Good Source for Vstar Information

I've mentioned a few informative sites of interest throughout my posts, and decided I needed to throw one more very helpful site out there for your benefit. The Yamaha Motorcycle Forum is a great group, that are very helpful for all bike enthusiast. The primary focus is simply the Yamaha/Star brand, and includes all bikes that fall within that category. There are individual groups within the forum dedicated to each bike. I personally enjoy reading,learning, and hearing about the experiences shared from all of the groups. I will admit though, I do spend most of my time perusing through the Star 650 Classic and Custom group the most.Becoming a member is just a simple matter of registering on the homepage.Incase you are wondering, no, I'm not in anyway affiliated with the forum other than being a member. I have simply found this particular forum to be very friendly, and most helpful for all of their members. Therefore, I feel they certainly deserve a good mention here from me. As for my bike, it still awaits the installation of the new lights. I've yet to tear it apart, and begin the proccess of figuring out the best position for the install.It's hard to see it sitting in an unrideable state while the weather is so nice. I do plan on making time for the lights very soon, and will post more with the results of the additional strand then. Hopefully, there will be a noticeable difference to report. Until next time...ride safe.

There hasn't been much to speak of lately, but I'll give you a quick update on my expected modifications for the near future. The lights that were purchased from a seller on Ebay have arrived, and I plan to tackle adding them asap. I ordered an extra 48 inches to go with the current 24 that I have already installed. I'm thinking I may add these to the lower frame, facing up toward the bottom of the motor. The top half is nicely lit, but I'm just wanting things a little brighter. I'm thinking there may be enough of the light strand to follow along the frame behind the motor as well. I guess the placement issue will be a trial and error project. With 6 feet of lighting, I'm sure I can get things just about as bright as it's possibly going to get. I'm still searching out the best price I can on the spiked risers I would like to add. Again with Ebay, I have found a couple that are reasonably priced, but will still need powdercoat or paint for the gloss black. There are spiked risers that are anodized black, but that not only is a little different color, but they are about double in price of the others I've found. As with all of the items I've purchased, I've found that if I search hard enough I will eventually get what I'm after without giving up and arm or leg for it. In the meantime, the wife and I enjoyed a great ride out under clear blue skies. I couldn't have asked for better weather, or a better riding partner. We traveled until we ran out of asphalt, stopped for a quick break and picture opportunity, and made our way back home. I hope you all have a chance to get out and enjoy the fall weather as well, and as always ride safe....

The weather was nice, and I had some spare time on my hands, so the recently purchased grips were beckoning me to install them. The left side went on without a hitch. I'd guess in less than a minute. The right side however decided to be difficult. After adjusting the speedo cables to give me enough slack to work with, the round ends of the cable, the ones inside the throttle housing, just did't want to cooperate. I've removed the grips countless times, but I was always installing the stock grips back on the bike. This time, the grips were markedly different. I was prepared though for any slight issue with the grips being specified for Harley. They were for 1" bars, so I figured it wouldn't be that difficult to adapt over. Really the grips were fine, and fit the house ok, but for some reason, the throttle sleeve pushed the ends so close together that I amost couldn't get them in. After a good bit of wrangling,lots of grumbling, and borrowing an extra set of hands from the wife for good measure, they are on. In the pictures, I still have the leather lever covers on. They seemed a little out of place without the leather grip covers, so I've removed them as well. I'm still awaiting on a few things from Ebay, but I will save that for later. Until then...ride safe.

Slow Progress

The last remaining stock item on the front of my VStar will soon be no more. The grips I purchased through Ebay have arrived. I was a bit worried at first because the price was so unbelievably low when compared to some of the other name brands I originally considered. Now that they are in my possession, and I have thoroughly given them a good once over, my fears have been laid to rest. I am currently bidding on a set of risers to match, so I’m going to wait and see how that goes before installing the grips. The left grip uses 3 set screws to secure it to the handle bars, while the right will be secured by the throttle housing. They appear to be nice solid grips, and just what I was looking for. I expect to know something about the risers in the next few days, and will keep you informed of the latest additions.
On a side note, I really liked the looks of the UV lights installed along the frame, under the tank, and shining down on the top of the engine. So, I have purchased a few more feet of the UV strand lights to add at various locations around the engine which will hopefully brighten things up. The UV( purple) color isn’t as bright as some of the other available colors so I’m adding the new lights to achieve the same results I’ve seen on other bikes. I should receive the lights around the end of October, or perhaps the first week of November. In the mean time, I will continue to troll through Ebay looking for anything that may spark a creative interest. Until next post…ride safe.

Black spikes!!!

No, I'm not thinking about riding the bike in a pair of my Wife's heels. That wouldn't exactly be the safest thing to do...she'd kill me. I'm talking about spikes for the bike.While looking my VStar over trying to decide what’s next, I made the observation that I’ve managed to swap out, or modify almost everything on the front with the exception of handgrips. I did add leather covers to both the grips and levers. However, I’m feeling it’s time for a change. Keeping with the black theme, I found a set of grips on eBay that are not only black, but spiked as well. Currently, the front sports a set of spiked fork bullets, as well as the fork tabs that I cut and shaped into a spike. I surmised the addition of the grips would add to the “look” my VStar is starting to exhibit, so they are on their way. I should receive them in the next couple of weeks, and will give more details on them then. This brings up the topic I left off with in my last entry.
I mentioned wanting to try my hand with metal, or fiberglass because of my desire to have a unique, one of a kind, rear fender. Black and spiked seems to fit the build best. I’ve thought, scrutinized, measured, and planned out several ideas in my head. All would work, and look good in theory. I just don’t know if the actual application would do the same. I will add though, I’ve strongly considered taking the easy way out with a not so unique look, just buying a fender, and cutting it to suit my style. My original plan was to build a fender that would bolt where the current fender struts do now, and do away with the struts completely. This would, in my opinion, make the lines of the bike flow much better. If I did venture into the realm of creativity for my fender needs, I would also like to design it as to include a custom made seat as well. I guess I’ll have to do a bit more research to see what I feel comfortable with, making one, or simply buying the fender and modifying it.
On a final note, while looking around on eBay for grips, I found another tidbit I might pick up if the price is right. Though I’ve replaced the risers already with Phat Risers, I might possibly change them out as well. There is a pair of black spiked 6” risers that I have my eye on. I’m not completely committed to the idea yet, but it’s definitely something I’m considering. The black theme was always the central idea, obviously because it’s a Midnight Custom. Within this past year or so, the spikes seem to be creeping their way in. I have a little more planning to do, but as you can see, I will have lots to talk about later…..Ride safe!