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mountainhorsega

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Everything posted by mountainhorsega

  1. mountainhorsega
    Hwy 23 from... (Crud - must be getting old - after 10 years of not being there, can't remember the name of the town.) anyway - 1/2 way between Ft Smith and Russellville on Hwy 40, Take Hwy 23 heading north. Should end up in Huntsville if I remember right. Great ride. Also, take the road past Steele Creek. Go down to the park if you dare - It's a steep, tricky gravel road going into the park but once you get there, it's beautiful. It is the head of the Buffalo River.
  2. mountainhorsega
    Have the trunk painted but just got it installed again last night and don't have pic's yet. The Mustang seat helps but, am still planning to find a gel pad for the wife. We really like our TD - I would be afraid of the foot position on the Valk since I have problems with the wing already (To wide - it kills my hips)
  3. mountainhorsega
    Added pics of both the windshield and the backrests.
  4. mountainhorsega
    pm sent. Also have a right side driver floor board.
  5. mountainhorsega
    Our old stocker is 18.75" from the top of the chrome to the top of the glass. Don't need it since we put on a fairing. Would consider selling. With the chrome, quick connects and everything - ready to put on the bike. it is nearly perfect - might have some tiny scratches and a couple of bugs we missed during the last wash - I would have to look at it to verify. If you are interested in a purchase let us know. Haven't really thought of a price yet but need to pay for some of the cost of the fairing, stereo, paint, speakers and all that stuff. . Also have a mustang passenger backrest pad and full factory seat (Driver, pillion and backrest pad) that we don't need.
  6. mountainhorsega
    Or the whole chrome quick detach backrest? - Have 2 pads but using the rest for the trunk
  7. mountainhorsega
    40 mpg riding hard on country roads. 32 miles to work, 45-50 minutes = avg speed +/- 35 to 40(Didn't calculate but close enough). with lots of hard take offs and 65-70 mph stretches. With ethanol or not - same mileage. Plugs and sync would be first guess but, could be different riding style this year too. Keep the RPM's up - stay out of 5th under 65mph. my typical shift points for a normal ride are 1st to 2nd around 25-35mph. 2nd to 3rd around 45-60, 3rd to 4th around 60-70, 4th to 5th around 70-90. running hard - stretch it a little further for each. shift points will make a huge difference. The wife's wing trike - she gets 25, I get 31. and actually run it harder but lugging it kills the mileage.
  8. mountainhorsega
    when it quits, go in house, open a beer and call roadside assist when they arrive, walk out and have them haul it to the dealer. No trailer - no problem. dealer does work and has responsibility.
  9. mountainhorsega
    Dyson
  10. mountainhorsega
    Ours is a tour deluxe too - and that has nothing to do with miles/gal. My heavy wrist has put me down to 10k on a rear elite 3 but still getting 40-42 MPG. Have gotten 190 on a tank and could have made 200 (not typical) but 157 for the low fuel light is our norm. 1 or 2 up - Actually get better mileage 2 up since somehow she controls the throttle better from the back seat than I do from the front. Just seemed like your mileage might be suffering from something. We were getting the same mileage(40-42) with the stock windshield - now have the batwing with 8" shield and extra lowers. I think the drag is probably very similar. and, we have a lot more mountain riding than Houston. but, I just noticed he said 2 bars left at 124 - our low fuel light doesn't come on until it hits one bar. (occasionally, it will come on on the kick stand and then back to 2 bars when I stand it up or take a right curve but only if it was down low and close to tripping to one bar anyway) No big deal - just giving the thought that mileage sounds a little low.
  11. mountainhorsega
    Your low fuel light is on at 114-124? What kind of mileage are you getting? We are getting 40-42 and the low fuel light normally doesn't come on until about 157-160. I think 135 is about the earliest it has ever come on.
  12. mountainhorsega
    If hubby has never ridden, he should take the msf FIRST and see if he really even likes to ride and has the coordination for it (not discouraging anyone but, some people think it looks cool and fun until they spend the $ on a bike that is to much for them and then scare themselves out of it) . Then start on a smaller bike - even a used 250 or so. Get used to balance, shifting, braking, controls. a 250 hurts a lot less when it falls on you. Don't ride two up until he is VERY comfortable. A scooter is great and the burgman 650 would probably be just the ticket for the two of you but, the only learning experience you get from a scooter is balance and traffic management - no shifting, no foot braking, and not much weight control. A guy at work just jumped from a Piaggio MP3 (3 wheel scooter) to a Triumph rocket III touring(2300cc). He has taken the msf course (which is a GREAT idea) and has dropped it at least 5 times. He just isn't used to the balance and coordination required. but, he is learning - I just wish he had gotten something smaller to learn on. Start small and used, sell and replace with something a little larger. Going from a 300 or 400lb 250cc or even a 650cc to a 850lb 1300cc touring bike is a totally different ride and takes a lot more experience and care. I wish the states would adopt the European requirement of starting on a small bike and growing into a bigger one over time regardless of age. Oh yah - Enjoy! and remember, a motorcycle, especially a large one will probably not save you $. Insurance, maintenance and tires pretty much eat up our savings in gas.
