comingbackdown

I've used it a few times with no issues. I wouldn't want to leave it sitting straight-no-chaser in your carbs for a while because it would do some serious home wrecking. But for a quick clean it'd be okay, and as a fuel treatment it's great. When I first got my bike it cleared up some rough running in a heartbeat. Had good luck with it on other vehicles as well.

Thoughts and prayers up, my friend. So sorry to hear this. This is why I want the career that I want. I'll get there, somehow. Not up to me to throw the switch, but as human as I am I would given the opportunity. The shooters will get theirs, even if not in this lifetime. Whether by the law of man or the law of God, justice will find you. Even if you skate on 'til you die of old age, the judgement awaits you. No man can hide from death and what is coming to him thereafter. Stay strong, brother. We're with you.

Thoughts, prayers, and condolences going out for Rick and family. I can't say I've been there, though I have lost people very close to me. Family, acquaintances, and one man who may as well have been my brother. It's never easy. I can't exactly say that time heals all wounds, but it certainly changes the feeling. So very sorry to hear this. If you read this, we're here for you brother. I've been a lot of places on the web, but this is the only one where I can honestly say that we're all family no matter where we come from.

Welcome home, and thanks for serving!

Sounds like something I'd enjoy! I hope to see that dry heat someday!

Well, for those wondering, it's finally out thanks to a sawzall and a 30 ton shop press. Holy crow. So here's what we've got. When I pulled the final gear loose from the swingarm, I found one of my least favorite varieties of shop filth. Ohhhhhh goody. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_010643.jpg Oh and it's all over the driveshaft. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160614_233426.jpg Luckily the splines look alright. So no damage there that I can see. Took me 20 minutes with some degreaser to get this crap off. But wait, there's more. In getting the axle out, I had to remove this shroud. One of the screws wound up destroyed by the time I got it out. I will need a replacement. The snap ring on that side also took some persuading and is now toast. Hopefully I can get one from mother Yamaha or one of my fellow Ventureriders. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_010351.jpg Here we have the axle! Anybody notice anything off? Yeah, it's not straight. I don't know if that long collar is supposed to come off or is part of the axle, but it's split and the two halves of the axle turn independently of one another. Ain't that just lovely? Looks like the inner bearing race right there too. It came off no problem. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_005749.jpg Here we have what is left of BOTH bearings. Hard to see the wee needle bearings there, but they're there. Everything else is gone. I may need some help deciphering what's what and what I need to buy aside from the bearings. I have not taken apart the other side of this contraption just yet. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_005722.jpg This was behind the bearing. Part of the bearing or no? http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_005829.jpg This fell out of the wheel the same time as the final gear popping loose. No idea what it is or how it goes into place. I am looking at a minor hodge podge here. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_010000.jpg Here we have the wheel, after I pried the shattered remains of an outer bearing race out of it. The race left a small ring but it looks to be alright. Thank God. I did not want to have to buy a freakin' wheel. http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o187/sickmusician/IMG_20160616_005613.jpg So now I have to figure out what I need, and then it's time to pony up the cash. I may need help putting this mess back together. I have not disassembled the other side since it's a giant ball of grease and I don't want to ruin anything spraying degreaser all over it. But I'm sure both bearings and both seals are completely destroyed. I even had to deflate the tire to get the whole thing on the shop press. Thus ends chapter one of the most ridiculously irritating repair I have ever attempted. It should've just come out and saved both of us the trouble. To follow: Chapter 2: My wallet is crying. Why? Bike parts. Chapter 3: How does this damn thing go together?

Glad you're alright, brother. Hopefully they'll be able to fix your bike. If not it's a sad thing to see one go, but you're still here and at the end of the day that's what matters.

I haven't had any experience with leather or mesh yet, but plan to change at least one of those come time for the cold. I have a Speed & Strengh textile jacket. Supposedly it's "water resistant" but I haven't tested that without rain gear. It has a removable cold weather liner (only issue is it doesn't cover the sleeves. Flannel shirt does just fine to fix that though) back, shoulder and elbow armor, and it has sleeve and back vents. It's a bit toasty in very hot weather if I'm in town but it's alright on the highway. The only time I've had to throw a coat over it was when it was around ten degrees out. It has served me well. My only complaint is I wish the dang thing had more vents, especially in the chest area. You wouldn't catch me riding to a really hot climate without something offering more airflow though.

The line has been crossed. I wasn't mad through the valve adjustment, I wasn't mad slicing my hand open tearing apart the fairing and pulling the gauge cluster, I wasn't mad at having to send out PMs and make phone calls and travel all over two counties and read for hours on end to have a hope of getting her back on the road before winter. I haven't been mad at all yet. I still have a master cylinder to rebuild, a fuel tank to line, a shock to change (gotta try calling the owner of said shock, his PM box is full), a wheel to pull and a driveshaft to grease, as well as oil/gear oil changes to do. So I'm trying to get done quickly so I can ride to MD and don't have to cage it there. I was out getting ready to pull the wheel and driveshaft, taking the mufflers off. One I had to persuade quite sternly. Then it comes to the right side muffler. It feels looser. Wiggle it this way, wiggle it that way, and suddenly I hear *CRACK!*. Oh goody, the rust has broken free! Let's just pull that thing out of OH YOU SON OF A $*#@@ dirty #@!)# $#*$* @*#@@! and so's your mother! Now I'm mad. Now I have some patching and welding to do. When it rains...​

If I had my scoot in working condition and wasn't working I'd be awfully tempted. That'd be a real nice ride! Unfortunately she's not road worthy just yet (gotta get her on the road before MD!) and I'm saddled working half the day. I'll make one of 'em somehow!

I've been having the same debate with myself here lately. I've been running the 15w40 and was a bit leery about running the T6 considering the weight change, but from what reading I've done it allows immediate oil flow on startup. Still debating.

I've seen so much of this it isn't funny. I work in a parts store, so I see a lot of it. The reaction upon hearing they have the option of buying a special tool or removing the head is usually slightly muted rage. Most guys have this happen once and dump the Motorcraft plugs, usually without incident. From what I've seen from our delivery fleet, GM isn't any better off in terms of highly stupid engineering. Then you have Fiat/Chrysler who have made a few less than stellar decisions in recent years. There's a reason I like older used vehicles.

It always seems that the party is over by the time I get there, but I'm usually on late. I'll have to jump on earlier one of these nights.

I'm still looking for a replacement shock. Browsing Pinwall and Ebay and I'm not sure what the heck to buy. I've thought about seeing if there's anything from a more modern bike that would bolt up to it, or digging around to find the specs and having one made. That's my one big hang up. I've found pretty much everything else and my preventative maintenance will only take about a week. Just gotta get the suspension sorted out.

My condolences. Thoughts and prayers coming your way.