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Freebird

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Everything posted by Freebird

  1. Freebird
    It is still undecided at this time. It will depend somewhat on WHO steps up to the plate and wants to take the lead. These things don't just happen and we need folks who are local to the rally area who can contact campgrounds, hotels, arrange a dinner, etc. AllenH and I were talking about it while in Kitchener and he suggested "The Hub" in Northern Arkansas. http://www.hubinfo.com/ Anybody close to this area that wants to take on a huge headache? There is also another possibility but I can't mention it yet because it may fizzle before it even gets off the ground. We'll see though.
  2. Freebird
    Have you tried just turning them down a bit but not to "0"? The mic on the Edset's are much more sensitive than on other's that I've used. I've found that keeping it on about 13 works well for us. We can still talk to each other but not a lot of wind noise. Another option is the Mic-Mutes. I have it on my bike and it is really nice. You just quickly toggle the press to talk button for the CB to toggle the intercom on or off. From or rear button will toggle it on or off.
  3. Freebird
    The "wandering" is certainly a sign that you have them too tight. It's hard to describe exactly how to tighten them properly. I just put it on a centerstand or bike stand and gently swing the front end so that it bounces off the left or right stops. It should rebound and then gently come to a stop without swaying back and forth.
  4. Freebird
    Charcoal? Looks kind of bluish to me.
  5. Freebird
    I agree that it is absolutely not the same. I've seen more than one independent analysis of these oils. The 10/40 Mobile on for Autos is also "energy conserving" which means that it has friction modifiers and I would not use it in a bike with a wet clutch.
  6. Freebird
    Jerry, I don't remember, have you ever posted any pictures of the BSA? I love those old bikes and would like to see it.
  7. Freebird
    You will never get a consensus on which brand, synthetic or dino, what weight, etc. Everybody has their own opinion. I am exactly the opposite of FLB, I don't think that motorcycle specific oil is a rip off at all. I use Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10/40 full synthetic and it is certainly not the "worse quality of oil available" Have been using it since 1999 in my '99 RSV and will do so as long as I own it and will likely use it in my next bike also.
  8. Freebird
    I think this is the Firestik AM/FM that I used. They make it in a 3 ft. and a 4 ft. version. http://www.westcoastmall.net/amfm3b-amfm-antenna-p-212.html
  9. Freebird
    I don't know how well it would receive. When I replace my CB antenna with the Firefly, they made a FM antenna that matched it. It looks almost exactly the same but was an FM antenna. Don't know if they still offer it or not.
  10. Freebird
    OK....while I agree that you are SUPER, I actually changed all the moderators to super moderators a while back. It gives you more permission in the admin panel to perform actions that may be necessary. The only exception is V7Goose, he is actually an admin due to the fact that he has a good deal of computer experience and can help me with some of those duties.
  11. Freebird
    It is really a matter of experimenting a bit because it will vary depending on rider and passenger weight. I would suggest that you start with about 30 lbs. in the rear and maybe 0-3 in the front. See how much the rear goes down at that pressure and how the ride feels. If it doesn't sag too much and the ride is not too harsh, that is good. The only aftermarket shock that I know of is from Works Performance. From all that I've read, it is a great upgrade. It does use an external spring and no air. I don't know of anybody using the Star Bar at this point. Maybe there is somebody and they will add their comments. Many people have reported that they do NOT have to extend the cables due to the risers. Most have said that they had to do a bit of re-routing of them in order to get some extra length. I personally went with SS lines as I like them anyway. Really only a couple of things that I can think of right off hand. You will find 5 large connectors on the right side of the fairing. These are for the various audio system functions and etc. Unplug each of them and add a little dielectric grease. They get corroded and can cause some problems. If you plan to use an MP3 player, you might want to pick up a 1/8" stereo splitter cable and a short male to female cable. The auxiliary wire plugs into the back of the cassette deck so that you can plug an MP3 player into it but then you have to leave the cassette door open. If you add a splitter, you can bring out another cable and use it while leaving he cassette door closed. Hopefully somebody else can jump in on this one. I have not seen that but maybe I just didn't look close enough when I changed my tires. I have had good luck with the Michelin tires though and think they are a great choice. I'm trying a set of Avons right now just to compare them to the Michelins. You are very welcome. I'm sure some others will add their own comments to mine.
  12. Freebird
    Well folks, those crazy Canadians that did such a good job on the rally were actually able to persuade Yamaha Canada to show up for us. They brought a couple of bikes, an ATV, a scooter and even a 350HP outboard motor. There were three reps there, two guys and a very nice young lady, and they said that they had strict instructions to bring back several pages of things that we, the customers, want to see on a new Venture. Now I'm not sure how much Yamaha Japan had actually shared with them and they either knew little about the new Venture or else were swore to secrecy. What I was able to get out of them though is that there WILL be a 2009 Venture but that it will probably be pretty much the same as the previous models. I also got the impression that there WILL be an entirely new model for 2010 though. So, I'm not sure how accurate this info is but that was the word. They also admitted though that they are not always given the top secret info and all this could be incorrect. I thought it was great though that Yamaha Canada took the time to come to our rally. They also handed out goody bags with caps, shirts, lanyards, etc. and even attended our wrap-up dinner on Wednesday night. I sure appreciate them a lot more than I do Yamaha USA who won't give us the time of day.
  13. Freebird
    I'm going to ignore that remark. You are probably very tired and not thinking right.
  14. Freebird

    Why Sell?

