BlueSky

Haven't ridden a FJR but would love to. I owned a 2004 Kawasaki Concours which is similar to the FJR. The windshield on that bike kept my helmet in a quiet zone, much better than my 89VR. I think the VR windshield is too far forward of the rider to keep it quiet around my helmet. They are totally different bikes. The Concours that model is extremely top heavy. The 7.5 gallon gas tank sitting up high was part of the cause of that. I like the Concours but I had two complaints, the top heaviness, and I had to lean forward putting some weight on my arms. Other than those to two issues, it's a great bike. I think the 1L engine had about 92 or more hp. With that huge tank it had the cruising range of a car. I would have kept it, but when I first got it, my riding skills were rusty and it had an almost worn out dual compound front tire that had a narrow ridge of harder rubber running down the center that made the bike even more tippy. Anyhow, I dropped it twice when I first got it. First time, no problem except I hurt my back trying to pick up that 670lb beast. Second time I tried my best to keep it upright resulting in it falling on my right foot and breaking my second metatarsel. I was lucky that one other guy was in the parking lot off the main road at the Everglades National Park who helped get the bike off my foot. Then sitting at a desk all day combined with my age and I got some bad blood clots in my lower leg and spent 4 months on warfarin. Soooo, my wife told me I had to get rid of that dxx bike. It took a long time to sell it and I was loving it by the time it did sell.

Can you see the hitch ball with those cameras that mount on the license plate bracket? From the questions and answers I saw for one of that type it didn't appear that you could.

Wow! What a story! I'm so happy that ER Doctor is such a great Doctor. You owe her a big hug too it seems!!! Tippy has probaby been suffering in silence for a while. She's a tough and wonderful Cookie, that Tippy!

And explain the good fuel mileage. The engine was running lean especially when it was trying to accelerate.

I did some research and this is the trailer hitch camera I want. The camera can be set on the trailer or the truck. Good reviews. http://www.rearviewsafety.com/wireless-hitch-camera-backup-system-rvs-83112.html?p=3

I'm thinking a rear view camera for my 02F150 so I can hook up to my boat without help. I'm retired. My wife works 50 hrs/wk. I can go fishing by myself:thumbsup2:

Looks really cool! Unless the engine has been modified it produces less hp than our V4s and would weigh lots more. Of course torque would be another story. What I remember about those old flatheads is that when they got older the blocks had a tendency to crack at the valve seats.

I was riding my first bike a Honda CB350. I pulled up to a stop sign. Several cars were coming from the left and I wanted to turn left. The first car made a right turn into the street where I was sitting so i gave it the gas and pulled out making my left turn. Problem was the second car decided to pass the turning car and could have collided with me. I gunned the bike and being an inexperienced rider, I hadn't learned to make a turn that fast and I saw I was headed into the curb. I jumped off the bike (Hey, this was 1971 and I was coordinated back then!) I landed on my feet and the bike ran up against the curb and slithered down the curb and never fell over. So, being totally embarassed, I got back on the bike and gunned it so hard that I did a wheelie. No harm, no foul. It did bend up my brake pedal just a tad.

You'll probably bag a deer with your truck on the way back home:rotf:

I still have my stereo system I bought in 1970 complete with a Sansui 2000 tuner amp, turntable, and added a cassette deck and CD player later. I sold my 7" reel to reel tape deck way back. I have 20 or so cassettes. Tape recording is better than digital recording. But it is much easier to record and mix digital recordings. My 37 yr old son is a music recording engineer and has been Beyonce's recording engineer for the last 4 or so years.

I suppose I'm the only person in the universe who doesn't use Facebook.

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/2002/GL1800+A/FRONT+WHEEL/parts.html

Wow! That was a learning experience!

Yes, please keep the photos and stories coming. You are doing something that many of us dream of doing.

We've been eagerly waiting for updates and lots of photos from your travels and adventures:) Would be wonderful if we got an update:fnd_(16):

Best of luck to you with the surgery! I hope you heal fast!

Being dehydrated can cause cramps. Are you taking a diuretic for bp?

That is how to get them to last for a looonnng time. I have a friend who drives like that and puts at least 240k miles on all of his cars. Me, I have a heavy foot. I've calmed down a lot from my misspent youth but I still drive aggressively for an old fart.

Things that don't flex are prone to breaking if stressed too much. The video doesn't make the Ford look good though for sure.

Interesting, but I'm not sure how relevant it is. Most of us don't put trucks in a bind like that.

A few weeks ago, I replaced the lower ball joints in my 2002 F150 4x4 Scab (134k miles). They are held on the control arm by press fit and a clip. After taking the clip out, they have to be hammered out. then a ball joint press was needed to press the new joints back in. I'm a tool addict and bought the press instead of trying to borrow one. My wife will have one heck of a yard sale to get rid of all my tools when I kick the bucket!!

I was 26. I bought a new Honda 71CB350 twin and spent an hour learning how to ride it before riding it 60 miles to get it home.

The lower ball joint typically supports the weight. So, even if it is worn the weight of the vehicle keeps the ball pressed tightly in its socket. There probably is a specified amount of play that is acceptable and the alignment shops may or may not know what that is or believe it. And, I have seen a tool that measured play in a ball joint although it was a long time ago. A guy I went to college with had a 60's Mercury Comet that he dropped off at the local Kmart to have the advertised special ball joints installed. They called him up and told him the ball joints were within spec. So, he invited me to go with him and check. The mechanic had a tool attached to the car that did indeed measure the play. On this particular car and I think all Ford cars back then with a similar suspension, the allowed play was 0.250" or a quarter of an inch. Hard to believe but it's true. I had a Mustang back then it drove the alignment guys nuts when they told me it needed new ball joints and I told them it was within factory specs. They would pull out the chart and sure enough, it said 0.250". Then they would say, "Well, they need replacement anyway." Eventually, I replace them just to shut up the alignment guys. The new ball joints were made tighter than the Ford joints.

Booder, Last post was 09 (September). Too much Thanksgiving Cheer? I believe there are directions in the tech section for "shotgunning" the carbs. That might do the trick.

Years ago at Disney Worlds Epcot center, I saw a video in the US exhibit of James Whitmore doing a Will Rogers show. It was most enjoyable. If you ever get the chance to see it, you won't be disappointed.