Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I cant for the life of me get this back on after winter storage. Any tricks/tips for this?

The bike is a 99 v-star 650/ Thanks.

Take it inside and get it to room temperature overnight if you're trying to do this in an unheated garage or shed.

Thanks. A good suggestion. It was stored in a heated garage. I just dont seem to have the strength to dexterity to do it. Is there a tool for this?

A tool? I highly doubt it. You might be able to jury-rig something to give you more leverage. Some of the elastics have hooks on the end and some have loops. The ones with hooks are easier to install, but it's usually just a case of having small, but very strong, fingers. I sometimes have to use needle nosed pliers or small vice grips just to get a good grip on the danged things.

Yeah Its a pain. I have the loop.

Seeing as I just need to get it to the shop on the weekend to do a trade in I might let them deal with it. It's in there pretty good as is, and should last an hours drive.

I've done a lot of riding on my Virago 535 (V-Star 650's predecessor) without the elastic in place. Don't sweat it.

if its like my Vulcan, stretch the elastic out and kinda fish it around. Get as much slack as possible, and hold it tight to the top of the battery, with the slack hanging down. might take a few times.