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skydoc_17

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Everything posted by skydoc_17

  1. skydoc_17
    Hey Les, The Roadstar front calipers have the steel pistons. If you flush/bleed the front brake system yearly, this will minimize the rust problem. Brake fluid should be the color of water, if it is any other color, then it is time for a flush/bleed job. I have a set of aluminum pistons from an R1 if you are interested. Have a look at this link, it shows the S.S. line set I offer with the modified VMAX splitter and S.S. mounting bracket. http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=4052&title=second-gens-sbrake-2fclutch-5-line-set-21&cat=22 I have it in stock in black, but can order it in Silver, red, blue and green. I keep a full line of EBC HH pads for your bike in stock. If you have any other questions, or need parts, please feel free to PM me. Earl
  2. skydoc_17
    If I had this much free time on my hands, I think I would go for a ride on my bike! Instead of sitting around thinking up ridiculous rules about how many patches of what kind I am allowed to wear on my jacket!?!? This is the very reason I ride my bike in the first place! To get away from the rules, and the silly rule makers. Out on the road, there are only two rules, #1-twist right hand until grin appears, #2-lift left foot to engage next gear. REPEAT! Motorcycle riding is a way of life, NOT a fashion statement. Perhaps we should change the name of the riding club from STAR Touring to: Stop Trying to Act Ridiculous! Now there's a S.T.A.R. Patch I would gladly wear on my jacket! If STAR spent as much time and money on figuring out how to put a fuel injected engine in their touring bike, or getting rid of the antique cassette deck in the dash, as they did compiling this pile of dung, perhaps they wouldn't be loosing so many members. After all, how many people do they think they're going to be able to sell a "BRAND NEW" 14 year old motorcycle to? I don't care WHAT color you paint it? And just for the record, when Yamaha built the First Gen. MKI in 1983, by 1986, they came out with the MKII version, with a larger engine and Carbs. and many other improvements. That bike was built for ten years. The Second Gen. has been produced since 1999, (14 years) NO MKII version produced, unless you want to count the reversing of the battery terminals on the post 06' models as the "MKII" version. Which in this case would mean that the "MK" would stand for MaKe it harder to buy a decent battery for your bike! I'm not making this stuff up folks, just reminding you that this is NOT the first bung that "Yamaha, In all Their Wisdom", has humped. I just hope that Yamaha still remembers how to build a decent Piano if they expect to keep selling the Second Gen. RSV unchanged for another 10 years. Earl
  3. skydoc_17
    I ride my motorcycle to feel the wind in my face, To relieve the tensions of the day. To feel the power of the engine between my legs. I ride to explore new places, to visit my friends and fellow motorcycle riders. I ride to share the adventure of the open road with my wife Jean, who also chooses to ride for the above reasons. I wear a jacket and/or a vest to keep me warm and dry, and to protect me in the event of an accident. I am an adult, I paid for my motorcycle with my own, hard earned money. If I have chosen to join a STAR motorcycle club, or ANY other riding club for that matter, and you don't particularly care for the patches or stickers on my vest, jacket or helmet, then please feel free to ride ahead of me, (if you can) or ride behind me, but DON'T TREAD ON ME! I have been around long enough to know that there will be elitist snobs everywhere you go that will screw up a good thing. If this means I will ride with a smaller group, or alone, then so be it. I ride for the personal pleasure riding gives ME. I wear the patches and stickers on my vest that please ME. It's not my job to please YOU. I'm not your mother, and I'm certainly not your wife, so if the president of any club I joined told me I could only wear HIS patch, then I would be taking my scoot, (and a dues refund) to a road where I could feel the wind on my face, and the power of the engine between my legs......I'm sure you get my point. Earl
  4. skydoc_17
