and save on the weight.

Isnt the petrol tank under the seat on them? that looks more like part of the exhaust system have a look at this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XV-535-VIRAGO-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-MUFFLER-VINTAGE-CRUISER/283442474301?hash=item41fe7ced3d:g:wS0AAOSwiJhbu-sy