This is for all my friends who wonder,, what would happen if..

[cowpuc]

I get asked from time to time how I can just jump on my bike an leave for extended periods of time and "dont I worry about the house and lawn care".. To answer that question in text,,,, why of course I do.. I really do..

Folks that know me personally know that when I am out on the road I lay awake at night wondering how my lawn is getting along and so on.. As a matter of fact, my home state of Michigan is known for its ever changing weather that directly affects the plant growth throughout our gorgeous winter wonder land.. Some years my old beater lawn tractor does its thing only a couple times during a grow season.. Other years its once a week!! We have had winters that I literally have ridden our forests on my dirtbike all winter long with a mere 6 inches of snow being the total accumlation.. This last winter, thanks in part to a developing friendship I have with FlyinFool over in Wisconsin, we came in with over 10 feet of snow for the season PLUS some whopping spring storms that the combination thereof caused enough chaos that I thought ol Tweeks may never get out of the corral..

Well,, as May started coming to an end and the basement started drying out, I drug the ol beater tractor out of hibernation,, fought with the carb on it enough to make it run, cut my grass down to point it looked like I was actually mowing the root system of the lawn instead of the lawn itself, it was brutal.. Carefully I pulled tweeks out of hibernation and pulled maintenance on her.. Tippy and I quietly snuck off to chase the wind so we wouldnt wake up any dandy lions that may be sleeping amoungst the freshly exposed lawn roots..

Got news for ya,, it worked!!

Laying awake in my tent worrying about my lawn while attending the VentureWest Rally at The Dalles in Oregon, my daughter called us (cell phones - blah) and informed us that my lawn was almost to her knees (thankfully I hadnt killed it!) and that one of my neighbors stopped by and said "what kinda trees did your dad plant in the yard - they look like some sort of dandy lion tree".. I got nosey neighbors..

On the way home a couple days ago, as we crossed over the Missouri River at Chamberlain SD I found my pea size brain doing some wondering.. The landscape on the east side of the river changes greatly which causes my mental processor to do funny things every time I cross it going east.. By the time we crossed into Minnesota and noticed how high the corn was in that lovely part of the country, my thoughts had fully switched gears to worrying about the condition of the root system I had irresponsibly left behind with no fertilizer or even active sprinkler system...

It wasnt until I got home that I was fully aware of how much time I had wasted laying awake at night worrying about my poor lawn.. Never again I tell myself,, never again.. I will NEVER again lay awake at night worring about my uncared for lawn.. I am writing a new oath to be included in Pucs Biker Code Of Ethics,, I WILL NEVER WORRY ABOUT MY LAWN WHILE TOURING THE COUNTRY ON MY MOTORCYCLE - IT CAN TAKE PERFECTLY GOOD CARE OF ITSELF.. Watch this little video and you will see that my lawn did just fine!!

 

 

Now stop worrying about that lawn,, its summer,,, lets ride!!

Puc

[Marcarl]

Lucky you,,, you live on a gravel pit,,,, some of us civilized folks have dirt on our yard that supports growth, and wives that say,,, get out there and remove that growth,,,, ya, once a week at least,,, or you know what happens!!!!

[sgn]

Wow ,..... Your own nature preserve .,

Pitch the tent, you are home!

[Dragonslayer]

I get asked from time to time how I can just jump on my bike an leave for extended periods of time and "dont I worry about the house and lawn care".. To answer that question in text,,,, why of course I do.. I really do..

Folks that know me personally know that when I am out on the road I lay awake at night wondering how my lawn is getting along and so on.. As a matter of fact, my home state of Michigan is known for its ever changing weather that directly affects the plant growth throughout our gorgeous winter wonder land.. Some years my old beater lawn tractor does its thing only a couple times during a grow season.. Other years its once a week!! We have had winters that I literally have ridden our forests on my dirtbike all winter long with a mere 6 inches of snow being the total accumlation.. This last winter, thanks in part to a developing friendship I have with FlyinFool over in Wisconsin, we came in with over 10 feet of snow for the season PLUS some whopping spring storms that the combination thereof caused enough chaos that I thought ol Tweeks may never get out of the corral..

