dynodon
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Everything posted by dynodon
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Bicyclists in Illinois do NOT own the lane the same as a motorcycle or a car/truck. Directly from the Illinois rules of the road: "When passing a bicyclist do so slowly and leave at least three feet of passing space. " I try to give them more when it is available when driving my car, when on my motorcycle, I will move to the far side of the lane, and that gives them a lot of room. I will slow down although that isn't specified in the rules.
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owners manual
dynodon replied to titansedriver's topic in Venture and Venture Royale Tech Talk ('83 - '93)
I found mine on E-bay, just keep looking, and if you find someone parting out a bike contact them and ask, they may not have put it online yet. Also, check classifieds here for bikes being parted, and see if they have the manual. I also bought a service manual on CD and then printed it out. I give it to any mechanic, even those in a Yamaha dealership, that works on my '86 VR. They appreciate it because most shops don't have manuals that old. -
Does this have to be MY personal old school, or just any old school? Just asking, but my personal old schools are a ways away, but I have AN old school house on my property (I wouldn't use that as my target hit though, that isn't fair!)
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For a long time the market didn't care or decide on many safety issues. Most people are uninformed and don't care, just look to the voting turnouts in big elections to see ample evidence of that! Many safety items that are a good thing would never have happened if there wasn't some intervention on the part of the government. Yes, I am in favor of less government, but I do NOT want to go back to the turn of the century. There is a balance somewhere in there, but I am afraid that right now we have a group of elected officials that really are ramping up government involvement. But for safety for many manufactured items, I am in favor of some oversight. Food safety, consumer product safety etc. I don't want the manufacturers to have total control again, they have proved they won't police themselves.
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He might be thinking of the D3 type of tire I have on my VR now. Has some angled grooves, but compared to an older style tire, it could pass for a street legal slick. Made me think a little about "where did the tread go?" but if you look at how it touches the road, there is plenty of groove to get rid of water etc. Plus, a rounded bike tire doesn't have to shed water in the same way as a car tire that is very flat. Could THAT be what he was asking about?
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I am in favor of ABS on cars, same with a safe design of the dash board and seat belts etc. Some things just make sense and now that all the dust has settled on THOSE issues, it is basically a very good thing to have them in cars. I am a driving instructor for several car clubs (not a pro racer, just an instructor for those that go to track days for fun) and know that ABS is a good thing in an emergency situation. I am also very good at threshold braking (what the "pro's" use to stop better than ABS sometimes) and could probably at least equal what ABS does, but last January, I was in my first (in 46 years of driving ) "at speed" accident when someone pulled out in front of me while I was driving my car. My threshold braking skills were of ZERO use in this situation because I had no time to think other than Oh Crap, and hit the brakes and BANG. Driving down that road the next day I saw the evidence of ABS brakes for about 40 feet with consistent black marks dead straight, and even after I punted the offending car, the marks were still straight (my drivers training from Skip Barber and other schools and my track experience DID pay off in my ability to keep the car straight after the accident, but ABS was still in play) and the car came to a stop in the middle of the lane. Without ABS I may have not had such a good outcome. I believe ABS on a bike is a good thing, but I do agree that for now, ABS is generally on the more expensive bikes purchased by older riders less likely to be in an accident, still, though, I know friends that would have benefited greatly from ABS in their accidents on bikes. I want ABS on my next bike.
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Had my rsv dynoed tonite
dynodon replied to adventurer 08's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
Depending on which dyno it is, most shops correct all numbers for sea level. I owned a car DynoJet for a couple years, and would make sure all customers got sea level numbers, also corrected for humidity, etc. That way you could theoretically go to any Dynojet, anywhere and compare numbers. 20% loss on cars that make 250-300 hp+ is typical, so to see a little bit more loss on a bike that has less than half that HP to turn what is basically the same driveline (with one less wheel, is pretty good. Should have tested yours in 4th gear...right? -
Our local STAR Touring group and the local GWRRA groups (I am in both) are going to Neihaus Cycles in Litchfield, IL this weekend. I like going on Friday, but both groups are also going on Saturday for those that can't get away during the week. I may not go this Friday, in honor of $3 gas and it is a somewhat long ride for me. Anyone going Saturday? We plan on eating lunch at the Ariston Cafe, and check out the new bikes. (the new Cassette holder for the Venture!)
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I have been looking for a newer bike to supplement my '86 VR. I like the looks and features on the 1200LT BMW, but the couple of times I have sat on one on a showroom floor, they didn't seem to fit me nice like the VR does. If you don't mind my asking, what is your basic size (ht/wt etc) just approx, and does the wide engine bother you? Do you have forward pegs and do they work well? I am a big guy weight wise, and just under 6' tall. 30" inseam. The VR suits me very well, haven't found any other bike that feels that good, the Harley Ultra is as close as anything. I rode a Victory Vision for a short ride, and it fit OK, but didn't like the vibration and the style is a bit too outlandish for me. BMW LT's are pretty affordable used compared to a lot of bikes, but service is tough to come by. I know BMW cars can be very pricey to get work on, have you had any thoughts on service down the road? Thanks for your thoughts on this.
