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Mike G in SC

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Everything posted by Mike G in SC

  1. Mike G in SC
    83K miles on my '06 RSTD, 31k on my '09 RSV. And only put 10k on my Explorer last year,, LOL.
  2. Mike G in SC
    I had your EXACT problem on my 2006 RSTD. Usually with cold engine I could find neutral. But after riding could not get there. Had to either hold in the clutch lever at any stop or try a dozen times, maybe get lucky. Only way was to kill the engine, then no problem. Changing oil did not help, fluids did not help, lube did not help. Even dealer, did not help. Said, sometimes they're like that. So I just lived with it a year or more. At about 50k miles I went ahead and replaced the clutch. Wasn't that bad but wanted to try the Barnett clutch plate. I also changed all disks with OEM. But GUESS WHAT!! My "finding neutral" problem was 100% gone. I'm at 82k miles now and just fine. If you can find a lesser fix,,, great. but that absolutely did it for me. Mike G in SC
  3. Mike G in SC
    Great bike. Bet a lot of RSV riders would be looking that way if they still made them. Probably be saying the same thing in a year or two on the RSV! Keep some caution on peg scraping on it. They are less forgiving than the Royals when you get the pegs on the pavement in sweeping turns. (Long/short story) Mike G in SC
  4. Mike G in SC
    Yes. Rear is normally done with a kit from Barron's (list about $175). That will take it down up to 1.5 inches using a calliper relocation bracket and a pair of "dogbone" links. (I have the kit but got new links made to only drop the rear .75".) The work takes about 1 hour, not overly complex. The front is more complex. You can also buy (Barron's too) parts to change the dynamics & height of the front (in the fork tubes) or you can "simply" drop the tripple tree on the forks up to about the same 1.5". Either way lowering the front requires removing the fairing and fairly skilled work, more like 4 hours if you know what you are doing. Also, some put the smaller tire on the front to get another .25". If you search the Venture forum for "LOWERING" you will find several threads on it. Oh, also, Rick Butler can modify your seat to take about 1" out of the seat height. Mike G in SC
  5. Mike G in SC
    "The world is your urinal." Unless you are a U of SC quarterback coach. Pee in an alley, not on main street under a street light! Or kiss a sweet job bye bye. Geeze Bubba. Mike G
  6. Mike G in SC
    I priced from Yamaha of Cucamonga, https://www.yocracing.com/accessory_store/store/yoc_advancedSearchExec.asp and printed that out and took that to my local Yamaha dealer. They basically did a price match. But then of course, sales tax for the local purchase. I put them on my RSV, but, they were too loud for me. I sold them, on this forum, but not sure if the new owner is happy or not. He liked them in the driveway, but have not hear about "on the road". But, then I got a used set of Baron's 4-2-4,, and too loud too, even re-did the baffles. That helped some. (But I have a set on my RSTD that sounds great, not so loud, go figure.) So, I went back to stock for a 2000+ mile trip to Wisconsin last week. I don't like the stock sound when I start the bike, but appreciate it on the highway. I listened to a number of mufflers on RSV's and RSTD at STAR Days last week (also Bubs). Nothing I had to have. So, I will just settle down and stay stock on the "tour" bike. Hey, keep your stock mufflers, so if you want to do a long trip you can throw them back on,,, in 20 minutes. But I do really like the Baron's on my RSTD "every day" bike. Mike G
  7. Mike G in SC
    The same unit (refurb'ed) is $59.95, free ship, on Amazon. So, $39.95 (+$4.95 ship) is a good price. Mike G in SC
  8. Mike G in SC

