videoarizona

((Maybe use the automotive coil spring spacers?)) I'll look into this and let you all know. Thanks, guys! david

Thought: Since the crash bar is bent and you are looking for another...suggest you try and bend it back. Take the other side off to get a feel for the way it mounts. Then fill the tube with sand or whatever they use to keep the interior of the tube from collapsing, then slowly try and bend it back. You might even find a body shop who will give it a try for a few bux....they know how to do this type of stuff. Of course, I don't really know if this type of metal can be shaped. I remember back in 1971, I had an Austin sedan while stationed in Turkey. I took it to a Turkish family who did body work. Everything was done by hand and no parts were purchased. All body work was broguht back to almost really nice...including the bumpers! $400. A year's salary for the family for one month's work. They figured it out...so you may be able to as well. BTW, when I tried to do this it was a failure...tube collapsed from lack of internal support...or so I was told!

I was self-employed for 25 years...and can tell you it's the most rewarding, hardest thing I've ever done. And I would do it again in a heartbeat! Wishing you the very best! david

Gary, Good question. Was originally going to put something between bars and fairing. They are very close and with the way the fairing bounces without the original dampers in there...I figure I need something. The Risers are great for my shoulders but lousy for the fairing! There's no longer anything to hold the original dampers down by the triple tree and fairing...! Looking for ideas on what I could mount between bars and fairing (or anywhere else) that would support the fairing.

Any news from our Pie Butt riders out visiting Sturgis?

Dion, yep..you have more room than I do. Right now, I'm waiting for two things to get shipped in, when they are installed...I'll take apart the fairing and look at the mount for something different. To many parts sitting on the bench/garage floor at this point. Don't want more. I didn't put the Baron's riser on so who know what else has been done to the scoot?

Thanks, Erik..that's what it looks like to me...air induction for emissions. plugged. Good. I have Baron's risers...they leave room for lowering the forks about an inch. Any more than that you have to be concerned about the lower shock tubes hitting the frame during a serious bump. Some have put Progressive springs in as well...and that helps firm up and lesson the possibility of tubes hitting. Lots more info on site here... Don't forget to join up for $12. Best $12 you will ever spend....then fill out your profile so we can know what bike you run...etc.. david

Took the tank off today to find out if PO had done the ignition relay mod. Nope. So ordered one from Dion. While there, decided to look around. Seems the diaphragm covers are 2 screws. What? Sorry pic is blurred. Then noticed that the vacuum ports were tied together: 1&2, 3&4. I read where that is a mod that is supposed to help engine run...??? And there is a large... looks like vent... hose plugged hanging down in the center of the frame near the radiator. Looks like it goes to a small box thing protected by a splash shield. Crankcase vent? But why would it be plugged? No picture...can't get in there with phone. My 05 is not a CA model...so why the vent dis-connect? Last....had to take out the engine brace on right side just to get to #4 spark plug...really Yamaha? Of course in order to get to the top right bolt of the brace, I had to disconnect the rear brake master cylinder from the frame. I'm beginning to see why everyone says the 1st gens are much easier to work on. So far, I have to agree. My buddy and I also made up a makeshift dial indicator to check warpage on the front rotors. Right front is good...left front isn't. So..Pinwall has my order. Let's hope it comes in good shape. Their email to my rotor questions said they test everything before selling...included rotors. We shall see. I think the left front rotor got damaged when I took front wheel to get new tire put on. I didn't take off the rotors. Duh... So 05 is on the bench for a week. Going to change plugs and do some more work on front end...maybe lower the forks now. Might as well...I'm halfway there... OH...why does it take an engineering degree and 4 million bolts and screws to get to the air cleaners? And what in heck do I have to do to take the air intake off so I can squirt some carb cleaner down bores on the slides? Geesh.... david

Thanks, Joe...

