Why not just use a swingarm-lift stand for the back of the bike, and a head-lift stand for the front? That's what I do.
At one point, when changing out the shock, I can't remember exactly what I did but I think I ran a rod through the frame and used jack stands to support it.
The title says VMX17, so he has an '09+ Vmax. I didn't see any aftermarket options in a couple pages of Google results, so OEM might be the only way to go. https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/yamaha/motorcycle/2014/vmax-vmx17egy/front-fork
There are four bolts that attach the OEM backrest to the bike. I've lost one of them. I'm able to find parts fiches for all of the OEM parts for the Vmax as it was delivered from the factory, and I can find the entire backrest kit for sale, but I can't find part numbers for individual items in...
You have the opportunity to buy back the bike you sold, for the same money that you sold it for? It's a no-brainer. Hand the guy $4K and get your scoot back.
The true limiting factor for braking on a Gen1 Vmax is going to be the absolutely pathetic grip limit of the bias ply tires. The best brakes in the world arent going to help you stop any faster when the front tire is locked.
I put HH pads and steel lines on my old Gen1, and it was passable for...
I have an Optimal Carbone cat delete x-pipe. Need to post a real “for sale” ad. I think they’re going for more than a grand new. Asking $700 shipped to the 48 states.
Having a local shop fab up a custom one-off exhaust would likely be a lot more labor intensive and expensive than buying something that was pre-engineered and built in much greater quantities.