dynodon
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Everything posted by dynodon
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Bunch of us are coming from the other way...Peoria/Bloomington, so we will have to meet you there. Look for Star 242 on the patches (only can afford one vest, so I go with the group I ride with the most!).
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Synthetic isn't a problem as long as it is formulated for motorcycles. I put Amsoil synthetic in my '86 VR and have had zero problems. There is no reason not to use it. Maybe the previous owner just used car synthetic and that doesn't have the friction modifiers that are needed. Don't use other additives in oil. Generally if an oil is designed correctly, it won't need additives, they are already in it. More or the wrong kind will just muck things up. Same thing goes for your cars. Use an oil designed for what you want and don't mess with it! The chirp might be affected by a new clutch basket I think someone said? When I had a leak at my driveshaft output shaft, just taking that apart and putting it back together got rid of almost all my "whine" and most of the chirp. Don't know exactly why, but disturbing things there helped.
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Can't be coming from the crankcase breather since it is OUTSIDE the filter. I agree it is probably the oil used to treat the filter. Lots of companies that make those foam filters over-oil them from the factory, and owners do the same. That is why I like K&N, I find it easier to oil it properly, and a K&N properly oiled will never put oil in the airbox, or down the air path. Almost every oiled foam filter I have tried (and I am an Amsoil dealer and they have some pretty good oiled fitlers) will mess up the filter box to some degree. -
Invest in yourself first, if you feel fully competent, then maybe you don't need it, but if at all in coubt, see if there is a good riding school nearby. If tires are worn, get those upgraded and all the mechanical stuff taken care of. If the bike is going on 3 years old, get ALL the fluids changed (brakes, coolant, axle etc). Need brake pads? All the bling in the world won't help if the bike is laid up in the shop. After that, the driving lights (properly aimed and used so as not to irritate everyone else on the road), Some extra rear light, go for more light, not flashers so much, I find automated flashers can be ignored, you can wiggle your hand on the brake a little and do it better for free. I would put chrome last.
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I went on a 300 mile (150 each way) Patriot Guard Riders escort today from the Indiana/IL state line to Delavan IL to escort the 1144th Motor Transport unit home from Iraq. On I-74 the group was being led by Ill State Police at 75 mph in the left lane. We had the cop, escort truck with 5 large flags and about 12 bikes then two busses with the important people on board. I was third bike, and an SUV (compact) from Florida with an old man (I am one too, but hopefully not as obnoxious as this guy) chewing on a cigar and trying to pass the unit on the right. That is OK, but he would not go by the cop, and was hanging right by the lead bikes. Then our group started coming up on a semi in the right lane and the Florida SUV decided he didn't want to be stuck behind the truck, so he just turned left and shoved the lead bike off the road! There was NO hole or room for this guy, he just decided he was going to be in our lane no matter what! The bike managed to drop back, since the SUV was maybe 2 feet off the bumper of our escort truck. Once past the truck, the SUV went back in the right lane and got a good talking at by the lead bike, but they guy was just looking straight ahead and didn't care. Again, he would not go past the cop, so was sitting now right beside me when the same situation happened, this time he shoved ME to the yellow line, but I would go no furthur and was laying on my horn. At least there was some room ahead of the jerk, and I gunned it and pulled in front of him. He missed the bike behind me. Again, when the slow truck was gone, he pulled to the right. and would not pass the cop. the second bike this time had had enough and he pulled next to the SUV and almost knocked on the window at 70 mph. This time he got the drivers attention and got the point across that the SUV was to stay to the right. He finally dropped back and I didn't see him try that again, and he did what he should have done in the first place, pull off and get away from the line of vehicles. Now before you say we should have let him in, understand we had let other vehicles in that signaled their intentions and showed some road manners and respect. I would have been glad to let him in if he had signaled or waited for a break in the line, but he didn't. Yea in retrospect it was a dangerous situation,but for some reason when I was riding on the yellow line with his vehicle about 10" away, it didn't seem that bad. Nobody got hurt, but watch out for a dark blue compact SUV from Florida with a grouchy bald guy chewing on a cigar.
