Mike G in SC

There were several STAR Touring members there (some on Ventures). They ride near the front and escort Gold Star Moms (as passengers). But with a zillion bikes,, kind of gets lost in the crowd.

EDIT: Never mind about the previous edit. Smart Kid! Remember Chief, she may pick your nursing home.

Will it jump start? (can jump from car,,,, car not running. Cables to battery, not thru a battery tender connector.) Edit: Oh, sorry, just saw your part about battery good.

My RSTD was lowered a few years ago. On the front, we did not use the spacers, so I can't answer the question. I just tried to download the Barons PDF but it appears to be "MIA". I read their description. It says you can lower the RSTD front 1 1/2". You cannot,,, if you have stock handlebars. We tried 1 1/2" and when we put it all together the bars hit the air valves,,, big time. You can lower it 1/2",,, maybe 3/4" if you flip the two big washers in the tubes (and hone out one of them). If you have some other bars that do not sit directly above the air valves then you may get more. But, even the 3/4" was well worth it. EDIT: I reread Barons part description. They seem pretty fixed on getting 1 1/2". SO,, maybe the way their adapter fits it pushes the forks down rather than raised in the triple tree?????? That would be nice. Mike G.

Look at this post for a USB below the seat, pretty neat!! http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=77826

Last time I saw that sidecar it was getting off I-20,,,, in SC. It was '50's Corvette red/white. Next time I see it, is should be two tone blue to match it's new host, 2011 RSV. And he will have a matching trailer. It might have been a comment I made about looking like the circus come to town. Mike G.

My friend, Reggie Brewer, told me he is using 93 octane in his Venture and gets great mileage.I use 87 (like most Royal riders) and my mileage not great, but my bike is tuned rich (instead of stock lean). Last month we traveled from Greenville, SC towards home. We gassed up leaving Greenville, then again about 80 miles south (butt break). Filling our two Venture tanks to same top off level, he got 45 MPG, I got 37 MPG. So, he and I just did a 1650 mile run to MS to pick up WES0778's sidecar and a round about back. I decided to run 93 premium the whole trip, as did Reggie. (I did start off using some Techron in the first tank. But I do that or Seafoam now and then.) Anyhow, by the end of the trip I noticed I was getting a whole lot better range on the tank than I ever had. My last two tanks got 45.9 MPG, mix of mountains and interstate, and 44.9 all interstate. Now the irony,,, Reggie picked up the side car. He now gets mid 30's MPG! I used 93 on my Roadstar years ago and got carboned up (sticky valve) so, this may not be right for most bikes that can use 87. But, starting tomorrow, I will start filling my RSTD with premium and see where it goes. Not looking to get blasted for saying 93 worked, it just did. Mike G.

Me and a friend took GA 136 from the Dalton area to the Cloudland Canyon State park,,, last August (I think). I don't think it was anything intimidating, not really remembering it as a "mountain road". And, by chance, me and another friend took it last Saturday coming from the other side, from Trenton, Ga. From that side, you do a mountain climb with two major turns down to 15 mph. We headed north to Chattanooga on the Lookout Mt Senic Hwy. The canyon park was nice to see. We talked our way in for free as we were just going to look and not stay. But then, take Hwy 189/157 north, and 148 when it crosses to TN. That is actually the backbone of Lookout Mountain (senic highway). About 25 miles long. About 5 or so miles up on the left is the Hang Gliding school. We watched 3 take off!! Then the road goes to the town and peak of Lookout Mountain. There is a battle ground park that has a mouth opening view of Chattanooga. So,, yeah, did that Saturday, as part of a 1650 mile ride from SC to MS and wandering back. Mike G in SC

Me an Reggie Brewer and Walter's wife Betty sand HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Walter at his breakfast table this morning. He holds his age well,,, got me beat. Then we spent the day hooking up his side car to Reggie's Venture. Walter and Betty, and Wes and Becky, Thanks so much for your Mississippi hospitality, bed and breakfast and good company. We are now staying in Kosciusco, MS, riding the Nachez Trace Parkway. Reggie is tweaking and learning the side car on the perfect road. Thanks again, old man lol Mike G in MS

Yeah, I was going to leave it alone, was just pulling Armondo's chain.

I just "chatted" with Advance on-line tech. He says it's a marketing goof. see below chat. Oh, rats, they're sneaky!, my copy did not paste. Anyhow, he said they are "fixing it now", price is $22.99. But I told Armondo that I was doing a print screen on it and would see if Autozone would match!!

