Venturous Randy

Yeah, I know a little late in the summer, but it was a great ride. In the past I have usually put between 7,000 to 12,000 miles on the bike each year. This year, with the upgrade to MKII forks and rotors, along with R6 calipers and SS brake lines, I have been just putting along on getting it finished. Much of this was due to the amount of effort I was putting into getting Linda's house ready to be sold, which did sell the last of August, along to playing with the two Miatas we have, and then last month, my son got one and last week my grandson got one. I had taken three rides, with two being 20 to 40 miles and one being about 90 miles and I have to say that even though there were some noticeable improvements in the bike, especially with the brakes, I was still feeling a bit awkward and I did not have that feeling of "being one with the bike". With having this bike almost 20 years and putting about 150,000 miles on it, I am pretty familiar with it. But, a lot of this improved yesterday. A friend had asked me to go for a ride on Thursday and we ended up having a great ride with beautiful weather and very clear views. We rode from Johnson City, TN to Roan Mountain, which is about 6,000 feet to some real curvy roads to the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell, which is 6,684 and the highest point east of the Mississippi. We then rode more back roads around Asheville, NC, back to Johnson City. The thing that really helped is we rode the north end of highway 80, which makes The Dragon look like an interstate highway, and with me leading, we rode really hard. We were coming out of every curve in 1st or 2nd gear WOT and braking at the point of almost sliding into the next curve. I really put the brake upgrades to the test and it was wonderful. What was also great was after we stopped and took a break, I really did have that feeling that I was again, "one with the bike". The rest of the ride was very calm and peaceful and the views were wonderful. We had a great meal at Mt Mitchell restaurant and everything was very good. The only bad thing was, I forgot my camera. Randy

Right now Linda are planning on going to the Outer Banks (Okracoke) next week and we are also doing some renovation. If we could get some things finished up before it gets too cold, we could have a M&E and a sleepover with about four bedrooms and a camper (Time Out). We will just have to what we may be able to throw together. Randy

Hmmmm... learn something everyday. Randy

I have a couple out in the garage that belong to my grandson. His were also getting a little rusty and he prepped them and had them black powder coated. They do look pretty good. I may try to take a picture of them. Randy

The Snake is a good ride, especially during the week. Weekends can get a little busy with the crotch rocket guys. The store at the center of Shady Valley is a good stop and they have very good bologna sandwiches along with hot dogs and hamburgers. The road that goes toward Damascus, VA will take you through Back Bone Rock tunnel, which is probably the shortest tunnel around. The ride in the other direction, which goes to Elizabethton is a good ride also and has got a bunch of curves, and some are pretty sharp. This is probably my favorite road in the area. Shady Valley is a big canyon with the only drain in one direction and that is toward Damascus. It really is a beautiful place and at one time was the home to cranberry bogs. This area is actually in my back door as I am probably only about 20 miles from Shady Valley. Randy

Puc, your wish is my command. This is about nine years ago and the fix I did has worked perfect and I suspect stronger than what Yamaha did when they did their fix. Randy http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?1521-83-Broken-frame

Now, the best money you will EVER spend on your bike is the $12 to join this site. Ya done good!!! Randy

Wow, I did not realize I was off topic. Looked like I was ON topic to me. Randy

When going to solid motor mounts, I found any added vibration very minimal, but I suspect carb sync becomes even more critical. Randy

You can mount mirrors in the threaded holes on the top of the handlebars. One side has left hand threads and you can get universal mirrors or try some off used bikes. Randy

I removed the bars years ago and did get a little frame flex. I put them back on and when I went to solid motor mounts I cut them and used one end to mount my bikini side mounts. The solid motor mounts really helped me. I suspect that if you had solid motor mounts before you removed the bars, you could not tell the difference. Randy

Got a 125 Ducati Bronco in June 64 before I turned 14 in late Sept. This gave me the mobility to go places and mostly worked in tobacco and hay. Right before I turned 16, I got a job in a drug store from 4 to 8 during the week and from noon to 8 on Sat. That was stocking and cleaning. I worked there until I joined the Air Force when I turned 18. I also met the girl that became my wife for 41 years and we divorced 5 years ago. After 4 years in the AF, I worked for American Air Filter, which made large air filtration systems for large buildings. After two years and a deep recession, I was laid off and with the GI bill and unemployment, I was able to go back to college. After graduating, I got a job as Quality Coordinator for a company that made electric motors for the appliance industry and worked my way up to Corporate Quality Manager over four plants in three states. They made condensing fan motors and I suspect many of you have these motors in the refrigerators in your home. We were making about 65,000 motors a week when I left in 95. I then went to work for a company that made aluminum wheels for the auto industry, mostly GM products. I did get the opportunity to spend the day in the plant in Montreal that made the Camaros and Firebirds and that was neat. Worked for a couple other companies over the years in the Quality profession and retired right before 60. Randy

