dynodon
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Everything posted by dynodon
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death due to traffic accidents lead to some of the most unfair results in court. A friend of mine had his son killed by a DRUNK driver going the WRONG WAY on an interstate at high speed. This person ALMOST got away without any jail time, and has tried to blame the poor kid on the accident. The victim was sober, driving legally in all respects, did nothing wrong. He was about to graduate college, had a great future, was about to have his first kid (was married, not just sleeping around) and had a great family to support him on both sides. He was cut down by a REPEAT DUI offender, and still she spent only a few months in jail. I hear she will be getting out this summer after less than a year in jail for killing someone! And again, she is still blaming the victim. Sad. Not motorcycle related, but still I needed to vent some after hearing she is getting out. She should have been charged with manslaughter or worse. She is complaining about how my friends son ruined her life! How can this person exist? She KILLED this person who was going to contribute in a very positive way to life in this world. She is a stripper or something, that is a drunk and repeat DUI offender. Now a murderer. She will be out on the roads ready to kill more people if we don't do something about laws for drivers. Sorry, rant mode off.
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Only problem I see with the new target is that a hat is sometimes a very personal thing to people, and it may be hard to get the cop to let you try it on! If we don't get any takers in a few days, maybe eusa1 can reset the target and make it a little easier? We have had tough targets in the past and it kind of killed the topic. Just a thought.
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I would recommend the J&M or EdSets head sets and microphone in the helmet. BUT, this won't solve the problem of wind noise. The best solution there is a set of musicians earplugs. I have used these for a couple years: http://earplugstore.com At first you will think you can't hear stuff going on around you, but you WILL hear the headsets better, and once you get used to the lower level, you will hear everything around you. These are under $15 I think, but they can hurt your ears after a while if you don't take the time to wear them some and get used to them. Also, if you put them in wrong, you can get some extra noise. I also bought a set of these recommended for Motorcycles: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/wimoearpl.html They let you hear a little more, and so far seem to be a bit more comfortable. Only problem for me is they are a bit shorter than the others, and if you stick them in far enough, I have a tough time getting them out with my fat fingers. Haven't failed to get them out yet though. Another tip, if you have intercom on your bike, turn it off if you don't need it, it puts lots of noise into the system. Run just the music, and CB if needed. Try the earplugs, they really work, but do NOT get the foam style plugs, they block too much noise, kill all high frequencies, and just plain are not good for riding. The ones mentioned above can be used for a long time, just wash them from time to time. (using a Q-tip the morning before your trip is a good idea!).
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Of all the posts, nobody posted WHY the accident happened. If I read it right, the trailer started swaying (fishtail?) and caused a wreck. This happened probably because there was not enough weight on the hitch. OR negative weight. You need 10% of the TOTAL trailer and load weight on the tongue. This means if you have 400 pounds total trailer and load, you need 40 pounds on the ball/tongue. This can vary a little up or down, but stay close to the 10% number. zero or negative weight will cause the trailer to be unstable and fishtail sometimes so bad you can't save it. ON a larger car/truck trailer, the solution is apply the trailer brakes only, but almost all motorcycle trailers have no brakes. I am sorry for your accident, but hope the above into helps prevent another one. If the cause was something else (blown tire/bad bearing) then let us know. But this also is a chance to mention that inspecting the load (so it doesn't shift taking weight off the front), inspecting the tires and bearings (feel for heat and test for tire pressure, look for bumps, bubbles in tires) should be something you do at EVERY stop and before taking off every morning.
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someone here posted how to tighten the steering head bearings and my '86 VR that has always had a "shimmy" since I got it 2.5 years ago, now will ride with my hands off the bars as long as I want.
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try this site: http://www.bakerbuilt.com/yamaha.htm the hand wings might be what you need, but they don't have them for the VR, they may have them for the RSV. The air wings with uppers don't really help with upper air control around the head or the hands, but they help a lot with the sides and legs. I bought the "lowers" for my VR and LOVE them. Keep my feet a LOT warmer in the cold and dryer in the wet. Pop right off for summer use and look good. This is a good company, their products are not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and their service is top notch. The wings with uppers might help your rider.
