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Me too! Love that!

I just went through my 1st Gen carbs this afternoon and all screws were same length. Of course, they were not original... Not on an 89. But the security screws were there, one per carb. I kept them in. But did replace the rest. 4 screws gave me grief turning a 30 minute job into an all afternoon affair! Everything looked good.

Yep, picked up 16 screws from ACE that were black in color....

Call the dealers in Phoenix and ask to speak to the mechanic that's been there the longest. The 2 dealers in Tucson, Only one had a mechanic who has worked on the 2nd Gen RSV's and not one knew anything about the 1st Gen Venture Royales! So needless to say, I try and do my own stuff. I did break down when I first got the RSV and knew nothing about them and take the 2nd Gen RSV to a PowerSports dealer on Ina Road in Tucson and the older mechanic did an oil change for me as well as re-build the front forks. Other than that, I do my own stuff...

Jeff, Long term report on your center stand dolly? Still working good? Casters hold up?

Neil, I'll be in Green Valley South of Tucson this weekend. Need something... Holler. Otherwise have a great trip!

Front tire smooth. Great ride. Pushed her up to 85mph.... Smooth! Put another 80 miles on. Have to say... These tires are good on the RSV. New bike. On way back, saw lots of campers at the long range part of Ben Avery Shooting Range. So stopped to get a pic across the road. Ben Avery is one of the premier ranges in the country and one of few that have a1000 yard range. I think the snipers we out in competition there today!

Are they as good as the Tourmasters? They stick like them but ride is a tad harder. They are still superior in ride to the Pirellis that I've had on since tires were new. Test ride after re-balance will be tomorrow. BUT..... Learned something today. Do not try to balance the RSV front tires with the two small spacers on.... Those little guys that go between the wheel and the forks. They were throwing off the machine. Once we took them off The Front tire balanced easily. Going for a mid day ride tomorrow. Will report back. Have to play golf in the afternoon so won't spend to much time on the road. Just want to get some more slab time above 75mph and some twistie time too. So far I'm not regretting staying with the OEM size front. The tires handle so much better, I'm good with the 150 size.

Only thing left is the plug......doesn't make sense to me.

I saw Motorman's video Saturday just after he published it. Cool. Well...put around 80 miles on the tires today. Freeway and lots of twistie 2 lanes. Other than the front tire not balanced properly...I'm impressed with the 777HD's. They handle well enough that I found myself over-correcting on turns this morning as we started out on 2 lane roads out of north Phoenix. They ride very well, handle well and inspire confidence in this 70 year old bod riding an 867 pound scoot. They glide over the ruts and tar strips without a wiggle. Even the ones parallel to the road! They are quiet as well. On some of the 40 mph twisties, I was smiling at how easy it was to smoothly transition from corner to corner. Slow speed maneuvers in Denny's parking lot in Care Free were far easier than with the Pirellis. The 2nd Gen really was feeling like a totally different scoot. Tomorrow I'll take the front tire off and go back to the shop for a re-balance. I'll keep everyone posted as to how this turns out. Stay tuned...

Finally..the deed is done. Was forced to put new feet on the RSV due to a screw in the rear tire. Never liked those Pirelli Routes anyway! Cleaned and lubed the rear end and brake calipers while I was there. The rear end was well lubed and the final drive gears and pins were in good shape. I cleaned the pins, rotated them around until they fell into their holes, greased them and put the clip back in place. Simple stuff...and this was my first time taking the final drive off a wheel. Went for a short ride today after install. Good grief! Like power steering! I know new tires are easy to ride on...but this was like night and day! The Pirellis only had about 5K on them...but these new Shinko's feel like a brand new pillow on a freshly made bed! (yea ok...I'm getting a bit carried away) Going on a longer ride in the morning to put some miles on the tires. I'll report back then... Of course, no pics of my grease monkey imitation...to dirty to pick up phone!

That one I am familiar with! Had the same problem with the VStar 650. Simple fix. After I get the new tires on the RSV this weekend, think I'll buckle down and order the gaskets and go to work. It's time for an oil change anyway on the 89!

Been there, done that and got more T-Shirts than I need! You will enjoy working for yourself. Many "freedoms" you didn't have will come available to you as you re-align your professional life. Congrats!! Now get back to work! Grins!