  13. mountainhorsega
    apparently rougher asphalt than you are. We don't have terrible roads - the occasional chip/seal patch but not for any distance. have a mild mountain run every morning and night. I double checked my mileage #'s and even called the shop to have them check theirs - figured maybe I forgot to write something down. Have been riding hard but not that hard:confused24: will see what this one does and may go back to the commanders. Do like the ride on the e3's though.
  14. mountainhorsega
    replace them that is. They could be polished up easy enough but then they don't match the uppers and getting in all those nooks and crannies around the calipers and fender could be a pain. Going to try corporate and see if they wont stand behind the finish (regional rep won't, I already tried)
  15. mountainhorsega
    Got 21k out of the front and about 12-14 on the back. Like the tires - they ride great especially on cracks and such but, the e3's are better in the rain didn't cup as bad. Was just hoping to get more miles, That was why we switched. The back e3 we just replaced went 12 or 14k (don't remember for sure) so, it was close to the mich but the front just seemed to burn down fast. checked the air at least every 2 weeks and it was never low 38 vs. 41 just isn't going to make that big a difference - gauges are likely to have that much variance. Went back to the shop and checked - it was 71H rated and so is the new one - we'll see how it does. If it only makes 10k, will be going back to the commanders - shying away from the avons for now.
  16. mountainhorsega
    Any one else having the clear finish coming off of the forks? 06 TD. right fork - finish is gone. Noticed it was hazy and flaky last time we washed it and, it just started coming off. Clear coat on the left one is hazy and I am sure will do the same thing soon. Had the dealer call Yamaha and Atlanta said it looked like something had rubbed the finish off (It was me when I washed it noticed it flaking). going to see if anyone else has had this before we call corporate and start with them. or just wait for the left one to flake more and before I wash it - take it in so they can wash the flakes off of it.
  17. mountainhorsega
    we are running e3's. Not having that problem with rear but, don't just run the highway either. not a lot of hard curves but I guess run enough to keep it rounded. now for the question - Just changed out the front - got about 10,000 miles out of it. Seems awful low. Kept the pressure at 41, as said - don't ride outlandish. Was down into the wear bars pretty good - not slick but well worn. what kind of miles are you getting out of your front?
  18. mountainhorsega
    Good start but, it probably wont last long. What I have done on the last 3 sets (and this is easy ever for the non-mechanically inclined). Remove the calipers (2 12mm bolts) Remove the pads (to clips and pins Clean the backs of the pads get some disk brake quieter (any auto parts store has it or a similar product) it's just a orange goo that goes and the back of the pads and turns rubbery Put a thin layer on the back of the pads and let it dry about 10-20 minutes re-install in reverse order the quietner basically puts a tacky/rubber like surfaces and the back and stops the chatter/squeal. This is the only real fix for noisy brakes. It takes about 15-20 minutes of labor for both fronts (I do the rear too when I put new pads on) and it pretty much lasts the life of the pads. you might have to spread the pistons in the caliper a little to get them back on (I normally do this with an old pair of pads but if all you have is the one set turn them backwards in the caliper and CAREFULLY - pry them open a little bit. just be careful not to bind up the pistons or damage the lining face. They should slide back in pretty easy. If not, most parts stores will have a tool to spread the pistons and will rent/loan it. just be careful not to bind the pistons. if you have an old pair of pads, you don't have to worry about damaging the lining and I normally just use a big flat screwdriver or small prybar - it doesn't take a whole lot of pressure. again - just be careful not to bind the pistons (in case I didn't mention it)
  19. mountainhorsega
    the cold winter finger thing was the main reason for the fairing - it made a huge difference over the windshield. I ride pretty much year round. Below 45 degrees, the grip heaters are much nicer and below 35-40, they are almost a requirement.