    Freebird replied to star4772's topic in Watering Hole

    I don't want you folks to think that I am ignoring this thread so decided I had better at least let you know that I HAVE seen it. As for creating a forum for our Wing riders. Man...that is a tough one that I will have to give some thought to. I have no problems personally doing it but I'm not 100% sure that it's the best thing for the club. On the other hand, I don't want anybody to feel that we don't support them and share in their joy of riding whatever they choose to ride. I will try to briefly share my thoughts but I don't know if it will make any sense. The Motorcycle Touring Association was was known as the Venture Touring Society. They were established in 1983 and are still going today. I was once on the BOD there and am still a member. They are a fantastic group of folks and one of the few clubs that I know of that share a close family atmosphere as we do here. After Yamaha stopped making the Venture in 1993, they continued on as the VTS for a few years but then some of their members started trading bikes and with no Venture on the market, many went with Goldwings, Voyagers, BMWs, etc. At some point the decision was made to change the name to the Motorcycle Touring Association as to not discriminate against a member due to the bike they chose to ride. I'll be honest, at the time, I thought it was a great idea. Fast forward a few years and now I'm really on the fence as to whether it was a good idea or not. The old VTS now MTA sort of lost their identity during all the changes. The idea should have worked but I think that many of those riders whom they thought would embrace the change, didn't support them as we all thought they would. The fact is, many found better support and etc. from other brand specific clubs and slowly seemed to drop out. I stopped by their recent rally and saw that there were still more Ventures there than any other make but not enough to sustain it as just a Venture club. The are going to stick with the all brands format and continue to try and grow the club to what it once was. I support them 100% in that direction and will continue to work with them in hopes of getting the membership back up again. They are truly a fine group of folks. So, what does all that have to do with us? A couple of things. 1. This group has become the largest Venture and Royal Star site on the Internet due to the fact that you are great folks, the site is extremely active with questions answered quickly and a lot of very knowledgeable folks here that can answer most any question about the Yamaha V4. Not to mention that it is all FREE unless a member chooses to donate. Due to other very active brand specific clubs dedicated to the Goldwing, BMW, etc., I just don't know that we can compete for those riders and am not sure that losing our "identity" trying to is a good idea. 2. As I said, I am still very close to many of the MTA members and feel that I will be hurting THEM if I try to turn this into an all brands organization. Many, actually most, of their Venture riders are members here also but have also stayed loyal to the MTA. I hope that continues but I'm not sure that I feel good about creating a competition to an "all bikes" club against them either. That's just a personal thing with me though. So, as always, your comments and input is welcome. I said when I started this club 4 years ago that it is "our club, not MY club". Your thoughts and opinions are more important than mine because without you, there would be no VentureRiders. I don't want a single member leaving due to the fact that they have moved to a different brand bike though. This may be the most difficult issue that has come up since the beginning of VentureRider.org
  15. Freebird

    The Trailer

    Freebird replied to a topic in Watering Hole

    Hey...I paid my money and took my chances also...in fact...all but ONE PERSON did that. BUT...I DID win a really cool digital picture frame that you just put your SD card from your camera in and it loops a continuous slide show. VERY COOL. I can tell you this, the winner of the trailer was very excited about it, as well he should have been. Last year it was won by Clay and though we were all happy for him, he wasn't there for us to share in his excitement. This time the winner happened to be there and it was really great to see.
  16. Freebird
    If anybody can get it even close to my house, I could get it on down to at LEAST Cincinnati, maybe even all the way to Indie if I need to. I have a trailer here so whomever gets it this far could take their trailer back with them.
  17. Freebird
    It takes about 10 minutes to CHECK them. Now if they are pulling the fairing, repacking the bearings, etc....then yes, that is very fair. I seriously doubt that is the case though. In my opinion, they shouldn't even be talking hours and payment. It is a 2007 model and is under warranty. They should figure out what is causing the problem before talking to you about what it might cost.
  18. Freebird

    It's over....

    Freebird replied to a topic in Watering Hole

    Just checking in and letting everybody know that Dylan and I arrived safely home around 2:00 PM. Heavy rain from Kitchener to the Peace Bridge but a pretty nice day after that. Thanks again for the great times and will post more later.
  19. Freebird

    It's over....

    Freebird replied to a topic in Watering Hole

    The Canadian crew put on a first class event. I can't think of anything that I could have done better or would have done differently. Location, food, everything was fantastic. My only regret is that it is over now. Dylan and I are still in Kitchener at the hotel. We'll be pulling out here in an hour or two. Of course after a week of perfect weather, it is thundering, lightening, raining right now so Dylan may get to experience the "weather" side of motorcycle touring.
  20. Freebird
    Yes, there were some on both sides of the issue deleted. Nothing of real sustenance, just personal attacks. No reason for it.
  21. Freebird
    This is interesting to me because this is the first time I've heard of anybody being able to obtain an "I" basket. The word until this was that it was ONLY available from Yamaha as a warranty replacement. Make sure you are actually getting an "I" basket and please let us know if you do get it.
  22. Freebird
    You guys have described all of this pretty well. I'll just add one thing. It was mentioned that they should be OK but every person that I know who has checked these floats have found them to be WAY off. I agree that they probably should not change but either they DO change or else Yamaha was very sloppy when they assembled them. Most people have found that no two are set the same height and MOST are very high. This is NOT a difficult job. A bit time consuming but some of you make it sound like an engine overhaul. I would say that anybody with a mediocre skill level and willing to just take their time can do this with no problem.
  23. Freebird
    I've replace mine with Firstick Fireflys. If you want something that looks more like the OEM though, you might check with http://www.sierra-mc.com They have several replacement styles. Just don't go to Yamaha for it...that are CRAZY when it comes to price.
  24. Freebird
    I would LOVE to see a Meet and Eat Jam session. I am in for that one.
  25. Freebird
    Yeppers...I'll have my Colortune and my Carbtune at the International Rally.
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