Venturous Randy

One thing all this shows is how much air pressure is under the cover and therefore going to the inlet to the airbox. RandyA

Just out of curiosity, do you know why the 90 does not run? I say this because with the 83 transmission and frame problems, spending some time and money on the 90 may be your best investment. If you do go to the 90 change over, make sure you change the headlight and all related stuff. RandyA

And, first and foremost, I always know when I am starting to need gas and that is how my butt feels. I can go 200 miles if I have to and if I did that without stopping for a few minutes, my butt would know it. RandyA

Yeah, you resurrected an almost six year old motel thread and it has taken off again. RandyA

I also bought a 4 brush starter off ebay for about $50 that came from Pinwall. It looks very good, but I have not installed it yet. I mainly bought it because no one else even bid on it. I am always leery of broadcasting anything on ebay on here because I think the person that has been watching something they want should have first chance. RandyA

I have put about 133,000 miles on my 83 and it has always been on reserve and I have never run out of gas. RandyA

The best my 83 has ever handled was with an Avon on the front and an E-3 on the back. In fact, I may go back to a front Avon when the E-3 wears out. RandyA

Wow, I got one right for a change. It looks like what you have is an RSV trans with the gear ratios you noted. I think you will be more happy with this setup than if you had used the RSTD setup. These ratios are a bit closer together. This is a comparison of the three different gear sets. I just need to get off my butt and get the engine in my bike with the RSV trans after I have been running the V-Max rear for a while now. RandyA

Why don't you just take your RSV rearend and measure the hole location/size and then machine your V-Max rear? RandyA

I would at least ask him if he has signed an organ donor card. At least he may be able to help someone else out. RandyA

I did not have any air leaks, but going to Progressive springs solved any air issues as I don't run any air in the front now. RandyA

I like mine and have had it for a long time. I scooped mine out some and it is very comfortable to me. Corbin's are a bit firm, but you get used to it. RandyA

Congratulations and George is one Lucky man. RandyA

I suggest going all the way to the starter with you hot wire. There was a four brush starter on ebay starting at $50, but I don't see it now. It may have been sold. Any of the 2nd gen 1300 engines have a four brush starter. You should not be going to ground from the solenoid. Something is not making sense to me what you are saying. RandyA

Yep, most likely the CMS. The most likely points that need to be resoldered are the row of contact pins that connect to the wiring harness. Usually you will be able to see cold solder joints, but not always. To me, the pencil type soldering irons work best and make sure it is very hot before you start. You want the solder to melt quick and then remove the heat. To me, the electrical soldier that is small in diameter and comes in the small tubes work best. One suggestion is after you get the dash back in, take a plastic wire tie and wrap it around the wiring harness and one of the bars and pull it up slightly to take the weight off the points in the harness connection. RandyA

I must say that Linda and I really enjoyed meeting you and Cheryl. You are a very interesting couple and a lot of fun. We envy your ability to take off and visit some very interesting places. I have followed your posts and commend you one your stories and pictures. I really hope that next summer you will be able to come to Asheville and get to enjoy our little gathering. We always try to have a lot of fun. RandyA

Just out of curiosity, did you use a 2001 Venture or RSTD trans? I ask this because they have different ratios. I have an 83 engine that I put a 02 Venture trans in and with the new style shift drum, it appears that everything lines up nicely. Before I used the new drum, I had some gears that were touching at times they were not supposed to touch. As far as matching up the gears at the middle gear/output gear, I have used the complete setup that came together and I have used mix and match and as far as quietness, the mix and match worked best. I just made sure I had adequate mesh on the output gear. Now, I have not installed this engine in my bike yet, so I can not tell you that I don't have the same problem. Please keep us posted as I feel the later trans may be a good fit for the early 1st gen. RandyA

As I noted, it is usually between mid July and mid August. We just try to see what works out best for the most people. We also try to keep in mind any other Rallies and when they are scheduled. RandyA

Usually, we do a little survey in the spring for suggestions on when it will work out best for the most people. As far as campsites, I just tell them to save from about 16 through 24 and that works out great. Sometimes we may have two or three tents in one site when we get done. So far, we have never had them say anything for us doubling up. The sites are very big and we have room for car parking, bikes, tents, trailers and a couple of canopies. For those wanting to rent a cabin, you should not have any problem. We usually have it between mid July and mid August. RandyA

Yes, we have had some rain, but it was usually at night and I have to say that rain at night in my camper was not always a bad thing. RandyA

Woody, hope you have a good, safe trip and good weather. RandyA

Does this mean we need to wait until next year so Woody and Katrina can be there? I mean, they have been the ones that have brought cases of the best homemade wine I have ever had. Then again, maybe someone can contribute some Apple Pie I keep hearing about. RandyA

Wow, that looks like one of those crashes that happened so quick that loud horns may not have helped. I am, in general, a pretty courteous driver, but when a lane is closed and I have a guy passing everybody because he does not want to slow down like everyone else, I am not too good about letting them merge. That's just one of my pet peeves. Tennessee is now posting merge points and anyone going past those merge points passing slow traffic can be ticketed. One of the main reasons that the 2 into 1 traffic gets so slow is those slowing or stopping to let someone in. That looked like a real bad crash and could have been a lot worse. Glad you made it through this as good as you did. Where were you running in the left lane when this happened? If you were running in the left track, the driver may have felt there was a gap and tried to jump in. Either way, I think when I am in that situation again, I will try to be as visible to those that may be coming up trying to get in, whether it is from the left or right and try to run in the track closest to the merging traffic. If I had been in your situation, I probably would have been nailed because of my blindness in my right eye. Again, glad this was nor worse. RandyA

That brought back memories of when I had Avon Venoms on my 83. When solo above 70 mph, the faster I got, the worse the tail waggle got. When I went to an E-3 on the back, it went away. I loved the way the Avons handled at lower speed and even 2-up, but solo was not good. As soon as the E-3 became available for the front, I got one and even though the bike felt very stable, I still feel the best overall handling was with an Avon front and as E-3 rear. Speaking of stones in this video, some of these guys must have had some big stones to ride these bikes and let go of the handle bars. RandyA

Is this Killboy.com or did you sit and take pictures? RandyA