There really is another very fun option and your wife will ride with you, maybe. For $3,000 or less you can pick up a decent Miata and as much as I have enjoyed my Venture for almost 20 years and about 150,000 miles, I am really enjoying the two Miatas. In fact, I just picked up another one that needs a lot of TLC that I gave to my son Brian. I had been looking for a hardtop and they usually run between $800 and $1,400. I ran into a guy that had one and I asked him if he ever wanted to sell it to give me a call. He called and priced it for $600 and when I went to get it, he said we could have the whole car for another $200 as it wasn't running. We took it home and started looking at the engine, which already had the valve cover off, and when we turned the crank to TDC, we both at the same time said "the cams are out of time'. We re-timed the cams and it started up and runs great. We got a killer deal on another soft top and a complete interior and with some body work, it is going to be a nice, fun car. I will be the first one to say that I have really enjoyed my Venture, but at this point in my life, I am very aware that healing don't come easy and I am really concerned with hurting Linda on the bike. Randy

If the shock is extended and it should be with no load, adding air pressure will not make it extend any more. Try pushing on the shock and see if you can collapse it some. Randy

This is exactly what I was thinking, even the coincidence comment. Randy

That was 110 in 5th, not 3rd. Randy

Getting old is a ***** ain't it. Randy

Stupid people, yep, but, sometimes when you deal with someone like these idiots, you also meet the nice guys. Randy

I usually give a wave to all LEO's just like I do Harley riders. I sometimes get a wave back, just like from Harley riders. Randy

With 20 years messing with these bikes, the biggest problem I have seen with these side stands having problems is letting the bolt get too loose. I also had the problem many years ago and from that time on, I have tried to check mine routinely to make sure it is OK. I also try to occasionally post a warning to check your side stand. Randy

Well, you made it another one. "Miracles never cease to happen", as my mom used to say. Hope you are feeling a lot better at the next one. Randy

I am glad our paths crossed again. It was great to see you two at Vogal. Linda and I wish you all the best. Randy

I am picking up my third Miata today. They are a lot like 1st gens and potato chips, one or maybe two are not enough. Randy

I went for a ride for the first time this year, today. I upgraded the forks and rotors to MKII, R6 calipers, and SS lines, along with new head bearings and a real thick brace. I could have had the bike finished months ago, but I just could not stay focused on it. These last few days I have had just little things to put together and it seems like I just had to make myself get going. When I did take the bike out, I was very pleased with the changes I could feel and the bike did feel a lot more stable and solid. The brakes felt good and I tried a couple quick stops and it was all I could do to hold on. I do want to say that I did enjoy the 20 mile ride, but I have to also say that my comfort level was a long way from what I wanted it to be. Not just the physical comfort, but the amount of anxiety of being on the bike with traffic and road conditions was a lot. My bike has never felt bigger and heavier to me before. I felt very awkward when stopping or just manhandling the bike. What was also a disconcerting feeling was the thought of having Linda on the back. At this point, I need to have a lot better feeling about my comfort level before I ask her to join me. I think for me, it is not just my feeling of having lesser strength, or riding with vision in one eye, or my reflexes, but since getting the two Miatas, I have really enjoyed them. They are both a hoot to drive, especially on some of these mountain roads we have around here. It's like being a kid and getting off a bicycle and getting in a go cart. Eck, I can sure understand your feelings about riding. I have put about 150,000 miles on this 1st gen and it has always been a part of who I was. I have had some really close calls and the only time I have ever been hurt was a tip over pulling out up a hill in a gas station and I stalled the bike. I landed on my chest with my arm under my rib cage and I suffered with it for months. It sure made me think about how easily a moving crash could change Linda's and my life. Yes, the little Miatas also make you feel somewhat vulnerable, especially when you are beside a jacked up truck, but they also handle great. Randy

This is a post I did a long time ago on 1st gen speedometers. You must fix this before you damage the one you have. Putting any kind of penetrating oil is not the answer as these "oils" are NOT lubricating oils and will actually wash away any lube there is. You MUST get grease into the area between the sleeve that the cable goes into and the housing. Another way is to remove the speedometer and put grease down inside of it on the sleeve. What makes you think the speedometer you have is not 100,0083 or 200,083 miles? Randy http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?36254-Lubing-the-speedo-on-a-1st-gen&highlight=lubing+speedometer