    Hey Paul, When you get your funds right, I will be happy to help you with the Clutch Spring Upgrade. I have attached a pic of the Idle Adjustment thumb screw on the First Gens. With the left side cover removed, the adjustment screw is in between the two left side Carbs., facing down at a 30 degree angle. Rotate the screw clock wise to increase the idle speed. Set the RPM's to 1000 using the Tach in the dash. No tools required. Earl
  5. skydoc_17
    Thanks very much for the Birthday wishes! I am usually at work by this time of the morning, but I decided to take the day off and go for a "Joy Ride" on my 87'VR. Things have been so busy lately with the move to the new house, and shop that I ALMOST forgot my birthday. Family and friends will gather this evening to invade the local steak house where we will lift our glasses to fellow riding brothers and sisters that are still with us, and those that are not. As I reflect on the previous year this morning, I have come to realize that many things in my life have changed recently. My address for one, (who would have ever thought that I would be buying a new house at my age!) My job, (I accepted a new promotion at work 2 months ago) But, I have also come to realize that some things HAVE NOT changed! (for all of the VR.ORG members that came by, or called, or sent a PM or email, I thank you for the well wishes) I move just a bit slower now, I awake every morning with some new, and interesting aches and pains that I never had before, I tire just a bit sooner that I used to, but I am also slower to anger, I listen more than I speak, I spend more "quality time" with my wife, my family and my friends, and I take the time to do a job right the first time, because my many years on this planet have allowed me to fully appreciate what happens when I rush thru a project! Over the years I have amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge, and I am finally starting to connect the wisdom that goes with the knowledge to good use. Now, if I could only put my brain pan in the BODY of a 20 year old, Life would be GOOD! Thanks again for the well wishes, Earl
  6. skydoc_17
    Hey Paul, If you are talking about the Second Gen. bike, then you need the basic Second Gen. Clutch Spring Upgrade Kit I offer in the Classifieds. Even when not running, that single Clutch diaphragm Spring has been under tension for 14 years! Here's the link: http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3763&title=second-genheavy-duty-clutch-spring-upgrade-kit-21&cat=22 If you are talking about your First Gen. bike, then there are a set of 6 compression springs in that motor. They don't usually go bad from sitting. Aligning the "notches" on the friction discs is not mandatory. If the clutch lever pulls in, then you have the pressure plate clocked correctly. With either bike, if the clutch is slipping, then there is not enough spring tension on the steel clutch plates and clutch friction discs. Earl
  7. skydoc_17
    Hey Lewis, I have a kit that bolts right onto the First Gens. It has a braided S.S. line from the front M/C to the modified VMAX front Brake Splitter, a S.S. adapter bracket to mount the VMAX front brake splitter to the stock VR location, and two braided S.S. lines to your stock front calipers, or two R1 Calipers. (your choice) This link will show you pics of the 4 S.S. line set I offer for the First Gens. but since you have a trike, you will not need the rear line, or the block off plug, so I can offer you this kit at a reduced price. Here is the link: http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3878&title=first-gens-sbrake-line-delink-kit-21&cat=22 I have this kit in stock, if you are interested, please feel free to PM me. Earl
  8. skydoc_17
    Hey Ed, As was mentioned, I offer a few kits for the Second Gens to solve your problem. The first kit is the HD Clutch Diaphragm Spring, One FULL Friction Disc to replace the 1/2 Friction Disc in the rear of the Clutch Pac, Here is the link: http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3763&title=second-genheavy-duty-clutch-spring-upgrade-kit-21&cat=22 The second kit is the 7 remaining Genuine Yamaha Clutch Friction Discs. Here is the link: http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3854&title=first-and-second-gen7-new-genuine-yamaha-clutch-friction-discs-21&cat=22 With both kits installed, you would have a better than new stock clutch, and you would be able to enjoy many trouble free miles of riding. The kits come with complete step by step instructions, with color pics. You will also receive my personal email address and personal cell phone number. If ANY questions arise during the install, you just pick up the phone for help in REAL TIME. The job takes about 2 hours your first time, and can be done with a few simple tools. The clutch basket does NOT need to be removed. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me Ed. It would be my pleasure to help you with this project. Earl