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I agree, this is a neat product that extends riding "with a lean" for those that may not be able to safely hold up a big bike anymore. If you can get over the "training wheels" aspect! As someone that had two hips replaced and had a handicapped card and a walker and then cane for a while, I know that when mobility and life are on the line, you don't give a damn about looking silly or what others think, you want YOUR life! So I hope this company stays around, with all us Boomers doing nothing but getting older, this company may be one to invest in!
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Color is in the eye of the beholder. My wife and I love "brown" vehicles, cars and bikes. Gold is tops, and when I bought my Gen I, I wanted one that was all brown/gold, but settled for Black-Cherry/Gold combo. Your bike looks great! Enjoy it. Oh, and sturgis, Aftermarket doo-dads on Gen I's? Most I see are pretty free of the type of stuff that gets hung on Harley style Gen II's, but whoever has their name on the title gets to decide what is cool. Many of my friends with RSV's have a LOT more bling on their bikes than a typical Gen 1 owner does. I love to see a nicely accessorized bike, but prefer the more stock look for mine, my '86 has enough buttons and features that I don't need to add more! LOL
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One of the last rides of the year for our Peoria/Bloomington/Pekin group in Central Illinois was to Hannibal, MO. Almost all 2-lane roads, nice scenery for this part of the country, but we fought side winds all the way there of 30-45 mph with gusts higher I suspect. Tried to take my helmet off, and had us all over the road. Luckily the day in Hannibal was nice, and on the way home, the winds had gone away a little and we were a little bit with them. My previous bike, a Honda 750 Supersport with Vetter Fairing (yea it was the 80's!) used to get the front airborne on some of the worst windy days here in the flat farmland of central IL.
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I bought the DVD last fall and got a chance to practice some of it in my driveway and try the friction zone whenever I get the chance. Someone mentioned using the friction zone on the "dragon"....well, I don't think that trick works much above walking speed, it isn't intended for high speed corners! I plan on trying to get as many of our riding group as possible to a big parking lot soon and practice with tennis balls cut in half like they recommend. You can work your way up to the extreme stuff. Last fall, after doing a lot of practice with that, I made a typical slow right hand turn at low speed, and leaned over enough to scrape the peg. Surprised me. This spring, I was riding and someone following commented on the CB that I was leaning a LOT in the turns. SO I guess I learned something. LOL
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I understand and appreciate the twist on the throttle comment, and took it as intended, but I was thinking in terms of sitting in traffic at a stop light or when blocked in and someone is coming up from behind. Twisting on the throttle isn't always possible or safe. Otherwise though, I LOVE twisting the throttle of my Gen I! LOL
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Sometimes more is just too much. When I see those flashing brake lights on motorcycles as I drive or ride, I don't get the feeling that it is making me or them any safer, it is more like "ohhh, look at the pretty flashy thing" Kind of a minor hypnotized feeling. OK, my wife will say it doesn't take a lot to entertain me sometimes, but if I want someone's attention as they come up behind me, I flash my brake lights myself and my own unique "pattern" is more attention grabbing than a repeating pattern. A pattern is almost instantly recognized as not being done by the rider, but by the device. The best device to prevent getting run over from behind is your own attention to detail and what is going on around you. I would like to see a study of drivers to see if this type of device really does make people stop sooner or wake up from a daydream. My guess is no.
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AKR, that is a great pic, but if we go by strict rules, the cop must be AT the donut shop, not across from it. Close but no cigar is my vote. Still, GREAT try!
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Legally a Motorcycle in the US (at least in all state I think) like other trikes, but is is a trike, three wheels. The lean makes it neater than the typical trike though.
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That type of roof still has to have some support underneath. No way would a shake shingle roof stay up without plywood or something under it. Would fall right through between the rafters.
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Strange things can happen to batteries. I bought a dry reproduction tar-top battery for a 57 Chevy that I had in the 80's. Never took it out of the box. Stored on a shelf in my garage that I keep above freezing in the winter and dont' let get super hot in summer. then in 2006 I bought another 57 and it needed a battery. I contacted the company that I bought the battery from to see if there was any chance it was still good. Owner said no way. Well, I am going into my 2nd year of using that battery. Took it to the local Interstate Battery distributor who filled it with fresh battery acid, and slow charged it for a day. Working like a charm. I figured I paid $125 for it way back then, (near $200 today for the same thing) and even if I only got one summer out of it I was at least getting something for it. Keep that battery on a maintainer like the Battery Tender Jr. (here is the best place I have found to buy these from, great price/service): http://www.accwhse.com/batteryt.htm
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Ron, the only way to be embarrassed would be to have never tried. Great picture, good try, and added to the fun. In E. Peoria in my area, there is a Christmas display on a hill that looks like wreath, but is actually an old ferris wheel. Wouldn't have counted though, because it can't carry people anymore!