    Keys

    Mike G in SC replied to scooter45's topic in Watering Hole

    I have to use two keys on my RSTD because the ignition was replaced under warranty. I like the dealer and didn't fight to have it re-keyed. So, obviously the ignition was swapped, if not more. One key should fit all locks and the ignition. (On RSV: ignition, gas cap, 3 bags, 2 helmet locks) Mike G in SC
  9. Mike G in SC
    Steve, That's right, the hose from the tank to the filter is long enough to pull it under the tank and around to the carb input. I did get a few inches of extra hose when I added the in-line gas filter. Tank + 4" of line to the new in-line $3 filter (Walmart), then the original tank hose from the other end of the inline filter to the carb input. (so, include two small band clamps for the filter.) Ran for days, even interstate speeds. But again, think about the excess fuel in the disconnected filter and pump. That's why I pulled the left side cover and disconnected the pump,,, just incase it worked enough to spit it out. And,,, turn off/on the pitcock as needed. Mike G.
  10. Mike G in SC
    I've got the 100 light on my RSTD and my RSV (had previously had the 32 light). Yep, it's mighty bright. But I also had a lighting guy add run/turn/brake BRIGHT LED's to my tail lights (still using the clear lense). I think he got the 100 tail from Custom Dynamics and the R/T/B lights and load module from Signal Dynamics. (But anyone with a metric phillips screw driver can install the tail light.) I went from barely visible at night to hard to stare at without seeing red dots for a few minutes. I normally lead my club's rides and riders say they are very obvious day or night. This came about when my wife was following the group in a car and said "I could barely see your bike!". But the 100 (or even the 32) LED is a good start. Mike G
  11. Mike G in SC
    Steve, Sorry, my search didn't do so good either. So, I did find my last post on it: You can do a gravity feed to bypass the filter and pump if you want to eliminate them, to find out what's wrong. Takes about 15 minutes. Be careful about spilling fuel,,,. (Remove seat. Turn off fuel petcock. Pull the tank bolt - you don't have to remove the tank, just lift the rear of it an inch or so, maybe put in a block of wood to raise it. Use a long needle nose to pull (unclamp) the feed line from the filter, then pull the line (unclamp) to the carb on the right side. Then connect the tank line direct to the carb feed. Before you try to start it,, remove the left side cover and disconnect the fuel pump connector so it won't spew it's remaining gas. Oh,,, turn back on petcock now. Try to start it. If you have a mostly full tank, it should start up and run fine,,, your problem is the filter or pump. If this works, then you have a bad filter or pump. If it's the pump, you can run on gravity if you keep the tank above 1/4 full, till you get one. If you plan to do more than test,, get a $3 inline filter till you are back to normal.) I ran a week and 1000 miles without a pump. Yes warranty is good. The Yamaha stock part (Mitsibshi) is $300. If you are out of warranty, someone on this forum has posted a after market $45 replacement.
  12. Mike G in SC
    Steve, Just so you don't get "stuck", do a search on this forum for "gravity feed". Read up. If you pump should go, this can get you running again in about 15 minutes. (It's simply routing your gas line directly from the tank to the carb input.) Good luck with what you find. Warranty will save you about $350 for a stock pump. Mike G
  13. Mike G in SC
    Gary, I bought one from you also, have not used it,,,yet. Question: to use your wrench instead of the screwdriver/hammer method, what do you have to remove to get to the steering head nut? Is it just as simple as the screwdriver method or do you have to start pulling stuff? Thanks, Mike G in SC
  14. Mike G in SC
    I had a 2006 Strat for a year. Also had my RSTD at the same time. As good as the Strat was (power+), I just never found the ride comfortable. When I came across a deal on a RSV, I sold the Strat. Oh, took me 10 minutes to sell!!! To my neighbor. He loves it and finds it comfortable. I didn't loose a bike, I got a neighbor to ride with now and then. Mike G in SC
  15. Mike G in SC
    Bob, simple answer,,, no. Glad you asked. No cost to come see and do most of the stuff. No "gate fee". So, please do come by. Heck you might run into some VR there,,, like me. Probably about 800-1000 people typically show, about 500-600 bikes. Pay stuff includes banquets and any meals, auctions, seminars and the bike show or rodeo. So the vendor area is free (unless you buy something!), Yamaha Star demo rides are free, most of the rides are on public roads and guess what,,,, just slide on in, no one is going to check. So, the packet is $57. But if you aren't a STAR member, no problem, 75% of stuff won't cost you. If you have any questions, PM or email me. Thanks for asking, Mike G in SC (and I am president of my local STAR chapter, Columbia, SC)
  16. Mike G in SC
    STAR Touring annual STAR Days is in Madison, WI next week. Just wondering who from VR forums is going. Three of us from SC STAR chapters are going, headed out Saturday. About 1000 miles each way. If it ain't RAINING, we will HEAD up through Clemson, Hwy 28 to the Dragon, spend the night north of there. Sunday morning, more mountain roads through TN to Louisville. On through Indy, to around Champaign, IL for the night, then to Madison Monday AM. Doing straight interstate back on the following Fri-Sat. I did see a post in a post saying they were going. Anyhow, anyone else going? And, hey, even if you aren't a member, swing by to see what's happening, including vendors. Hey Wanderer, yep, I'm taking the Venture-Dream. Mike G in SC