  20. mountainhorsega
    It takes time and patience(We have little of either). There are still a few ideas we have been playing with. The harley fairing is setup for 5 1/4" speakers which I can only find water proof in a coax. Have put 2 sets of Pyles in it but they are just not very good quality. Found the Polk 5 1/4" but, I am thinking to build an adapter to go up to a 6" so can use 3 ways, there is enough room behind them, and maybe even put a shroud. These are loud enough at 60-70 on the back roads but on the interstate at 80 and 90, I have to push them so hard that they blitz out. One thing to consider - the stereo is a Pyle as well it is marine grade with weather band and as a bonus, it has a place to put either a sd card or a usb flash drive with music loaded on it - I don't even own an ipod or mp3 player and would hate to have a cord dangling around, this way I have about 400-500 songs loaded on a 2gb sd card and just set it to random - I don't hear the same song for about a week. The other thing I am thinking is to drill a couple of small holes over the thermometer and cig lighter and put some led's up in there so the thermo is lit at night. still haven't decided whether to glass in driving lights or not - that is the main thing I like about the kaw voyager. Now looking for a trunk to play with. Brother has an old wing trunk that we could do some glass work on. (Back to that time and patience thing)
  21. mountainhorsega
    If it doesn't have the inner, then the mounts are totally not there - I have seen another one on here where someone did it with an outer and just had to build brackets to support it. Try searching the forums - it may even be in that rstd owners unite thread as well. I used to have a guzzi with a batwing outer and if I remember right, it wasn't really complicated either. Just need to build the brackets a little different and out of something a little more sturdy, it had a couple of cap screws out in the middle area of the fairing and down low for the brackets. On ours, it looks like just the 1/8" thick diamond tread but, the 1/4 stock is behind it to stop a lot of the flex and give support. If you like playing with stuff, that's probably not a bad price- if it has the inner, outer and brackets - thats a good price. If you want to do something, get it finished and go ride, would probably recommend the radio caddy or quadzilla. I think I actually got ours mounted in about a day - maybe a little longer. took a lot of back and forth - small cuts, small adjustments, etc. That was just to hang it on the bike. then, rode it for a week or so and decided to lay it back a little more and had to re-drill a couple of holes and trim a little more off the harley brackets to clear the forks. Rode without the stereo for almost a few months while we built the house, then mounted the stereo in the cutout tach and speedo holes for another few months while we finished the house and just recently got the glass and primer done. Now waiting for a break to paint it. If you decide to do it, let me know and I will try to remember the major pitfalls we hit (Couple of spots not to put screws cause the will rub on brackets, etc.
  22. mountainhorsega
    I love the looks of the road glide fairing but don't have access and my wife doesn't like it. Currently have a street glide fairing mounted (Look in the RSTD Owners Unite thread - Shep started this fairing and I bought it from him and got the mounting done.) the street glide fairing mount up is actually pretty easy. - did absolutely NO mods to our bike so, can still pull fairing and put windshield back if we want. a. Cut out around headlight mount b. Cut out speed and tach holes to allow fairing to drop down (Down to about the middle of the lower outside holes (temp/ oil whatever they were) c. Get a sheet of diamond plate and some 1/4" x 1" aluminum at lowe's d. used the original windshield mounts as a pattern(Just traced them on stock paper) e. transferred to the diamond plate and cut out with jigsaw and dremel tool. f. trimmed harley brackets to clear forks g. Helper held fairing while took best guess at mounting hole locations (missed angle first time and had to lay it back a little more) H. eventually, fiberglassed back in and got stereo mounted. I can put some more info but you can get a good idea of it from these pics. For someone that like to play and is a little mechanical, this isn't really a big challenge (Just takes time - not a lot of money) If you don't like to play, I am sure someone will post a radio caddy, quadzilla, maybe a couple of others. the radio caddy seems to be the least expensive for a bolt on. The road glide will be much more challenging due to removal of headlight and frame mounts, etc.
  23. mountainhorsega
    06 TD - There is an intake whine much like on a goldwing if you are listening for it but, the gears/clutch are very quiet. maybe just a little "whir" (Certainly not a chirp and I wouldn't even call it a whine) at 45 in 4th but if you aren't listening for it, you won't hear it. The Bub's do cover up quit a bit but just mosying around - they are pretty quiet too. Listening to the one on the youtube vid on that other thread - ours has nothing.
  24. mountainhorsega
    Hope you don't mind us drawing attention to it here in the watering hole but fear it may not be noticed in the "other bikes section" - Just listed in the classifieds. 93 goldwing trike. I know - It's not a venture but maybe someone here knows someone that wants a wing. 15oo/6. It's got a roadsmith trike kit - with easy steer. My wife needs to get rid of it to get a work truck (We are keeping the TD). Check out the classified and see if you have any questions.
  25. mountainhorsega
    I average around 42mpg solo weekly commuting. 2-up, it really doesn't change much (usually goes up a little cause I don't ride as hard). So, now you have the 500 mile break-in huh? - PUNCH IT and see what you really think. Hold it to the rev-limiter. Just watch out for 3rd. I have yet to hit the limiter in 3rd (and don't know that I have any need to). Mentioned to someone else - watch the back brakes. The inside wears faster than the outside. I am getting between 8 and 12k on them. I had Michelin Commander tires and loved them but, switched to a Dunlop E3 on the back and it is even better. Putting one on the front soon.
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