Well,, as May started coming to an end and the basement started drying out, I drug the ol beater tractor out of hibernation,, fought with the carb on it enough to make it run, cut my grass down to point it looked like I was actually mowing the root system of the lawn instead of the lawn itself, it was brutal.. Carefully I pulled tweeks out of hibernation and pulled maintenance on her.. Tippy and I quietly snuck off to chase the wind so we wouldnt wake up any dandy lions that may be sleeping amoungst the freshly exposed lawn roots..

Got news for ya,, it worked!!

Laying awake in my tent worrying about my lawn while attending the VentureWest Rally at The Dalles in Oregon, my daughter called us (cell phones - blah) and informed us that my lawn was almost to her knees (thankfully I hadnt killed it!) and that one of my neighbors stopped by and said "what kinda trees did your dad plant in the yard - they look like some sort of dandy lion tree".. I got nosey neighbors..

On the way home a couple days ago, as we crossed over the Missouri River at Chamberlain SD I found my pea size brain doing some wondering.. The landscape on the east side of the river changes greatly which causes my mental processor to do funny things every time I cross it going east.. By the time we crossed into Minnesota and noticed how high the corn was in that lovely part of the country, my thoughts had fully switched gears to worrying about the condition of the root system I had irresponsibly left behind with no fertilizer or even active sprinkler system...

It wasnt until I got home that I was fully aware of how much time I had wasted laying awake at night worrying about my poor lawn.. Never again I tell myself,, never again.. I will NEVER again lay awake at night worring about my uncared for lawn.. I am writing a new oath to be included in Pucs Biker Code Of Ethics,, I WILL NEVER WORRY ABOUT MY LAWN WHILE TOURING THE COUNTRY ON MY MOTORCYCLE - IT CAN TAKE PERFECTLY GOOD CARE OF ITSELF.. Watch this little video and you will see that my lawn did just fine!!

 

 

Now stop worrying about that lawn,, its summer,,, lets ride!!

Puc

You could try Goats, or sheep , a cow or maybe a horse.

[Condor]

Grant grazing rights to a goat herder......

[Flyinfool]

Seeeee

Ya should have come to the WI MD at Orlins. He might just loan you a goat........

 

You are lucky that you do not have a real lawn, I still have to cut mine when my 80lb dog disappears. Heck my driveway has more grass than your lawn. How can I get mine to look like that???? I like it.

 

You are already starting (or is it still) to pick on me about some "fictitious" weather machine huh................ Records are made to be broken........

[Dragonslayer]

I know you've ridden across the Great Plains and prairie that covers a good part of our country. Who do you think cuts all that grass?

[bongobobny]

Puc now I am CONVINCED you are 100% totally crazy!!! I like it!

[Trader]

Not a very safe rider.....I noticed your seatbelt warning light was flashing!

[eusa1]

I think I saw big foot peeking out of the tall gr.. I mean weeds:detective:

[Money Venture]

Now, finally, the puzzle has been solved. We have located the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa!!!!

[Money Venture]

Actually, I have the opposite problem. My son, one of my daughters, and one of my son-in-laws love to come cut my grass. I have to fight to get to cut my own grass. Sometimes, I don't fight real hard.

[EasyRider]

or all us visitors will have to camp where your neighbors can see what kind of ______ you ride with (fill in the blank)

[Wrench]

That's some funny stuff puc!!

[Venturous Randy]

Hey Puc, this reminds me, I am looking for some entertainment for Asheville, are you going to be available?

RandyA

[Bubber]

Grass is green crap that covers dirt.

[cowpuc]

Hey Puc, this reminds me, I am looking for some entertainment for Asheville, are you going to be available?