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I got the Shark Evoline last year and have ridden in everything except 90 degree plus weather so far. Good airflow when I want it and LOW airflow when I need it! I love this helmet, it is replacing three that I had before. Not DOT but I don't worry about that. I want Snell when in a car, but for a motorcycle, I think a quality DOT is just fine. Unless you get an actual discount on your insurance for having one (I doubt it) then buy what you like, what fits and feels good and you can afford.
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Any trailer should have a jack on the front that can just raise the front of the trailer. In most cases, you can leave it hooked to the tow vehicle. Another alternative, is several places sell short ramps specifically made to go UNDER the lip of a ramp door, and extend the length, making it easier to load low cars/bikes. one place is Griot's garage http://www.griotsgarage.com Buy two and place them side by side for your bike, and apart for 4-wheelers/atv's. Don
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First, the best advice to making any turn, but especially tight turns is to TURN YOUR HEAD and LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO BE! Look around the corner. AS soon as you look straight ahead, you are done! It is hard to do, but you can force it. I practice this all the time in my cage. Yes, you can practice looking around a corner in a cage, and it will make you a better driver. By looking around the corner you will not turn in too soon, and you won't weave around the corner. once you learn that your mind/body will make the turn correctly, you can have more confidence in doing this. Try it, it really works. Yes, you can sneak a peek a couple times to make sure you don't hit hidden sand/gravel or some other object, but keep looking down the road as far as you can. Second, I have not taken the ERC but I did watch some of my riding friends take it a couple years ago. The course they took was in Peoria, IL at the local Jr. College. It was a lot more involved than the one straycat described, so check out the course in your area, it could be better or worse than expected. Third, I practice low speed maneuvers a lot, and since starting riding again about 5 years ago, I have gone from a "on the feet" crawling turn around, to a leaning turn around that I can do on a country road, or less than two lanes of a typical two lane. I can do it better, but it takes constant practice for me. I practice in a small parking area in my driveway, or at any parking lot I happen to be at with an extra few seconds. IT is fun to watch other "experienced riders" get amazed at me scraping the pegs of my '86 VR while they walk their bikes around. I did buy and watch the Ride Like a Pro DVD and highly recommend it to any rider. I would go to their in person class if I was near one.
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PICTURES OF Iowa: SE Iowa, WI, MN, MO, IL, Meet&Eat
dynodon replied to Cougar's topic in Watering Hole
Bob! That is why I didn't see you. Well, we still got to make an event at the same time soon. As proof that I made it, look for the big guy in the red shirt/black vest in the back left corner of the screened in room at Ducky's. Had to print them out to prove to my wife where I was today! How we get together at the big event in Litchfield at Niehaus? Our STAR group is going there I think on Saturday the 15th. -
I tried shooting golf once, but darn, no matter how long you boil those things, they are still tough after you shoot them! Sorry, very old golf joke. everyone better get their shot quick, I know where there is a good place to get a course shot within about 10 miles.
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Most of the places that look at stocks, are still high on Harley. Nobody is selling what they did a couple of years ago, but things are looking up, and Harley has held down inventory and used prices are still highest of any bike. I am hanging onto my stock. But I DO wish I had sold it a couple years ago when it was up near 80!
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So sorry to hear that. Our thoughts are with the family. Both there and here.
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I did some research and it seems they have feathers or something!
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Thanks for moving us on with the shot of the fire truck. Oh great a tree target! I did not graduate from tree hugger school. My wife says I am the tree killer, and thus I don't care much about what type of tree they are. I can find Walnut trees IF they have the nuts on them, and we have those helicopter seed breeding trees clogging up the gutters right now, but one tree is like another to me. So someone else will have to get this one! (All in fun, but really, I have no clue what "brand" one tree is over another!).
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RR, if you get this before you take off, you probably will be coming within a few miles of my place between Bloomington and Peoria, IL. If you are taking I-39 South to I-55, then try to let me know what your schedule is, I can meet up and ride with you for a while. In any case, have a great trip! Wife says there is a lot of construction near St. Louis on I-55, lots of cops too.
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Hit my first dear in almost 46 years of driving last year in a car. Never saw the deer, just a hit to the LF and luckily it was a small one. If you are buying whistles, (and understand, I am dubious about their effectiveness, but hey, like chicken soup for a cold, it can't hurt.) check out this one: http://www.deerwhistle.com/?gclid=COXk8ZTArqECFU3X5wodXzPl-w I have used these for a couple decades, they didn't help with that one deer hit, but I have seen many a deer look at me and turn around. Funny thing is when I asked the body shop to take the whistle off the front bumper cover and put it in the glove box....could hear them laughing all the way back in the shop! (I knew that would happen!) There is an active noise maker thing that some motorcyclists rely on, I haven't bought one, but you might consider it too. Lots of deer in most parts of the country. Glad you weren't hurt worse.
