cowpuc
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Everything posted by cowpuc
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Cool - and it sounds like your wife is one in a million, the kinda of lady who KNOWS what kinda vacation pictures to take to bring home for hubby I could have used a sign like that a few years ago while out at the sturgis rally on the ol 1st gen. The daughter and I pulled into a parking lot and got kicked out - the guys who did it pointed at a sign like that only it had HD on it.. Been neat to sneak back there after dark and replace thier sign with that one hahahaha
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This guy hit the nail right on the head. We ride CT90s, got a Honda Helix we put a few thousand miles on every year and than head out on the ol 83 Venture for cross country fun - they are ALL a riot!!! I had a Kawasaki Voyager 2 a few years ago that I picked up CHEAP - the guy I bought it from caught the oil filter cover bolt on the edge of a trailer and literally yanked the filter housing bolt out of the engine with a two inch piece of casting out with the bolt. Left it sit for 20 years. Bought it, fixed it, rode it and found it way to confining for my taller body (he was 5-8 and I am 6-1). Anyway, that bike got 58 mpg!!! Every since owning that Kawi I have been watching with extreme curiousity the Concours line and wondering what kind of fuel economy they get CG. I would really like to know what kind of mpg's you end up getting with your new bike CG.. Also, if you do happen to "tourerise" it with a rear trunk and or change the the risers so it sits more like one of us ol folk bikes PLEASE let us know.. I totally agree with you about hoping yammer takes that new V-max motor and builds a new venture around it - THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! Congrats on the new bike, enjoy it, stick around here and give us lots of ride reports as you do!! Puc
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AWESOME!!! May your roads be dry, your skys be blue, your mileage be high and your wheels run true!! Be safe out there!! Puc
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I know exactly how you feel, its like you let down an old friend or something.. No matter how hard I try I always get attached to my bikes.. I would be curious to know if you name your bikes? I have been at that level for many years and THAT dont help the issue you bring up!! I have found that the best cure for those "feelings" is to take the money and buy two more
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Personally, I love carbs - but I am an old school worn out biker that has been spinning wrenches since the 60's so that should tell you something about my opinion. I know if, and thats a big if, you have the equipment and the right programmable ecu, efi can be way more exact in its tunebilty BUT, because I grew up with carbs (and points ignition) I actually prefer it.. For me, the whole efi system takes the fun out of tuning my own bike and controlling what its doing out of my hands. I enjoy that aspect of owning bikes. Tell you what really amazes me is that Yamaha has gotten away with it under "modern" day epa regs. I bettcha all Harleys would still be carbs if it werent for the fact that they have to run so lean to meet emmisions that they simply cant get as close to the edge in leaness without risking damaging engine components without the aid of efi. Dont know if any of you folks remember Hondas first shot at EFI on the wings back in 85? I owned one of those and WOW what an experience that was. I named that bike the "space shuttle" because of the amount of wiring that was in it was almost hilarious.. The shop manual for it was almost 5 inches thick. I am also sure that Yamahas choosing to stay old school has cost them in the resale value of these great bikes too and there again, to me thats a positive cause it keeps them affordable.. I have LOVED riding these old Ventures, never paid more than 1200 bucks for one, put thousands of trouble free miles on em, blow the doors of any and all comparable touring bikes of their vintage (and alot of modern bikes their size), tuned right they get great mileage AND ride/handle so good that after 16 hours in the saddle I can go to sleep in the tent and wake up NOT HURTING and ready for more.. All that being said, I personally have LOVED my carburated Ventures. Guess I am just one strange dude.
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We are on our 5th Venture (this ones an 83) since 86 and have always run the cheapest gas (lowest octane) available - never ever ever recall any pre-det with any of them under any condition - one wierd engine I tell ya.. We have even ran 85 octane out west - loaded to the hilt and passenger in tow and still NO spark nock.. I know it has to be due to low compression ratio and how yamaha set up the ignition curve but how on earth these 1st gens produce the hp and torque they do with a low compression ratio engine is a tribute to Yamaha for sure.. Had a Big Twin HD that had 10.5 to ones in her and if you even mentioned low octane fuel around it it would ping like crazy. Never really tried running a tank of high test thru the yam for increased economy - doesnt make sense in my pea brain why it would effect it BUT we will try it this summer - be something fun during those longgg lonely boring hours of crossing Nebraska hahahaha
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OUCH!! Prayers and thoughts to you folks involved with all this.. Sounds like a real mess going on.
