Venturous Randy

Took about a 300 mile ride in the Miata yesterday with about 100 miles with the top down and sunny and in mid 60's. Yep, springs is coming one of these days. Randy

I just spent about 30 minutes responding to a thread and I don't know what happened, but I must have hit some key or keys and suddenly all the text turned blue and then all was gone. It was in an instant. Now, I know I am clumsy on the keyboard and REALLY wish I was had taken typing in school, when most of us guys thought was kind of sissy, but I didn't and it is tough. I know I did not hit the delete key and have no idea what caused all the text to instantly blue and suddenly disappear. I also will try to occasionally save the text on my on, but what I don't understand is how the AUTO-SAVED works. I routinely see the yellow note pop up down in the corner, but if this happens, how the hell do I find the text that was AUTO-SAVED? I can not find any buttons or icons that will let me back up and retrieve my text. What am I doing wrong? Randy

Even though spring is a month away, I kinda feel like spring is here when Daytona Speed Week starts. So far, there has been some good racing with all the different series that have run. I used to be a big NASCAR fan and only live 20 miles from the Bristol track, but I don't even think about going there anymore. Now, I will lay on the couch watching if I am home, but I will nap thru most of it. Randy

You might want to get a current review of your meds. Randy

AGAIN? Heck, it seems like you just had one a few months ago. Man, time is passing fast. Have a good one buddy and many wishes for many more. Randy

I picked up a 55" LG LED from wallyworld for $538+ tax and it has a wonderful picture and uses very little power. If it lasts a long time, I will be doing good. Randy

Keep in mind that smoking is not a natural thing to do. You had to teach/train yourself to do it and most suffered thru that part. Also keep in mind that even when you are not smoking that you will still have a cloud of smoking stench around you constantly, on your clothes, on you hair and particularly on your breath. Randy

Working on F-15's, were you ever at Seymour Johnson AFB? That was my permanent party with TDY's to Thailand in 72. We had F4-E Phantoms then. Randy

You did not mention what your background has been with motorcycles. If you are from the twin V crowd, these bikes are a little different, they don't like to be lugged. Not only are these things geared a bit high, but these engines don't make a lot of torque until they get to probably 3,000 RPM's or more. Keep the revs up and you will enjoy the ride more. One of the things that will help this is get a V-Max final drive as it is geared about 10% lower. Another thing that tends to be an issue on these bikes, especially more than the 1st gen 83/93 bikes is the rear brake tends to lock up during a panic stop. The 1st gens have the integrated braking system where the rear brake is linked to the front wheel like a car is. The best thing to do is make sure your brakes are in good shape and PRACTICE some panic stops. Learn what the limits are before you need to push them. We have had a few here that locked up the rear tire and got a little side ways and then high-sided and this is not a fun thing on an 850+ pound motorcycle. This is not much of an issue on most 1st gen Ventures because people can not lock up the brakes even if they wanted to. There is an enormous amount of info here and a good place to start is reading a bit in the History section. Ya done good on your purchase and if the bike does need something like a rear shock, you have a lot of room on the value to fix that and still have a nice bike that is worth more than you have in it. If you have any questions, just ask. Randy

Let's try some warm pictures. Randy

I have found that the easiest way to remove this type seal is to take a razor blade, box cutter or very sharp knife and cut the rubber between the outer edge and inner edge. This removes much of the strength of the seal and you can remove it in two pieces much easier. Just don't score either of the sealing surfaces. Randy

Great Great Great I hope it goes good. Randy

I am curious as to what is wrong with 4th gear? It is rare to have a single gear problem related to the gears themselves. Randy

I used to get around 36 to 40 and years ago I replaced the diaphragms and that did help the running and gas mileage and it also helped the idle gas smell, but it was still there. I then did the washer thing by using different thicknesses where I even got to the point that I was getting some hesitation. When I got it to where the hesitation was gone, I also noticed most of my idle fuel smell was gone. From this, running around the mountains and two lane back roads, I have routinely gotten from the mid to upper 40's and have even gotten 50mpg. Now, I have never really ridden for gas mileage and tend to ride a bit aggressive, so I don't poke around. And, I do see a drop in gas mileage when doing the interstate thing and running 70mph and up. To get your best gas mileage, don't lug the bike in any gear. If you are running at a set speed and drop a gear WITHOUT changing the throttle position and the bike speeds up, you are not running at the optimum throttle/gear setting. How much the throttle is open has more to do with gas mileage than RPM's. Randy

Here's a thought Eck, go lay back in your recliner and dream about how wonderful it will feel sitting in a lounge chair near the pond enjoying an adult cold beverage in late August in Asheville, after a beautiful ride thru some of the greatest motorcycle roads in the country. Now take that thought and don't worry about the cold as this too shall pass. Hoping to see you and Konnie in Asheville this year, buddy. Randy

I have used fiberglass on lots of stuff, but I have never had the adhesion with fiberglass on ABS that I would like. Randy

Now that you are retired we can meet up in places that have cheaper motel rates during the week, like Pigeon Forge. My biggest problem since I retired is now I just have to have a morning nap before I can get anything done and I am eating too much. Randy

Welcome. We need some new blood around here. Most of the old blood seems to have about dried up. Don't worry about asking questions. Believe it or not, some of these old guys, when you jog their memory just right, can really come up with some pretty good information. Randy

Mike, near the Mexican restaurant we ate at, toward Black Mt, there is the Acorn and Apple Blossom Motels. The Acorn appears to have pretty good reviews. And, as you know, there are several at exit 55. Linda and I are looking forward to seeing you and Shirley. The phone # for Acorn is 828-669-7232. Randy

So, what's new? Randy

Just go lay down on the couch and dream about being in Asheville in August where it is going to be warm, but not too warm, with green trees and sunny roads. Randy

Linda says "COME ON DOWN" if she runs out, she will make more. Randy

We have been lucky so far here in NE Tennessee. We got 4-5 inches a couple days ago and then the big one is supposed to be this big storm moving through. So far, it appears that the snow is both east of us running up the NC mountains, or west of us. I scooped up two tracks down my driveway, which is probably 80 to 100 feet long, and went out yesterday for a while. Right now, Linda is cooking a pot of chili and cornbread muffins and slaw, so we ain't gonna starve to death. Randy

It is about $1.57 around here in NE TN. Randy

Ya better not get a Miata. Randy