RandyA

 

Heyyyy,, that come with an offer to camp on your site Randy? BEFORE YA ANSWER THAT CHA MIGHT WANNA CHECK WITH JAMIE N MISTY, or more recent references,, BikerJohn and CMCoffey as any of them may advise you otherwise.. Bottom line my friend,, not ALL entertain in life is welcome nor healthy entertainment:rotf:

[Venturous Randy]

Heyyyy,, that come with an offer to camp on your site Randy? BEFORE YA ANSWER THAT CHA MIGHT WANNA CHECK WITH JAMIE N MISTY, or more recent references,, BikerJohn and CMCoffey as any of them may advise you otherwise.. Bottom line my friend,, not ALL entertain in life is welcome nor healthy entertainment:rotf:

 

 

Hey, if you come down, we will find some place to put you two and you will have the most fun you will ever have at any rally you have ever been at or going to be at, period.

Now, if you really want to do some good fixing on that blonde of yours, there is a V-Max final drive on ebay right now for I believe less than $100 including shipping and I have a spare 2nd gen and a MKII transmission that if you and tippy wanted to come thru a few days earlier, we could swap out the trans and final drive. That would fix your 2nd gear problem and I believe you would be very happy with the results. It sounds like you have a good running engine and this would really help things.

Think about it and you two can stay here while we are doing the changeover. It's not too bad here as I have had Aussie Annie and Alan, Rocket and Eck and I think they all survived.

RandyA

[cowpuc]

Hey, if you come down, we will find some place to put you two and you will have the most fun you will ever have at any rally you have ever been at or going to be at, period.

Now, if you really want to do some good fixing on that blonde of yours, there is a V-Max final drive on ebay right now for I believe less than $100 including shipping and I have a spare 2nd gen and a MKII transmission that if you and tippy wanted to come thru a few days earlier, we could swap out the trans and final drive. That would fix your 2nd gear problem and I believe you would be very happy with the results. It sounds like you have a good running engine and this would really help things.

Think about it and you two can stay here while we are doing the changeover. It's not too bad here as I have had Aussie Annie and Alan, Rocket and Eck and I think they all survived.

RandyA

 

WOW,, thats heavy my friend.. Hmmm,, I was just yakkin with Tip about it. Looking at dates and noticed it would cost us Sturgis this year BUT with you upping the ante like that,,, wow Rand,,, ya SURE ya wanna do that? Aint cha gonna be a little busy during that time frame?? Think that thru very carefully,, change of minds are ALWAYS not a problem in our relationship my friend!!

Of course,, you would also be willing to sign, in permanent signature and on exterior parts that you had your fingers on Tweeks right?? Hey,, it aint that bad,,, Squidley did it and as far as I know he is still alive, has all his fingers and is still welcome on the site..

Would it be allowable for me to purchase the Vmax drive and have it shipped down to you? Really sounds like fun ya lop eared gearhead!!

Anyone interested in what Randy is talking about us doing to poor ol Tweeks may wanna pay attention to his anwser to these following questions,, unless ya already know all this stuff, which I KNOW lots of you do but which I DO NOT..

Randy,, give me another synopsis of what we will end up with if we do what you are talking about.. Gear ratios, affect on cruising speeds vrs R's at those speeds (havent you done this already to your bike?), fuel economy, low gear crawling ability and the like.. What extra stuff should I purchase and send your way to complete the build,,, bottom end gasket kit, new u-joints, seals,, maybe forward gear bearings, tranny bearings?.. Randy, Tweeks complete exhaust system is a disaster blend of brazing, wire feed goobers and holes.. If we did this I should go ahead and see if I can find a decent collector and header pipes for her too.. Than there is the question of her clutch.. I have NEVER had a good a clutch in ANY of my 1st Gens,, by that I mean a clutch that would actually stay engaged in high gears, loaded with two up and nailed at 5 grand,, any thoughts from your experiences on the guarenteed fix for that as long as we are gonna open er up?

Probably oughta let you decided if you REALLY want to do this and if so, I will put together a quick build sheet of what I need to purchase and take a look at costs..

Seriously folks,, out of all the 1st Gens I have owned and allll the miles we have piled on em I aint NEVER opened one up! Lots and lots of other bikes, trannies, clutches, cranks, heads, cams, valves and on and on but NEVER a Yam V-4.. I have always bought em cheap, rode the life out of em and bought the next one,, pretty much 100% all went to rest with well over 200k on em too.. I ride em cause I get tired of working on bikes all the time.. These Yammers are the most durable, fair priced, fun lovin motorcycle ever known to man!

