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Dave77459

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Everything posted by Dave77459

  1. Dave77459
    Carb sync. Even if the PO did one, or had the dealership do one, it would be the first thing I try. Believe me, I've had dealers say they did one, but the quality of syncing varies widely, with dealer efforts being at the bottom of the stack. With a sync'd engine, I can go a thousand miles in a day without "feeling the buzz". Also, FWIW, I think 65 is too slow for 5th. You can do it, sure, but I get better fuel economy through 70mph in 4th. That tells me the engine is "happier" at higher RPMs. 65/5th is a kinda-lugging situation. I don't think it would cause you vibrations, but just as an FYI. I think your first choice should be to attend a "maintenance day" held by a local VentureRiders group. Or even ride to the big one in OH... yeah, that's what I would do if I didn't have HS graduation that day. *sigh* The reason being, the manual gives wrong instructions on doing carb syncs, so if the dealer is following instructions, he is doing it wrong. (right instructions here) But if a dealer is all you got, by all means, give it a try. Or, like you PM'd me, check to see who is near you and has done them in the past. Send them a PM. It is a 15 minute process, so it isn't a big deal. Good luck! Dave
  2. Dave77459
    Happy Birthday!
  3. Dave77459
    All fun aside, what do you think about a 15 year old bike with 4300 miles on it? Do such low miles beget better quality, or a bike rotting from the inside out? I am of the camp that thinks machines need to be used to remain in good condition. What do you think? Dave
  4. Dave77459
    Hey, I ride an '06 RSTD. However, it is a Midnight. Not sure what a "black" RSTD is?? I'm gonna pick on Randy's post, but only because he addresses much of what I want to say. A lot of the value in the bike is the warranty. An '06 has the warranty up--mine is expired. I bought mine at $9300 almost three years ago, with almost 3 years left on the warranty and 2000 miles. I had mine modified by Rick Butler, a member here. It has been good for 50,000 miles, but I think it needs the foam replaced. I disagree, but then mine came with the Brickstones. Truly awful tires. If the bikes you are looking at have stock tires, they are probably dead anyways. Upgrade ASAP. I really liked the Avons with a skinny front, but Roxie is wearing Dunlop E3s now. Either is a HUGE improvement over what she came with. Maybe it is because I have on 400 Lbs, but my shock is still good at 56,000 miles. The OP has already stated that he is too lazy to search for answers, so he isn't a candidate for getting the most out of this forum. For my part, the must haves are passing lamps, an air horn, the 100 LED tail light, and additional rear running lights (e.g., the running/turning light conversion). The rear especially doesn't have enough light. There used to be a thread here called "Royal Star Tour Deluxe Owners unite!" that we used to list upgrades done to our bikes. I am really not sure why, but it was deleted. Too bad, because that was where I listed all the mods done to my bike and where I found other mods to dream about. If you can find a fairly priced example, an RSTD is an excellent bike. Dave
  5. Dave77459
    It does seem to be attached to the bike semi-rigidly, so it would provide some support against tipping moment. It would be helpful at amplifying your leg strength. It would also limit the performance of the bike, and would seem hazardous in a way that typical trikes aren't. Dave
  6. Dave77459
    If there are multiple posts, clicking this on relevant posts will add them to your reply. So that when you click reply, you have multiple posts quoted. They are added to the list in the order you click, not necessarily oldest first. It's never NOT worked for me. Dave
  7. Dave77459
    I think the main draw is that people are curious and west coasters are sentimental. I've heard it was pretty good for a chain, and I'll try it when they make it down here to the good part of the state. Or else, when I have a free Friday. Dave
  8. Dave77459
    Here's the problem: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/5713282916_384be406aa.jpg Do you see it?* http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/5712721323_73b8e0bc86.jpg There it is! http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/5713282048_7d07870bbf.jpg Anyways, the hose is now connected. I ended up taking off the entire right side exhaust. Not sure if I had to, in order to remove the front header? I'll have to run it hot to be sure, but the backfiring seems solved. Dave Note * -- the photo was taken out of order. The hose is already reattached. But you couldn't see it until you looked down on it.