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Properly loaded and set up any legal speed in the US should be plenty safe, and if 5-10 over, that should be OK too. I would not try beyond about 80 though, too much can happen way too fast, in addition to tickets. Most states have lower speed limits for vehicles with trailers, watch out for those laws, although I don't think most police watch bikes the same as big trailers on trucks/cars. But MOST IMPORTANT is to make sure it is loaded properly and set up right, and you check it often. You want about 10% of the total trailer and load (inside or on the trailer including any coolers on the front or back) on the hitch ball or mount. So if the total trailer and load is 500 pounds, you want 50 pounds on that hitch. If you are off a few pounds that is OK. The danger is if you have too little weight on the ball or hitch mount, the trailer could start swaying and easily walk you off the road or into another lane! So weigh the trailer and everything you put in it on a scale so you know fairly close what your typical load is. You can estimate this once you know what things weigh without the scale. Put the end of the trailer tongue on a piece of wood that goes down to the scale so you can see what the weight is when loaded. Move things around so that you get the 10% figure close. then look at how the trailer sits, it should sit slightly downhill. This makes sure that if weight shifts, it goes the best direction, more weight on the tongue, but it is best to pack so that stuff won't shift around. Put bed rolls/blankets or something on top to keep things in place if you don't have a net inside. Also, and forgive the book here, but I am obsessive about trailer safety....Make sure your wheel bearings are well lubed and properly adjusted. At EVERY STOP, feel the tire tread and sidewall, and the wheel bearings (don't use hubcaps that cover the bearings!) for heat. Tires can get hot on hot days, but the bearings should stay almost room temp even on h ot days. Anything too hot to touch for a few seconds is a warning sign that something is wrong. Hot bearings can heat up tires to the bursting point, or they can seize and cause a wreck. A tire with too little air can get hot and melt, or with too much air it can burst as heat increases the temp. Follow manufacturer recommendations, and remember the MAX air inflation on the side of tires is just that for Maximum loads, and not usually for typical loads or speeds. If you follow these tips, you can go down the road with pretty good peace of mind. Have fun.
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I have had several helmets over the past 5 years, mostly open face or 3/4 helmets. I recently (last fall) got a Shark Evoline helmet that is a true convertible between a full face and a 3/4 open face. It is going to be my only helmet this year. Quieter than any other so far, and I love being able to have the coolness of 3/4 when I want it, and the warm/quiet of full face. All in one unit with nothing extra to carry or even having to stop to switch (although the Manufacturer doesn't recommend switching modes while riding, I can easily go from FF to open and back on the highway with less distraction than any of the cell phone talking drivers beside me! A bit heavy and somewhat expensive, but great quality, and I am totally used to the slight extra weight already.
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I had an Omni, 78? bought it new as I left the employ of the local Dodge dealership. I thought it was a pretty decent little car. Still had the VW engine at that time too. Funny story on those cars. When we got the first ones, it was just a few days later that Dodge called and said do NOT sell any of them! Seems a factory worker installing the cheap trunk mat (just a thin cloth over the metal floor) was supposed to put a staple in each of four corners, and he decided the middle of the mat needed a staple too. Bad move, put the staple right through the gas tank! All cars for a while got new gas tanks and one staple removed. I assume they put some putty over the holes in the trunk! Man we got some odd ducks from mother Mopar those years. One Dodge Monaco with Plymouth emblems/trim on the right side, Dodge on the left and an interior from a Chrysler. Would probably be a valuable car if it still existed.
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It is a FALSE idea that synthetic is thinner. When cold yes, it pours easier because it doesn't turn to gunk. But when hot, synthetics are actually thicker (that isn't the 100% correct term) than regular oils because they retain their viscosity better than regular oils. So when the engine is running, and leaks actually happen, a synthetic will leak less. (they don't happen after the engine is off, that is just the left over stuff running down the parts, unless there is a hole below the level of the oil in the pan!) Also, oil evaporates some with use, and synthetics evaporate less. so there is another way why most cars when switched to synthetics actually use LESS oil than before. So why do so many people claim that leaks get worse or oil use increases? Because when they switch, usually they pay more attention to oil use and leaks than before, and also, they may extend oil drains some, and not take into account the extra miles on overall use. Anyway, you can switch back and forth on new/old engines as much as you want. You can mix regular and synthetic if you want. (that is what "blended" oils are anyway). But to get the most of the additive package you pay for with a synthetic, keep it all one brand. Stay away from "racing" oils like that purple stuff because they are usually not designed for highway driven cars. They are optimized for the least friction in race engines. Mobil 1, Amsoil, Valvoline, etc all the name brands have good synthetics now, but (disclaimer, I am a dealer) I believe Amsoil, the original synthetic, is still the best.
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Could it be in the shaft drive? Maybe there is a problem developing with the rear end. When my '86 had a pinion bearing going, I was getting a lot of lash noise, Klack might describe it sometimes. What happens when you get on and off the gas quickly? Driveline lash will be exposed then. In my case local dealer rebuilt the rear drive with a new pinion bearing. There was some excess wear on the ring gear, but so far after about 4000 more miles, the magnet drain plug isn't showing any excess metal and things are quiet and tight.