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Even though the sign doesn't say NASCAR, the target didn't say the sign had to say NASCAR, it had to be a NASCAR TRACK. So add those three fingers and I say you have a winner. Kenny Wallace's name on the sign is proof enough for me.
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I was going to say that the problem maynot be with the gal, but with the guy taking off the safety shield on the discharge chute, but you said it was a mulching mower...so never mind. Still it may be worth mentioning, if you take those things off, you WILL have stuff fly too far at some point. On my riding mower, I have a long bungee cord on the plastic chute shield, and when I need to spread out the grass more, and it is safe, I can pull it up while moving, and then let it down. Nothing gets my attention much more than going by someone mowing on a spring/summer day, throwing grass 6 feet into my lane as I go by! If they hit a rock or piece of glass, then I have a serious problem or at the least, some damage to the bike. I make sure to keep my grass on my yard, and don't aim for the street till I am sure my safety shield will do the job and keep stuff where I want it. Yep, took real skill to throw something from a mulching mower that high onto your bike!
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I think a M&E with the track as an event would be great. Let me know if I can help in any way from up Peoria direction. Heck with the Illinois ride in cancelled, maybe we could substitute this. There aren't as many super riding roads around Decatur, but there are some good rides anyway. I grew up in Arthur, and spent a lot of time around lake Shelbyville, and In Decatur. Had my first ride on a "bike" in Decatur as a bunch of us kids rented those little 50CC Hondas and rode them around one day. Amazing we didn't get killed! But there are some good roads around Shelbyville, we can visit Arthur, Rockome Gardens (is it still open?), The night at the track in Macon, and I know there are some good restaurants in the area. let me know how I can help.
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As I read it any track that runs official NASCAR events with a sign will do, doesn't have to be Sprint or Nationwide. I used to go to Macon all the time in the 50's and 60's. Loved the action and they had the best corn dogs! I would love to go there again for some super modified action if they still have those. Care to put together a ride to go there and I will come down with my wife and son on their bikes!
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I have a dirt NASCAR track within about 15 miles, but there isn't a NASCAR sign on it that I can find. So no joy. Don
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All my thoughts go out to this family. As a father/grandfather, I too have thought about taking my grandkids for a ride when they are old enough (AND if they want to, so far they show no interest, maybe that is a good thing), but a story like this makes me rethink that. My heart especially goes out to the grandfather, if he lives, he will need some special help and support. And as tough as it may be to say, the elderly woman may need some of that same support. It sounds like it was an accident, and that loss of some skill as an older driver played a part, but how often do we hear about young people, or GOOd drivers, and even motorcycle riders in their cage pulling out in front of a motorcycle? I had to take my fathers keys away when he was in his late 80's. It wasn't a fun thing to do, and then we lost him soon after to cancer. I LOVE driving, and riding, and even take my car on a race track for a DE day once in a while, but I know the day is coming, sooner rather than later when I won't be a good driver anymore. I hope I have the guts to hang it up and not throw a fit at that time. Till then, I want all the miles I can get.
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straight pipes
dynodon replied to BigBMattie's topic in Venture and Venture Royale Tech Talk ('83 - '93)
I would imagine that straight pipes would be illegal anywhere. Doesn't stop a lot of people from doing it though. I will say this, extra loud pipes are a danger to those around you, and even to your own hearing. Loud pipes do NOT save lives, and irritate cage drivers near you for sure. Plus people in quiet areas hate them. I like a nice sounding bike or car, but draw the line at intruding on other people's right to a reasonably quiet neighborhood, or not to have their hearing assaulted on the highway. I do understand that re-jetting the carbs is recommended though if you change the exhaust noticeably. When even a member of the owner family of Harley-Davidson campaigns against loud bikes, you know it is getting bad, and people need to pay attention. -
Back in my "first" motorcycle life, I wanted a SilverWing bad! the 500 seemed to small, but the 650 was just right IMO. I loved the concept of the e-w v-twin with water cooling and shaft drive. Single seat option with trunk was cool also. I still cruise E-bay once in a while and check for them. GREAT find, and good on you for offering something to the guy. Your wife should be fine with the bike, reviews said they were easy to ride, and I am not sure of the weight, but should be around what? 600#? Not bad at all. I would replace both tires while you are at it. Don't mess around with your wife's safety! Be sure to change ALL the fluids, brakes, coolant, forks, clutch. Along with oil and filter. Send a pic ASAP.
