Mike G in SC

Mr Bob Hill and his new wife Betty were vacationing in Europe . . .. as it happens, near Transylvania . They were driving in a rental car along a rather deserted highway. It was late and raining very hard. Bob could barely see the road in front of the car. Suddenly, the car skids out of control! Bob attempts to control the car, but to no avail! The car swerves and smashes into a tree. Moments later, Bob shakes his head to clear the fog. Dazed, he looks over at the passenger seat and sees his wife unconscious, with her head bleeding! Despite the rain and unfamiliar countryside, Bob knows he has to get her medical assistance. Bob carefully picks his wife up and begins trudging down the road. After a short while, he sees a light. He heads towards the light, which is coming from a large, old house. He approaches the door and knocks. A minute passes. A small, hunch-backed man opens the door. Bob immediately blurts, "Hello, my name is Bob Hill, and this is my wife Betty. We've been in a terrible accident, and my wife has been seriously hurt. Can I please use your phone?" "I'm sorry," replied the hunchback, "but we don't have a phone. My master is a doctor; come in, and I will get him!" Bob brings his wife in. An older man comes down the stairs. "I'm afraid my assistant may have misled you. I am not a medical doctor; I am a scientist. However, it is many miles to the nearest clinic, and I have had a basic medical training. I will see what I can do. Igor, bring them down to the laboratory." With that, Igor picks up Betty and carries her downstairs, with Bob following closely. Igor places Betty on a table in the lab. Bob collapses from exhaustion and his own injuries, so Igor places Bob on an adjoining table. After a brief examination, Igor's master looks worried. "Things are serious, Igor. Prepare a transfusion."Igor and his master work feverishly, but to no avail. Bob and Betty Hill are no more. The Hills' deaths upset Igor's master greatly. Wearily, he climbs the steps to his conservatory, which houses his grand piano. For it is here that he has always found solace. He begins to play, and a stirring, almost haunting melody fills the house. Meanwhile, Igor is still in the lab tidying up. His eyes catch movement, and he notices the fingers on Betty's hand twitch, keeping time to the haunting piano music. Stunned, he watches as Bob's arm begins to rise, marking the beat! He is further amazed as Betty and Bob both sit up straight! Unable to contain himself, he dashes up the stairs to the conservatory. He bursts in and shouts to his master: "Master, Master! . . . The Hills are alive with the sound of music!" (I am soooooo sorry.....but you really should've seen that onecoming!!)

We like your attitude here son. And your choice. What # is the Millennium? I helped a stranded #49 last week near Charleston, SC. Also, if you don't mind, what is the cost of the kit and labor, beyond the cost of the bike? Reverse? Mike G.

But look at his picture,,,, can't find a happier man! Could have told me he won the Iditarod, Powerball and the White House,,, all on the same day!

I would guess a ballzy kid thought he could sit on it and had no concept of the weight of anything bigger than his moped of dirt bike.

Google and Google Maps is a nice tool Regarding the "gate" fence, it is 20-30 feet from the open road and house looks to be over 100 feet from there. (Google street view, even see owner at garage.) Residence is listed on real estate lists as over 2 acres, and puts the gate out of view to much of the yard. The fence is see-through with a simple open board fence for the yard. A package dropped over that gate is looking to be stolen by simply stepping through the board fence. Edit: I have withdrawn some of my post, regarding Googled information.

If he is admitting it was stolen from his property,,,,,, kind of answers it's self. Even with a police report,,,, it was delivered. I let them drop in my carport where my bikes and such sit. 20+ years never a second thought. Buyer should know his neighborhood and advise UPS/FedEx/USPS to or not to drop without signature. (and probably also state it to the shipper if buyer's address is questionable)

Just watch and appreciate. This guy knows his plane. http://www.flyingmag.com/pilots-places/pilots-adventures-more/video-landing-and-takeoff-youve-never-seen?cmpid=enews092413&spPodID=030&spMailingID=17927470&spUserID=NDc4NjE4NTk1OQS2&spJobID=231200914&spReportId=MjMxMjAwOTE0S0

You "probably" won't need to adjust anything (carbs or jets). Do think about how they mount. If they are for HD, you will need some kind of adapter plate for the rear bolt, or may use a steel P-clamp. Also, for connecting to you pipe, they usually have a pretty skimpy clamp that makes it look like a slip-on. (The stock mufflers have a nice cover piece you will loose.) I have some really nice clamps from a guy on Ebay, about $36/pr. Can always add later. Mike G. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Royal-Star-Venture-Harley-Davidson-Muffler-VTwin-Clamps-II-/251006468295?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7126c0c7&vxp=mtr http://i8.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/17/73/088a_12.JPG

I put Rush slip on's on my RSTD years ago. GREAT SOUND! But because I was lowered in the rear, got a lot of tail scrape cornering and bumps. I gave the set away and the new owner loved them too. I replaced them with a ebay set of Barons 4-2-4's. Also great sound and took care of the scrapes as they are low profile. Both are loud. Too loud for my RSV (two up long distance) I got a set of Road Kings on it. (but still got the RSTD as my loud solo bike). I did try Chrome Werks. The Rush sounded a LOT better.

