A few quick fire questions ...

A few questions have been bugging me and i just wanted a few quick answers if you can guys:
[all relate to my 53 plate fs650]

1) are there any 2 finger levers on the market ? i only use 2 fingers for braking and think 2 finger clutch lever would make life easier ?

2) Can i fit a 160 rear tyre to my bike as i think these are much more readily available in stickier compounds.

3) whats a good sticky tyre for use on uk roads in the dry (no wet riding!) [mainly in summer] bearing in mind the previous question !

4) I dont have any indicators on my bike but the switch is there ready to go. do i have an indicator relay already fitted? where will it be ? if i dont have one, how do i go about fitting indicators (im a spark so i can wire them up easily!) just need to know where the relay should mount etc.

5) where can i get some front indicators with a rubber strap to quickly mount on my forks ?

Cheers guys !

Firstly cheers for the help guys ! was hopin i'd get a few uk SM riders to help me out
So im gonna try track down some cheap pilot powers, get these 5 yr old touring pieces of crap off that ive had on since i bought it.
crispin those levers are waaaay too pricey haha, was hopin just for some cheap alloy replacements at like a tenner and i know what ya mean bout the indicators but its a royal pain in the rear when i have to let go of the throttle to stick my hand out indicating at a roundabout, i'd rather have a flasher for those car drivers that look but dont see ! No, we dont legally need indicators i dont think as the highway code has signals for turning and slowing (my mate got an MOT with no brake light !?!?!?) i will have a look try and find some, its just i remember my brother had some that were strapped on when he had a husa a few years ago.
Ta for the tyre info Freaky ! i knew there would be a reason that ppl didnt fit 160s ! looks like il stick with the skinny rear although im guessing it helps turn in a bit. and this indicator relay, is it fitted to the bracket on the right hand side of the bike (as your sat on it ?) I found that relay but saw only two wires coming from it and was a bit confused. well i'd best get out there and check out my wiring diagrams and see if the indicator 'loom' is there or whether i have to make a new one ... there is only the brake light wires going to the subframe so theyve either been tucked out of the way or have been removed (or were never there)
Im also gonna try get some smart hand guards, i want some 'narrow' ones (height wise) like the racers as they look cool (crispin yours are like the racing ones with aluminium bar then the plastic bolted to the front?)
Cheers again and il keep you updated if i find any levers/indicators etc

haha cheers guys, yeh il keep the safety implications in mind whilst maufacturing my levers

oh and about the indicator relay, i said mounted right hand side when sat on the bike whereas i actually meant LEFT hand side when sat on the bike. (Ive spent too much time looking at it ive forgotten my left and right haha)

Those handguards look pretty good for the price crispin! think i might get some of those. mine are totally plastic and i wanted some like the supermoto racers have (with aluminium bars through the middle, like your link) so ta for that one.

Oh av plucked up the courage to remove my carb but im now scared of undoing the allen bolt that's in the top of the slide coz it feels tiiiiight !
now all we need is some summer sunshine, its been sooo cold i cant even pick my tools up (god knows what its like for you guys living in snow half the year !!)

Taffy said:

shorty's a pair for £15. indicators £50 for the 4 inc bulbs. only about 12" of wiring with them though. be aware that the exhaust points straight at them!!!!!

regards

Taffy

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where are these levers from taffy ? do you have a link or pictures ?

Taffy said:

why would i tell you where they are from smithy?

they are made by wirtz and are 15mm shorter than std. a 2-finger job.

the indicators are very small and flexible with a rectangular shape to them. sold a set to the USA in the summer and haven't heard anything back.....

regards

Taffy

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because you're an old dude and old dudes are like, gentlemen ?? hahaha

no offense meant and thanks for the 'top secret info' !!

This forum makes me smile

ben_moto501 said:

Indicators? Who needs 'em?? It really isn't as much hassle as it sounds having to put your arm out! You'll also find you do it far less than you would use indicators but as long as you're aware of your surroundings it's never a problem! Even on roundabouts... Just make sure you have a look!

I have some Acerbis handguards and they have the alloy bar running through them. I got them from www.racespec.co.uk
They have quite a few and if I remember and they are reasonably priced! Just don't believe the delivery times!

I currently use a Maxxis intermediate rear tyre and it's awsome in the wet or dry and very well priced but that reflects in the mileage you get from it... About 600 miles! But that's a price you pay for sticky tyres on the road i'm afraid! It is 160 wide and sits on a 5" rim... Yes it does rub the chain (about 3mm) but that's never done me or my bike any harm! The tyre jus gets the 'sharp' edge rubbed flat! I use 'O' ring chains though as the 'X' ring chains are wider! I also change the chain every 6 months as I had one snap once even though it looked and felt good!

While on the subject of tyres i hear Bridgestone have brought out a 'dual compound' tyre... Hard in the middle and soft on the sides! Has anybody tried these and give a report on how they stick to the road?

Hope this helps a bit!

Ben

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cheers ben, it helps ! Do you run the maxxis tyres on the road or on the track ?
I dont think i could ride properly knowing my tyre was that close to the chain !?! Maybe the tyre got out of sync with the chain and forced it onto the edge of the sprocket causing it to snap ??
Tbh i think il stick with the 150 width.
My mate had some of those dual compound tyres on, il try find out what he reckons to them but theyre on a sportsbike and it'll probably be a whole different thing to having them on a berg. (?)