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Semi-retired

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  1. Semi-retired
    By "difference in price".....do you mean, because they're much cheaper.......or.......even though they're more money? :-)
  2. Semi-retired
    I'm either becoming an "EXPERT".......or an "IDIOT" about tires for this bike ('03 Midnight) Tried to google an actual DUNLOP official site so I could give my local guy a chance to bid on selling them to me.......by providing him with an EXACT tire model number. I googled MT90B16, based on the number that I picked out of a BratmanXj post, above. Here's a result I got: Stuccu: Best Deals on Dunlop MT90B16 Buy Exclusive Deals 70 OFF Save Big Lowest Price On Dunlop MT90B16 Best In Stock Fast Free Shipping. Up to 70% off! ......which, strangely, showed Fronts, Rears and about six different tread patterns. WTF. Does that model number not "stand for" ONE FRIGGIN TIRE? Maybe the name of that website is pronounced "stuck-you".....as in YOU BOUGHT THE WRONG TIRE......I stuck you with it!!
  3. Semi-retired
    Thanks very much for your contribution, Ed. You must live in the country-side, like I used to, as a kid. (Or you've got one HELLUVA big garage!) Why? It just kills me that you apparently "stumbled" across an old tire that you apparently had on your bike a year or so ago.......that it's bald.........and that you STILL own it!! God bless America and her wide open spaces! (unless, of course, you live in downtown LA! :-)
  4. Semi-retired
    Lots of possible reasons for that........like, he's retired.......you're working! :-)
  5. Semi-retired
    One last post.....Just for today's giggle.....then I'll shut up! I had sent a quick note to J&P Cycles to ask them about what I thought was a strange "vintage/model" discrimination on their Fitment listing for tires for the Venture. (Remember, mine's a 2003 Midnight......) So, here's what I asked: Can you please tell me the difference between these two tires on your fitment page? Thanks. Royal Star Venture Midnight XVZ1300TFM : 2004–2007 Royal Star Venture Midnight XVZ1300TFS : 2002–2003 Here's the answer I got back today (2 days later): Hi, I have checked with a technician and the m on the end means it is a middle model. The s means it is a sport model. then they came out in 2008 with the touring venture. And are you wanting the front and rear tire or just the front I will need to know the brand of tire that is on the bike. Great fun!
  6. Semi-retired
    Thanks so much to all you guys for walking me through my tire-buying dilemma. With your help, I've figured out exactly what I'm gonna buy......and I even found a place (Motorcycle Helmets and Superstore - Gear, Parts, and Accessories - Canada's Motorcycle) where I can pick them up for lower cost than if I traveled "over the river" into the Excited States of America!! (Long live the queen!.....Sorry, Obabma!) I owe you guys all a beer; drop in when you're up visiting the Falls!
  7. Semi-retired
    I'm six feet even.....but STILL have a bit of toe-touching going on (MAN what a high bike)....but, I'll be honest with you: I've dropped my Venture twice at 0.5MPH and both times were in asphalt parking lots.....while I still had my 150 front. Never happened once Squidley got me fixed up with my 130 Avon.
  8. Semi-retired
    I hear ya on the "recommendation" thingy. Surprised to hear you say the 130 has a higher load rating than the 150; that make sense? (Or were you saying the "other way around"?) Thanks for the tip to look at the "ply"-style. Who'd a thunk? I just kind-of assumed all Dunlop bike tires would be radials. I see not so!
  9. Semi-retired
    Didn't QUITE........but ALMOST got into an "argument" with the guy on J&P's chatline about putting a 130 on the front of the Venture. He said (and I quote) "Im sorry, but that isn't what that wheel is designed to take, so I cannot recommend it. " That was a conversation about putting a "skinny" Elite 3 on the front. So, what's the scoop on that? I told him I already have an Avon Venom 130 on there.....and I could almost hear him shaking his head over the line. I guess the first question is.......IS THERE a 130 Elite 3 available ANYWHERE for the front? 2nd question: would I be advised to put an Elite "American" 130 on instead (slightly diff tread pattern)? 3rd: should I just put on the 150 and learn to wrestle with it in parking lots? Sorry to drag this thread out, guys.....but I'm gonna live with this decision for 3 or 4 years! Thanks for any input. Michael
  10. Semi-retired
    Everything OLD is NEW again (Archimedes), buddy! That's why I revived this conversation. (Lot's of "current" comments on here now!) I just wanted to get the "state of the nation"......and I think I did. It seems the tide has gone out on Venoms and it's a whole new ball game with Elite 3's. Cheers, Michael
  11. Semi-retired
    Thanks, bud!
