<img width="200" height="112" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/The-2004-Yamaha-YZF-R1_Project-Bike_1.jpg" alt="" />The 2004 Yamaha YZF-R1, I bought it as crashed wrack 2 years ago, it turned into a recovery project of 2 years, and will never sell it. I'm besotted with its styling and power delivery. One day though, I'll have to face the question – what is there left to do – the Yamaha R1 is near perfect.

Before the raining season started, I made a to-do list for the Yamaha: Better brakes – bigger discs and new multipad front calipers. Bridge wires on the EXUP valve to stop the display showing an error code. Hoard more parts.

Then if I look back what I actual did on work on the Yamaha is much more then the short above list. I fitted new wheels bearings to light weight Marchesini wheels bough on Ebay, got the new bearings from a Chinatown bearing shop – much cheaper. Got the new wheels blast cleaned and repainted. Got new Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's tires – I never ride motorcycle in the rain. I fitted lightweight AP rear brake caliper. Make a rear caliper hanger for AP item. Fitted racier looking lightweight Harris clip-on bars. Fitted new Micron exhaust system, the crushed downpipes were irreparable. Sorted out new radiator bracket to ensure it clears the new exhaust.

<img width="200" height="123" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/Motorcycle-Chain-Lubing-Done-Right_1.jpg" alt="" />Lubricating your motorcycle's chain. Most of us know we should lubricate the chain but not everyone does it right. Therefore we have some pointers to make it easier and more effective.

Lubricate the chain every 1,000 kilometers or less if you ride in the rain. Every other time you do it, clean the chain first using a soft toothbrush and paraffin or commercial chain cleaner to get rid of all the accumulated hidden dirt.

Just after you've ridden the motorcycle the chain will be warm or even hot. That's the perfect time to lube it. The heat means the lubricant will penetrate deeper into the rollers and spread into all the nooks and crannies.

Although standard brake lines have improved, fitting braided lines still brings an improvement in braking performance. Standard hoses, usually made from rubber, expand under load and create a 'spongy' feel. Braided lines don't expand. It's that simple. With a combination of new lines and fresh, good quality brake fluid, say goodbye to spongy levers and hello to better modulation, increased consistency and better looks too.

Replacing them is a serious job – not difficult with the right tools – but doing the job properly is critically important. We will try with easy steps to guide you through the process but don't attempt it in you're not sure.

Before you start, check that you've got the correct hose kit and give everything a good wash. Use a soft brush around the brake hose banjo bolts, bleed nipples, and master cylinder reservoir so they're clean and free from any dirt. Dry thoroughly . You may need to remove at least the top part of the fairing cowl to gain access to work, check that.

<img width="200" height="149" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/Modify-Honda-CRF450X-Airbox-to-Breathe_1.jpg" alt="" />The stock Honda CRF450X airbox is safe from water, but it's also safe from air. If you make vents in the proper places, you get good results without problems from wet air-filter elements. The secret for more free airflow is using a small piece of 2.5cm steal pipe, every D.I.Y. Shop has it, heat the pipe over a flame and then poke holes.

The holes come out looking like they belong there. Just try not to burn a hole in your fuel tank and make the Honda CRF450X burst into flames.

The snorkel has to go. Use a drill to handle the two rivets that hold it in place. We put four holes in the the areas that are protected from splash by other pieces of body work. It's not a good idea to have any holes near the bottom of the airbox.

<img width="200" height="128" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/The-Yamaha-YZF-R6-as-Track-Tool_1.jpg" alt="" />Running errands and commuting on an Yamaha YZF-R6 can almost make you forget how fast it really is. Don't get me wrong, it easily cuts through traffic and nothing will touch it with enough RPM on the dial. But free of the Bangkok city confines is where the Yamaha YZF-R6 really shines.

An early-morning Khorat-plateau, in Nakorn Ratchasima province, run is always nice, but to explorer your limits and discover what the Yamaha YZF-R6 was bred for, you gotta hit the track.

Though I'd raced some mini-moto stuff at a local track, I thought it was wise to start my high-speed career with studying riders on the circuit. Thanks to the people I met at Bira Circuit I began the day hesitant but ended it with burnt-up tires. Ok, so I wasn't exactly Valentino Rossi, but I was more confident, had more fun than should be legal and picked-up serious speed.

As for the Yamaha YZF-R6, its low clip-on, high rearsets and top end power suddenly all made sense. It railed around corners, braked harder than I was willing to and made for a track experience I'll never forget.

I am slowly getting used to paying 510 Baht or more when I fill my motorcycle's fuel tank. No, that's not true. I am not getting used to it. I am getting to hate it more and more every time it happens. And heaven help the pump jockey who comes the uncooked crustacean with me about taking my helmet off when he's extracting – more then 32 Baht for each liter of fuel from me.

