combined thread,mutiplesubjects.tools,springs,mpg,allen wrench size,tire sizes

[cruiserlover]

I have so many threads started here in different sections, and on another suzuki forum I got in trouble from admin.So I combined things.I got new tires on my 2001 rsv right after I got it.barely made it home 51 miles the tires were so slick and squared off.The dealer set matches in design,bridgestone.But their front was 10mm wider than stock, and the rear was 10 mm not as tall as stock.They fit fine,the bike handles ok to me.But will this effect final drive ratio,handling,mph and mpg?

2.I dont know where the tool kit is supposed to be stored, looks like my clymers has it behind a sidecover that is held on by allen bolts.That surely isnt right.This my 16th bike, and I always make my own tool kit since factory is not good enough.Do you guys carry an air guage.Or do you run zero pressure in the forks and rear suspension unless loaded and riding 2 up?

3.What size allen wrenches are the ones most likely to be needed.I am averaging 36-38 mpg combined city and highway.About what you get?

4.Do you change air filter elements regularly or just blow them out with compressed air?

5.Dealers here wont work on a bike over 10 years old and the one independent shop closed.I live in denton texas(near dallas and fort worth).Know anyone in this area that does work I might need?

6.Thanks for any input.

[Stealthblade]

Couple of responses...

 

 

After way too much reading, I went with Dunlop Elite 3. So far, very impressed with the handling, but I don't have "that many" miles on them. Take that for what it's worth.

 

Regarding the tool kit. I did not get one with my "used" bike. I have made one that will help me and any other metric bike I encounter on the road with a problem. I went to my local Army surplus and bought a bag that fits nicely in what I think @cowpuc would call the "Maintenance Section"... or my right saddle bag. I have full allen set, socket allen set, socket wrench with up to 19mm sockets, small pack of box wrenches, large set of box wrenches, fork air pressure tool, knife, wire/strippers/connectors/tape, crescent wrench, pliers, needle nose, zip ties, you name it, it's in that bag. The more you work on your bike, the more you know what you 'might' need to put in the bag. I also keep my Hagon shock preload adjuster tool in there. Can't use it on the side of the road, but at least I know where the darn thing is.

 

MPG: I am usually between 38 - 42 when I ride solo. When I am with my 'Wing buddy, it drops to about 32. They love their first 3 gears.

 

Air filter: I would be in the camp of blow it out and go. I have not seen any difference in my filter from 2 years ago to now, so I look at it, tap it a couple times and put it back it. YMMV, or Your Mileage May Vary, due to weather and conditions where you ride.

 

Can't help with dealers in Denton, TX, but I was very surprised to find that my local Yamaha/Honda/Kawasaki/Ural ( sheesh ) dealer wanted to charge me $2.95 to "swap" valve shims with them. Yes, you heard that right... I give you one shim, you give me one shim.. then charge me 2.95 for the convenience. They went down a mark or 4 in my book, but I really needed 4 shims and they stayed late for me to get there. @skydoc_17 your shim kit is coming home soon.

 

Side note... I have an 01 also.

 

Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. Real friendly bunch here.

 

Bob

[cruiserlover]

stealth that is great information.I appreciate it.

[cowpuc]

Couple of responses...

I have made one that will help me and any other metric bike I encounter on the road with a problem. I went to my local Army surplus and bought a bag that fits nicely in what I think @cowpuc would call the "Maintenance Section"... or my right saddle bag.

 

Excellent response IMHO there Stealthy, all except for the proper name for where I hide my storehouse of Anti Gremlin Ware = its called "The Maintenance Department":big-grin-emoticon: = all Tweeks belongings.. Ladies clothing, make up, shoes, and toiletries are in the "Ladies Department" more commonly known as the trunk. Left bag is Housewares Department.. The rack on the back is Sporting Goods Department = Tent. Left side Fairing Compartment is "ER" or Medical Supplies Department where Tip keeps suntan lotions, finger nail clippers, tooth brushes, soap and stuff (never use any of that female stuff - I just roll on the ground when I get sticky = perfect sunblock). Right side fairing compartment or General Merchandise Department gets frivoulus souveniers that wont stick on to Tweeks.. All this leaves me my very own area for storage = Tank Bag - I LOVE my tank bag!! Not much room for clothes storage in there but what the heck - wearing the same clothes for months on end is kinda fun!!

 

Cruiser, read and reread what Stealthy wrote, he makes a VERY solid point about preparing for others breakdowns too!! It not hard to just carry a complete set of 1/4 drive sockets and stuff instead trying to just pick out the ones you may need.. What this does is create a much deeper appreciation for your fellow man, there is nothing on earth like being able to stop and help others (and just happen to have the tools to actually do something).. This has resulted in some very very solid life long friendships for some of us.. I know it sounds deep and sounds impossible but its really not that big a deal,,,,, at least once your able to get the Maintenance Department door to actually close after packing it:missingtooth:

[Stealthblade]

@cowpuc ... I am the grasshopper at your feet.