This could be interesting Rand!

On the same token my friend,, even if nothing comes of it,, THANK YOU FOR THE OFFER!! Your a real keeper my friend!

Puc

[cowpuc]

Hey, if you come down, we will find some place to put you two and you will have the most fun you will ever have at any rally you have ever been at or going to be at, period.

Now, if you really want to do some good fixing on that blonde of yours, there is a V-Max final drive on ebay right now for I believe less than $100 including shipping and I have a spare 2nd gen and a MKII transmission that if you and tippy wanted to come thru a few days earlier, we could swap out the trans and final drive. That would fix your 2nd gear problem and I believe you would be very happy with the results. It sounds like you have a good running engine and this would really help things.

Think about it and you two can stay here while we are doing the changeover. It's not too bad here as I have had Aussie Annie and Alan, Rocket and Eck and I think they all survived.

RandyA

 

Oh,by the way,, Tweeks is not a true Blonde, only her side panels are Blondies (from my 1st 1st Genny back in 87),, those panels have close to a million miles on em so she wears em with pride.. Her true colors,, seems like I just answered that for VentureFar,, is a Heinz 57 Maroon, Black and Blonde:confused24:

[Venturous Randy]

OK, I do have a 1200 engine that has about 30,000 miles on it that I do have a 2nd gen Venture transmission in it that I am trying to get motivated to swap out. The original engine is still in the bike with 167,000+ miles on it and still runs great. I currently do have a V-Max final drive in the bike and would love the gearing if it just had a 6th gear. But, running around the mountains here I still get about 43mpg's.

Compared to a stock trans and a stock final drive, going to the 2nd gen trans and V-Max final drive will give approximately 10% lower 1st, 5% lower 2nd, 3rd and 4th will be identical and 5th will be about 5% higher. I have the exact numbers on my locked up other laptop, but these are very close. The 2nd gen RSV trans ratios start about the same as a 1st gen, but are wider spaced. What you would have is the same thing as the 2nd gen guys going to a V-Max final drive and most all are very happy with it. They just moved all the ratios down about 10% and it especially made 5th gear a lot more useable and can help the gas mileage along with making the bike a bit more quick.

As far as us doing the job, you could have anything you want shipped here and we could stage it. The only down side is the local Yamaha shop carries very few parts even though it was recently taken over by Jim's and you know Jim's. As far as gaskets, it is according to how they were put on. I usually put Permatex on one side and usually the whole gasket will come off with it and not tear. We can put our heads together and try to figure out what we will need.

As far as parts, I do have a lot of spare parts and also have an 85 venture that I am trying not to make a parts bike out of, but parts are there if I need them.

I have not talked to Linda about this yet, but she adores Tippy and I know she would love to have you here. I think it would be fun and we have some other VR members that live around here and we may have some of them over.

I hope this all makes sense.

RandyA

[Venturous Randy]

A little more info;

The thread has some more on the differences on the various years and bikes;

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=81284&highlight=gear+ratios

 

As far as the clutch slipping, many years ago I replaced the clutch discs with new ones, even though the old ones were within spec. The biggest difference was I replaced the six springs with stronger ones. It made the clutch lever a bit stiffer, but I got used to it. I have never experienced any slippage since and that is with running the bike hard and also pulling a 450 pound camper.

RandyA

[cowpuc]

OK, I do have a 1200 engine that has about 30,000 miles on it that I do have a 2nd gen Venture transmission in it that I am trying to get motivated to swap out. The original engine is still in the bike with 167,000+ miles on it and still runs great. I currently do have a V-Max final drive in the bike and would love the gearing if it just had a 6th gear. But, running around the mountains here I still get about 43mpg's.

Compared to a stock trans and a stock final drive, going to the 2nd gen trans and V-Max final drive will give approximately 10% lower 1st, 5% lower 2nd, 3rd and 4th will be identical and 5th will be about 5% higher. I have the exact numbers on my locked up other laptop, but these are very close. The 2nd gen RSV trans ratios start about the same as a 1st gen, but are wider spaced. What you would have is the same thing as the 2nd gen guys going to a V-Max final drive and most all are very happy with it. They just moved all the ratios down about 10% and it especially made 5th gear a lot more useable and can help the gas mileage along with making the bike a bit more quick.