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Living in Illinois, I have heard a lot the old saying: Eight you're great, Nine you're MINE. Well, as mentioned, that depends on the cop, his attitude, and I also agree that he probably saw the shift and thought you were slowing down, he probably didn't get a radar lock in in time, and thus, a warning instead of a ticket. He just guessed you were going faster because of the dip. I have only had three tickets since getting my license in '65, but I did get some warnings when in college. None since, just the tickets. Not sure why, maybe cops go easier on youngsters, assuming they need a break? I pretty much stay to 5 over as my limit, I like my money in MY bank/wallet, and like to keep moving instead of chatting with Illinois' finest (don't take that wrong, I respect the ISP, and think they do a great job for the most part. Any organization has some odd ducks or bad apples, but hey, I am out of slogans!)
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NEver heard them called that before, My '86 VR has little trouble with these in most areas, but when hot, the ones in a city next door, Morton, IL just throws my VR for a loop, especially if I have to cross them in a turn! I have the Elite II Dunlops on, quite old, and about 1/3 tread left.
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Mike, Good catch! What is the next target? Don't make it impossible.
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I use the clutch, I think you can verify that there is a little extra wear on the system, but the couple of times I just forgot to pull in the clutch, it seemed to work fine. Still, being in the habit of using the clutch, IMO makes things safer, for emergency stops etc?
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My wife's Honda Shadow Ace Tour has almost the same stupid thing. It has a dipstick, but to get an accurate level, the bike must be upright. I can't reach the dipstick from the seat, so I use the 2 X 4 under the side stand. I LOVE the idea of the mirror with the extendable handle for checking the oil on the venture, but my '86 VR has a center stand! Still, neat idea, and I happen to have one (mirror that is).
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The poll was overwhelmingly in favor of sticking the thread, and then I go look for it today, and it is many pages down the line. So STICK this already, whoever is in charge! Please.
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Baker Built FootWings on my '86 VR. They keep the wind off my feet in cold weather, and will keep rain off them in wet weather.
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all the trailers shown a neat! I had one I made from a frame and car topper from K-Mart in the early 80's. Was a little wide, but pulled behind my Honda 750 SS just fine for many miles. Also used it behind my MGB when I went autocrossing. Room for four tires/wheels, cooler, tools, jack, and chairs. Wish I still had it. The first boat trailer shown is way neat. good work all.
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I am a member of this group, The Venturers, GWRRA, and Star Touring along with patriot Guard Riders. None of them care really what you ride, we are motorcyclists (not "bikers" as such) and wave at all kinds of bikes. If someone doesn't then so be it. I have been really impressed with the Patriot Guard. Mostly Harleys, but anyone that respects the military is welcome, even if you never served, like me. I have considered a Harley, and even though I am not a fan of the vibration,........ the history and image still tugs at me. But I like my VR too much to switch. A friend of mine solved the problem by having a RSV AND an Ultra Glide. I don't have that much room or money though so have to make the choice, and my cheap but nice VR does it for me.
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I got my '86 VR in Black Cherry and Gold 2 years ago. The only thing that is wrong is I know I will eventually wear it out and there isn't ANYTHING out there I like as well! Enjoy it while you have it!
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New 85 VR owner needs help
dynodon replied to englishwheeler's topic in Venture and Venture Royale Tech Talk ('83 - '93)
my 86 had dragging brakes, but I noticed it on the front. The rear brake is linked to one of the front brakes, so if you have one front AND the rear brake dragging, then it is a plugged orifice in the foot brake master cyl. If it is just the rear brake dragging, then it is probably in the caliper.