BlueSky

If the pads did come loose, they might jam and lock up the wheel causing disastrous results. I know a guy who was riding a Ducati when his front wheel locked up. He woke up in the hospital after going over the handlebars. Broken arm, ribs, and a few other miscellaneous injuries.

For touring the Goldwing is the best of the best in my opinion because of the low center of gravity. It's the easiest to handle in the parking lots. It's smooth as silk and powerful. I wanted one of the style starting in 2001. But, I didn't want to pay the $10k or so starting price for that model since so far I've never been a real serious biker (subject to change I hope now that I am retired!). Me, the V-twins don't appeal to me especially the vibrating Harleys with their air cooled engines. I've never ridden one though, so maybe I would like one if I rode one. I did own a 1983 Yamaha Virago 750 and I didn't like the vibrating underpowered V-twin. I don't like the Harley style either. The style is also the reason I prefer the Gen 1 Ventures. I've always liked the style and I think they still don't have an outdated look. So far I haven't put that many miles on mine so time will tell if I'm happy with it. I absolutely love the sound of that V4 winding up!! I have my 85 4cylinder 74hp shaft drive Kawasaki for running errands around town. It's about 500 lbs and very easy to handle, a blast around town. I hope to take some trips this summer on the Venture. It's really easy to handle except I have to be careful in the parking lots not to let it tip over. There isn't any one bike that does it all. Everybody has their likes and dislikes so in the end you have to decide for yourself what appeals to you. After all it's a toy, an exciting toy!

That's happening a lot. My wife got one of those calls and she was fooled for a while and thought she was going to be arrested. She is an immigrant and they pick on immigrants because they don't realize its a scam as quickly as a native.

Man, I'm so sorry it happened. I hope the healing is quick and complete. Many of us have broken bones in bike crashes, me included.

Just thinking. If the car filter is designed for higher flow, then the differential pressure across it would be less with less flow if that is the case with our V4s. A good thing, yes?

Use Brake Clean that you can buy at any auto parts store. That is what it's for. I admit that when my 85 Kawasaki's fork seals leaked all over the OE brakes, I washed them with Simple Green and water and kept on using them. I probably should have replaced the pads since they were 25 years old! You don't need to use a torch!!

Wow! If you do go, please take lots of photos to show us!!!

I drove 997 to Highway 1 at Homestead or Florida City to go to the Keys after crossing the everglades on 41 from Naples at Thanksgiving and it was an interesting road. Just don't even think about getting on #1 north of Homestead towards Miami. Your clutch won't last the trip. Neither will your left wrist!

Thanks, That photo was taken in 2009 shortly after I bought the bike. it had about 1300 miles on it at that time. I worked in WI for a short while and bought it there.

I always use the turnpike. I95 isn't too bad though, multi-lane but traffic is heavier. On the turnpike, on the north end you get a ticket when you get on and pay when you get off. Most of the other toll stops have been eliminated and they photograph your plate when you pass through and mail a bill to you. I drove to FL as far south as Key West during the week of thanksgiving and sure enough, I got a bill in the mail. Much better than having to stop at every booth.

Another reminder of just how fragile life is. Several construction workers passed of heart attacks working long hours in the heat during the plant outages where I worked in Homestead, FL for 3 1/2 yrs Jan 2010 to August 2013. Those last two outages that totaled 14 months of 6-12 hr shifts took their toll on everybody.

Wow! The things that people do!

Congratulations! A fix that doesn't cost a lot is a great thing!

If the diaphragm on the slider has a hole, that would cause a vacuum leak? correct?

Or if you have about $20, Radio Shack sells an infrared temperature sensor. Just focus it on the part and it will tell you what the temp is.

I've only been a member for less than one year and what I love about this site is the good natured ribbing going on. Seems like just a great bunch of friends having a good time with each other. We all love motorcycling no matter what the brand. I haven't read anything that I would call mean or intended to offend. I've only met a few of the members and I hope to meet in person many more if not all the members.

I'm assuming it was running smooth when you put the carb tune on it? Right? Something happened after that, right? Vacuum leak? plugged pilot jet? fouled plug? Just guessing? Spark related?

My wife and I just sitting on the 85 Kawasaki.

Both my cars, truck, boat, and both motorcycles need washing by those girls. Where do I go?

Did you turn the fuel valve on? Did you hear the fuel pump clicking?

I see a lot of money in the back of your truck! The side panels looked like they still had good vents. Those things are hard to find. All of the plastic is valuable stuff. Your bike is the same color as mine!!

If you have a vacuum leak on that cylinder, it may be running too lean to fire.

When I bought my 85 ZN700 Kawasaki 5 years ago, it only had 1K miles on it. The owner passed and his 55 yr old nephew tried to get it running right and ride it. He cleaned the carbs and it still ran ragged so he sold it to me. It was running ragged on 3 cylinders. I checked the spark by putting a conductor in the plug wire cap and touching it to the block. All 4 had spark. I put a bottle of Valvoline Complete Fuel System Cleaner in the tank and ran it through. Afterwards it ran smooth on 3 cylinders. I finally swapped 2 spark plugs and the dead cylinder moved with the #2 plug. It was a dead spark plug, something I've never heard of before. Runs strong now!! So, don't rule out a dead spark plug. It fooled me for a good while.

The sliders shouldn't affect the idle should they? May be a vacuum leak on that cylinder. Maybe put part of a bottle of Gumout for high mileage engines in the tank and run it through. It has the same chemical in it that Chevron Techron has and it is very effective.

if you are going to buy it straight out, look for individual owners. Be a lot cheaper I suspect.