Atlanta Bill

I guess I got a bit more focused on my brake issue after pulling the bags last weekend. Now I can actually access everything. I like the look. (Those bolts in the fender are only temporary.)

My suspicion was because of that loose fitting sleeve. As I said, I assumed that was the case....but thought it better to ask than have brake fluid everywhere. They aren't linked (to the best of my knowledge). Thanks for weighing in, Puc. Hey, does a 96 RSTC have an AIS?? If so I can't find it.

More dumb questions from the mechanically disinclined! My rear brakes are very weak. No noises...no sponginess. Just weak. I figured I'd start with new brake fluid. The line going to the rear brake looks a little suspect where it connects at the brake. (See attached photo) The hose looks loose...to the point that I'm "assuming" it must be that this is just a rubber outer hose I'm actually seeing...otherwise i'm pretty sure i'd already have brake fluid everywhere (or no brake fluid). Thoughts? Thanks, Bill in Atlanta

Thanks sincerely for the suggestion. I wish a cream would do the trick. In my case I have an aggressive form of arthritis...my immune system is attacking my joints. I'm on chemo meds for it. They help to a degree. And yeah...I for sure picked a bad time to get the heaviest bike I've ever owned. But the bike picked me! I was powerless to resist. : )

I changed the oil in the 96 Royal Star. A pretty straight forward operation. My biggest difficulty was finding that magical balance point where the bike was level but wouldn't tip over and crush me when I checked the level in the sight glass. I put in 3 quarts and then after running it for several seconds to circulate the oil, I kept adding a little at a time until I was square in between the lines. It took about 3.4 quarts to get to that point. The oil that came out of the bike was black. It really needed a change. Today I'll go verify that the level is still correct. Last weekend was the fuel filter and plugs. Being older and inflexible, after those two tasks I felt like I'd been 3 rounds with Mike Tyson at his prime. The fuel filter was causing some issues that are now dealt with. But any work done on the bike gives a feeling of accomplishment and worth, as well as saving hundreds of dollars. The bike seems to be riding better after all the work. I think my carbs need a bit of attention, but man, the motor on this thing is very strong and sweet. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a Goldwing, but if I do I'll for sure keep the Royal Star. Oh...I also went looking for some gloves. I have arthritis in the hands and was hoping to find some nicely padded fingerless gloves. I located some but they didn't have them in my size. I'm kind of resigned to the fact that my hands will hurt for the duration...any relief I can throw at them is a good thing.

I hope I'm good to go too....but there is something electrical lurking. I'll keep hunting until I resolve it.

I took the bike out yesterday. 50 miles without so much as a hiccup. I'm guessing the fuel filter was the primary problem. So far, so good though. Thanks to the experts for all the help! Bill

One thing for sure....I dig big bikes. I didn't know that until I got the Royal Star.

Leo, I'm not discounting that the problem could in part be bad fuel. As you said previously, it sounds like more than one issue. Thanks for weighing in, man! : ) Tomorrow I plan to inspect and clean as many connectors as I can. I'm also going to take a close look at the R&R. The fact that I could make the instrument cluster go off and on by turning my brights off and on makes me think there is something electrical going on as well. And although I've checked all fuses, I haven't pulled the footrest and checked the main fuse. I'll for sure check that too.

Ok. I replaced plugs and the fuel filter today. I didn't use the exact replacement filter but the one I used is very similar. I had to reposition it a bit. One of the plugs had a great deal of rust on the top side. All plugs were dark brown/black at the tips and looked slightly oily. VERY slightly. It seems to run a little smoother. I took it for a 3 mile ride and didn't experience any sputtering or the bike acting like it was about to die. There was a momentary stall about 2 miles into the ride, where for about a half second it felt like it wasn't getting gas, but that was very brief and then it seemed fine. I'll take it on progressively longer rides tonight and tomorrow and see where we stand. I know better than to get my hopes up too high. But I did feel happy I was able to accomplish what I did. Just getting at things can be difficult. Thanks for all the help Puc, Steven G and all you guys. You have been really generous with your expertise and your time in helping me out, and I really appreciate your kindness and knowledge. Bill

A few more weird facts. 1. It sputters and idles slow, mostly when I slow to a stop (It hates intersections). 2. If I turn on the high beams instrumentation illumination will come back, low beams it goes off. Weird. 3. Today it wouldn't restart after dying. It just acted like a dead battery (I checked, its fully charged) but 5 minutes later it starts fine. 4. Can't find a replacement fuel filter in Atlanta. Is there an alternative? I'm frustrated. I'm not a mechanic and I can't find one in Atlanta who will work on it and the ones I do seem really incompetent.

Per bad fuel, I actually thought about that possibility this morning. As I said in my original post, this all started right after I ran out of gas. So there is a full tank of new gas in it. Thanks for weighing in. It is another possibility and the symptoms are not unlike iffy fuel.

