200 miles on project and opinion changing

[Brenner]

I just wanted to update for those who have given me advice and support with my project. I now have roughly 200 miles on the bike since resurrection and am still making adjustments and setting it up to where I am comfortable. After one tank of fuel and a can of seafoam and one carb adjustment the bike starts and runs well. Adjustment to the progressive spring spacers and a repair to the CLASS system and all is as good as it can be I suppose. Two adjustments to the handle bars trying to find out where I am most comfortable and where my hands don't go numb. I have to say this bike in my opinion is NO WAY near what I was expecting from all that I have read. I was unsure after hearing the stories of loads of power and heavy weight that came from these bikes which gave me a nervousness of the bike. I find this machine very tame, forgiving and easy to ride. I am finding it docile, non threatening, and feel that it will be a ride my wife will enjoy on the rear and after reading the owners manual for recommended shift points feel that it is not the rocket I have heard that they are supposed to be. All this is good news to me and I enjoy that where I prefer to shift is where it is recommended and not "lugging" as some have said it would. I am learning and feel it is a total difference in power I am used to and even though I still prefer the torque of a long stroke motor I can feel the reliability of this engine design. My next few changes are to drop the tire pressure to make it ride a little smoother on tar strips and road bumps and maybe see how it rides without the trunk so it looks like a bagger. I have had a few other riders of larger bikes stop by and give compliments to the looks and color of the bike and been offered to join in ride alongs. Everyone says I will grow to like it more and more and I am becoming more eager to try new things with it and maybe after a month I will start pulling a trailer to see how that feels on a bike. So what I am trying to say here is thanks to all who gave positive support and even though I am not currently jumping up and down excitedly I can see this makes a very practical machine that is easy to be confident with. I have fully rolled the throttle from a stop and put it up through its gears to highway speeds but do not feel it pulls harder than my Harley but apples to oranges and I realize this bikes power is best at higher rpm and my Harley is best at low rpm which makes it my highway bike and my preference for long trips and exactly what I wanted it to be when I built it. I have NO complaints as of yet and do not intend to go looking for any. My trips are getting longer and longer and my faith in the bike is growing with the distance I travel. I hope to see many of you in the future and on the roads. Hopefully you don't miss me as I have been told my bike is easy to spot. Thanks again, Cheers and ride safe.

[videoarizona]

Thought: When I first got my 89, I was shifting at the low end of the rpm range. Found my mpg's weren't the best. I didn't feel I was lugging the motor...but knew I wasn't working her in her power range. Since then, I've slowly upped my shift points and enjoy watching the tach climb up a bit before I shift. I'm also leaving it in the lower gears around town. One thing for sure, my mpg's have gone up! From 36ish to 39-42ish. Big difference. Been an interesting transition for me.

 

I also really enjoy 3rd gear...about 30mph...then roll on the throttle. Easy acceleration until the tach gets 1/2 way up there ... then the power comes on in rush! YIKES!

 

I do have a little trouble with shifting memory as I also have a VStar 950 twin...but it's redline is like the Venture..7500! Yet it pulls nicely at low RPM's and gets good mpg's too. I shift low...and the scoot seems to like it....

 

Glad you are settling down into the Venture. I'm with you...I feel it's going to be an excellent long distance machine.

david

[cowpuc]

OUTSTANDING BREN!! :clap2::dancefool::thumbsup:

 

Of course,, and I am sure you are expecting this, what Harley are you mentioning? Gotta ask you know,, just gotta ask!! I have had many Harley's (LOVE THEM TO DEATH) and would really likw to know which model/year and mods to the bike you might be referring to in comparison to your Venture?

[Brenner]

OUTSTANDING BREN!! :clap2::dancefool::thumbsup:

 

Of course,, and I am sure you are expecting this, what Harley are you mentioning? Gotta ask you know,, just gotta ask!! I have had many Harley's (LOVE THEM TO DEATH) and would really likw to know which model/year and mods to the bike you might be referring to in comparison to your Venture?

 

 

Puc, my first and only Harley. One previous owner, very clean and almost all original. Nothing but Harley on it even plugs and oil. It was loved and kind of rare to find in the condition it is today for its age. Only thing I have seen different are the screaming eagle slip ons (original mufflers and carb jets in boxes on shelf) screaming eagle ignition module with no rev limiter, a badlands signal canceller, and it sounds like it has a cam. Original owner told me I would enjoy it and be surprised but did not go into details and the factory service manual has all the services performed since new. Original paint, seats etc... Not molested. Every where I read they call them "The best Harley ever made" and have a cult following. I bought it as I wanted a bike that could handle to make up for my lack of experience but found out it was quite a bit quicker than I thought. Rubber mounted big twin, hand made frame, narrow front end. It is a 1985 Harley Low Glide FXRS Evo, 5 speed belt drive. Here is a article I found in a quick search. Low glides were 2 years only and when they changed rear shock position in later years were called low riders.

 

http://www.hotbikeweb.com/bikes/separating-men-boys-history-fxr

[Marcarl]

For your thumbs we found it better to have the bars lower and not too far out, got something to do with the shoulder or elbow pinching a nerve I think.

For power, it needs to be tuned right, and then when you get into the 4000 range it come right awake. And don't worry about the rpm's, she's made to be there.

[Brenner]

For your thumbs we found it better to have the bars lower and not too far out, got something to do with the shoulder or elbow pinching a nerve I think.

For power, it needs to be tuned right, and then when you get into the 4000 range it come right awake. And don't worry about the rpm's, she's made to be there.

 

Carl, I may be wrong but I do believe my engine is tuned right and can tell where the power band of the engine is. I do totally agree 4000-6000 she screams but today I was thinking maybe mine is not as quick as I am running the second gen transmission? It does not matter as it is not a bad bike and I am trying to determine if it is right for me. Today was not a good day and I am saddle sore so I will try to switch out the seat for some more support. I did make an oops and the weight did catch up to me on a gravel hill in a cemetary as I was paying my respects with strong winds and I did lay it down while stopped. My mistake but I admit it and am learning and do not plan that to happen again. No major damage aside from a few scratches so I will touch it up when I repaint my bag as it is the same side. Green has not been lucky for me and I am considering a color change. I have been making small changes and the bike is better and better but I did make a mistake of riding a Anniversary Softail Deuce today that I am servicing for a customer and it made me really miss my Harley. No matter what I intend to ride the venture another month to get it the way I want and to see if it suits me or not. Again I do strongly believe in what I have heard and read before " If you do not make mistakes you really are not riding" or something along that line. I admit my faults and short comings and hopefully in time will become a better rider. By the way it was a chore to get it off the ground and back on two wheels alone.

[BlueSky]

The old saying I remember is, "He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing."