Atlanta Bill

I stared at it lovingly and cursed the cold and rain. And I believed for a moment there I detected a sorrowful tear coming from the bike as I said, "soon my love....soon". But it turned out to just be condensation. (attached picture is from sunnier days....)

We didn't really want/expect you to go to the doc. We all just suggested it so we wouldn't get sued later. ; ) Seriously though, glad to hear you are feeling better.

Dang, Don. A traumatic weekend all the way around. If I had to part with my bike I'd be having numbness and chest pains too! Last year this time I sold my V-Rod because my rheumatoid arthritis made riding the bike just too painful. Twisting the throttle was damn near impossible for me. I was really upsetting having to part with it, and the concept of not riding anymore was depressing as all get out. But the docs put me on a chemo medication of all things, and crazily and totally unexpectedly I got 90% better, prompting me to buy the 96 RSTC. In retrospect, buying such a heavy beast may not have been the wisest choice but this bike is THE most fun bike I've ever owned, and although I think any serious long distance riding is in my past, I'm still good for an hour or two every couple of days. : ) My point being, don't give up the ship or lose hope just yet. You may still have many riding days ahead. We never know what the future holds.

I am also not a doctor (but I have several in my family). Sorry to hear about the fall. I am your age too and try to avoid things that might cause me to hit the deck. The numbness and needles do sound nerve related. I'd suggest going to your GP today and having him/her check you out. Better safe than sorry and you'll certainly get better advice than an internet forum (even one as wonderful as this) can offer. Feel better.

RD, A daughter soon to be a doctor? That is impressive and I know you must be very proud of her. Nothing like a built in doctor in the family! Sounds like she was raised right. : ) Bill

If you have severe sleep apnea (I've had it since the early 1990's..I would stop breathing 70-80 times an hour without the cpap) losing weight will help, but you will still need the cpap. Any current brand of cpap machine will work well. Do NOT buy a used one or buy used supplies ever. If you have health insurance they will cover a new one. Get one of the ozone automatic cleaners for it as well. It takes a week or so to get accustomed to the mask because at first it is a bit weird/intrusive...but you will. After acclimating to it, it will make your life WAY better. You will feel much more rested. (So will your better half)! And your chances of a heart attack or stroke will go WAY down. Per the "dying in my sleep" aspect, highly unlikely it would go quite that easy. A more realistic scenario would be waking up in total terror gasping for air (common with apnea...this part of it has happened to me dozens of times), but being unable to breath in, and eventually blacking out, then dying. Not a pretty way to exit. The cpap will fully eliminate this possibility. Sleep well.

Sure hope Linda is on the mend! I've been keeping you guys in my prayers.

These kids today.....lol. At least she was able to formulate a complete sentence that conveyed what she felt, as opposed to just "ok, boomer" or something. The universe has a way of making people like her not last very long. The secret is to not be standing too close to them ever.

Saddlebum, I bet it was invigorating and a whole lot of fun! Mercifully I don't need to ride to work or out of necessity. I just know there will be some cold (for Atlanta anyway...lol ) days coming up when I'll still want to ride. It was interesting to learn the leather gloves didn't hack it. I kind of knew just regular jeans with no long johns would be problematic. Bill ...beautiful bike, btw.

Sean, I just got back from a little 10 mile ride in 40 degree weather (sunny out). I wanted to see how light/moderate riding gear would do in the cold. I just wore regular jeans socks and shoes, a long sleeved T under a long sleeved button down shirt under a non-lined leather jacket. Leather gloves and a 3/4 helmet with a shield. I thought I'd be ok or only a little chilly as it was only 40 degrees out. It was an eye opening ride. I froze my ass off. I needed wool socks, boots, thermal underwear, (much)better gloves, a thicker motorcycle jacket, a scarf and a ski cap. I'm planning on heading back out when it hits 50 degrees, wearing the same gear in order to better judge what cold weather gear I need and/or what temps to try to avoid. Bill

Took the bike "around the block" (my 12 mile weekly keep the bike happy run). It likes the cooler weather, although it takes a bit longer to warm up. I've determined that to a degree the bike is like me. An older model with a few little issues and a little dinged up here and there, but when fully warmed up it is mostly as good as it ever was. ; )

Great news. Down the road maybe you'll look back at this as one of the best things that could have happened to you. I hope so anyway. Congrats!