Acquired a meter and voltage checks good. The bike was fine on a 5 minute ride last night, then started the sputtering thing as I was (mercifully) backing it into the garage. This weekend I'm changing the fuel filter, air filter and plugs. Maybe that will help.

All excellent suggestions. I suspect it is an electrical connection/ground related thing too. I'll pick up a cheapie volt/ohm meter on the way home today and check voltages when I get there. I'd be surprised if it was the relatively new battery, but certainly not shocked! ; ) And for the record the ex-wife and bikes are not related in any way. That trauma/drama was pretty long ago. I got my freedom. She got everything else. Such is life. I am slowly replenishing my tools.

Sorry to hear it. I would hold off any selling decisions until you have more comprehensive information from the medical professionals. I know it can be maddening having your bike just sit there. You want to ride it but can't. It is incredibly frustrating. I had arthritis so bad last year I sold my bike. Then they put me on a heavy duty medication which has knocked the arthritis back 90%. I never would have believed it was possible. So don't lose hope. I'm pulling for ya. Bill

Thanks so much for the responses guys. The battery was new in January, but I'll get a meter and check it. The fuel filter and pump I suppose could be the issues. I've peeked at the filter but don't have the tools (yet) to get at it and check and replace it. The old wiring I just disconnected from the battery. It made no difference. I'm hesitant to start removing questionable wiring because I don't want to screw something else up. I will attempt to follow the wiring harness and address the connectors. The side stand didn't occur to me, but when the bike would start faltering I was on smooth roads or stopped in traffic. But I will check it.

I'm having some issues with a 96 RSTC I bought a few weeks ago. I thought you folks might weigh in. The bike will run fine, but it will occasionally start stuttering, like it is running out of gas. All the instrumentation flickers like the bike is going to cut out. It will die if I don't keep revving it, then finally die anyway. The first time it happened I kept trying to give it gas to keep it running. But it died and I ended up having to push it out of an intersection. (I'm 63 and have arthritis. Pushing this bike across 3 lanes can be...taxing...on a whole bunch of levels.) After a few minutes of sputtering when I tried starting it, it eventually fired up but still was flakey and I limped it home, keeping the rev's up, lest it die on me again. I checked fuses and battery connections when I got home. All seemed well. I noticed I'd pinched the on/off switch cable when putting on new grips the day before and I "assumed" that was the issue. I freed up the cable and lo and behold, it ran fine the next day. Tonight however I briefly got the same stuttering, losing power symptoms a mile from home. This time I just shut off the bike and let it sit for a minute. It fired back up fine and got me home ok. Some possible contributing side issues?: 1. I'm not mechanically inclined....even if I was mechanically inclined, the (2nd...I have "issues") ex-wife owns all my tools. 2. I'm probably leaving out critical info explaining this as I don't think I'm conveying it very well. 3. A LOT of backfiring on deceleration. I'm on my second can of Seafoam. 4. Previous owner did a sloppy job installing some after market stuff ( horn/running lights/deer whistle....I disconnected some of his wiring but it didn't seem to affect things either way). But the bike ran ok with the aforementioned mods. 5. There are after market pipes. Have no clue if a rejet was done or needed. The pipes sound incredible though. 6. Actually, the first time I experienced the stuttering I was running out of gas. The low fuel light is evidently out, and flipping to reserve didn't seem to do anything. But after gassing up it ran fine until a couple of days later. Also, a little back story. I bought this bike intending to sell it. On the first ride I found it too top heavy, rumbly and uneven sounding (probably needs carb work), unwieldily, piggish and undesirable. It was really dirty. I bought it because the owner took a wildly low cash offer from me, (alarming in itself). I drove it 70 miles home (I bought it in the town I work in, not the town I live in). It got me home...in the rain...a confidence builder there. It seemed heavy and weird and lugged on the ride home, I didn't understand the gearing/overdrive aspect yet, but the pipes started to sound really good....and it was torquey as hell and sort of fun. Then crazily and a little inexplicably it really started growing on me. Something about the weight...and width...and sound and torque. It has just blown me away more than almost any bike I've ever had. There is an authority and understatedness (while at the same time really in your face) to it that has grabbed me. I've had lots of bikes. Honda's...Harleys....a V-star. But there is something about this Royal Star...like how after seeing it filthy under a tarp in a garage, how when it cleaned up I noticed the fit and finish...the quality of paint and chrome....and design...were really of very high quality. And the way it sounds...somewhere between a souped-up 70 Chevy Nova and a 1972 442 is the best way I can describe it. It is intoxicating. I hope I'll never need to sell this bike. Sorry for rambling. Any advice is much appreciated! Bill in Atlanta

Thanks to all and to Patch! I noodled it out on my own. With the help of research done on this forum. Ignition switch related problem was causing intermittent electrical issues. The 3 main bike shops who work on Yamaha's around here tell me a 96 is too old for them to work on. I've been researching smaller shops.

Can anyone recommend a mechanic in Atlanta that will work on my 96 1300? I've had two turn me down because of the age of the bike. Thanks in advance. Bill