  9. skydoc_17
    Well, The dust has settled a bit since Jean and I have moved into our new home! I have gone thru all of my Classified Ads in the "Member Vendor" section, and they are all updated now. My new shop is still a "Mountain" of boxes, but I have found all of my kit parts, and can ship anything needed. Here is a link to the Classified Ads: http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=500&ppuser=4738 It would be my pleasure to help any VR.ORG Member with their winter projects! Earl and Jean
  10. skydoc_17
    Both jean and I are sad to hear of Wilkie's recent accident! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. We will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Earl and Jean
  11. skydoc_17
    Hey Aaron, I was hoping that you would call again after your ride, but this will do. Drain the 10 wt. oil from the forks, and go to the 15 wt. oil. Remove the spacing washers from the fork tops and start over. As I mentioned, there is a fine tuning process with these progressive springs. Be patient, it will work out. Don't be afraid to use your cell phone. Many members have me on "speed dial"!:crackup:Think of how proud you will be when you finally get this sorted out. Earl
  12. skydoc_17
    Hey Rosie, That rear rotor looks to be off of a Virago, it is definatlly NOT off of a MKII VR! You got some shopping to do! How long have you owned this motorcycle? Who did you purchase it from? I have a MKII VR rear rotor, and EBC HH pads available if this would help. Feel free to PM me. Or you could try Ebay. Yamaha gets about $350.00 for a new one. Earl
  13. skydoc_17
    Being the kind of man Larry is, and knowing that our anger stems from just how much a part of the VR.ORG family he is to us, I am sure that he holds no grudge towards this young fellow that was driving. Personally, this accident has caused me to reflect on a lot of the dumb things that I did as a young man. I am in no way trying to downplay the fact that because of the careless act of this young person, our good friend and fellow VR.ORG brother lies in a hospital with possible life changing injuries. For that, I am very angry. BUT I would ask us all to remember when we ourselves were young, and if we made a list of the people that NEVER made a mistake, I am sure it would be a VERY short list! This is how each and every one of us learned how to be the responsible adults we are today. By making mistakes, and learning from them, and trying to do better next time. I hope and pray that Larry will be up and riding in no time at all, and I also pray that the young man that crashed into Larry will NEVER make this kind of mistake again. I believe that it is our duty as adults, to teach the next generation how to be better people. Let us not pass up this opportunity to say a prayer for Larry, AND this young man as well. BOTH will bear the scars of this accident for the rest of their lives. Earl
  14. skydoc_17

    Fix Cleaner

    skydoc_17 replied to Skid's topic in Watering Hole

    Hey Skid, I use AVG for my virus protection. They have a product called, "PC Tune Up" that is also an excellent product. If you go to the AVG web site, you can try PC Tune Up once for free. With the free trial, you will need to select and run the several options for computer speed up, (the paid version does this automatically) and it really sped up my computer. I actually purchased the product after using the free trial, but you don't need to do that. If you are not a computer "nerd", this is the way to go in my opinion. Earl
  15. skydoc_17
    Hey Mike, Jean and I were away from home, (I forgot my phone) we were shocked to hear of Larry's accident. I was very glad that NO other riders were involved in this mishap. Both Jean and I send our best wishes to Larry and Joyce for a speedy recovery. Earl and Jean.
