VentureFar

Every time I read a thread like this one it reminds me how happy I am to be a member. Thanks all for all your support to all. VentureFar...

The nice people at beadrider took mine back and gave me a full refund. I had 50 points of pain instead of one. AIR is the way to go - VentureFar...

It makes steering lighter but you lose a bit of lateral stability in high cross winds. You don't have as large of a contact patch on the ground so in high cross winds you have to keep both hands on the bars instead of one. Straight and level I can do hands off - like look ma no hands at 80 mph just like before changing out the front tire. But the lightness of the steering in twisties and slow speeds is worth the trade off. But leveling links lightened up the steering about 60-70 percent and the narrower front wheel took it the rest of the way - in my humble opinion. VentureFar...

2nd gen RSV have 10 inch bagger shield. Wife is 5'6" wearing 3/4 with faceshiled - sometimes up and sometimes down. NO buffeting. Says she is comfortable with "wind in her face, after all, I am on a motorcycle" by the way, I love the baggershield ! VentureFar...

Ok- that was a long day in the saddle. Glad you focused down on the issues. I think we all wouldn't want you to be disappointed with your own capabilities when you actually "manned up" for most of it. ( sorry ladies - it's just an expression ). Being cold, sucks! Being dehydrated, sucks! Being worried about issues other than riding and safety are even dangerous. I would like to bring up that you became fatigued in the twisties - ME TOO! So I got leveling links and narrower front tire for my RSV and now it feels like power steering. Something to consider. Buy a cup holder or wear a camelbak. By the time you feel the effects of dehydration it is many hours too late. So based upon all the info, if you were having a great day, setting off with the wife for a planned destination, 300-350 miles is a cake walk for you. Suggest you build the wife up to the trip with day rides - 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours. That way you find out where her "pain" points are before you take off on the big one. Sorry to hijack the thread Cmcoffey but I hope this is relevant to everyone who hasn't "packed" for a trip before. VentureFar...

Muaymendez1 - what specifically made you feel as though 8 hours was over your comfort zone. Long distance riding is all about eliminating ALL the "little" things that add up over the day. Noise, wind, back pain, knee pain, focus, hunger, bladder etc etc. Can you list the issues you faced? I am sure many on the forum will benefit from this discussion. Also start with previous to the last 8 hours ride, what was your longest time in the saddle? Since I am spewing here, let me share that realistic distance expectations are important when planning a long ride or several days of long rides. I plan on 45 miles per hour for all the hours of the day I plan to "ride" when taking my time. That would be riding the interstate but stopping for breakfast and lunch and taking a few minutes at each gas stop for a snack, bathroom, etc. NOTICE THIS: When I did my last IronButt which was all 9 mph over the posted interstate speed limit, including carrying 2.5 gallons of gas to eliminate one gas stop on the way to my turn around point. ALL food was eaten while riding. I did not stop to take a break at any stop. My average mph for 17 hours from leaving home to returning home was 60 mph! I couldn't have eliminated any moments of wasted time and I still only averaged 60mph. Riding two up, and your wife is NOT Tippy, I suggest you plan on averaging 40 mph per 8 hour day. Most couples I have come across on the road average 300-350 miles per day, MAX. ok, back to work... VentureFar...

Thanks all! Then we can out this one to bed Now what else can I mess up on my RSV ? VentureFar...

Funny isn't it? In "normal " discussion forums there would be 100's chiming in on this inquiry but everyone knows the answer lays with Rick Butler. Simple and eloquent response. Rick Butler.

Confirmed info. Relay is 30 amp relay. Power and ground are all 14awg. Fuse is now 30amp. I know I hit the horn button for max 2 seconds. If a deaf caged doesn't hear it on the first blast then s/he won't hear it longer either. Yes 10/12 awg would be nice but is it really necessary? I know that I will change the wires out eventually but I don't see the need to do it before the next ride, for a two second burst. Do you? Thanks all for your expertise. VentureFar...

Didn't check that but I can next ride. I will advise next ride which will probably be this weekend VentureFar...

No worries. I tested and the fuse didn't blow. Registered 30 amps on the meter. All safe on that. VentureFar...

Here is a photo of the compressor prior to painting and installation http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/ihavethespirit/Yamaha%20Royal%20Star%20Midnight%20Venture/DEA976AA-E8C9-4A42-B99A-5C1DD62E0954_zpsrky4xapg.jpg VentureFar...

Believe me one has to be serious about alerting 1/4 mile in all directions when you hit this horn button. It has to be reserved for the real problem cagers, not for alerting the wife that you are parked "over here" in the shade. It's crazy loud. VentureFar...