 

I will rename and re-label the departments as you have advised.

 

Thank you for commenting on my maintenance department, but it was in fact YOU that lead me to build it in that manner. You helping that old kick-start harley on the side of the road was the main factor that led to the building of the bag. And, bonus that it's a WWII surplus bag.

[Stealthblade]

Oh, and another thing... zip tie the large wrenches together in the correct order. If you use a re-usable zip tie it's better in the long run, but if not, the bag of 50 zip ties you stuff in there will be enough for a few seasons of use. Keeps them together and you can pull them as a unit and set them aside so you have room to look for the darn LED flashlight that keeps hiding in the corner.

[Stealthblade]

One more thing, @cruiserlover

 

I have found that there aren't too many jobs that I can't handle myself on this bike. Mounted and balanced the tires with the help of my friends, along with the LED reflectors, valve shims, numerous iterations of splitting the fairing ( to the point that I do it for fun now ), brake pads, rear brake rotor, speed bleeders, coolant flush, headlamp replacement without splitting the fairing ( and I have rather large hands ), rewiring the passing lamps/front turn signals/LED reflectors ( to clean up the look ), oil changes, and I can't remember how many other things. The only thing I went to the dealer for was to have them replace the fork seals, but I took it apart and brought the forks to them.

 

There is such a wealth of knowledge on this site that I will admit I would not have bought this bike without the help of everyone here, and especially @Freebird for putting it all together.

 

Best purchase I have made is the @Carbon_One lift adapter. I then went and bought the expensive but awesome J&S jack. After that, I bought Carbon One's Stebel horn mount and wiring harness and crash bar braces. Three items you must purchase IMHO.

 

It may seem like I am gushing about the members here, but they are deserving of the praise. I would do it all over in a heartbeat.

 

Bob

[djh3]

What the heck is this wont work on a bike over 10 yr old? Tell the dummy the RSV was the same from 99 until 2013 and last I did math 2013 was only 2 yr ago. I man know of a fellow in the Denton I think he is that might help you learn some things on your bike.

[cowpuc]

One more thing, @cruiserlover

 

I have found that there aren't too many jobs that I can't handle myself on this bike. Mounted and balanced the tires with the help of my friends, along with the LED reflectors, valve shims, numerous iterations of splitting the fairing ( to the point that I do it for fun now ), brake pads, rear brake rotor, speed bleeders, coolant flush, headlamp replacement without splitting the fairing ( and I have rather large hands ), rewiring the passing lamps/front turn signals/LED reflectors ( to clean up the look ), oil changes, and I can't remember how many other things. The only thing I went to the dealer for was to have them replace the fork seals, but I took it apart and brought the forks to them.

 

There is such a wealth of knowledge on this site that I will admit I would not have bought this bike without the help of everyone here, and especially @Freebird for putting it all together.

 

Best purchase I have made is the @Carbon_One lift adapter. I then went and bought the expensive but awesome J&S jack. After that, I bought Carbon One's Stebel horn mount and wiring harness and crash bar braces. Three items you must purchase IMHO.

 

It may seem like I am gushing about the members here, but they are deserving of the praise. I would do it all over in a heartbeat.

 

Bob

:clap2::clap2:

[videoarizona]

My thoughts:

 

My dealer doesn't have anyone who knows the RSV's and most of the people there are younger than my 89 1st gen. The head mechanic did say he would brush up on the manual and would love to have the bike to work on. So far, with the exception of the balance beads, they have done good work. They even followed my request to not fill the oil level according to book, but rather only 1/2 way up the sight glass.

 

I found my tool kit under the rug on the right side saddlebag. I found it today. PO said he didn't get one...he was 2nd owner. I think I'm missing the 2nd bag...but at least I found a tool kit!

 

I get between 38 and 42 mpg. Doing so by staying in 4th gear around town and only shifting to 5th on freeway over 65.

 

Haven't checked my air cleaners as PO put K&N's on there and gave me the refill and cleaning kit. They are usually good for a year unless I run into a dust storm...

[cruiserlover]

This great information, thanks to one and all.I was on venturers.org for years when I owned the 83.Those bikes are old enough to deservedly have developed some problems.But I found out on that site, even as good as it is, that if you asked a question like why is my bike doing this, some would have you completely dissassembling the bike to do what they think was wrong.I found most of the problems on that bike could be easily solved,way short of dismantling things the majority of the time.Except second gear.I am never going to tackle a job that big.I need to explore our site here more.Once again, thanks so much for the information.