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Seaking

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  1. Seaking
    It happened to a couple of local Venture owners I spoke with afterwards.. they say it's something that happens on very hot days, especially to the black bikes. It's apparently more common than you'd think from what I'm hearing. One gent tells me he lays his white sheepskin seat cover over the tank to take some of that heat away when parked in the sun for long periods of time. Go figure, yesterday, riding back roads mostly I managed to get 210 miles before needing reserve and the fuel indications were back to normal.. Was the other day a fluke of nature? Hard to tell.. but something to be aware of.
  2. Seaking
    Definitely good to hear as I was wondering about lowering the bike for myself.. Though after 3,500 miles in 4 weeks I'm getting used to the heaviness of the bike, I'm still wishing it was a tad lower. I'm also vertically challenged at 5'9" and 30" inseam.. How's the clearances for leaning though, any risk of scrapes? Giving the choice, would leveling links work as effective as lowering the front and rear, if leg length wasn't too much an issue? Leveling links are a cheaper alternative to lowering both front and rear of the bike, isn't it? however, like you, being short on the inseam, bringing the bike down instead of up would be the better option.. Hmmmmmm
  3. Seaking
    Yesterday, I had been out on a full long day's ride on the 06 Midnight Venture and ran into a weird problem. (the bike is a Yank bike but I'm in Canada) As I understand it, and as it has always done, the low fuel light comes on around 170 miles and allows me roughly 12-20 miles more before actually getting to the reserve.. I've never actually gone to the point of having to switch to reserve at that point. I've gotten to 210 miles before hitting reserve. At around 170 miles, I usually put in around 17 litres of gas.. The bike as 22.5 fuel capacity with a 4 litre reserve, which means at reserve I should be putting in around 18.5 litres, or roughly so. This the norm with my bike.. I've changed my fuel filter last month. However yesterday was weird.. Weather condition was hot for up here. We drove 90 minutes, the bikes were parked in the sun for 3 hours and then we headed back after the festivities. On the way home via highway, the fuel light came on at the expected 170 miles but right away the bike started to buck.. "reserve"?! I switched it to reserve and yep, the bike smoothed out and away we went.. Wait now, I thought.. I switched it back to normal and the bike ran smooth.. but as soon as we hit a small hill it hit again.. wow, back on reserve and smoothed out again.. and immediately pulled in to the next gas station for fuel.. I only put in 16 litres, well below what I should have been if on reserve?! But all has been good since.. What bothers and puzzles me is that the low fuel light came on and right away I'm on reserve. And I went on reserve much earlier with so much more fuel in the bike than what the 'reserve' amount should have been.. see the problem? The only explanation that anyone locally could come up with was that the fuel in the tank was so hot that it might have 'foamed' thus giving the system the impression of lesser fuel amounts.. Anyone see this before or know if I have an impending problem on my hands as far as fuel management goes? Cheers
  4. Seaking
    They have what is called "Stiletto" ends which are currently on my VStar.. heavy suckers.. I'll be switching them over to see if the heavier weights make a difference.. But after a looong day's ride yesterday these ISO Grips were awesome.. =)
  5. Seaking
    Thanks Gary, just got the job done.. cut it off.. I did have a big "ut oh" with the right one though lol.. it wouldn't go all the way up! I double checked the part number against what I had ordered and yep, it's the right one but wouldn't fit?! WTF? Oh.. remove the plastic spacer inside.. derrr.. apart from that a very easy install. I've never been one to glue to the left grip to the bar. The old glue and tight fit will keep it on there but yet still allow me to rotate the grip whilst riding.. nothing I hate more than a fixed grip.. Ever have one just a wee bit off and nothing you can do about it? Now, to find that mod where you can re-attached the heavy bar weights back onto the bars.. I don't know how 'buzzy' the bars are going to be without them weights. Thanks for the confirmation on how to do these.. much appreciated!!
  6. Seaking
    Yer a tall drink of water, aren't ya?! I'm just 5'8" =) Before putting the risers on, I found a lot of my weight resting on the palms of my hands so by the end of the day of hopping around, my hands, shoulders and across the back of my neck would be stiff.. However, after installing these short risers, it made the world of difference. I'm sitting more upright, and I now have a crook in my elbow and the weight is evenly distributed on the bars.. in other words, my hands are resting on the bars, not leaning into them. And, because the bars are now further away from the pivot point, you have better handling control over the bike.. I rode the bike for about 100 miles last night, in town, back roads and highway and I had to retrain myself on how it handles.. it is subtle but the confidence level is higher hitting those turns.. and slow riding in parking lots The are super easy to install.. just make sure to protect your tank and be careful not to lose one of those button caps (oops).. The wire bundle tie downs attached to the bars need to come off to allow the bar to move freely. There riders WILL make contact with the cover cover shroud (plastic cover over the key ignition etc) but I'm told this is very normal and the plastic is flexible so no probs. However, if you have a CHROMED cover, it is not flexible and it will crack if using these risers. Over all, inexpensive as far as risers go, and the easiest ones I had to install to day on any bike. And well worth it.