Yes, I remember her from my youth,,, Miss National Geographic 1962. Never thought I would see HER again! Thanks

That should be great fun on the Oberlin Reservoir! Oh, just looked at Google Maps, you got a bigger lake north of you. Nice boat. Mike G

Just read the first part of your post to my wife,,, jaw drop at 1750 miles in two days. And pic of STOCK SEAT. Your wife is obviously not a spoiled lady. You just took a giant step on the Road Warrior scale. Mike G.

Have not ordered on-line cause the store is about 70 miles up the road. (in Rock Hill, SC) Yeah, good people,,, and on a head set they dropped $100 to match some obscure Internet deal on same product. Me and friends have bought tires, helmets, jackets, gloves, head sets, Kuryakyn stuff. And in the store they have a close out room with very good prices. Mike G.

There's not a lot of traffic,,,, for a reason. After you do that,,,, next you might want to try coasting down Mt Mitchell at night with your key off (no lights, no power). That might be a challenge too. Shoot for a full moon. Tell 'em Darwin sent you. (I am kidding.. But when stationed in Denver in '69 we did that with a 59 Plymouth down Lookout Mountain above Golden CO. A blast, blew a tire at the bottom. Watch this!!) Edit: now that my eyes are over 60 (and stock) I think riding I-20 at night is just fine. Less twists and trees and banking.

Had my Stebel on my RSTD for 6 years and 50 of the 95K miles. Stebel on my RSV is 3 years old. (Both side mounted where factory horn was) No issues or failures.

Bert Sorry, but sometimes even the most profound emails and replys don't set well,,, delivery and cute icons included. And I had a bad day. But, I disagree with your logic. If the wind is hitting you from the rear, your logic is good. Speed up. If it is hitting you from the front or side, the vents, assuming they are at the same angle as the lower cowling, better deflect the wind that would otherwise hit your feet or lower legs (maybe even as far back as the bulk of the saddlebag front surface). That wind is drag and with out the vents may also add to the effect of cross winds. The vents "may" further delay crosswinds from hitting the lower half of your bike. Simple proof is in the fact that your feet and lower legs tend to stay dry in light rain, with the vents. Consider the light rain same as the white smoke in a wind tunnel test (just harder to see till your jeans are wet). I don't think I will go to the trouble of pulling my lower vents to do an impact study. Let me know if you do. Till then,,,,,, just passing wind. Mike G.

Fine, whatever. Just Saying.

Maybe http://www.stadiumyamaha.com/pages/Catalog/Product/3664?categoryID=207&subCategoryID=407&catalogFilter1ID=1&catalogFilter2ID=4&catalogFilter3ID=90&catalogFilter4ID=69&catalogFilter5ID=63351 http://www.stadiumyamaha.com/pages/PublicMedia/CatalogImage/7445?width=500 Got them on both of my Royals. Might help some. Also good in the winter and rain. The website has them for $164.

I hope they don't do electric bikes,,, would run out of cord,,, probably 100'.

Just saw on TV, the Cassette celebrates it's 50th birthday today. Probably a national holiday at the Yamaha factory!! http://media.heraldonline.com/smedia/2013/09/13/00/06/413-Ua8Ht.AuSt.55.jpeg

Not saying toss your gauge. Saying learn your bike. You should be able to tell the difference when you kick your MC tire. If you don't, kick it a couple of times straight on. At 40 pounds, it is firm and has kick back. Let out air at 5 pound increments, keep kicking. Like bouncing a ball, you will know the difference between 40,30 and 20 pounds and it is obvious. If not you should consult your foot doctor. (remember to put air back in) My guess is usually within a few pounds of a gauge. Being realistic, most people won't put a gauge to their bike often. Show of hands for daily?? But it takes seconds to do a kick test to make sure, I do that daily. Mike G.

Kick your tires every day! Dead on, front and back. Just one swift kick. If it hurts your toe, it is probably safe. If it is dull then check them. We group ride a fair amount. Amazing how often someone has a tire 20 pounds low. Usually the same people. I keep a Slime pump for me AND my friends. That bike, at 15 pounds should have been hard to steer.

Even though we all want a new Venture model with improvements to happen, it's interesting that you can't tell the year, 1999 to 2013, by much of anything but the paint. And that bike looks as fresh as new. The seat might have gave it up but they put a Corbin on it. Get that bike and paint all red parts BLACK and you have a 2009 with half the miles of mine.

Yea! Score another for the owners!!!!!

My dealer just replaced the second one on my 2006 RSTD under warranty. (I got an extended warranty from Yamaha at a charity auction.) Same dealer also replaced the one on my 2009 RSV last year,,,, under warranty. They could not fully repeat the problem, but they are a great dealer and take my word. You will be facing the problem again if they just clean contacts. In fact my dealer said "we don't open them up." If they are going to that much trouble, it's no skin off their back, they should replace it under warranty. Yours will expire next year (probably).