  17. Mike G in SC
    I got a 18mm socket at Autozone a few of years ago. It's not a plug socket but it fits fine on the Royals (and Road Star). BUT, just now, I installed a set of the new "E3" brand,,,,, and they use a 16mm. Go figure. Lucky me, I had a full set of deep well sockets in my shop that I had never used. Mike G in SC
  18. Mike G in SC
    Same thing happened to me. The shop installed the passing lamps and on a road trip, days later, the stock fuse did the same thing, melted. When I got back they reinstalled no charge but we did also put in a blade type inline fuse. It is sticking through the faring about where the headlight adjust knob is located. And it is YELLOW. Yep, great idea to make it accessible. Glad you posted, Bobby. Mike G in SC
  19. Mike G in SC
    Keith, Mod on the washer: Seems like there were two big washers in the tubes (on each side). One bigger than the other. I think we swapped the top to the bottom and took a grinder to one to change the outer diameter. That gave us another fraction inside the tube. I'm vague on it as it was a year or so ago, but if you get that far, you will probably see what and why we did. Mike G
  20. Mike G in SC
    Now you got me interested on putting some RSTD bars on my RSV. What's the benefit? Jim, you said like power steering? And,, other than weight issues, what's involved in putting them on. Any cable or hardware changes needed,, or is it just a swap out?? Is there already a thread on "how to", didn't see one? (I have a RSTD and RSV and put Kuryakyn ISO's on both. Yeah, the RSV stock weights are one piece and actually threaded like a big bolt and the RSTD has a center hole with a bolt through it. On the RSTD, we modified the weight, on the RSV I bought the Baron's end weights.) As I remember, the RSTD handlebars probably need weights to dampen the vibration. I did without a few days on my RSTD and it was much better when I put them back on. Anyhow, if you know what's needed for install, let me know. Thanks, Mike G in SC
  21. Mike G in SC
    Tony, We looked at that, not using the calliper relocation bracket. We just put on the modified dog bones first. I bounced around on the seat, never bottomed out. Kind of looked like we could get away with out it,,,, but I had already bought a used kit (on this forum) and we decided to put it on. I queried people on this forum and on the STAR forum on what they thought about it. Got mostly "don't knows". So,,,,, sorry, don't know. Mike G.
  22. Mike G in SC
    Tom, Yeah, I've tried the water soak vest too, yuck, and little benefit. I saw the pricing,,, let us know. And how long they work before swapping out the packs. Mike G
  23. Mike G in SC
    Hey Keith, I didn't use Barron's on the front, so, don't know. But what Tony said is that the kit lowers from the inside. With that, then I would think you can go more than the 1/2" if using a kit. (For what we did on the front,,,, look at your front forks top, and imagine how much you can raise the top of the fork through the tripple tree before the valve top hits the handle bar. There is my 1/2" or so.) Barons can tell you, their techs are good on the phone (Chuckie?) but the old folks there (before it merged with LA Choppers) were cautions to give info cause of liabilities on lowering the bike. Kind of like they are selling parts but telling you not to install them(?). If you have time, tempreture and $$ the kit will add some muscle to the front for bumps and braking. But on the RSTD at just 1/2", I haven't felt any loss there. Not aware of bottoming out the front. (My RSTD is lowered in the front, not my Venture.) As for the rear, Tony, my wife has not admitted her weight for 20 years. She don't trust me to ride over truck scales!! (Guess I could put 4 bathroom scales under our bed and do the math.) Anyhow, I would say bodies add 350 lbs. maybe another 20 for her pocketbook! I was real happy with the mid length dog bones (both bikes). I do have the Barons 4-2-4 pipes so this lessens the pipe diameter some. But I don't scrape the pipes much. Mike G.
  24. Mike G in SC
    They are a good, cheap, quick fix for stock grips. Yep, very soapy, might even just squirt some liquid hand soap right in them. Then rinse with a hose real good and blot with a towel. Adding the 1/4" (x2) or so dimension to the grips also cuts back on cramps or numbness. I used them for a year or two before I went on to Kuryakyns. But the Grip Puppies go on in a couple of minutes, last most of a year then you just put on another set that easy. They also take out the concern about how to make end weights work with aftermarket grips.
  25. Mike G in SC
    My Stebil has been on my RSTD for 3 years, on my RSV most of a year. Mounted where the stock right horn was. I simply disconnected the one in the left lower so it didn't take juice away from the Stebil. Never had problems (unless the lead slipped off-once). For the RSTD I got the bracket at Lowe's, they come in a 4 pack for a few bucks. Need to enlarge the hole. For my Venture, I got the harness and the SS bracket from this site (I think Carbon One.) Wow, did that make life easy. Mike G in SC
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