  16. skydoc_17
    Hey Paul, With brake fluid being hygroscopic, (it draws water to itself) the fluid is actually pulling the moisture into the clutch slave thru the leaking seal. The reason the fluid turns brown is because the moisture boils when the clutch lever is engaged, and the result is carbon deposits which turn the fluid brown. Another substance that has carbon deposits in it is called "lapping compound". It is VERY abrasive, as is the brown brake fluid. The slave is toast! You will continue to fight this loosing battle until the contaminated fluid takes out the Master Cylinder completely, or finishes off the slave. If I were going to change out the slave, I would also rebuild the master cylinder as well. I personally bleed my brakes and clutch lines yearly, because a bottle of brake fluid is a LOT cheaper than a clutch slave, or master cylinder. Just my thoughts, for what they are worth. Earl
  17. skydoc_17
    Hey Owen, Changing the clutch fluid is a very good thing, but because the fluid doesn't "circulate" in the braking system, it is very important to "bleed" the new fluid down to the Clutch Slave. On the lower left side of your motorcycle, you will see a black rubber boot. Lift off this boot, and you will see the bleeder valve for the clutch slave. I like to use a little PB Blaster, (or WD40) on the bleeder valve to loosen it up a bit, you don't want to wring that puppy off. Use an 8MM boxed end wrench, and crack the bleeder about 1/4 turn counter clock wise. Squeeze the clutch lever and hold it, then re tighten the bleeder valve. Squeeze the lever a few times, and repeat the procedure. Crack the bleeder, squeeze the clutch lever, and re tighten the bleeder. Needless to say, keep the clutch reservoir filled with fluid, and be sure to put the top of the reservoir back on, and COVER ANY Painted surfaces BEFORE you start to squirt brake fluid all over the place! I like to attach a clear plastic section of tubing on the bleeder to control the squirting of the fluid. I submerge the other end of the tubing in a bottle of brake fluid to keep the clutch slave from "sucking air" but it is not a must. Earl
  18. skydoc_17
    I would expect a Final Drive to get well above 100 degrees under normal operating temps. What I have seen is, the nose of the Final Drive being short, so when you tighten the four nuts that thread onto the studs at the nose of the Final Drive, The rear wheel axle is NOT perpendicular to the drive shaft axis. Yamaha actually makes a shim for this. I also make one. To check for this issue, raise the bike so the rear wheel is off the ground slightly, and level. unscrew the four acorn bolts on the nose of the Final Drive, give the rear wheel a shake, and see if the nose of the Final Drive pulls away from the Drive Shaft Housing. If it does, a shim on the nose of the Final Drive will return the Final Drive to perpendicularity, and reduce the heat caused by the binding Final Drive and Rear Wheel. You can also see this issue in tire wear if your swing arm bushings are up to snuff. You will see scuffing on the outer edges of the rear tire due to the axle misalignment. Earl
  19. skydoc_17
    After 7 closing attempts, My Bank Rep quitting, and the previous owner stealing everything that wasn't bolted down in the garage the day before we moved in, we finally got to sleep in our "new to us" house the first weekend in Sept! My 55 year old brother, my 75 year old uncle, my 16 year old nephew, and Jean and myself, gutted the house, hung 58 sheets of dry wall, all new carpet, vinyl flooring, oak laminate flooring, and a kitchen make over in 24 days. While I worked a 12 hour shift 6-7 days a week during the month of August. I have attached a few pics. I humbly apologize to anyone who has tried to contact me, or has purchased any items during the renovation of the new house, or the move in. Our computer service was just connected on Monday, and my "old" computer crashed a week before the move. I know that I owe a few people items from the Classifieds. Please bear with me, as we unpack the MANY boxes that have made the trek from the old to the new house. My email has changed, my address has changed, my computer has changed, but in short order, I hope to have everything up and running again. If you have recently purchased an item, please feel free to contact me thru a PM and as soon as the Psychic we hired arrives, I am sure we will find that box that has your parts in it, and get them right out to you!:crackup:Mark, (Mag1101) stopped by over the weekend to see if I was still kickin', and it was great to see a fellow VR.ORG member. There are still many things to do, but at least we are making progress. My new email address and address will be in my profile shortly, if you have an interest in the items in the Classifieds, please contact me directly thru a PM, the Paypal email address has NOT been changed in the ads yet. Thanks to all for their concern, and I hope to have my "New Shop" up and running in the coming months. Earl and Jean.