  9. Dave77459
    I like it, except that it obscures the windscreen. That giant sail is one of the best parts of the RSTD. Couple questions: * Can it be made with photo-reflective thread? It's hard to find a good reflective patch. * Can different bike colors be offered? Those of us with non-red bikes might like having a patch closer to what we own. The red is very red, to the point of it being a signature of the patch. Bonus question: what size is being considered? Dave
  10. Dave77459
    Embracing the KISS principal!
  11. Dave77459
    Is this the Burger King's ride? Dave
  12. Dave77459
    You may have heard that I got my bike home last Wednesday following three months of repairs, and that there was a loud backfiring. The dealer had been unable to determine the source, but 5 minutes with Squidley and we had a prime suspect: the dealer hadn't hooked up a vacuum tube to the AIS (I presume). Pic: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/5699095405_9f3c32f19e.jpg This particular tube goes to the front, behind the right front exhaust header. We could see the lonely nipple with a mirror. We just couldn't reach it. Squidley says he'll be available to take off the exhaust so that it can be hooked up, hopefully solving the very loud backfire. But isn't this something I could do myself? First, is there an easier way to connect it? Force my daughter into anorexia so that she can reach in, perhaps? Loosen something or other, move it out of the way, tighten back up? I have an RSTD, so the front is somewhat more open than an RSV (I am posting in the RSV forum because it's seen more and almost as applicable). Second, if I do remove the exhaust headers, do I have remove both, or just the front? What all do I have to remove to get to that header bolt? Thirdly, thanks to those of you who will demand that I take the bike back to the dealer to have them fix their shoddy workmanship, but no. I've already been without her for three months, and I can't waste another month having them fix this. Dave
  13. Dave77459
    Some prayers sent, more will follow!
  14. Dave77459
    I'm slow on the reply, just like how I arrived. :-) I expected to meet Dana, but his wife Sarah was a happy surprise, as was Owen. Dana and Sarah are excellent people, and it was a real pleasure to meet them. I gather that my arrival signaled an end to the jawin' portion of the meet (ha!) and everyone got down to business. Dana had a few projects: change the clutch spring/plates, install an airhorn, and diagnose/fix a wobble with his front end. Owen uses Squidley's fabulous T-wrenches... after we explain to Squidley how to use the handle. Dana had a new-to-me chrome piece where the horn mounts. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5699665254_1c847973da_z.jpg It was a pleasure to meet Dana, who not only is a bad-ass veteran, but interested in actually learning how to wrench his bike. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/5699665584_6d25bfe092_z.jpg Dana was a Command Sargent Major in the US Army. You don't have to explain things twice to him. Our soldiers are always so impressive, but some more than others. http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5699093769_9f6b75b98d_z.jpg Dana had a slipping clutch, and his dealer couldn't fix it. WHT? So, he learned to replace the clutch plates and put in a stronger spring. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/5699666166_7107cf9323_z.jpg Owen turned the wrong way, into a cul-de-sac. We gave him a parade review when he passed by. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/5699094353_9cb843aeb8_z.jpg Squidley starts to make a bracket to hold on the BadBoy air horn. He clearly believes in using stout stock. Didn't get the horn on, when it was discovered he'd run out of the right size of electrical connectors. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/5699094635_21286e7541_z.jpg Dana had a wobble in his front wheel. Squidley showed him how tighten them up in 10 minutes, rather than using the all-day procedure. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/5699094967_c64edbef5a_z.jpg Dana learned that his gremlin bell was missing. Squidley gave him a VRO bell. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/5699667320_34f2828905_z.jpg Shodding workmanship abounds on the repairs the dealer did to Roxie. Starting with the un-tightened battery cable to the missing fuses, to this: an unconnected Air Induction System hose. No wonder I have a loud backfire! To reconnect it, I have to remove the exhaust system from the bike. And I'll do it, because I can do a better job fixing Roxie than the dealer. That just pisses me off. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/5699095405_9f3c32f19e_z.jpg All in all, it was a great afternoon! Thanks Dana and Sarah for the dinner! You really didn't have to buy mine, I was dead weight after all. Hope I see all'y'all again soon! Dave