  12. Semi-retired
    Here's the transcript from my subsequent chat with BikeBandit: Jerome - Senoir Sales Rep: Im sorry, I searched everywhere and I cannot locate the tires you are needing. Its not that they are not made but we are unfortunately not offering them at this time mws.michaelwilliamscott@gmail.com: That's kinda strange.....a fellow on my Venture Owner's site said you not only had them but were offering a $50 discount for purchases between now and......X date. Jerome - Senoir Sales Rep: That is odd. Im not seeing the sizes that you are needing. We offer those brands but not the size you want mws.michaelwilliamscott@gmail.com: Here it is via cut and paste: I just looked at bikebandit.com at their E3s, and their site says from March 1 - April 30, Dunlop is giving a $50 mail-in rebate if you buy two Dunlop tires! Jerome - Senoir Sales Rep: Correct that is the offer going on but the sizes you are needing are not available mws.michaelwilliamscott@gmail.com: So....yeah, it doesn't say anything about size. I'll have to notify the "clan". LOL. OK....thanks for your trouble for looking. Cheers! So......looked good for a minute......but, ain't gonna happen!
  13. Semi-retired
    Thanks for yet another vote for the EIII's. Can you (or anyone else) provide an exact size and model name/number for the ones that fit our bike? (see my BikeBandit chat for reason why! :-) )
  14. Semi-retired
    I'm going to be VERY cautious if I deal with BikeBandit.......here's a transcript of my phone chat with them.......... Cesar - Sales Rep: Front tire in the Venom is 148.95 Cesar - Sales Rep: Click here to see Front tire Cesar - Sales Rep: unfortunately that tire Doesnt offer the rear for your machine Cesar - Sales Rep: And the Elite 3 Doesnt offer the Rear either.. Cesar - Sales Rep: Let me check if i can find you a matching set.. Cesar - Sales Rep: Maybe check out Dunlop D404 Cesar - Sales Rep: we dont offer many with a matching set in those sizes. HUH???
  15. Semi-retired
    Thanks, buddy. That's the kind of comment I've been hoping to see. (Not because I'M currently a Venom user......but because there always seems to be "new, exciting" stuff coming out of the woodwork....and I wanna make sure I don't "make a mistake" by buying "yesterday's" tire! My followup question/comment is: I remember when my Venoms were new, their distinctive "curvy-groove" tread design, with somewhat of a "sparse" pattern.....that, to me, looked a little "slick-ish". So, how do you get a good read on the wear factor of such a tire? (I guess what I'm saying is.....my dealer, who says they're bald now and need replacement.....has a little more "vested interest" in my putting on new tires RIGHT NOW! :-)
  16. Semi-retired
    So Paul, assuming YOU put the majority of the miles on your 83, you must have put on about TEN sets of tires. That would make YOU the "de facto" RSV tie expert on this forum, wouldn't it? Please tell me you didn't put on ten sets of Dunlop 404's and that you have at least one other brand/model to compare to! Thanks for any "competitive" comparisons. Michael
  17. Semi-retired
    Well.....those are all good things, Andy! But as far a solution to your "mystery" goes.......you and your bike are certainly making it difficult for us aspiring "Inspectors Clouseau"! Had (m)any other "submissions" of interest? Can't recall if some or all of the "obvious" questions have been asked: 1. Was the bike under lock and key? 2. Is the gas cap under lock and key? 3. Is any OTHER vehicle on the property "down a quart?" 4. Has this ever happened before....to ANY machinery on your property? 5. How's the gas mileage TODAY? 6. Have you set up security cameras since the incident? Wow. Tough one!
  18. Semi-retired
    I'll get a price on those......thanks. (No worries on the front size being other than stock; I already went "thinner" with my Avons when I put them on last time. I hear ya!
  19. Semi-retired
    Thanks........you're a pal! What's the expression??......"with friends like that.....who needs XXXXX" I'll just have to get down there again and "average my losses" as they say in the market! Cheers, m
  20. Semi-retired
    OK, then.......the only other contribution I can offer is that this same phenomenon happened to my 1982 Suzuki GS1100G, shafty, and the "mystery" in THAT case turned out to be that the fuel tap had been left on........as it OFTEN is with bikes these days.......and I'd had a carb float "issue" (either with a stuck needle or a cracked float....resulting in its "sinking").....so that a huge quantity of gasoline drained from the tank, through the carburetor float-bowl....down the intake manifold......and eventually right down into the crankcase. So, this is a very REAL possibility......and if it's what happened to YOU.....be VERY cautious about starting/running your engine at all before checking the "integrity" of your engine oil. Start by checking engine oil level (via inspection window, dipstick, whatever.......then pull the drain plug remove a good "sample amount", 1/2 a pint or so, and look at and smell the oil to see if it hasn't been "polluted" by a possible internal fuel leak. Good luck......and let us know the outcome!
  21. Semi-retired
    On the same subject of "HORRIBLE GAS MILEAGE".....I had a one spark plug go south on me and, you'd think that with "one quarter" of your engine not providing power....you'd notice it in "performance" almost immediately. But for some strange reason......maybe because the engine puts out SO MUCH power when it IS running on all four.....I didn't really notice the performance thing, UNTIL I noticed the gas consumption phenomenon. Then and ONLY then, I tried hammering on the throttle......and it was missing and farting and stuttering all over the place. So.........after all THAT.............changed your plugs in the last 3 or 4 years???