I put it in my cart and it gave me the $22.99 "sale" price. I might try a print screen and carry it to the store. See if they will honor the $14.99 price? I did that on Seafoam last year. At that price, might switch from my Amsoil! Walter, see you Thursday! Mike G

Right here is good! Who/Where/Why? Also, and excellent dealer (team) at Extreme Sports Yamaha, Sumter, SC. They are having their annual open house this Saturday, May 4, 9 to 3.

I bought the RIVCO rack too. BUT,,,, when you put it on the bike and put a suit case,, or cooler on it, you can not see your lights from behind!!!! That is a BIG DEAL! I got a shop to fab a sheet of stainless steel and added trailer lights. They are VERY bright, brighter than my LED run/turn/brake on the bike. EDIT: Larry, I just saw your lights,,, real nice.

Armando, No. It is only to help inseam less than, say 31". Like me, 29. You will get the most bang by lowering the FRONT only. (Both feet down, better steering, less tail pipe scrapping,,,,,) More later when I'm not at work,,,,, Mike G.

Those showers sounding a bit like tears. Good looking bike, got one just like it. I mostly use my 06 Midnight TD for commute and my RSV for travel. But this weekend, going solo, took the TD to a bike thing a couple hundred miles. Forgot how much fun it is. RSV is a great smooth ride, RSTD is fun. He got a good bike. I would have bugged my friends to buy it if you weren't so far away. Mike G.

Rumor is,,,,,, MS Piggie is fond of them,,,, http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/26900000/Miss-Piggy-and-Kermit-miss-piggy-and-kermit-26995538-360-312.jpg

Chris, This is really the easiest bike or car I have ever changed oil on. One bolt, 17mm, already in perfect drain position. And easy to get to oil filter. Might use a big channel locks to loosen it. Remember to put a drain pan under it,,,lol. That is really about it. 15-20 minutes without beer. Mike G

Hey Wes, Headed your way with Reggie in a couple of weeks for the sidecar. Good to hear it was OK (not NONO). Question (mine, not Reggie's), once you have established the mounts, how much time/work is it to put it on/off, like mentioned for the Voyager? Or is that a nono. Probably doesn't have an EJECT lever? Oh, think we may do Natches Trace either to or from. Reggie asked me if I knew of it. Yes but have not ridden it. (And good timing for Reggie, on a ride stop he said "looking for sidecar" and I showed him yours on my smart phone right then. So Bobcat didn't buy, but, think we got a couple of new VR members now.) Mike G.

I put speed bleeders on my RSV and my RSTD a few months ago. After they sat in the envelope much of a year. Of course, replaced brake and clutch fluids then. Easy, okay. Still have to avoid being stupid and emptying the reservoir, twice. (So, would still help to have two people so the other one can call you STUPID.) But today I replaced rear brake pads on both bikes and,,,, boy, that was easy. Both bikes are rear lowered so I did not have to remove the saddle bag. Pulled the brake holding pins/spring, loosened the speed bleeder, spread the pistons, pulled old pads, pushed back the pistons some more and inserted new pads. The bleeders made quick work of compressing the pistons without worrying about air getting in the lines. Nice,,,,, not stupid. Mike G.

Smart!

Thanks, that fits. Mike G

Agreed on this forum, there is one of those GREAT dealers in Sumter, SC,,, Extreme Sports Yamaha. They are having their annual Open House on Saturday, May 4th. I got another happening in NC but wanted to post for this. Make it if you can,,,, Mike G. http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs014/1103168065038/img/13.jpg It's almost time! Please be sure to join us. Plenty of food, vendors, door prizes and more! http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs151/1103168065038/img/81.jpg Large Inventory Great Financing We buy and sell used bikes Parts and Service on most major brands Insurance available on site http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs151/1103168065038/img/77.jpg 405 W Wesmark Blvd Sumter, SC 29150 803-905-7766 803-905-7769 (fax) Click here to visit our website Business hours: Tues - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Saturday 9:00 - 3:00

Easier,,, no fairing. But you cannot go 1 1/2 inch!! Best you can get with stock handlebars is 3/4". We tried, the air valves hit the handlebars!! Had to redo. You can get 1/2" by just dropping. You can eek another 1/4 by taking the big washers that are in the tubes and swapping them hi-lo. But one of them you would need to ream a bigger hole. You will see this when you do it. So, my RSTD is down 3/4 in front. And I preferred the stock tire. (tried the little one). Just wanted you to know cause we tried 1 1/2 and took an extra hour to fix. It is also down 3/4" rear. I got the Barons kit but made some dog bones half way between the Barons and stock length. And, nothing scrapes,,,, unless I want it to. Mike G

If needed, go to NAPA and get a pair of air valve 6" rubber extensions and you can burry them in the cables. Mine is lowered the full 1.5" and it was hard to get to the valves. Mike G.