Agreed. I am checking with carbon one who made the harness to confirm guage and relay. If not then I will rewire. Carbon one's harness is designed for stiebel horn and not they monster I have Thanks for the advise. Would suck to be on the side of the road with horn blaring and bike on fire. VentureFar....safely

Thanks. Checking on the size of the wires. Will photo the install tonight. Thanks VenturFar...

Ok I am brave and have two meters so I went for it. 1st left lead off and compressor spun. Took a moment but registers 30.0 Amps. 2nd switched "power" leads on the compressor and tested again. Compressor spun and Fluke said 30.0 amps. Guess it pulls 30 amps when I hit the button. Actually that is no shock because if you stand next to the bike when I hit the horn you KNOW this thing is pulling Amps to be THAT loud. So based upon confirmed current draw of 30 amps. Obviously momentarily. I won't. "Lay" on the horn - don't need to - it wakes the dead- is it looking like a 30 amp fuse and a light horn finger will all work together??? Thanks so much all your guidance. VentureFar...

No ohm change from zero ohm test compressor body to either electrical connection on the compressor body. There is no marking for plus or minus and I have switched plus and minus many times when hitting it with jumper cables before I mounted it. Is there a "for sure" plus and minus? VentureFar...

Ok idiot alert. Stand back it might be contagious ! This time I did as you said. MOVED the red lead to the 10amp fused hole. Took a smoke detector down and checked the Battery at 2.75 amps. This is a fluke 77 multimeter. The 10A hole says "10A fused. " Is it going to blow when I NOW properly check the compressor?? Thanks VentureFar...

Although the compressor wouldn't spin with the volt meter in line, the readings varied from 11 ohms to 18 ohms when I press the horn button. Does that sound right? Thanks again for the help. M VentureFar...

Bkuhr You wrote You could also wire a meter with at least a 30 Amp scale in series with the compressor and read amps directly. I am using a good digital volt meter.just to clarify: Do I take the ground lead off the compressor and attach the meter leads in that line? Thanks all VentureFar...

The label was old and impossible to read so I took it off and painted the body. This is a diagram of what I know. Please guide me on what to check. I have a DVM with ohms and also continuity tester. The compressor bracket will beep when using the continuity tester to frame ground http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/ihavethespirit/pbVentureFar/C249CD23-317E-43D1-9191-1339748FEEC9_zps378figit.jpg Thanks again for guidance. VentureFar...

Before I go to the garage let me explain that the compressor's built in metal mount bracket is spray painted black and the metal bracket I mounted it to is spray pained black and the spray painted bracket is attached to the factory painted passenger foot pad So no bare metal from the compressor is touching any bare metal. What should I do to ground the compressor with everything painted Thanks for your help. VentureFar...

I mounted the airhorns on my 2007 rsv that my brother had mounted on his HD back in 1969. Back then he purchased SEARS air horn compressor and dual horns. I found them in a box recently, tested the compressor worked and mounted the whole thing on my RSV. I used the dedicated wiring harness with relay from Carbon One - great harness- designed for replacing the stock horn on the right side with a Stebel air horn- which pulls up to 20amp. The fuse in the harness is 20amp. These horns are so loud I can only TAP at the horn button and not lay on it. So I have probably tapped the horn button about 20 times in test. Today I needed to alert the rider ( friend) ahead of me that the passenger's scarf had come off her neck and was about to wrap in the rear wheel - that would not have been a pretty sight. I hit my horn button and silence. ( front left horn sounded but that isn't much) when I got home I immediately checked the 20 amp fuse and it was blown. I dropped a 30amp in the holder. I have an inline volt meter and at idle I see 13.5 v when I hit the horn it drops to 12.5V So here is the question: Old compressor obviously pulls more than 20amp, is it ok to go with 30 amp fuse or will that much draw hurt "something" - remember this is a dedicated power line direct off the battery using a relay. Thanks for any guidance. VentureFar...

Rick Butler is the man. Period. VentureFar...

I bought a custom size beaded for my previous Shadow Spirit enroute to finding the absolute in comfort. I found that instead of having ONE pain point, I had 50. But then I found the Crazy Creek canoe pad - no longer sold. a single air chamber air pillow. I learned to put just a few puffs of air in it and it kept my butt levitated above the seat so I had ZERO pressure points. that canoe pad was only $19 at REI but the Airhawk is the closest thing. Of course, nothing matches the ultimate comfort of Rick Butler Seat mod. I have done two iron butts this year with the seat mod and am embarrassed to be saying I have an IRON butt when Rick's mod did all the work. VentureFar...