Bike horn

[Stiffler]

Hi everyone,

I've just got myself my first bike this week and I'm really enjoying it. It's just a little Yamaha YBR125 but it's enough for me to get a grasp of the basics and get some good experience. I think it might be an import although it's not registered as one when HPI'ed.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/ybr.jpg

Anyway it's in fab nick, rides really well and everything works except for the horn.... I've had a look around but I've no idea where the horn is. Has anyone got any suggestions on what could be wrong or what I can check?

The only other thing I'm not happy with is the stickers on the fuel tank... They're not really my cup of tea and I'm thinking of trying to take them off. Has anyone got any ideas or recommendations?

Tim
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[trafficdodger]

Hello mate nice bike by the way i hope you enjoy it.
As for the horn mine is set back slightly underneath the headlight have a check there. The stickers on the other hand are a pig to get off the adhesive on my fairing took an age to get off try a hair dryer and heat them slightly.

Cheers

Nige
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Present bike Yamaha R6

[Stiffler]

Thanks for the heads up Trafficdodger ... I found the horn where you said it would be (wasn't expecting it to look like it did). Managed to get the bugger working after messing about for 20 minutes . Seemed like the contact on the horn is a bit damaged it needs pressure applying to it to work. Guess I should look into getting a new one as I'm not sure how permanent my repair job is.

While messing with the horn I managed to blow the fuse on the bike Nicked a spare from my dad's car and all is well again. I'll have to remember to work with the ignition off next time, and maybe disconnect the battery too
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[5v3d3b0]

Haidryer works good, and when you get the actual sticker off, the sticky stuff comes off easily with petrol. Be careful when you take the stickers off though...I got one under my nail. It HURTS

[teech]

Hi,

I have a new YBR too, looks just like yours but different colouring. Its a lovely bike, everybody has been expressing surprise its only a 125. Got mine yesterday and have been nervously riding around all day today! Can't believe how much I enjoy the riding experience - I am completely new to it - just done the old CBT.
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In everyday life good people do good things, bad people do bad things. It takes religion to make a good person do bad things.

[Victor-Charlie]

As Svedebo suggests, lighter fuel will remove any sticky residue and them warm soapy water to remove whats's left of the lighter fuel.

The forks and declas on your YBR would indicate that it is an import (grey) but the best way to check is see if the speedo is in km or mph, the grey versions go up to 140 and have a mph sticker on them, as far as i can see. Who cares anyway, you have a great bike to learn on and enjoy...

vc.

[Stiffler]

Thanks Victor, thats confirmed my suspicions

I had thought the speedo was extremely ambitious . The most telling factor was that the user manual was all in Japanese and there are a number of Jap stickers on it too... Apart from that and the tiny front faring, it mostly seems to be the same as the UK one. What does the fact it's a Grey import mean in real terms? is that why it was cheaper than most of the other 2nd hand YBR's?

Good to hear you're enjoying your YBR too Teacher/Biker! I've done 85 slightly nervous miles in the past two days going nowhere in particular The bike does seem to look bigger than some 125's doesn't it?
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[Victor-Charlie]

Being a "Grey import" is fine, they are being sold by a dealer near Derby for £1550 new, so they will be cheaper on the used market anyway.

At the end of the day, you still have a nice looking bike and the dealer network will service it if you want, so just enjoy it....

Keep an eye out for a users manual in Engish, but most of the book is common sense anyway.

vc

[Joe?]

maybe stating the obvious here, but state it amyway.

make sure the engine is cold when your cleaning the residue with lighter fuel/petrol. PS no smoking


congrats on the bike and enjoy. I managed a rthousand miles on my honda 125 shadow in the 7 weeks I've had the bike.

been everywhere i can on it.
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Got my bike - Honda VT 125 SHadow - passed DAS (2nd time) - got my BabyBlue A suzi VL 800 mmmm - 2 yrs on a brand new c1800rt (suzuki torque monster)

[Dalemac]

congrats on the ybr, ive got one too. they are a great bike, i filled it up yesterday and it cost a 5er lol.

only difference from the models is the grey imports have the fairing and those stickers, defo get them off, my ybr is black and looks much better without the stickers.

go to any yamaha dealer and they should be able to fix/ replace the horn. the least they will do is order you a new one and you can pick the part up.

good choice of bike, they are a great bike to learn on.

good luck dude
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[short1uk]

Nice one picking the YBR mate I had one in blue from new for my first bike.

Lovely to ride and much bigger than the average 125! I clocked up around 800 miles on mine before I sold it and I think I only filled her up 4 times. You can expect around 100mpg out of it!