  7. Seaking
    I've installed my Baron's 1.5" risers and what a difference those make.. better riding position.. and now, time to do the hand grips. The stock grips are too small for my large hands.. I know how to take the bar end weights off but how do you get the left side stock handle off? I saw somewhere in another message how this was done when I first got here but for the life of me I can't find that article? I'd love to change them out this morning so hopefully someone is up early today =) Thanks in advance. Cheers!
  8. Seaking
    Not sure but I just installed the K&N filters tonight and wow, what a diff.. more power and better fuel economy.. I have to burn through a few more tanks of gas to be sure on the economy side but on the last tank I got an additional 20 miles out of it.. Gotta like that!!
  9. Seaking
    I bought my 06 Midnight Venture a week before jaw surgery and promptly lost 30 lbs in 2 weeks.. All I can say is that the stock seat (not pillow seat) was harsh on my assets pre-surgery but now, 30 lbs lighter it's not that bad at all.. But I'm still replacing the seat.. Not all assets fit all seats properly ; )
  10. Seaking
    Ok I understand now.. Looking forward to looking through this Clearview windshield.. ; ) Many thanks Cheers M8
  11. Seaking
    Many thanks!! Much appreciated!
  12. Seaking
    Yes, we've all seen that but still curious as to why their windshields can handle RainX while OEM shields can't.. different materials, coatings or a boastful claim? We've all seen well meaning sites with honest and good intentions make claims they couldn't properly back up. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for hoping that the Clearviews will handle the RainX and not show any after effects a few years down the road.. Dayum.. 4-6 weeks of waiting is a long time.. it's not here yet!! =) Anyone riding with the XXL tall ones notice any flexing at the top when riding at top speeds? Cheers
  13. Seaking
    Expensive screw, I had a bolt like that too.. I hung it on my wall.. Your question is an interesting one as the pressures will increase with heat, be it from riding friction or day time heating, as in your case, quite dramatic.. 5lbs difference? How much of a variance from morning to afternoon temps? It would make it hard to adjust especially if you're out riding.. Heck even tire gauges vary in precision when taking readings. I find it interesting on the pressures you're running.. I run 38 - 42 on my Elite IIIs. On my VStar I run ME880's which are awesome tires for that kind of bike and I enjoy exceptionally long life out of those tires by putting the right pressures in them for MY riding style and weight. I burnt through a set of tires in record time when it was pointed out to me that though I had the 'manufacturer's recommended pressures, it was obviously way too low for my bike. Yamaha states a 'regular rider is 180 lbs.. Face it.. look around the parking lot, only the kids or short older people weigh that these days.. So if you're vertically and horizontally challenged (Yes, ROUND is a shape), you need to adjust your pressures.. and how do you know what's best for your needs to extend the life out of your tires? On a typical sunny mid-day, take a 30 minute run up the highway at 60 mph.. then pull over to the side and feel the temps between the tire and pavement. If the pavement and tire feel to be about the same temps, you're most likely running an appropriate pressure.. if the tire is scalding hot, you're under pressure as the tire flexes more causing more friction which causes more heat. Not sure how well this would work in 120'F weather mind you but around here, it works like a charm. I got well over 38,000 kms on my rear and replaced my front at 49,000 kms.. It's all about pressures.. So in your case.. yeah what to do! It would be like riding your bike from Denver to the low lands and back.. do you stop in between and put air in and then let some out? Personally, I would be adjusting the pressure to the time period you're riding most.. Right now I'd be going to work in 60'F weather and by the time I get home it's in the 80's, huge temp diff.. So My tires are checked in the late mornings / late afternoons as this is when I do most of my riding..
  14. Seaking
    My bad, this is on a 2end Gen.. I'm not OLD enough to remember what a 1st gen looks like.. ; ) I didn't realize the wheel sizes where that different.