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Met someone at Sturgis last year from this group...
cowpuc replied to cowpuc's topic in Watering Hole
Oh yea, been LOTS of chatter here about both MD and the international,, got kids out in Sacremento (grand kids too) counting down the days that would rather have us heading out there than taking time to stop along the way BUT hey - nothing wrong with having it all,, this aging thing aint that bad All the reading I have done about both "parties" sound like a BLAST to us!! No it wasnt TX from Texas we met, but I sure look forward to meeting him - maybe this year cause the wife and I are taking the South by Southwest route during the summer this year.. That Brian is my kinda guy - cant get enough of the huge variety of bikes out there - loves em all.. -
Last year my wife and I were on our way home from a two month, 17k mile cross country tour on our old 83 Venture. We were in Sturgis during the rally and changing our oil in a car parts place on the west end of town. Our old bike is covered in stickers from all over the country, tent on rack on back (well worn). A gentleman from this group came up and introduced himself, checked to make sure all was well.. If he see this,, just wanted to say HI, thanks for checkin on us and tell you all is well as we plan for another GREAT riding season!!!!! Hope you see this!!
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Man I TOTALLY get this thread, seems like when I hit 40 (and I dont mean mph) my 20/20 went 0/0 at close up... I found out those cheap little reading classes (especially the 3 power ones) REALLY help,,,, man I hate to admit that....
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John, I have a 83 parts bike I have been pickin away at for years, can you post a pic of the piece (dahhh, you cant do that), I mean the area that it fits so I have a good idea of what I am looking for, if I have it its yours free of charge..
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They pop up on ebay every once in a while, because its an auction it will tend to give you a pretty good idea of true value... Another good one is that big auction they have every year in Vegas, cant remember the name of the outfit but I know they publish results every year - their result book is also a great reference tool for antique bike values.. Those little passports are plain ol cool,, be really fun with a sidecar, tye dye shirt, sandels and a pair of those bell bottom BIG flower covered pants we used to wear hahahahaha...
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I too would be amazed if that bike landed 3700 in Canada.. 1800 would seem more in the neighborhood of an asking price.. I popped second on my 84 while drag racing a buddy on his V65, that was at 40k. Being lazy and having lots of other projects to screw with, the kids and I dumped another 154k on her while short shifting her all over the country.. Now its my parts bike for my 83.. Speaking about a rattle while on the side stand.. My 84 did that for many years and I never bothered to dig it out.. I always guessed it had something to do with slop in the clutch mechanics - anyone have a clue?? 'Puc
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and did you see that 1st genner with 27k on it in the Buyers guide 2 weeks ago - 1500 BUCKS!!!! Just missed it!
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Hey Tim,, I just noticed your in Muskegon.. I live on the Northside - 2 minutes from the State Park - 2 minutes to Bear Lake - 2 minutes to Muskegon Lake,, where ya at?? Lets touch base sometime and compare scoots wanna? See if you know people that I know people,, ,,,, bet we do!!! 'Puc
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Yes I have and no their not.. One of the huge things that make our 1st Gens so comfy is the narrowness that comes from the V motor, being able bring your legs together and then lay them out on side pegs or place your feet on the sides of the engine and steer with your knees are a big part of the reason we can ride 16 hours and enjoy it.. Also, while I am sure that Mustang or someone will offer a more comfortable seat for two then the FJR has on it, it will be almost impossible to beat the 1st Gens great big wide wonderful seat that it came with originally.. If you do go ride a new one you really need to also take a passenger with you to get a good feel for how they ride two up - you cant estimate what it will be like.. Our 1st Gens actually get better in that low slung, being part of the bike feeling by adding a passenger - especially if you remove the drivers backrest (if you have one on your 1st gen) and lean back against her.. It doent happen the FJ I think its a matter of design capabilities too that are part of the difference between engineering around a V motor or an inline,,,,,, but what do I know.. Go ride one and see for yourself... And concerning zip,,, these ol beater 1st genners arent that far behind the mark,,,,, now if we were talking an R1 - than oh yea.... 102 MPH in 1st gear would be fun!! 'Puc