As far as us doing the job, you could have anything you want shipped here and we could stage it. The only down side is the local Yamaha shop carries very few parts even though it was recently taken over by Jim's and you know Jim's. As far as gaskets, it is according to how they were put on. I usually put Permatex on one side and usually the whole gasket will come off with it and not tear. We can put our heads together and try to figure out what we will need.

As far as parts, I do have a lot of spare parts and also have an 85 venture that I am trying not to make a parts bike out of, but parts are there if I need them.

I have not talked to Linda about this yet, but she adores Tippy and I know she would love to have you here. I think it would be fun and we have some other VR members that live around here and we may have some of them over.

I hope this all makes sense.

RandyA

 

A little more info;

The thread has some more on the differences on the various years and bikes;

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=81284&highlight=gear+ratios

 

As far as the clutch slipping, many years ago I replaced the clutch discs with new ones, even though the old ones were within spec. The biggest difference was I replaced the six springs with stronger ones. It made the clutch lever a bit stiffer, but I got used to it. I have never experienced any slippage since and that is with running the bike hard and also pulling a 450 pound camper.

RandyA

Thank you Randy for the info! Makes PERFECT sense!

While not math minded like a lot of folks on here, I can certainly see where those numbers add up to a VERY special back roading 1st Gen! It would be GREAT to have a lower 1st gear to putt around thru the bushes with AND,,, ol Tweeks wouldnt know how to act without me short shifting her past second..

After thinking about it all night though I kinda come to the conclusion that I may wanna wait until Tweeks has rolled her last roll and I am blessed with my number 6 1st Gen before considering the project.. Tweeks has well over 200k on her (speedo died in Texas on this last trip at 244560 miles) and is getting very tired throughout.. While she does run good, she makes a lot of strange noises and groans and I would hate to put the time and effort into doing something cool like we are talking and than go a couple thousand miles and have a crank snap or something..

Now,, about that invite down there,, while its way to early for us to make a decision,, got those 4 kids pulling tricks on us all the time - we may end up back out in Sac this summer, WE CERTAINLY WOULD LOVE SEEING YOU FOLKS AGAIN!! I will let you know when we get closer to that time frame!! SOUNDS LIKE FUN!!

Love ya bro!

Puc

[Venturous Randy]

Puc, I can sure understand your thoughts on putting that combination together on a bike with about a quarter million miles on it. As good as the bike still is, you have to be logical about it. With my old 83 having 167,000+ miles on it, I also have to consider if I am on the last hoorah or do I want to do one more. I have had this bike over 18 years and have put about 144,000 miles on it myself. My bike fits me better than any other 1st gen I have been on, mainly because of the scooped out Corbin seat.

If I were you, I would be on the lookout for a low mileage MKI with 2nd gear out that you could pick up as a parts bike and do all the things that we have just discussed here. While I had the engine out, I would also do the frame repair that is noted here. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1521

I would highly recommend this for you as you tend to get a bit off the beaten path and for sure, this will strand you. If your frame is not broken, this would not be a hard fix, other than turning the bike upside down, if you did it like I did.

You know that we would love to see you in Asheville and it may even get some more people motivated to come this way (trying to put a guilt trip on you) to enjoy Asheville. Also keep in mind that if you ever take a hankering to come to this part of the country for some mountain riding with trees, you know you and Tippy are welcome here. You can either sleep in a nice comfortable bed, or if it would make you feel any better, you can camp in the woods behind my house.

RandyA

Edited July 11, 2014 by Venturous Randy

[cowpuc]

Puc, I can sure understand your thoughts on putting that combination together on a bike with about a quarter million miles on it. As good as the bike still is, you have to be logical about it. With my old 83 having 167,000+ miles on it, I also have to consider if I am on the last hoorah or do I want to do one more. I have had this bike over 18 years and have put about 144,000 miles on it myself. My bike fits me better than any other 1st gen I have been on, mainly because of the scooped out Corbin seat.