  22. Semi-retired
    Well.......I (sorta) hate to say it......but, I sure hope you're wrong.......cause I've talked to their "service coordinator" on the phone....TWICE, prior to arriving at their service desk with the machine yesterday.....and both times I gave him the year, make and model (and they are THE ONLY Yamaha dealer in the region, so if there are any "local" Ventures around, they were sold by them)......and both times he said quite succinctly....it's a 2 and a half hour job and our shop rate is $86 per hour.....so, about $200 - $250 for the job. If they have any dreams of "monkeying around" with that (twice)-quoted estimate "after the fact".....they'll wish they'd never met me. (Don't mean to try and sound "threatening"......but I'm not just a small-c consumer advocate........I take people to court. :-) On the carbs.....yeah, I thought someone MIGHT mention some kind of tune-up factor there. I'll do those myself the NEXT time I'm doing a big tear-down. I actually LIKE carbs. I used to play with the SU carbs on all our family's Triumph, MG and Mini (British Leyland) inventory when I was a kid. I hear ya on that count. Having worked for Mistubishi Electric Consumer Electronics division for 10 years......and seeing how maniacal their engineers are, it's no doubt the Japanese penchant for doing things PERFECTLY (usually :-) ) that accounts for the maintenance cycle being as long as it is. (I'm actually surprised they didn't "invent" some kind of new technology ......other than the "ancient" tappet, hydraulic or shim method for "lifting" their valves. So last Tuesday!! :-) ) Just received a phone call from the dealer....telling me how "bald" both my tires are......and they've "found some Bridgestone Exedra's" that, if I give them the go ahead....by no later than 15 minutes ago......they can have them installed by the time I come to pick up the bike. "ONLY $242.99 for the front and $282.99 for the back" (I think I paid $300 for the Avons that Squidley got me.......front and back combined.......so, this probably isn't a deal at all!) Maybe this is how they think they're gonna make up for lowballing the valve-clearance job?!?! Any suggestions for tires? Brand? Model? Shop/seller?
  23. Semi-retired
    Good response, Dion, thanks! I appreciate your getting back to me......AND I appreciate what you're saying. (I was WONDERING if anyone would make the "sparkplug comment"; it's a DEFINITE must-do......normally......and I WOULD do it except that I just replaced them last summer! Thanks, though.) And, yes, the dealer says they would normally do a coolant flush at the same time. I guess I'll let them go ahead and do it THIS TIME. (I rode the bike over yesterday during our first 7 deg Celsius day since last November. That's 44 for you folks! Speaking of which......I understand you set record temperatures down your way yesterday!?! Why couldn't you do that when I was down there........two weeks ago! :-) ) Cheers, Michael
  24. Semi-retired
    That's the OTHER thing I meant to ask in my post to Goose: How DEADLY CRITICAL is it to check the valve shims on the manufacturer's recommended schedule? I ask because: I haven't had this done in 55,000 kilometers........but Seaking (and I know OTHERS) haven't had it done in 55,000 MILES!!!.......and I don't hear many stories about burned valves. So, on a scale of 1 to 10........where's this fall? Also, given that it IS such an "intrusive" maintenance item, is there no way other than DOING IT.......to determine whether you actually NEED IT?? i.e. WITHOUT spending the $300 at the shop? Seems like a crazy question, I know......but to me, it sounds sort of like doing a heart transplant.......just IN CASE you might have a heart attack. I think of it as being (somewhat) analogous to tearing your engine right down to the crankshaft in order to check your mainbearing clearances. You'd NEVER do that, however. So, what are the "possible" consequences of not chequing valve clearances? Burned valve face. Burned valve seat. Both. Resulting compression loss. Out-of-balance combustion. So, how would the cost of replacing a burned valve compare? Anybody BURNED a valve or two on their Venture by NOT checking clearances? Just askin.
  25. Semi-retired
    Hey, Kent......thanks for the magnificent post! I LOVE being able to review all the things MY DEALER will be doing for me, to prevent cussing a blue streak, taking my bike out of commission for two weeks.......and ripping the skin off three or four knuckles!! :-) As you say, it's WORTH paying him to do it. I already phoned the dealer and got the quote...2.5 shop hours at $86 per hr......so it works out to just about the cost you mention. However, I'm curious to know how in heck these guys do it in that short a timeframe IF, in fact, they do everything YOU'VE listed here. I know they're good.......but are they as THOROUGH as "we" would be? Are there NO shortcuts they take that you may not be aware of? I'd love to hang around the shop and watch them do my job, but of course the chances of that happening are one in a thousand......or worse! New subject: You mention doing a coolant change at the same time. (It only makes sense if you've got things torn down this far.) Is there anything else that SHOULD be done at the same time.....given the state of dis-assembly? It would be interesting to know this ahead of time so that a) I can INSTRUCT them to do things I WANT, so I can economize with regard to THEIR shoptime and my bike's DOWNTIME.......and b) so I can anticipate the list of things they'll SUGGEST I have them do "while they're in there"! Thanks for any tips. Michael
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