The stickers, not my cuppa and personally I would try and take them off with the hair drier sounds like a good idea

The owners manual is ok tells you a few things like tyre pressures etc TBH we had 2 YBRS and because they were so new at the time we only got 1 manual between us. Didnt use it that much as i recall. If you need any help with it drop me a PM

C

[Dalemac]

dude, 1 thing ive noticed from the pic - you have left the fuel on, always remember to put it in the off position whenever the bike isnt running.

just thought i would point that out incase you didnt know.

Dale
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[short1uk]

why?


I didn't do this and didnt experience any problems!

says in manual if storing bike then do this

[Victor-Charlie]

[quote="Dale_Mckeown"]dude, 1 thing ive noticed from the pic - you have left the fuel on, always remember to put it in the off position whenever the bike isnt running.

On my CBT, they said that it didn't matter unless you were leaving the bike for a few days (storage), I thought they were talking rubbish. But the manual does say to turn it off though....

How many mile have you done so far Dale?

vc

[Stiffler]

Thanks for the heads up Dale, I was wondering about that. I take it I turn the fuel dial to the 9 O'clock position for off?? Not having a manual has left me guessing about a few things... And does the bike have a reserve tank? and if so is that enabled by turning the dial to the 6 O'clock position?

And some other newbie questions. When I check the oil where do you put the dip stick to check? Do you test from fully screwed in, or test from the unscrewed position?

Lastly if I have to stop quickly for some reason and I was crusing in 5th, is it alright to shift down to first while stationary? This happened to me yesterday and I didn't have time to shift down before stopping and after reading the Gears thread I was left a little confused.... My CBT was on a Twist and Go scooter and gears weren't even mentioned, much to my shock and horror!

Tim
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[Pete.]

Shifting down whilst stationary is fine, just be gentle on the lever. If it won't select a certain gear on the way down (which is quite normal if it happens), roll the bike forwards or backwards slightly to line up the engaging dogs on the gears - don't try to force it in.

On the subject of fuel taps I never had a bike yet than needed the tap turned off. The needles in the float bowls hold the fuel back just fine usually. If it is prone to losing fuel when it's standing or if it's stood-up a long while, then it's a wise precaution. Normally problems only occur on older bikes with worn carburettor parts.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Victor-Charlie]

Fuel switch up is reserve, down is on and 9 o'clock is off.

Oils level is checked with the dipstick (cap) unscrewed and yes you can change down when stationary.

Hope this helps.

[Stiffler]

Well thanks alot everyone, I'm extreemly grateful for all the very useful comments!

Also you've also managed to spur me on to tackling the stickers. I'm gonna see how I get on tonight. I'll post up some pictures when I'm done!


Tim
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[Pete.]

Most stickers will come off after warming with a heat-gun (carefully) but many manufacturers (Suzuki for one) put the sticker on the fuel tank during th painting process then laquer over it to stop fuel from making it peel.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Victor-Charlie]

Just noticed that you have a side stand on your YBR, that's another difference to the UK spec, I would love a side stand.

I will call the dealer straight away to see if they have any...

Careful with those stickers and post some pics when it's done, I bet the bike will look great.

vc

[Stiffler]

[Pete.]

Yes if you try to remove a laquered-over sticker, it will ruin your paintwork.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Dalemac]

ouch stiffler, looks like your suck with those stickers


erm preferably i tend to turn the feul tap off (so the kneedle on the knob is pointing front and in level with the ground. this is because i may not ride for a couple of days, i only pointed it ot to you to make you aware not to leave it on for too long, and also, when you do turn it off, make sure that you turn it on before you ride again, ive almost done this a few times.

what i usually do it check the fuel tap, then start the ignition, this means you wont be goin down the road and then have a sudden loss of power (presumeably becuase i havnt done it)



Yeah, changing down gear when stationary is fine, you may want to let the clutch out a tiny bit to engage that gear to help a bit, and as already stated dont force the gears to go down.

and for all those wanting a sidestand, we gotta wait until 2007, according to my dealer.

hope that helps abit.

Dale
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[Dalemac]

oh and just noticed another difference to the uk spec, the horn on the uk spec is about half way up the big black bar infront of the engine (nice, technical terms lol)

dunno where it is on your model - i cant see it anyway...


Dale
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[Stiffler]

The horn is attached to the front fork, hidden directly under the front light in the tiny plastic faring... If you can call it that? Oh and it sounds like Road Runner

What a bugger about the stickers.... I think that they are lacquered as the seem between the tank and the sticker seems to be smoother than it should be, and I didn't notice it when I first inspected them

Maybe I can look at getting it resprayed


Tim
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS