Choosing kit

Q. When my Suzuki Bandit 600 is cold or just warming up I can hear a knocking noise like a “tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap”. When the bike warms up it stops. Is this ok or something I should worry...

Q. I have an old 2004 BMW R1200GS. Recently I had a test ride on the latest model, which was a lot peppier to ride and felt much better for it. Having established that I am too weak-willed to go...

Q. I have just swapped my old Firestorm for a mint CBR600RR, but the problem that I have is with the rubber. I have used Dunlop Sportmaxes for years on the old sports tourer. But the 600RR is running...

Q. I have to replace the fork seals on my Honda CLR125, but someone’s been in there before me and the Allen socket on the end of the damper rod has rounded out so my Allen key just spins around.

Q. If I have a dealer-approved Arrow exhaust system fitted on my Triumph by the dealer and these EU rules come in saying no aftermarket exhausts, would this mean I have to take it off and refit the...

Q. I have been riding for 47 years and am heading for retirement, so I want a bike that’s easy to push around, that I can ride all day and is cheap to run. I like the Honda 125 Varadero, but can it be...

Q. I've got a technical problem with my 1986 Yamaha FZ750. Everything was fine until I removed the radiator to spray it, and then add new coolant. Whilst the radiator was off, I cleaned up the HT...

Q. I'm looking at a 1997 Honda VFR750FV that has had category C damage, apparently cosmetic only. The guy says it's been repaired and is straight. Do you think it's worth me getting seriously involved...

Q. I have just replaced the stator and regulator/rectifier on my 2005 43,000-mile 955i Triumph Daytona. The problem I now have is that the wiring from the alternator and the 30-amp fuse is getting...

SBK Generations, £29.99 Time played: One month What's good? The career mode is improved from last year. You now start in 2009 and have up until the end of the 2012 season to win the WSB title. So this...

Q. I am having problems finding a pair of matching road tyres for my 1982 Suzuki GSX400. The front is a 90/90/19, the rear is a 110/90/17, if I have to mix brands what would be the best combination? ...

Germot Oxford wax jacket, £239.99 Miles covered/time: 2000/three months What’s good: This jacket combines retro charm with a degree of 21st century protection and I really love wearing it – it’s a...

Q. I am looking into buying a Honda VF400F. But I can't find a 33bhp kit or any legal way of restricting it. I have tried as many people and places as I can think of, including Honda dealerships and...

Q. My son can be a bit like Frank Spencer sometimes. When cleaning his chain he often gets WD40 all over his rear tyre, too. Despite me warning him not to, he declares: "It's OK, I clean it off...

Q. When I brake at slow speed on my Kawasaki ZX-6R J2 track bike it feels as if the brakes are only working intermittently and at higher speeds the front shudders a lot. The brake pads are new, the...

Q. I have just had new Bridgestone tyres fitted to my Gold Wing by my local Honda dealer. The rear tyre has not got any weights and on the front they have put all the weights on one side, 2 x 10 and 3...

Q. I have a new Kawasaki Z1000SX with 900 miles on the clock, which has a faint rattle. It comes in when I am gently opening the throttle at low revs in the low gears. It’s similar to pinking or a...

Q. I’m 83 and in memory of the happy days my late wife and I had on Triumphs in 1950s I’ve got a 2008 Triumph Street Triple to have fun on. I did find it set up quite hard, so I’ve had the suspension...

Q. I was advised the rattle on my Honda Hornet 600 was probably the camchain tensioner, so I had a new one fitted, but now the rattle has returned. However, where it used to rattle when cold, it’s now...

Q. I have bought a second hand slip-on exhaust for my 2009 Suzuki GSXR750. The pipe that connects to the end pipe is slightly out of shape and the gasket does not fit in correctly. When trying to fit...

Q. I recently rebuilt my 2002 Yamaha R6 and all seems ok. It starts up and ticks over OK, but when I go to ride off it feels like it’s got no fuel and the revs die on me. She will restart just fine,...

Q. I have a 2003 Suzuki GSX-R750 and when it gets to its max temperature (107 degrees) it overheats and cuts out in traffic, I have to wait until it cools down before it starts again. It was fully...

Q. I was riding home on the M6 yesterday after a weeks touring round Scotland on my Deauville when my rev counter went haywire then died. Shortly after, the bike backfired twice and the engine cut out...

Q. What replacement tyres would you recommend for my Triumph 800 XC? I will only be using the bike on the road for weekend leisure trips and occasional long distance tours. They also need to be good...

Q. I want to uprate the front fork springs on my FJR1300A (2008 plate) as I’m finding it too soft fully-loaded. The brand names I've heard of don't do replacement uprated springs for my year of bike.

Q. Is it acceptable to re-fit a motorcycle tyre? I replaced the rear tyre on my 2007 CBR600RR last year as I was going on a long trip and didn't want the hassle of changing it when I was away. Now...

Q. I am getting a slight front end shimmy at higher speed on my Honda CBR600F. The bike is fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsas and I’ve done 1000 miles on them during which time they have been...

Q. My Yamaha V-Max will soon need new clutch plates. The Barnett sets are £20-30 more than EBC or Ferodo. Are they worth the extra cash? Mickh13, MCN forums A. Unless you are going drag racing I don’t...

Q. After 28 years off bikes I have decided to go back to riding. A lot has changed in this time and I need some advice. I am thinking of buying a pair of textile trousers with a limited budget of £75,...

Q. I need to get the exhaust headers off my Suzuki GSX600F while the engine is out of the frame to repair an oil leak. All the exhaust bolts are off the studs, but the pipes themselves are wedged in...

Q. I recently bought a pair of new Metzeler Racetecs off eBay for my track bike. Now it's my own fault because I should have asked how old they were, but when they arrived I realised they were made in...

Q. The fuel on my Kawasaki ER-5 is flowing straight through into the air filter box and it sounds like it is only firing on one cylinder, too. Quilley, MCN forums A. The ER-5 has a vacuum tap which...

Q. I’ve a 2002 Suzuki GSX-R750 with an Akrapovic end can. It runs very well, certainly not short on power! However slow speed running below 4000rpm is a bit jerky and erratic at times! Would fitting a...

Q. I've stripped the threads on two of the front disc mounting holes on my Hayabusa. Would it be OK to repair them with helicoils? David Stowe, MCN forums A. You can do a helicoil repair as a...