Riding in Atlanta IS indeed a bear. Where I live it is a 30 or 40 minute ride before I'm out of the city/suburbs/traffic. But yeah....I typically go up north towards Lake Lanier. From Mableton you shouldn't have to go far for some nice riding.

Greetings from a fellow Atlantan. Beautiful bike. Glad you got the title sorted out! Bill

Beautiful ride!

I love the forum and I'm proud to be a newer member here! Bill

Glad to hear you were able to get back out. Hopefully the dizziness is on its way out for good! Beautiful bikes, btw.

I took the day off to drive my daughter to the airport. It went way faster than I thought. They were saying lots of hurricane traffic and delays at Hartsfield but it was just the usual busy. When I got home, with my free time I replaced rear brake pads, cleaned front and back wheels with aluminum polish and pulled off the windshield. Totally different look with the windshield gone. But I elected to leave the lowers on...not sure why...I just sort of dug the look. Anyway...that is what I did to my Royal Star TC today.

I don't have anything in Baja! (someone had to...)

That is a really beautiful rig. I bet it is a blast to camp in that!

Bernhard. Welcome aboard. I'm sure those more knowledgable than me will weigh in soon. I can tell you that the seats from the 2nd generation Ventures will not fit our Royal Stars (I have a 96). Bill

I too have backfiring issues and I am attempting to address them. Carb sync is up next in my quest. But....my question is does the backfiring cause the bike any actual harm? Even with my deceleration backfiring, the bike runs incredibly well.

That is one lucky kid!

Yep. It for sure is a back to basics look. I'm thinking further on down the road I may get a Venture or a Wing for some longer trips. Understood completely on the use of front vs. rear brakes. Not sure how wanting correctly functioning rear brakes would in any way imply I would strictly rely on them and not the front brakes, (especially in an emergency stopping situation), but I suppose revisiting the importance of the front brake use is never a bad thing. I've got new pads and fluid en route as I type. (Puc...thanks for the detailed rundown on the pads procedure!) In addition to the brakes, I have a few other little projects (cleaning wheels/final drive oil/ installing solo seat rail/ some little adjustments etc.) lined up for Saturday, so I expect to drop a couple of pounds in sweat from wrenching in the garage and be stove up and in pain come Saturday evening. So I have a great weekend planned.

Only had the bike for 8 weeks. Could be the pads (which leads to yet another stupid question...when the pads are changed does that mean I'll need to bleed the brakes after?). [QUOTE1st question is does the pedal feel spongy or hard? Assuming there are no visible fluid leaks look for the following possibilities. If spongy than you could have air in the system caused by fluid getting low in the master due to pad wear or a leak in the system. A worn out master cylinder can draw air without necessarily showing any signs of leakage. Try holding the pedal down and see if after a few seconds it starts to slowly go down further. If the pedal is hard you may have either glazed pads and/or rotor. Or the pistons in your caliper are seizing up.[QUOTE] No fluid leaks. As stated initially, not spongy...just weak. I'll take a look at all components this weekend. This bike isn't 2nd Gen...it is a 96. There are several differences (and much similarity). I guess I could have posted this in Royal Star and Royal Star Deluxe Tech Talk...but answers seem to come quicker from the Watering Hole. If Freebird asks me to do otherwise I instantly will. Per the coffee colored brake fluid....that is kind of what started this. I plan to change it soon as I'm guessing it is ancient. Hey....thanks to all for responding. You guys are the best!