MiCarl

Yeah, they want to see more credit activity rather than less. When I sold cars it was easier to finance someone with a bankruptcy than someone who flat out never used credit. We got one of those statements about my wife's score impacting our rate, something about too many open accounts (she has every store card in existence). Shortly thereafter we refinanced the house and her score was North of 800. Go figure.......

There is a welding shop in the same complex as me. The guy there is apparently very good, they send him stuff from all over the country. According to him modern DC welders pose no risk to electronics, that the older AC welders can damage them. I still disconnect all the solid state devices on bikes I have him weld, just to be extra safe.

Check your voltage at the battery with the engine revved up. If you're above 15V the regulator is shot. The high voltage will ruin the lamps and electronics.

If you're getting absolutely no advance I think you'll find the problem is the TCI.

Excellent description Yamagrl!

I think it's more likely that it wasn't winterized properly and the water in the jacket froze and cracked it. That plugged hose didn't help it drain out any either.

This is tough because there are so many variables, but will share my thoughts on leading a group ride: The number one thing we try to avoid is situations where other drivers are tempted to "make" space to move through the group. On and off ramps are prime places for that to happen because many drivers either don't know how or fail to plan their entrance/egress. We avoid the right lane in areas with lots of ramp traffic. If we're in the left lane drivers are tempted to try and pass on the right. Then when they come up on a slow vehicle they "make" room in the left lane. When I'm leading a group in the left lane I stretch the speed limit a bit hoping to reduce the chance of an impatient driver coming around. The worst scenario is lots of traffic, fast lane moving at the speed limit, slower traffic in the right lane and ramp traffic. It's a no win situation. My favorite freeways are the ones with three or more lanes going our direction. We can get in the center and leave all the problems to our left and right (except the one going 90 in the fast lane then deciding to exit with only 100 feet to cross the whole freeway). When I lead a group I try to stay in the right lane except areas of heavy ramp traffic. I look well ahead and watch for groups of cars bunching up onto the ramp which will lead to one or more "making" room to pass through the group. If I see that coming I try to move the group left. Making all this work requires good communication between the lead and drag bikes. For this reason we have a rule that on any group ride both the lead and drag bikes must have CB radios. A good tail gunner will also have his eyes peeled and keep the lead informed of anything he sees going on. It also requires skill and attentiveness from everyone in the group. Group riding can be a lot of fun, but it's a lot of work for everyone involved. Sometimes though it's just a pack of bikes chasing another down the road - dangerous for the riders and other vehicles. I'm always very impressed when I see a group of skilled riders that is capably led, it's like watching a precision drill team.

National Cycle makes a product called "Rain Zip" that is for the acrylic windshields. Works pretty good on my 1st gen at highway speed, but no so much below 40mph or so. I also use it on the face shield - stick my face up in the wind to blow the droplets off.

Many Michigan people get their Ohio perception from driving 75 to Florida. And I have to admit - that stretch of pavement from Lima to Dayton seems like the longest, straightest, flattest piece of road in the world. But if you draw a line from Dayton to Cleveland everything South and East of that gets quite interesting.

I gotta 2nd 250 in Ohio. We go that way to visit my mother. Across 20 and pick up 250 at Norwalk. At Fitchville there is a nice roadside park, which is one block off 250 S. on 13. Nice view of the Vermillion River, and a 2 hole facility if you're desperate. I'm not familiar with 250 South of 224, but it does cut across pretty much straight to Wheeling. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any good way to get to US 20. I think your best bet is to grit your teeth and take 75 down to 280 to 29. Oh heck, made you a Google Map of what I think Puc was talking about - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Algonac,+MI+48001/Wheeling,+WV/Roanoke,+VA/@40.2888344,-78.8584248,7z/data=!4m45!4m44!1m15!1m1!1s0x882540275f21894d:0x5a42208696b2c7cb!2m2!1d-82.531018!2d42.6183675!3m4!1m2!1d-83.0043361!2d41.3178176!3s0x883bc94fe66bc251:0x6deae6867b71c4c5!3m4!1m2!1d-80.966443!2d40.234067!3s0x88367cddbdba5781:0xb57776e47d9102c!1m20!1m1!1s0x8835dac77b90c5e9:0xbb87ed67ecd6e599!2m2!1d-80.7209149!2d40.0639616!3m4!1m2!1d-80.538836!2d39.755542!3s0x8835f20771832259:0xeac74d00fe52b280!3m4!1m2!1d-80.0549202!2d39.1942913!3s0x884af502dacee3f3:0xab90f87ab7d6d71!3m4!1m2!1d-79.8652579!2d38.8842742!3s0x884ae2798e600e7d:0xfd471256ea0efd40!1m5!1m1!1s0x884d0c4d6aa966fd:0x249dbecbdbb0989b!2m2!1d-79.9414266!2d37.2709704!3e0

There is no adjustment. You'll need to tear it down and replace any broken/worn/bent parts. No way to be certain what you need without first inspecting it. Before you do, pull the clutch cover and have a look at the shift sector and stopper arm. I just repaired a Road Star that was jumping out of gear. It turns out the reason was the wheel of the stopper arm was down off the cam so it wasn't dropping cleanly into position. Your symptoms sound a bit different though.