  20. skydoc_17
    First Off, I still have a few sets of the MKI Block Off Plates made up! Here is the link: http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3777&title=first-genmki-vr-anti-dive-s-sblock-off-plates-21&cat=22 Second Off, Jimmyenglish, in your pic, your rotor looks like a MKI Rotor. Do you need Block Off plates for an 83' to 85' VR? I apologize for the delay, I am in the process of moving to a new home, with a much bigger shop, and have not completed the move yet. Earl
  21. skydoc_17
    Hey Verner, Considering that you have a 1.3 Liter, 4 cylinder, unshielded engine, between your legs, with open exhaust pipes running down both sides of your bike, it's a wonder that we ALL don't burst into flames!:crackup:With summertime temps running in the 80+ degree range, your bike is operating normally. If that thermostat was stuck closed, you would have coolant shooting 5 feet in the air. Some suggestions to keep the heat off of your lower body would be to give up the sandals and shorts for a good pair of jeans, thick socks, and a good pair of ankle high leather boots. Stop lugging thru town, and get that bike out on the open road where you can get some air moving across that engine. I hardly feel the heat at all when I am going 75MPH! The point is Verner, it's summertime, it's hot, and this is the price you pay to ride one of the "coolest" bikes on the planet. So "man up", put on some gear, and get that bike out on the highway mister! You never see a dog complain about how hot it is in a car, as long as he can stick his head out the window, and let his tongue hang out! (I hope you will take this insight in the spirit in which it was meant) Earl
  22. skydoc_17
    Hey Roger, Welcome to the forum! There are a few people here that know just a bit about the Second Gen. RSV! I have replied to your email, and I have those kit parts in stock. Once payment is received, you will have your Clutch Spring Kit before next weekend. I will send you a file with complete written instructions, with color pics. It's a shame that you discovered our "little group" because your bike is broken, but it is your good luck that we are all here to make you feel at home, and will have you back on the road in no time. Stick around, you may accidentally find out a few things about your bike, and make some new friends that share the same passion for these wonderful machines as you do. It's great to have you with us! Earl
  23. skydoc_17
    Hey JB, Very Nice Addition of the Rear Speakers to your VR! I especially like the "Mixer Monkey" feature on the rear trunk rack! As always JB, GREAT thinking out of the box on a speaker system that should have been on this bike from the get go! Ya' done good! Earl
  24. skydoc_17
    Hey Rick, The two kits linked below will basically give you a new, better than stock clutch set up. http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3763&title=second-genheavy-duty-clutch-spring-upgrade-kit-21&cat=22 http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3854&title=first-and-second-gen7-new-genuine-yamaha-clutch-friction-discs-21&cat=22 I would gladly ship these kits to one of the New York VR.ORG Members so the kits would be there for you during your visit. As of this writing, I plan to attend the International this year Rick, but there is a pretty good chance that I might be moving to a new location during the time of the rally. I would be more than happy to personally install these clutch kits for you if I do attend the International. I am sure that there will be many members there that can help you with the install. The important thing is to have the kits there to affect the install. It would be my pleasure to help you with this project!
  25. skydoc_17
    Speed Bleeders are a useful little do dad if your braking system is COMPLETELY FULL OF BRAKE FLUID, but if you have air in the brake lines, like right after you install the Speed Bleeders, when you compress the foot pedal, or squeeze the right front brake lever, the air in the line compresses, but there is not enough fluid force to open the ball valve in the Speed Bleeder to allow the air to escape. With the extra force of the Vacuum Pump, you were able to get enough brake fluid to the Speed Bleeder to open the one way ball valve. Once the system is purged of air, then the Speed Bleeder works okie dokey. I'm a little old fashion about bleeding brakes, I like a clear plastic tube on the standard bleeder valve, and the tube submerged in a bottle of brake fluid. You can see the fluid moving, and you can see the air bubbles coming out of the brake line. For someone that doesn't bleed their brakes often, Speed Bleeders can make a bad situation worse. If you have rebuilt a Master Cylinder, or replaced a front or rear caliper, you might do better to install a standard bleeder valve in the brake system until you get good fluid flow to the caliper, or from the Master Cylinder. If the Speed Bleeder allows the owner of a motorcycle to flush his braking system more often, then I am all for them. BUT there are times when a Speed Bleeder will compound a pesky brake job into something worse. Earl
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