Not amused. Not happy. Time to get sensible and look at ways of saving fuel – even on a motorcycle. Here are some ways of doing just that, arranged in no particular order. And yes, I know that many of them are obvious – but I'm prepared to bet that you (like me) have been ignoring them anyway, because after all, motorcycles use little fuel, don't they?

Well, these days even that “little fuel” costs a lot of money, so it's time to give the fuel use a bit more attention. I give you hereby my top 10 ways; if you have any others you can always post them by using the comments option under this article.

<img width="200" height="127" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/Scootercross-a-Growing-Trend_1.jpg" alt="" />Scootercross is a currently growing trend in Thailand. The first step in modifying the scooter for off-road use is looking at the engine to see if we can generate some more power, upgrading the suspension by way of alternative forks at the front, plus a set of long-stroke shock absorbers at the rear.

The engine upgrades, should not be that much of a problem, scooter engine tuning parts are widely available in Thailand. From simple carburetor, exhaust systems, and air filter kits too complete bore-up kits, which in some cases almost double the combustion volume of the engine, are all available, the only limitation is the budget.

Modifying the ground-clearance can be a bit more tricky, for some scooters modifying shops have special kits available. In most cases changing the diameter of the wheels, and adding off-road tyres will give the desired ground-clearing.

Along with the engine, the frame has to be modified. Most underbone scooter frames are not strong and stiff enough for off-road activities, and therefore we would recommend an additional support 'strut' that has been welded on to the frame to give it extra strength.

<img width="200" height="150" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/Fixing-your-Sticky-Clutch-Cable_1.jpg" alt="" />On an average ride you use the clutch on your motorcycle thousands of times and if the cable are full of oxidation, gunk and sticky, you'll be working overtime for no reason. Riding a motorcycle in Bangkok is tough enough already without sticky controls. Everyone from the average weekend tour rider to the daily home-work motorcycle commuter can benefit from smooth, flowing control cables.

To start with we're going to fix the clutch. To lube the cable you'll first need to remove it from the clutch lever. (For motorcycles with a hydraulic clutch, this article is not for you...) To remove the clutch cable, first roll back the dust cover and wind the adjuster in to the full slack position, with the little slots facing to the front. If there's not enough free play in the cable to remove it from the lever, you'll need to move on to the next step.

Trace the clutch cable down to where it joins the clutch actuating arm. If you use a shifter to manually operate the clutch arm, you'll find there'll be plenty of free play at the clutch lever and you can remove the clutch cable. By the way, this works just as well refitting the clutch cable. On some motorcycle models the clutch arm can be a bit tricky to get at, so improvise.

<img width="200" height="198" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/The-Ducati-900SS-in-the-Repair-Shop_1.jpg" alt="" />While trying to improve my Ducati 900SS a little bit this month, I've actually ended up with it sat immobile in my garage again. Annoyed? Me? Yes, I am actually, very much!

It's nothing terminal, just the ravishes of time coupled with a bit of a failure to pay proper attention to the job in hand. My two modifying projects this months seemed like complete no-brainers, but actually they both turned out to be pulling massive on my daily happiness.

First modify project was to fit a new chain and sprocket kit, not the cleanest task in the world, but usually only a half-hour of my time with the right tools, and made all the easier on the Ducati for not having a massively hard to release front sprocket bolt. The Ducati 900SS uses a nice little collar that slides onto the spline, then rotates by a couple of degrees and bolts to the sprocket, holding it in place, much less effort than trying to free off the usual big nut with anything other than an a level of adrenaline which can cause a serious heart condition.

<img width="200" height="133" class="floatleft" src="https://motorcycleinth.com/images/articles/Motorcycle-Wash-and-Cleaning-Supplies_1.jpg" alt="" />Seeing a dirty motorcycle is like spotting an super-hot looking girl wearing a bit too much make-up – what you really want to view is what's underneath, wash it all off. After all the time you've put into making a motorcycle just right, you want to show off your baby with a shine as bright as the day it rolled off the showroom floor.

When it comes to cleaning your motorcycle, don't be tempted to head to the kitchen and grab some random spray designed to remove grease and half-eaten food stains from a counter top. Using proper cleaning products will leave your motorcycle clean, spot free, paint protected and with a lustrous shine.

There are specific products made to help ease the cleaning job while leaving the motorcycle glossy and protected. While some cleaners help remove dirt and debris, others add shine back to your surfaces. It's important to remember when cleaning your motorcycle baby that the type of towel used is just as important as the chemical. So leave the dirty dishrag or soiled sock aside and choose a lint free micro fiber cloth.