Mike G in SC

Yep, that and a small flashlight. But,, just changed oil today. 3.5 qts will put you right at the top of the glass. Some say half way. But 3.5 is okay,,, will not blow excess.

The rule of thumb is for each 1/4" you modify the diameter of the holes on the link, you change, raise/lower, the rear by 1". And sometimes the logic escapes me but if you shorten the links, the rear gets higher, lengthen the links, the rear gets shorter. All you got to do is lay on the ground and stare at it a minute to see why. When I LOWERED mine, I also did not want it that low, so I had a shop cut a set in between, "split the difference".

I had the dealer do mine because I didn't want to split the fairing. And a week later, out of town, the fuse blew. The dealer fixed it, no charge, but we put in a an auto type inline fuse and strung it to the rider side of the fairing where you access the headlight adjustment. SO, I have a nice yellow rubber fuse holder poking out. Like below but YELLOW! If it should pop, I don't have to go into the fairing. (But those glass fuses and holders tend to arc and pop. Regardless, replace that with something better.) PS: and, mine are always on. I want to be seen. http://d114hh0cykhyb0.cloudfront.net/images/uploads/WMFH-led-installation-supply-store.jpg Waterproof Mini Automotive Fuse Holder close

I think Cowpuc may buy one. https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/pn_5dMHsCPE?autoplay=1&hd=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&start=14&end=178

Same on both my RSV and RSTD (E3 front, MCII rear).

Just get the heck away from that bike! I had a girl friend just as freaky,,, no I did not marry her. But,,, sometimes I wonder what she is up to.

Awesome,,, I thought I had liberated mine when I got out of the Air Force in '73,, but never saw them again. I might have to buy a set just to say I got em.

Just wear them on the bike,,, least wrinkles.

Okay, maybe this should get deleted,,, but someone had to post it. This just shows how much bulls love motorcycles. Not sure the brand,,, unless a Cowasaki. Perhaps he is just trying to push start it.

I've had the Ultimate set on my 2006 RSTD since I got it. Now have 98k miles. I can ride all day with out a thought. In fact, once when I had a sciatic issue for a month, a 15 hour ride in the mountains took it away. I wish they made a set for the RSV,,,, they don't. (Ultimate has made a few STAR events, great people.) You said you can get a set at a good price. You might do that. If you don't like it, sell it and get the Russell,,, which is going to cost you. Oh, never buy a RSV Russell seat used if the previous owner was 6'4" and you are 5'9". You will not be able to put your feet down, without standing up. Russell's saddles are ALL custom built from your body stats. They warned me about buying used. I had one for one day. Sold it to the very tall SANDERJACK (this forum & my STAR riding friend).

Yeah, as noted try the gravity feed first. I ran that way for about a week while pump was on order. Just keep your tank over half full or you may not have pressure. Also, look on this site for a post or two about replacing just the contacts in the stock pump. Sounds like a few have done that successfully for more like $50. Then, it is still stock and you don't need to worry about the petcock. I read on this forum that with the Mr.Gasket, you have to turn off the petcock every time you shut the bike off.

Engineering Flowchart

Um,,, I just looked back, this is a 2009 thread. And most is about the old Michelin Commander, no longer made. Chris, look at some of the current threads on MCII tires. There are a few fresh threads. Try : http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=86893

If the cost is an issue, which you kind of said it is, then someone will tell you the correct Rotella to use. Never heard of it not working. Else, 10W40 Amsoil is really good, but probably cost about $10-$11.50 qt., you save there because it is good for excess of 7k miles. Have gone 10k+. BTW,,, you just opened the Holy Grail of MC related questions. Filter, I was using Purolator Pure One for years but it is now pointed out that is a car filter and requires a higher pressure than provided by our engines. So, that puts it back to a filter that is MC specific. You won't go wrong with an K&N. But if, again, cost is an issue, a Hi-Flo is okay or head to Walmart for their Tech filter. (I think the universal size is 303)

A friend texted me a couple of pics of a RSV rider with a full load, sidecar and trailer. Venture was on I-95 mile marker 8, which is just below Lumberton. Headed north, I think not positive. My friend did not catch the state on the tag. June 24 about 9:30 am. Anyone?

Used to put Metzlers on my Honda's in the 80's. Great but soft and wore quick. Several years ago on my Road Star, went from the stock Brimstones to Metz. Great tire for that bike. Saw a friend's Valkyrie eat a Metz. Was not sure if it was the inattentive low pressure he ran or the tire. But about then, everyone said the Metz "chunked" on heavy bikes. See lot's of pictures since,,, like yours. Haven't seen similar pictures like that of other brands. So,,, yep.

I have MC2 on both my Royals rear. Got 20-22k miles on my first one on the RSV and it had more left when I replaced it on a road trip. I matched them up with stock size Dunlop E3's. But would also consider Avons. Glad you cleared that up on Michelin not recommending them for RSV. The E3's ride well with the MC2 rear. Got plenty of miles on the pair.

If you are going to try it yourself, PM WildBill1 on this forum. He knows how to do it and can give you some pointers. See him in the Vendor Classifieds,,, for lowering your bike. He did mine,,, but I think he has advised a few. http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=4202&title=service-to-lower-front-or-rear-of-2nd-gen-rsv-27s-&cat=36

Don't have a trike, but this is what I did with the Rivco rack. Had a shop bend a piece of stainless as a light mount. Bright LED trailer lights from either HF or Northern (forgot which). It holds the Kuryakyn big tour bag perfect,,, seeing how the trunk luggage rack on the RSV does not. Also keeps the center-or-gravity lower than using the trunk rack.

I had a HF trailer with a Sears Cargo shell added. One problem was that the shell opens from the back AND only opens a couple of feet. This is because they are designed to be on top of a mini-van,,, so the owner can pack from the ground and also be able to reach the lid when open. SO, if this is a 2' above the ground, like on a HF trailer,,, it is darn inconvenient. You mostly have to access it on your knees. Backpackers and this HF open wider.

The best part of the BRP is from Asheville to Cherokee. That is where it is constant vistas,,,, without all those trees in the way. Might enjoy a lunch at the Pisgah Inn, about 15 miles below Asheville if the timing works. If not, get a rich desert and coffee and enjoy the view.

Fresh tires are always FRESH AIR for a bike. Even Brimstones for the first 100 miles.

Basics? Is your bike lowered? What scraped,,, floor boards or mufflers? If you are not lowered and it went beyond what the floor boards can handle then, you were,,, way down on it. I tow a trailer with my RSV. Never had that happen. Just did a NC trail called Diamond Back today, never got beyond scraping floor boards. I did watch a friend on a Valkyrie go down hard when he went beyond what his foot pegs could handle.

A friend sold me a short shield for my RSTD. I had a big Clearview with a vent. The RSTD is my solo bike,, mostly local but will go for a day's solo ride if I want a fun ride instead of a touring ride,, on my RSV. (also got loud Barons 4-2-4's on the RSTD) I have learned to really like the short shield. I wear glasses but wear Cocoons over glasses and a half helmet. The short shield has added a lot to the FUN of this bike. I eat a bug now and then. If I have a Hershey's kiss,,, it is Chocolate covered. I enjoy my RSV for me and the wife,,, but that RSTD with a short shield reminds me of what makes a motorcycle fun. Kind of the fun my Road Star had. Zoom-zoom! PS: Dang Jim,,, was typing same time as you,,, no offense on the Clearview. I do have the oversized F4 on my RSV. Funny how your barn fills up with old windshields and mufflers you don't quite want to sell.

"You go where you look." Perhaps looking over his left at on coming traffic?