  15. Seaking
    Drop me a line if you're coming up this way.. if I'm not able to take you out myself I can certainly help make your visit more memorable by showing you the fun places to see. I belong to the Defenders Chaper 10 motorcycle club ( http://www.defendersns.com ) and we do a lot of rides and charity work with Child Amputees and the Veterans. The one thing to remember about Nova Scotia is that you can pull into just about ANY Tim Horton's coffee shop (there are gazzillions out here) and you'll run into bikers.. be prepared to be approached by friendly people asking where ya from, what ya ride etc.. Don't be shy or scared, we're one hell of a friendly bunch around here =) I believe NS enjoys the largest motorcycle rider per capital ratio than anywhere in North America.. it's a hugely social thing around here.. I might not be able to remember buddy and his wife's name but I sure know what bike he rides and the fun stories they share.. hehe
  16. Seaking
    I had previously mentioned having broken the left side trunk latch bracket (the vertical plate that goes into the locking mechanism).. It was a shear break leaving a flat plate of ABS on the metal part.. a clean break. I purchased some ABS cleaner and Adhesive to "weld" the piece back on.. And wow, that worked nicely! It took me longer to read the instructions on the two cans than it did to apply the product and hold it in place for 2 minutes.. Leave it sit for at least 7 hours and presto.. good as new. I actually pulled on it quick hard trying to break it again but it held. I just needed to make sure it wouldn't accidentally come apart at the wrong place and wrong time.. So.. there you go.. it works well. Thanks to all for their sage advice and comments on ABS parts repair. (Side Note: An ABS welding kit would not have worked in this application due to the way the break is located.. Welding requires a flat surface and cutting of a V Groove in order to 'weld' a bead into the v groove. I would not have been able to do this on the upper trunk latch plate.)
  17. Seaking
    I just got confirmation that due to heavy production runs, my new windshield should be shipping out in 4-6 weeks.. I did ask them about the safe use of RainX on their windshields as it's a petroleum based product that would damage most plex - lexan - polycarbonate windshield.. Though they thanked me for my order they didn't answer the question about RainX. It still makes me nervous though.. I know this product works on glass, we used to use it on our acrobatic jets but on plexi it's damaging..
  18. Seaking
    You'll want to make sure to take in the Cabot Trail, South Shore, Eastern Shore and the Valley.. I just got back from my ride I mentioned in the original posting.. on my second tank of gas, mostly all back roads.. I'm bug splattered, sunburned and utterly exhausted.. and loved every minute of it all =) What a day!!
  19. Seaking
    That's strange.. I have the Dunlop EIII's on the front and back of my Venture, purchased and installed last week.. and they's awesome tires on this bike. Go figure..?
  20. Seaking
    As I was going through a lot of messages and seeing various people's ride stat maps, I realized that if you live in a central mid-continent area, you have a heck of a lot more choice as to where to go without repeating yourself.. Living out here in Nova Scotia, we have to drive the same 8 to 10 hours before we can start seeing something new lol. Once we hit Bangor Maine we can go south or west.. once you leave northern NB, you have.. erhm Quebec and then Ontario. All large provinces with tons to see mind you. Though we live in a small province, I've yet to ride into another area that has as strong a rider community as we do here, or as picturesque.. And yes, the roads are slowly but surely improving.. little by bumpy little.. but it's pretty. However, the old saying stays.. it's all about the ride. Having said all that, its time to hop on the bike and go explore some more of this marvelous place called Nova Scotia. Cheers!! Happy Canada Day! Knees to the Breeze!
  21. Seaking
    Tres cool, many thanks on the update.. I just have to work out something so I'm not suffering any downtime with the seat in transit.. you know how postal service is.. ouch. Cheers M8
  22. Seaking
    I'm looking for a new seat for my 06 Venture. The one on mine is not the 'puffy pillow' seat.. but the other kind. I've seen the Butt Butler mod being sold here but got nil response from Mr Butler (is he still making these?). Ideally I'm looking for something that will bring me lower down as later I plan to install the leveling links, which raises the bike. I'm not sure if I want to add a 'padded' cover as this will then raise me up in the seat.. Anyway, short version is that I'm seriously looking for a seat solution.. hoping someone can help.. Cheers
  23. Seaking
    Many thanks for the clarification, much appreciated.. I guess I'll be ordering the XXL tinted - vented.. Nice! Cheers
  24. Seaking
    Thanks to all for their responses.. I'm not sure what the previous owner had in it for oil but switching to Yamalube made it shift easier.. Perhaps down the road I'll look at Amsoil. The rear of the bike is silent quiet, I've not heard any noise from it at all..
  25. Seaking
    When you order these windshields from them, are you getting a spanking clean new one or are they rejects being reworked? I'm a little confused by the 'blemish' section and people purchasing 'blems' (blemish?) Cheers
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