Heck Brent, I didn't look at your location. That's been awhile ago. The connector the wire harness plugs into has pins that pass through the board and solder on the other side. Over time vibration cracks the solder (often too fine to see) and the board throws errors. Re-flow those connections and it'll probably work. They're not fine connectors, you could do them with a pretty decent size soldering gun if you needed to.

That might help. It's also possible you tweaked the tree a bit and it'll be difficult to line up even with the center nut loose. It won't hurt to have the other fork loose in the tree as you try and get it together (you'll probably need a helper). If I recall correctly, my lower tree was twisted a bit after my crash. Fortunately it's rather soft and I was able to twist it back using one of the old fork tubes.

I'm not sure about that. The site I usually check such things is down this morning. It wouldn't surprise me if Rare Electrical is selling the exact same starter in different ads for different fitment. The ad I linked lists the Mitsuba part numbers for both the 2 and 4 brush version. You might as well buy the less pricey one.

Welcome Brent! Another xjbikes guy turns up. The "computer" that adjusts the air pressure is called the CLASS Controller. (CLASS stands for Computer Leveling something something Suspension). It only operates with the key in the "ACC" position and shuts down if you turn the motorcycle ON. I haven't heard of one being completely dead, usually they show error codes and are generally repairable.

That's the most likely culprit. Check the battery too. I know someone who had a battery completely fail when he tried to re-start at a gas station.

I'll weigh in on the "perfectly normal" vote.

I bought mine from Rare Electrical. The listing has long ended, but the part numbers in this listing are identical: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STARTER-90-91-92-93-94-YAMAHA-VM1200-V-MAX-MOTORCYCLE-/121122071420?hash=item1c3370237c&vxp=mtr Shortly after I purchased it I thought I'd made a mistake and got a 2 brush. I peeked inside when it arrived and it is a 4 brush. Been starting my bike great for a couple years now, turns the engine over hot just as well as it does cold. No issues on the transaction. As I recall, shipping was reasonably fast.

It's been a number of years since I was there, but as I recall it was a pretty brisk trot to get through it in a day. 2 days is a good tip.

Sorry, meant "Royal Star". Fixed original post.

"The Henry Ford" is a criminal safety zone. They prohibit carry.

The Road star is a long stroke, push rod V-twin. It's not a high revving engine but will pull like a tractor. It's a dry sump engine so oil change is PITA. It's got separate lubrication for the primary chain so that's another service point. Belt drive, which I like. The V-Star is an overhead cam V-twin with wet sump oil like you're used to - drain one place, fill at the engine and watch the level in the window. The 650 and 1100 are shaft drive and carburated. The 950 is fuel injected and belt drive, not sure about the newer V-star 1300 whether it's shaft or belt but I believe it is fuel injected. The 650 is light on power and may be too small for long rides. 950 people will debate whether it's large or heavy enough. The 1100 and 1300 should easily be comfortable all day motorcycles. The Royal Star is a carbureted, shaft drive V-4 with a wet sump. Definitely big enough to be comfortable and probably most similar in maintenance and feel to the bikes you're used to.

The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village ("The Henry Ford" as they like to call it now) are in Dearborn, not Detroit. While it's not far from Detroit there is a big difference in public safety and city services. It's tucked against the main Ford research and engineering park and is quite safe, although you still don't want to leave anything unsecured in the parking lot. The roads here are awful, be prepared for pot hole dodging. The nearest freeway (M39, Southfield Freeway) is one of the oldest in the country. It's narrow and very busy at rush hour. Unless you are a thrill seeker stay away from it from 7-9 and 3-6. One thing you need to know about driving here left turns across divided roads are usually prohibited. Instead you need to make a "Michigan Left". In a Michigan Left you go through the intersection and make a U-Turn across the boulevard. Then turn right to resume your route. Most of them are pretty well marked with signage, you just have to watch for them. Not too far from the museum/ village is Fairlane Mall. My impression is you want to avoid it, especially after dark. There are some decent eateries on the ring road around it that should be fine.

I shut them off at my shop, although not usually if it isn't expected to stay over night. Sometimes carbureted bikes leak and it's a fire hazard. Also, it's also not fun when the landlord calls at 3AM because other tenants are complaining of a gasoline smell. We do try and remember to turn them back on before the customer leaves. It's embarrassing for everyone involved when the customer pushes the bike back two blocks complaining that it "cut out".

My point was you're asking for impressions of 2nd gen vs. 1st gen. The 2nd gen has a smaller rear wheel which increases the ratio a bit. In other words, a 2nd gen tranny in a 1st gen results in a lower overall ratio than a 2nd gen has.