I felt the same way after being ripped off by a stock broker for a major investment firm...Dean Whitter. Still angry with those guys for their churning my account and not listening to me. (Churning - selling and buying investments for the sole purpose to increase commissions.) I was gun shy for some time until this young man came knocking on our door asking for our business with a firm I hadn't heard of...Edward Jones. My wife went with him but I said "No Way"...door to door yet". Well truth be told...I saw the plan the wifey had and finally relented. He took my meager savings (what was left from DW) and started an investment plan for me. Now, 14 years later...I've survived two wall street crashes and still happy with my choice. I hope to finish off my life and still be able to leave something for the kiddies....which was my goal. Here's the difference: Edward Jones will never churn your account to make commissions. They will suggest an investment plan best for you then stick with it. Now I'm not affiliated with these guys except to have my retirement in their hands....so I can say...go talk to a guy/gal at EJ. Tell them your fears, be honest and upfront. Then listen. If after your conversation you still aren't convinced...walk away. I say this because investing in mutual funds and stocks is the only way to make money other than real estate and antiques. Those two will always go up.... Some mutual funds are based on stocks and some on bonds..each has benefits depending upon where the market is. If interest rates drop..bonds are good. If interest rates rise, bonds are bad. A balanced portfolio is what makes the difference...so regardless of what the market does...some part of your portfolio is making bux. A good broker will make sure you are in the middle...increasing your risk (and profits) if you are young enough to recover from a loss or lowering the risk if you are an old phart like me who can't afford any more losses since I'm retired. I'm in it for the long run...the only way to maximize profit and minimize risk. Sorry for the long post. Just want to let you know there are brokers out there who have integrity and sincerely want to help you put your $$ to work for you...not them! No one can predict what the market will do day to day...but the smart ones will "know" the trend of the market and adapt to that direction. That person is who you want watching over and guiding your bux. BTW, I'm still with that young man who is now older and wiser. But his tune hasn't changed. I'm pleased that I finally found someone who listens. I hope you do too... david

Whoa! Glad you are OK! whew...

Looking to buy two front rotors as mine appear to be warped. At Pinwall...I noticed they have rotors from two models: XVZ1300 & XVZ13TF The rotors look the same...but out of curiosity, what is the difference between the two? Thanks, david

Gunny, Good idea to check the pins to make sure all is well on both the output cable from the cassette and the pins the radio assembly plugs into. I would also pull the radio amp out and check those pins as well...wiggle the wires. You can run the system with the radio/tape unit out as long as you take out the frame with the multipin connectors as well so it can stay plugged in. Lots of work there...kind of like open heart surgery! But by simply checking the connections then playing the deck...you can find loose pins in the multi-connector (they get pushed in. Simply reach under and push them back. If that doesn't find any problems then: Kinda long post follows - sorry. The hiss tells me the tape head amp is working...somewhat. It's just not getting the music signal from the head would be my guess. It's like an open amplifier circuit. I would take the cassette deck out. Take the top off and take a close look at the circuit board. On the bottom center of the board are the wires from the head...and you can follow them to where they attach to the board. In the other end...top right corner...are the solder joints where the output of the board goes to the pin outputs. I found a number of bad solder joints there after I dropped my cassette deck (don't ask) and was able to fix them. Once you are somewhat familiar with the basic layout...walk the cassette deck back to the bike. Plug in the mount the radio sits in...running the cable that goes to the deck out ... up on top. Now plug the deck in. There isn't any high voltage there so you can hold the deck in your hand. Turn on the bike and put a cassette in. Play it. Now reach over and touch your finger on the solder connections near where the head. You may or may not hear a buzz. You shouldn't if the coating is still intact covering the solder joints. But you can wiggle the wires just a touch...and go ahead and touch the solder points on the board with finger...especially near the output pins for the connector. If you do hear a buzz coming from a touch on the dead channel...that will tell you that at that point anyway...the circuit is good. You can do a lot of tracing with a finger on a tape deck! These decks are extremely durable. takes a drop on concrete (my bad) or some serious corrosion before they stop. What you are looking for is a broken wire or connection some where near the head. Maybe even at the head. If the PO got a bit aggressive in cleaning..and somehow got behind the head, he could have damaged a wire there. But my first thoughts are a bent or loose pin...or one that is pushed in at the multi-connectors. Last resort is to contact Clarion. They probably still repair these things! Although it might take you a while to find a repair ship that remembers them and has the schematics. Hope this helps... david