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Other than Straight cut gears make more noise usually than bevel gears, If my Physics memory is right, Straight cut gears are more efficient than bevel gears. May not make a huge difference, but the gears aren't where fuel mileage is going, at least the design doesn't cause MPG loss compared to others.
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It's a Zipper, nice try, good pics, but rules are rules!
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I would like to believe it is a friendly rivalry that causes the little jabs back and forth on both sides. I have noticed it pretty much even both ways! They are both great bikes, and I know people that love them both, had have them both. I have never ridden a 2nd Gen, so I don't have a frame of reference, but I know that for my first true touring bike, the 86 VR is a dream. I may want something newer eventually though, so I keep looking. Keep hoping Yamaha makes a 3rd Gen more like the 1st Gen, but I am not holding my breath!
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Popeye, if it shipped by truck a long ways and there was no "owner" to verify what got put on the ship, did the new owner check the VIN carefully? Is it possible someone swapped bikes before it got on the boat? That is kind of reaching to have the trucker know someone that has a similar bike to swap, but like you say, it would be wierd to have them swap the carbs and hook everything back up. could a dunk in the ocean have warped the carbs somehow?
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If I didn't have a bum leg and bad cold I would have put up a pic yesterday of a 3 story "lighthouse" in front of a car dealership. Has a light, but they made them stop the rotating one! I say accept the miniature, and let him set the next target!
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I can't imagine that you would get ticketed for just rinsing off the bike, should take a gallon or two. Make up some suds, Ivory dishwashing liquid is just fine, rinse quick (use air hose if you have one to get most of the dust off first, or the leaf blower is a decent idea). Wash with a wool mitt and rinse. Done in 5 minutes or less. Detail sprays are also nice for keeping things shiny between washes, but NOT on something really dirty, you WILL put some fine scratches in the paint and chrome. I am not a fan of these so-called "waterless" wash products. They are usually almost all silicone, and if you use them a lot, once you really wash the vehicle, it will look like it has been sanded! Because that is what you are really doing. Be very careful not to take that waterless wash hype to heart.
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Am I reading that the shipping was the responsibility of the buyer? If so, the buyer should have arranged for weatherproof container before the bike ever got near a dock, at least that is the way I would want it. Bike wrapped and sealed in plastic, double thick, and in a sealed box before ever getting near a container. Never having shipped anything overseas, I don't know how that works, but I suspect there are shipping companies that certify the contents so they don't have to be uncrated during the trip. Anyway, sad deal.
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For me, a fan of the first Gen, I would suggest they quit making Harley look-alike bikes like everyone else, and make a new version of the First Gen bikes, with a frame mounted fairling. Don't copy Honda though. Fuel injection would then be at the top of the list after that. Sound system brought up to modern standards. ABS as an option, not everyone wants it. I don't see a need for a lot more power, in an era of $3.50+ gas, don't add weight, or power when it really isn't needed, go for MPG and versatility. Optional reverse gear.
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I carry a plug kit and inflator, and will use it if necessary. Will probably not run a plugged tire longer than I have to, but I do have experience with plugged tires. Many years ago, I was autocrossing and running sticky autoX tires on my rather heavy Taurus SHO. Got a slow leak on a rear tire, and someone at the event plugged it so I could complete the day. After that, I forgot about it and ran those tires for FOUR more years at mostly road course track events where speeds got to 120 mph frequently as opposed to the 60 or so for autocross. I basically forgot about the plug till I bought new tires recently. I had been rotating that tire all along front/back and it never had a problem with pressure or anything else. But that one experience doesn't mean YOU will have the same luck. My puncture was square on the tread with a small nail. A bigger, more damaging puncture may not have lasted. So use a plug to get you to safety, but replace the tire when possible is my advice.