First_N_Last Posted October 31, 2009 Author #51 Posted October 31, 2009 As for the Bridgestone... yes it is crap... Can't decide between a Michelin or Kumho for a replacement. The only reason for not deciding on a Kumho, is "Can I find someone to mount it near Richmond? John - I already told have I an extra Kumho sitting in the garage. If your uncomfortable with what's on it now, I have a MC tire shop within 10 minutes of my home. We can put my Kumho you bike for the cost of the tire and probably $10 or so to mount it. We can take the wheel off here at my place and run it over to him, that'll save a few bucks. I'm going to call him right now to see if he'll be around on the 7th. If he can't be available I have a back-up installer. We'll get it done one way or another. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wow! Richard is the best! It is official then.. I will be changing the tire before I start the trip home! Thanks to Adventure 1943, my journey will be smoth & filled with traction. My wife & I say THANKS! To all of the others, thanks for your concerns. Pictures will be made to journal everything. John the nerd, geek, motor head, rock climber & AdVenturer
Riderduke Posted October 31, 2009 #52 Posted October 31, 2009 John, If i'm not mistaken you will only be the 2nd VR.org member in Virginia who will have a CT on the rear. You may get alot of requests to go for a ride on your bike. i think the only other VA mamber is BUBBA over in Lynchburg
MidlifeVenture Posted October 31, 2009 #53 Posted October 31, 2009 Looks good for Saturday so far its still long range but looking like it will be a nice day.
First_N_Last Posted November 1, 2009 Author #54 Posted November 1, 2009 John, If i'm not mistaken you will only be the 2nd VR.org member in Virginia who will have a CT on the rear. You may get alot of requests to go for a ride on your bike. i think the only other VA mamber is BUBBA over in Lynchburg We will have to have a VA get together in the spring & I'll do a show & tell. I should have at least 2000 miles on it by then. That might be a whole 3 people!
First_N_Last Posted November 1, 2009 Author #55 Posted November 1, 2009 Looks good for Saturday so far its still long range but looking like it will be a nice day. Thanks for the weather checks... I can only hope for good weather.
First_N_Last Posted November 1, 2009 Author #56 Posted November 1, 2009 Well here is the status so far... 1 - downloaded manuals 2 - ordered Kumho tire & being sent to Richard 3 - ordered Dowco Guard+ EZ Zip cover & it shipped 4 - Rich ordered DynaBeads for balancing his & my tire Haven't got 1 call or email about my old bike which is for sale. Saturday is getting closer...
Riderduke Posted November 1, 2009 #57 Posted November 1, 2009 We will have to have a VA get together in the spring & I'll do a show & tell. I should have at least 2000 miles on it by then. That might be a whole 3 people! Heck maybe we can put something together in December. As long as there is no snow its riding weather.
First_N_Last Posted November 5, 2009 Author #58 Posted November 5, 2009 Saturday is the day... My planned route is to drive South on 77 to 64... Then I'll drive east on 64 to Richmond, VA. Does anyone have any knowledge of driving hazards ? Route 77 from Dover, OH to 64? 64 to Richmond?
footsie Posted November 6, 2009 #59 Posted November 6, 2009 That tire doesn't look that bad to me, same tire that on the wife's roadie, it did not have a center tread to start with soild down the center when new. Ofcourse it may look worse in person than in a picture. Bottom line though, you decide on what you want to ride. I will say if you put a radial on back, put a Avon Cobra Radial on frount. You will love what it does for the bikes handling, and especially stopping ability. Gregg
MidlifeVenture Posted November 7, 2009 #60 Posted November 7, 2009 Looks like great weather for your adventure hope your trip is safe and you love it as much as I love mine.:thumbsup:
eagleeye Posted November 7, 2009 #61 Posted November 7, 2009 Have a great ride and enjoy your new bike. Steve
First_N_Last Posted November 7, 2009 Author #62 Posted November 7, 2009 well I am on my way. i'm at my connecting airpofrt in NC now. waiting for flight to Akron... next step is finding Adventure1943 at the airport...
