cowpuc

Hey Jack, I have ridden thru the town of Sturgis on several occasions a couple weeks before the rally and always found it pretty quite - even to the point of seeing "for rent" signs on several buildings right on "Main Street" , then been SHOCKED to find traffic all backed up on I-90 with 2 miles of scoots trying to get into town on the return trip just 2 weeks later!! Dont let that web cam fool ya bro - they's a coming,, they'ssss a coming If you dont feel like riding the scoot out, I hope you know you can always drive a cage out, toss a tent in the back and camp with us on the prairie, drive up to BJ's pie place - have a piece of pie and become an Official Pie Butt Rider by doing so!! Bet they have :essen_024:too:bighug::bighug:

INDEED Eusa1 - I hear that loud and clear!! I am sooooo sorry that this all had to happen to my good friend @frodotoo BUT I really think there is much to be learned from the incident, maybe a thing or two that should find its way into the read only section here on VR.. In following his thread and then hearing about what the final outcome was some stuff occurred to me. ##PLEASE NOTE## THE FOLLOWING IS JUST SPECULATION (ON MY PART) AS A RESULT OF A VERY SHORT CONVERSATION I HAD WITH FRODOTOO!! Hopefully anything here that is not correct, someone will correct for me: Apparently a needle bearing in the rear wheel lost some needles when the person who changed the rear tire on the type of changer that uses a shaft thru the axle area placed the wheel on the changer. It sounds like it was one (or more) of those, now free from their race, needles that was ultimately causing the binding that Frodo was getting as he tightened the axle.. I do my own tire work, even on the road, and, possibly because I just use spoons -' had never heard of such a thing. I have dealt with needle bearings many times in the past and can fully see where this would be possible if used in the application we are talking about. If my understanding of Frodo's incident is correct - I feel it would be highly benificial to our members here to have a small warning issued - maybe in the "read only section" pointing future flat tire victims to the possibility of this event happening as the result of using that type of tire changer.. FRODO - I SINCERELY HOPE YOU ARE NOW HAVING THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE DOWN THERE AND THAT ALL IS WELL MY FRIEND!!

What da heck GW,, my BP dropped just looking at those pics of your place up there - I think you are onto it my friend!! Just being up there has GOT to relieve some stress - much less getting to ride!! Enjoy your stay and for taking the time to pay your respects for your friends (and others) who lost their lives on that fateful day!

Hope you rascals have an AWESOME time out there Raggy!! I am with the others, jealous to the core but from ear to ear knowing that you are out CTFW in some of the (if not THE) most beautiful country known to man!! Can not wait to hear some ride stories and,, ummmmm,, see some 's of your travels!! Ya better not let us down with the pics either bro cause if you do WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE:256::stickpoke: Wishing NOTHING but the best trip ever Jay!!! Have fun and dont stop to pet know Grizzly's!!

Oh, by the way,, one thing for sure - if you get distracted by pie - WE GOT A LOT IN COMMON:big-grin-emoticon:

What da hey Van,, switch em around,, ride the wing up to the cooler Alberta where those hot heads would be appreciated and then ride the Venture down to AZ where you can find LOTS of open spaces to LET ER BUCK!!!!! Besides,,, you can make sure all your side covers are in place on the Venture to keep the heat off ya, remove the lower fairing so the side air is blowing on you and they are amazing for hot, long, wide open desert riding!!

Just found this post Cha,, so,, any remarks as to what caused the mile shortage?? Wait a minute,, you didnt say Iron Butt ride (thats the thousand mile one aint it?),, whats the Saddlesore one,, were you short on miles for it?? Was it some kind of an official ride?? Was your butt sore at all so you were still successful?? On another note,, you do realise that this year at Sturgis we are planning the first ever (but soon to be annual) BJ's Pie Butt ride don't you? That ride consist of 26.2 miles - according to its originator = @bj66 with PIE at the end of the ride.. If things go well maybe we can recognize you as a Master Pie Butt Rider, by doing a little math (756/26.2 = 28.85 Pie Butt Rides) you will now only have to eat 28.85 pies to qualify for this position.. By the way,, good job on racking up some awesome miles, hope every one of them were OUTSTANDING my friend!!