As a relative newbie to the VR family...I haven't had the opportunity to make the International. But it is in my future plans. Lots of good posts today regarding the pros and cons of a major meet like the International. I'm going to throw my .02$ in: 1: No need for major door prizes. Local souvenirs are all that's needed...and t-shirts/hats. Packable items. 2: Keep it moving around the center of the country. I thought this year's was almost perfect...but to far for me to deal with the heat across Arizona and New Mexico. Plus helping my love with her mom's house...getting it ready to sell is a major summer effort this year. 3: Every other year is far more doable from a cost and planning point of view. Kind of like class reunions...every other year doesn't lose any appeal...rather it gathers excitement as the time gets near. Especially for those who do come across country or from Iceland, Canada, Mexico and maybe Europe. Vacations are a working person's annual dream goal....and to be able to take a couple of years to financially plan the trip would be far more satisfying for many! So...bottom line for me...is keep it going...just scale it back a bit...make it easier to plan and execute for those who volunteer. Make it easier for others to save their pennies and finally...make it easier for many to ride by changing venue location. I'm all for Colorado Springs in 2 years! BTW, I work for 3 years for my class reunion...every five years. It's part time for 2.5 years then go like heck the last 6 months. So yea...it's a bear. And even though I wasn't at the International this year... I thank each of you who put in the time and effort so the Venture Family could enjoy each other in 2015! david

Even a slight tightness means something isn't right. Glad they took care of you! Regarding BP meds.... I'm on Lisinopril. I take the pill at night so I don't bounce down the halls. Supposed to take two a day...but I told the doc I was to dam dizzy with 2 so she approved one at night. Dizzy and sailing or riding bikes do not go well together! The idea for me is to lower the BP a touch. Since all in my family die of cancer, no heart issues or cholesterol issues...even though we all have high cholesterol (Mediterranean Family)...I don't worry to much about it. Glad you were OK....! david

You may be right about the regulator...but a tight plug can still be corroded...called oxidation. And a plug that gets very hot can also mean that there is corrosion inside and the corrosion is causing resistance. Resistance means heat in the electrical world.

I agree, Dion, can't be good. I had the outer fairing apart a few weeks ago in prep to lowering the front end, but my buddy couldn't make it down to help so I put her back together. As far as I know, everything is kosher inside regarding the mounting of the fairing. I think maybe tomorrow I'll take her apart again and loosen up the inner fairing...see if there is a way to snug her up and get more room. Thanks...

I do like that idea! Clock and temp! What brand did you get, if you don't mind me asking? I like the night color and size!

Agreed, Mike. I like the whitewalls...

Thanks for the pic, Mike. Looks like you have more room than I do??!! I just measured. I have a tad more than a 1/2 inch between the bars and the inner fairing.... Hmm...I haven't done anything to inner fairing so guess this must be from previous owners as well.... Interesting. Anyone else have Baron riser's and have the dampers installed like Mike does?

The rubber cushion will never fit in there without putting a lot of stress on the inner fairing. And no they aren't there anymore. When PO put the risers on, the rubber pieces were loose and one fell. I only have one left. The inexpensive one! But can't use it anyway. I was thinking of cutting it down and trying to slip it in between the bars and the inner fairing with some double sided tape to hold it. But that would be a huge cut. Looking for another alternative if anyone has ideas....I seem to be fresh out of creativity! Thanks, Dion....I wasn't aware someone else had made a gadget to help solve this...

Seems that way:stirthepot:...but I did hear him...and agreed. I also like the looks of the fairing without the plastic there... david

Don't know since the reason my eyebrows came off was to get the fairing re-painted right after I bought the scoot. But if yes, you could cover with a pin stripe tape. david

Found it....for a custom backrest you can buy. But I like the way they did the install...Hope this gives you some ideas... http://www.utpr.com/ventureinstallation.html david