Ah ok. That's different. If you go with the HD Ultra Classic lowers (don't know if they will fit), but the weak point for them is the vent that opens and closes. The plastic ring that the vent turns on breaks off.... Suggestion: Check EBay for lowers...get any color and repaint. Just as long as they are intact with only minor cracking....

Gary Mace wrote a good article about replacing the front calipers with R1 or R6 calipers. The link no longer works on the Venturer's site. Anyone have a copy of the post or an updated link? TIA,

My 1st gen is still linked as well. But I don't think I've heard of 1st Gens locking up on dry pavement. Since I changed out my rear caliper with one from an R6, I'm pleased with the brakes of the 1st Gen.

You say they were cracked. Pictures? I ask because if they are only cracked, it's an easy fix....

Lots of riding places in NH. Just be aware of not going during Motorcycle week as the roads are jammed. Also avoid Holiday weekends...those 2 lanes get crowded! https://www.nhproequip.com/bestnhmotorcycleroadsandtrips Kancamagus Highway is nice and is the northern gateway from east to West side of NH. http://www.motorcycleroads.com/Routes/New-Hampshire_105.html http://www.motorcycleroads.com/best/?c=105 As far as Hotels...try the small out of the way places. Just watch out for prices as all businesses in this state, like Maine and Vermont, must "make their nut", during the tourist season to survive the winter. Although I found some of the larger chains and resorts often had good deals ahead of time... So suggest you plan a full route...then book. BTW, if you ride 1A from Portsmouth to New Castle to Rye Beach to Hampton Beach...that was my stomping ground from 1958 to college. Grew up there. And spent the year of 2013 living in New Castle Island....love the area...but can't take not being able to go out and work on truck, boat and scoots year around. Spoiled by Arizona living! So say hi for me to New Castle and the rest as you go by... Try BG's Boathouse for fried clams....yummy. http://bgsboathouse.com/ This shot from RT 11 looking down on Lake Winnipesaukee at a look out area... in New Castle..... Along 1A south of Rye beach You will like the ride!

Back to the original idea of the thread..... Today I called the RV guys and told them no on the travel trailer. They had a good deal on a 2013 Coleman 249 RB that we liked. It had lots of storage, one slide out and and full functionality with slide in. Lots of extras as well. BUT.... We have to much "STUFF" already and need to consolidate before we add any more toys! Sigh.....And I could have pulled it with my Yukon! Time to sell some more "STUFF"!

Maybe. But as big and heavy as these beasties are, standing on the pegs feels ridiculous to me when I'm on my 1st Gen. Seriously. But I have to admit that is something I've always enjoyed doing...running through the dirt and woods, on the pegs, sideswiping trees! (in my youth on a much smaller scoot) Longest ride I've done on the 2nd Gen was from Payson Arizona, east across the state on rts 60/260 to rt 191, south on 191, The Devils Highway" (formerly RT666)...hundreds of curves in 100 miles....then back on I-10 to Tucson and south to Green Valley. Took 14 hours. Quite the ride. I was still in good shape but my buddy on his Ultra was hurting. This was before I lowered the front end to make steering a bit easier. I was 68 years young at the time. Longest ride I've ever done was from Portsmouth, NH to Phoenix on my Yamaha YDS-6C back in 1969. Great time! http://azride.com/devils-highway-run/2557977

Here ya go... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?119387-Canada-to-Cancun-on-the-250-Venture-The-full-ride-report&highlight=mexico enjoy the long read....

That and they are pissed that they let their patent run out and a bunch of idiots jumped in the market with dubious copies of their design. So a new design is needed... Ugh...

Well, have to apologize. No ride today. We went to buddies house where RSV is sitting and rear tire flat. I was so bummed, I forgot to get a pic of the screw that did the evil deed. Good news is this forced me to order the Shinko 777 HD's....so guess I'll be getting new feets for the scoot next weekend! Yay! But what a beautiful day for a ride...83 degrees!

Last thought. These are high reving motors. Don't lug the thing...wind her out. The rev limiter will kick in if you exceed the rev limit. Won't hurt a thing but will feel like you hit a wall! Shift and crank some more!

That's a good question. Because my "olde phart" right foot will not take "NO" for an answer. And twice now I've found myself going sideways at 75mph when a nut case decided I didn't exist and cut me off. In that split second, I've locked up the rear twice. I would like far less braking power back there since my foot won't listen to reason...despite practice and years of riding. A 2 pot rear caliper would help, I would think.