Just an FYI here folks,, I spoke to Frodo on the phone earlier today and it sounded like they had narrowed down the issue to a needle bearing that had gotten knocked apart in the process of having a tire changed.. Hope Steve dont mind me filling in some gaps here (sorry Frodo if I am out of line) but I thought it might help if there are folks who are wondering if Frodo is ok.. Hope you got her back together and are up and running brother!! Puc

I wanna live in AZ too,, right at the top of the hill in Jerome!! You guys are hogging all the really good riding, dry,, no bugs, hot,, no bugs,, lots of sunshine, and did I say no bugs

Hokey spamokey Lil,, I never even did know about this event: http://www.evelknieveldays.org/ THANK YOU for bringing that to my attention!!!!:clap2::dancefool: Wish there was a way to make it out there for it this year:bawling:, I would LOVE to attend!! Thanks to you though it is NOW on my bucket list!! Sorry I cant offer any advice on the Shops out there but wanted to tell ya thanks and wish you the GREATEST time EVER out there!! Puc

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR!!! RATSSS,, with ears this big Oh well,, we sure gave it a shot Mama:clap2:

Oh, by the way Scope - CONGRATS on a successful ride - sounds like, other than a little bit of troubles, you got to see some AWESOME country!! Be GREAT to see some :photographing:'s of that ride my friend..

Be nothing wrong with testing the fan motor,, if I suspected it at all I would check it out... From there I would start with the battery,, making sure the terminals and cables are good and clean - ground to frame too.. Then double/triple check the actual condition of the battery itself - weak cell(s) can do crazy stuff.. Maybe take a really close look at the stator wires (never did work on a 2nd Gen,, seems like I read somewhere that the stator wires now terminate at the Regulator - on my 1st Gens they have a 3 wire terminal along the frame on the left side = LOTS of issues with those over the years). Gotta be a way to do a quick ohm check on the stator by the three phase wiring coming from it,, cant imagine that ability has change much.. Something I bumped into once, being a 3 phase system - I actually had one bad "leg" once and found out that the one that was bad was the one that charges the battery - at least thats how it appeared.. I am only a back yard, highly electrically challenged type of person BUT - if what I am thinking is true and you have one bad leg of the stator it can really throw you some curves.. Places to start anyway.. Now I cant wait for the guru's to come and give us both some testing ideas so I can learn more right along with you Scope!!

Actually I was there and chose the Yamaha, hands down,,,, faster - better fuel economy -more comfortable (IMHO), sportier (talking MK1 though) and, get this, actually easier to work on from my prospective.. It wasnt just Yamaha that had stator problems, unfortunately a repair of a bad stator on the Honda meant you had to remove the motor. Also, those Honda's had interference motors on em and timing belts that loved to pull shinanigans = bent valves if not addressed.. I never really did understand the "cult" following of the Wings but they sure did bring a TON more $$'s in resale (bought/sold many of them) and THAT has always been another HUGE plus in me finding and wearing out the good ol 1st Gen's, given - that nasty 2nd gear issue (again - Mk1's) has been a big part of being able to find the 1st Gens for under a grand thru the years BUT - who really needs a second gear with all the POWER of the mighty V-4!! On a side note,, I always did really like the exposed carbs on the wings - made for fun carb work (lots easier than ours) BUT - I never really cared for those heads down there where I wanted to put my feet - plus the heat down there... Personally,, if that Kawi Voyager 2 (not the 1300, they had issues, I am talking about the 1200) had of fit me better (no where near enough leg room for me) I probably would have been a Kawi rider for all these years and may never have met all you lop eared varmints.. Oppsss, Didnt mean to side track your question here Van.. Bottom line Van,, I like BOTH your scoots and think you are one fortunate man to have two gorgeous scoots to ride in two separate locations!! Ya done been blessed brother!! My ,, probably worth about half of those

Wow Ricky, thank you soooo much for writing!! I am truly sorry to read about you and your family being involved in the whole Cancer thing, especially at the level that you folks are dealing with.. Even though it is indeed an honor having your words of encouragement (I hold them deep in my heart my dear friend) it breaks my heart to read that.. I want you to know that you and your family are also in my prayers (PRAYERS UP = BLESSINGS DOWN,, you probably already know this but I am a FIRM believer in that) as you continue in your battle with this nasty stuff. I read what you wrote to Tippy (she was visibly deeply touched too) and we both want you to give that family of yours a hug for us and please tell them that our prayers and love are here for you folks too!! I also want you to know right from the horses mouth that, while I tend to be the type of person to view the glass half full instead of half empty in life and that may easily be misunderstood (straight up - I found the Lord many many years ago after being a homeless 15 year old young man living on the street = I still feel that the half full glass attitude comes from God Himself and as a result of having nothing back in those hard days BUT = leaving with everything sometime in the (distant I hope) future)) - I take the contents of your message very very seriously!! Looking forward to meeting you sometime on the road my dear friend and be proud to give ya a great big Pucster

Man brother, you should have invited @StarFan and @Monty to your party - those two were the last men standing (besides me but I dont consume = long story) at Dons MD - I am sure they would have gladly helped out making sure you didnt have any leftovers and still been able to entertain socially!! Congrats again to both of you XV!!