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I cant recall how far Manistique is from Escanaba but for sure the accomadations will be cheaper there.. Seems like its only about an hour between the two... I had my family in da up yonder last year for vacation and we stayed at the Super 8 in Escanaba and it was under 50 for the night for two beds.. Good resturant across the parking lot and bike shops around town too.. Come to think of it,, indeed there are a couple of older ma/pop joints coming into Manistique that you may find cheap.. Another thing you might wanna do is stop at the welcome center on the North side of the bridge and grab a U.P. motel coupon book - my wife taught me that!! Skeeters are real bad right now so if you decide to hardcore it you might wanna sleep a couple nights at home with a chainsaw running to get used to the buzzing noise Watch your speed in Michigan, we are in a world of hurt economically and lots of small towns are writing for 1 mile over now - ye be warned!!! 'Puc
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I have one that I have had for almost 29 years. I have NEVER had any problem with her hitting the tank, she usually refills my drink automatically whenever I stop, I never have to worry about her falling off or getting in the way and we have become extremely close over the years.. I was told by a lot of my old buddies that the original cost for her was way to high, they acted like I was giving up my freedoms or something.. I have found out through her 29 years of great service and total reliability to both myself and the kids that the return on my original investment has been many times greater than any other cup holder I could have possibly obtained... Only problem is she is one of kind and not for sale.. 'Puc
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Are misspelling his name?? SHouldnt it be "tWETy"
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Nahhhh,, I am happy with the 2 inches of skeeters built up on the old girl...
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Sounds great, thanks for being willing to deal!! Might be a little bit before I can get down there to you. If you get a chance to sell it while waiting for me please DONT feel bad about doing it - SELL IT!! If worse comes to worse and I cant get a couple days away soon I will be down there in July.. I am riding "66" Chicago to LA and will check it out than!! THanks again 'Puc
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So Skidder,, have you got pics of the FL anywhere online for us folks who like Harleys to look at?? Also, what are you asking?? Tks Puc
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rstd shift linkage sticking
cowpuc replied to donphantasmo's topic in Royal Star and Royal Star Tour Deluxe Tech Talk
Oh yea, there are other things that can cause the problem too.. There is a spring on the shift shaft internally that is suppose to apply action to both up and down shifter movement.. Its "U" shaped and if its broke problems will start like you stated - only its usually not a stiff feeling in the shifter, just real sloppy with no return pressure.. Fairly easy fix!! -
rstd shift linkage sticking
cowpuc replied to donphantasmo's topic in Royal Star and Royal Star Tour Deluxe Tech Talk
A few years ago I was on my annual 2 month ride about and spent the better part of 2 weeks riding in the rain.. Shortly after that I had problems with the ol sticky shifter and also a sticky rear brake pivot.. First check and make sure that something besides dryness isnt causing the problem. Got a bolt rubbing or shifter bent in against something.... Take some WD, lay the bike against a tree so the shifter is kinda aiming on an upward aim. spray all the pivots while moving the shifter up and quickly - you dont have to actually shift the bikes tranny - just enough movement to get the lub to start working.. Spray around the shift shaft - LIGHTLY tap on the end of the shift shaft (where the little arm pretrudes from the case) while spraying with wd.. Pull the arm back out with pliers and do it again till it works freely. After you get everything worked free, take so motor oil and dump a little on eachs pivot point and work it in like you did with the WD.. Now the fun part - clean up the excess oil... Can be a pain having to stay in 3rd gear or use only your front brake cause of this... By the way,, I personally know a guy who ruined his 1st gen tranny cause he didnt fix what we are talking about and the bike didnt get all the way in gear and BANGO... Yea, fix er up 'Puc -
Mraf is right on the money about the Curtis Museum!! I would like to add to his summation though if its ok.. I have been thru there a couple times now and EVERY time I try to think of a comparison of this wonderful place I keep coming back to this: If you have ever been to the science museum in Chicago you know how "hands on" for kids it is.. Now think of a motorcycle or aircraft museum that is HANDS ON for us ol gear heads that still LOVE to imagine and cant keep the fingers still even on vacation!!!! Not everything is fondleable but LOTS of it is!! Plus,, and here is another favorite part of mine - it is CHEAP to get in and ALLLLLLLLLLLLL original stuff!!! Who could ask for anything more? Thanks for pointing this out of the way place out to us! 'Puc