If I were you, I would be on the lookout for a low mileage MKI with 2nd gear out that you could pick up as a parts bike and do all the things that we have just discussed here. While I had the engine out, I would also do the frame repair that is noted here. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1521

I would highly recommend this for you as you tend to get a bit off the beaten path and for sure, this will strand you. If your frame is not broken, this would not be a hard fix, other than turning the bike upside down, if you did it like I did.

You know that we would love to see you in Asheville and it may even get some more people motivated to come this way (trying to put a guilt trip on you) to enjoy Asheville. Also keep in mind that if you ever take a hankering to come to this part of the country for some mountain riding with trees, you know you and Tippy are welcome here. You can either sleep in a nice comfortable bed, or if it would make you feel any better, you can camp in the woods behind my house.

RandyA

 

Wow Randy,, THANK YOU for the invite and the kind thoughts! And THANK YOU for understanding my thoughts on the bike,,, it sure aint that I wouldnt LOVE to undertake that project but it really does come down to some kind of common sense (something I am told I lack at times )..

Speaking of common sense,, you might wanna reconsider on the "motivating others" idea with Tip an I showing up.. After I crawled under the tables at the gorgeously catered dinner at Cousins Resturant at the VentureWest Rally I thought I heard some giggling from innocent bystanders and Tippy told me I was lacking in manners,, cute,, but lacking in manners.. Later in the month I held my very first Meet and Greet in Elk Grove California.. Knowing how much everyone on here likes ice cream, I chose to really do up my first Meet and Greet royally and to have it at a top notch ice cream parlor named Leatherby's.. I invited well over 12000 members here on VR to attend and noticed right away that the count was less than expected and, of the ones that did show up, Tippy and I were the only ones on a motorcycle.. Tippy said she thought they chose to cage it cause they thought they may need a quick get away and that the low turn out was probably due to people noticing my bad manners back at The Dalles.. While I still enjoyed my Banana Nut Ice Cream thoroughly, I tend to be thick skinned when it comes to ice cream, and I did notice that EasyRiders 6 year old son sitting next to us enjoyed himself too, I was still kinda shocked at the folks who didnt at least come out for ice cream no matter who was actually hosting the gathering..

Bottom line,, Not sure your ploy will be successful.. Matter of fact, it may backfire on ya and end up being just you, Linda, Tippy and I toasting Somores and eating ice cream around the camp fire brother!!

But,,, its your call..... Check your calendar and notice ya got us down for a definite maybe... Next time ya go past that campground where your gonna be camping please put a 7x5 foot X in the corner of your site and write "PUC" across the top of it,, if ya wanna put a little cross over it and make it look like a grave thats ok - we could pull a little trick on some of these VR folks and make em think they are coming to my funeral,, dont laugh,, may get a better turn that way..

Also,, ya might wanna make sure its downwind of you,, last time we slept in the tent I think the tent ate a pair of my socks. It has been having indegestion and I noticed it smells funny.. Also, if my friend YammerDan decides to show up, would you mind making sure he parks his 2nd Gen next to our tent,, I heard he uses his bike to rope his tent up to and I may need to borrow his bike for the same purpose.. That 2nd Gen of his should have the parts that I will need to make the tranny change on my next 1st Gen right? He wont mind if I borrow em,, I will just toss an old gearset with second gear missing out of one of my ol parts bikes into his while you keep em busy eating,, he will never notice cause I hear he doesnt get out of 1st gear on his new bike anyway..

Really look forward forward to seeing you guys again Randy, riding those gorgeous mountains down yonder and having you show us around to some of those hidden best riding places.. Like I was saying before,, its a ways off for us to totally commit but we will do what we can to make it happen!!

GET THOSE INDIANS DOWN THERE TO START THE SUNDANCING NOW WILL YA? IT WORKED FOR LONE EAGLE FOR THE VENTUREWEST RALLY!! WE RODE THAT WHOLE TRIP WITH VIRTUALLY NO RAIN, save some sea mist going into Portland while heading to St. Helens!! DANCE BABY DANCE!!

Puc