Raptor Chapter

Just an anecdote, but I used to have a Yamaha V-max. Every time after riding I would plug in an Optimate battery conditioner and after charging the light would come on green saying everything healthy. The darn bike let me down so many times had to bump start it loads. Seems the alarm was draining th...

I've got a small problem with the exhaust on my '01 Raptor 1000, basically the exhaust is blowing at the joint where the end can meets the header on the left side under the driver footrest. I took the end can off today (simple job - two bolts and a "jubilee" clip") cleaned up the join...

Dunlop Qualifiers - and they are terrible!
Front feels like it's got a permanent puncture and the "grip" in the wet is terrifying.
I just want them to wear down so I can get some Continental Attacks.

Could it simply be a flat battery? I know my car does that when the battery runs down - solenoid click and no starter motor.

Can you jump it and try to start it again? Otherwise double-check all the electrics under the seat, it's possible something got loosened when you changed the light etc.

Hi rich-racing.co.uk can you tell me where you got the GSXR forks and how much did you pay for them?

Is there anything that can be done to the standard forks eg. progressive springs or similar?

Thanks.....

Ref. the water drain hole / tube, can anyone give a photo or link to details for checking it properly? Thanks a million.

Hi dirtydog, I would also be interested in a "pattern" grab rail if you get the opportunity to have the fabricators look at yours. Please PM me if anything comes of it!

Spent most of the afternoon prodding around. The bike is actually in pretty good shape, I think, other than various rubber bits showing their age. Totally buggered offside rubber air intake thingy - split with missing grille; and I discovered a frighteningly tight and flimsy two-wire loom going to ...

I read in the Motor Cycle News help pages a while back that a few CCs of methylated spirits poured into the gas tank can get rid of water. The idea being that petrol floats on water and doesn't mix but meths sinks and mixes with it then gets burned up in the engine (I think )

The OEM site has 1000cc blanks (item 45 this link): http://www.oemmotorparts.com/oem5.asp?M=Cagiva&T=RAPTOR%20%201000&Y=2001&L=CA-RAP-1&O=FUEL%20TANK&F=CA-RAP-1_BQ&L2=CA-RAP-1_BQ But the equivalent part list for the 650 shows it but doesn't have a separate part number (item 3...

I got a pair of extension bars (two each side) from the local bike shop.
One was LH thread, one RH so the mirrors screwed in right:
Sorry about the poor picture:
http://i39.tinypic.com/1zfsxgi.jpg

I'm gonna take an angle grinder to my Hepco&Becker and make it fit like a Ventura.
The bottom bolt hole has caused me more trouble than the whole rest of the bike put together.

Anybody know of a decent grab rail for a Raptor 1000? The Venture rack is a bit $$$ and I didn't get on with the Hepco and Becker one..! All I need is a grab handle for the missus not a luggage carrier etc. On this web site it shows one (item 30) anyone tried it? http://www.oemmotorparts.com/oem5.as...

I had a problem with mine where the passing switch didn't work at all. I took the LH handlebar switch gear off and WD40'd everything. I also took off the headlight and opened it up to get to the bulbs and plugs on the back of the bulbs. After spraying and reseating everything it all worked OK again....

Be very careful not to overtighten as in my experience the front wheel bearings break very easily! Just tighten it up fairly hard and spin the wheel to make sure it turns nice and freely (you will have to undo the two caliper bolts each side to do this). You'll know if you've overdone it as the whee...