Highheel's? Sorry @gez, nothing personal,, just got a bad touch of sarcasim go ripping thru me for a second (has caused me a fair amount of trouble in my life),, NO OFFENSE :no-no-no:INTENDED MY FRIEND!!

Thanks everyone!! Hey Van,, you have no idea (what am I saying,, you obviously have EVERY idea or you would not have written that) how pertinent to my situation exactly what you have written is!! Yesterday, while chatting with the Endo Doc, Tippy starts down the path of what you are talking about.. She starts telling the Doctor about my life (using almost identical words as you said only to the DOCTOR:scared:) She all done reciting my life of hair raising, adrenaline pumped stuff - things that she had witnessed for herself (me going over backwards on my KX500 in 4th gear and all that, having to peel my kids and me from hanging upside down on the steel under the Mackinaw bridge, ect. ect.) and didnt even get started into my life before she knew me when the Doctor looked at her, smiled and told her you cant wear the Adrenal Gland out I smiled when he said that and gave her the old right there in the Doctors office The doctor said that if I have what he thinks I may have, that its actually kind of rare.. He then turned to me and asked me all kinds of questions pertaining to genology - like had I ever heard of any one in my extended family being diagnosed with Adrenaline Deficency - I told him not that I was aware of, then looked at Tippy and said no one else that I know of ever cleared 150 feet off a jump on a motocross track either though, and gave her another :stickinouttounge:to go along with it:big-grin-emoticon:

Oh, by the way, OUTSTANDING you found a new seal!!

Is it not spinning freely without the caliper on or with Frodo.. Just a thought to make sure brake pad drag isnt causing the non free wheeling aspect if the caliper is in place.. If the drag is not associated with the caliper, please keep in mind that the rear wheel does not normally spin exactly free any way, its not like having a rear wheel resting on a stand while rolling it on its bearings - there is a lot of friction going on there from the drive train.. Maybe try spinning it without the seal and then with the seal to see if the seal is whats causing the drag... Also be sure that all the bushings - washers are in and in the right place so the assembly isnt being pinched when you capture it when tightening axle..

Sorry I took a bit to get back with ya Bren.. You got yourself a REALLY nice collection of awesome cars there bro!! And NOW an AWESOME Evo Harley to play with on top of everything else,, I know - cant never have enough toys but hey, if your insides are satisfied with where your at - I would just let it go at that!! Its not like the deals are getting rarer and rarer to find - matter of fact, I am SHOCKED at the stuff that is coming out of the woodwork (around here any way) for very very reasonable prices..

PRAYERS UP AND BLESSINGS DOWN STILL ROLLING OUT BROTHER!! I am so sorry for how you are being treated brother - what are the chances of you maybe seeking outside the VA help? Doesnt your bike insurance have coverage that would allow you to go to a regular hospital.. Regretfully, I am no vet and have no experience with dealing with everything you are dealing with but it sounds to me like your condition is severe enough that maybe getting your primary care Doc to send you to a bone Doc specialist all paid for by your bike insurance would not be out of the question.. I do know that insurance companies at this point seem to hold all the cards and make most of the decisions as to what can and can not be done - sounds crazy but I keep running into that with all this stuff I am dealing with.. Got to jump thru a LOT of hoops to finally get the tests that the doctors know I needed in the first place - pretty frustrating but what do ya do...

Remembering that old phone business song,, "reachhh out, and touch someone" - Sure makes one long for the day when we can actually reach thru the cyber lines and "touch" the necks of scrawney scammers with our hands dont it Sailor:big-grin-emoticon:

WAY TO GO MR. NAPA DUDE - HATS OFF TO YOU!! :clap2::dancefool::dancefool: CONGRATS LARRY, I HOPE THAT PAINT JOB JUST SPARKLES FOR THE CAUSE BROTHER!!

Only iffen the story had been about Puc and Tippy, that earring would no longer be called an earring - it would be called an eye-ring and I have no intent of finding out how easy it is to see out of the back side of an earring post