First_N_Last Posted November 9, 2009 Author #63 Posted November 9, 2009 Well I found Dick & Linda Byrd. Very nice people! They took me to Adventure HD & Matt showed me the bike. We started it... I took a test ride... then bought it & followed Dick & Linda to their house. Dick took my tire off (now I know how)... got my tire changed & then we spent hours trying to set the bead on that cursed tire! Boy did we work hard on that. After hours of effort the last bead popped & Dick jumped. Hurray... Dick & Linda fed me pizza & gave me cookies to take. Dick would not let me pay for pizza, tire change, dynabeads, etc. (Santa will take care of him for sure!) Dick led me to Route 77 & I started home at 8:00PM. It was cold & dark. I passed three deer carcasses pulled to the side of the road & after 150 miles I stopped at a motel for the night. The next day I was up & out the door by 7:00AM. Bundled in 3 layers, I drove off. The bike seemed to pulse hard when I was going up large hills. I also had a strong wobble/squirm in the rear tire on hill-curves. Because of that I stopped at the next big town & searched for a Autozone. I picked up a can of Sea Foam & a tire pressure gauge. Checked the tire... it was 42... reduced the air to 38... put the Sea Foam in the tank... filled up & got back on the highway. The bike handled much better now on hard curves... only on the hardest, highest curves was there any sense of a little rear sway. When driving that hard on the curves you kind of expect some drift. I like the tire. The hard pulsing while accelerating, went away also. The sun came up & it got warmer... nice day... big grin on my face! After stopping every 150+- miles for a break, etc. When I got home, I immediately got my Goo Off & started on the bike. The bike had 8 stupid stickers on it. 35 minutes latter, the stickers were off & the bike is just beautiful. Thanks to all who helped on this thread. Special thanks to Dick & Linda Byrd for all their help & generosity. They are great people & a credit to the bulletin board. A Royal Star Venture is a dream to ride & own. P.S. (The Radio died, but the warranty will take care of that when I take it in.) johnb
Guest tx2sturgis Posted November 9, 2009 #64 Posted November 9, 2009 Congrats on arriving home safely. What...no pics? The carbs might need synching, that might help with the 'pulsing' sensation too. These bikes seem to have some issues with the radio, but I have had zero problems with mine...and I will let you in on some advise: The first time you take the fairing outershell off, cycle, clean, and secure all the radio harness connectors. I tied them to each other and various other harnesses and supports using zip-ties. I think the vibration tends to loosen the various connectors inside the faring. These connectors are round, small, black, male and female connectors.
LilBeaver Posted November 9, 2009 #65 Posted November 9, 2009 Glad you made it home okay! Sounds like you had a reasonable ride too
BigBoyinMS Posted November 9, 2009 #66 Posted November 9, 2009 Congrats, johnb! On the new-to-you bike AND the new tire. Sounds like a great trip you had there. Be sure and get us some pics of you new acquisition. Good luck and happy riding! Dave
Venturous Randy Posted November 9, 2009 #67 Posted November 9, 2009 Thanks for sharing your adventure as we were along also. Glad you made it home ok and you are correct, there are some great people that make up this family. RandyA
Riderduke Posted November 9, 2009 #68 Posted November 9, 2009 Hey john, Congrats on getting the bike. As far as that carb tune. Come on up to Fredericksburg and i'll do a carb tune for ya / show you how. Remember i still want to try out that CT on your bike.
Hummingbird Posted November 9, 2009 #69 Posted November 9, 2009 John B - I know you made it home Ok 'cause you called me. Thanks for the kind words but I was just doing what anybody would do for a 'newbie' - It was especially enjoyable for me just watching that big grin on your face as you looked at and worked on your new bike. I know you will enjoy your 'new' Venture. Adventure 1943
MidlifeVenture Posted November 9, 2009 #70 Posted November 9, 2009 Congratulation glad you had a good trip. May be running at to low of RPM for the gear I had issues getting used to reving it up a little hirer than you think it should be if your used to a twin.
bongobobny Posted November 10, 2009 #71 Posted November 10, 2009 Check the air pressure in the rear shock as well, that may contribute to some of the handling issues you felt. Congratulations on your new ride!!!
Venturous Randy Posted November 10, 2009 #72 Posted November 10, 2009 Congratulation glad you had a good trip. May be running at to low of RPM for the gear I had issues getting used to reving it up a little hirer than you think it should be if your used to a twin. I know the 2nd gens are geared different and have rev limiters, but I took my 83 out for a ride today and did a little loafing around on some country roads and then when I pulled out onto a two lane highway, I cranked her on to a bit over 8,000 rpm's in 1st and 2nd and to about 6,000 in 3rd before shutting down. It was still pulling hard at over 8,000 rpm's. These motors seem to love the rpm's, so don't hesitate to take it to the rev limiter ocassionally, you are not going to hurt it any. RandyA
footsie Posted November 10, 2009 #73 Posted November 10, 2009 Since you have change the rear to the kumho, change the frount to the Avon Cobra 150/80r/16 radial, handling and stopping ability is greatly improved, ride is smooth as glass, go to the darkside and read the post on the cobra, myself, bloodbought, and gunboat have posted about it there in combo with the radial on rear. gregg
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