  15. Dave77459
    Heading that way soon! Dave
  16. Dave77459
    Last year I flew my wife to Indianapolis and home from Green Bay, so she could enjoy the ride to MI's UP in the time available. Later, I flew her to Albuquerque... same thing. It really aids our fun together when I can knock out five days worth of "her" riding in a day or two. This year I am planning a SS1000, finishing with a BB1500 the next day. (1200 on Thursday, 300 or so on Friday before noon--pick up two awards at once) Then I pick up my wife in Vermont or New Hampshire and we ride home. This time, I am also planning to pick up a couple coastal states I need to grab, so that we can take a more scenic ride home. I also plan to ride with PKTexas on a "Ride Around Texas" re-do. His bike was disabled last year before he could finish. So we'll do it together. Dave
  17. Dave77459
    I like taking LD rides. I was going to attend the IBA annual meeting in February, but my bike decided to get sick instead. :-/ Dave
  18. Dave77459
    The "official" suspected cause is a stuck needle valve flooding the cylinder and causing hydrolock. At that time, the piston rod was damaged, and although it lasted some indeterminate amount of time, it ultimately failed. That's the official theory. The secondary issue then is the stuck needle valve. They claim it is a maintenance item, and its stuckedness would then be my fault. My counter contention is that if it is a maintenance item, then there should be a maintenance schedule for it. And there isn't. So. This is the root for the fear that Yamaha might retroactively de-authorize the warranty claim; it has happened, unless the dealer is a bald-faced and skilled liar, as asserted above. That sounds good! Let's make it so. That would be a good thing. We are in a desperate drought here, and I'll take a bullet for the team. Besides, I have good raingear and an RSTD is nowhere as wet as an RSV. Well, darn it, tightening the battery cable didn't help. It backfires loudly and consistently when I decelerate. Luckily, I rarely do that! Dave
  19. Dave77459
    I rode her to work today! Felt so good! Dave
  20. Dave77459
    I think it would be cheaper. Doesn't look like they re-used all that many parts after all. I hope I never have to face how much they spent! Thanks Kreg!
  21. Dave77459
    A little over three months after she went into the shop, I rode Roxie home tonight. If you haven't followed the saga, she broke a rod, which then broke out of the crankcase. Because this is so exceedingly rare, there was an initial delay on how to process it. Then there was slow work as parts were measured, ordered, and then more measurements and orders. Three months is a long time when you miss your entire Spring riding season. As of now, the repair is being covered under warranty. The dealer has had problems in the past with getting paid (warranty authorisation revoked after the fact), and hasn't been paid on this repair yet. Payment generally lags repair completion by several days, and it is longer than that already. Rather than hold Roxie hostage, she has been released into my custody. The dealer said they couldn't figure out why the battery gauge wasn't working. I reckoned I could figure that out, so I rode away. Happiness! Owen saw her idling last week. He reported that they were tracking down some popping on deceleration. I thought that explained the delay, but I suspect that it was all about the lagging payment. Because, she popped like a mis-timed Harley on the way home. I need to ask my wife if she saw flames coming out the tailpipe, because that's how it sounded. I also noticed that the passing lamps were out. *sigh* I parked in the driveway to clear out a berth in the garage. Then she didn't start. :mad: A call to Squidley tracked down the problem: they hadn't tightened down the positive battery cable! While under the seat, I fixed the battery gauge and passing lamp issue: they had removed the fuse! I wonder if they did that to prevent battery drain? I wonder if a loose battery cable can cause backfiring? She didn't backfire when I ran her after tightening the battery. Over the weekend I'll give her a good cleaning (she still has oil from the blow up covering her shiny bits) and check out what they did. Oh yeah, and I'll put some miles on her! Dave PS, I am attaching the list of the parts they bought and labor used.
  22. Dave77459
    When you are comfortable with it, try cranking on until you reach the rev limits, then shift. I found I was shifting far too early, coming from a v-twin. Hitting the rev limiter through at least third gear will give you an idea of what the bike is capable of doing. "I don't suggest doing this on anything but a race track though, because you will be traveling at supralegal speeds." Dave
  23. Dave77459
    Say, does Don call his hammer Mjǫlnir? I guess with the movie starting this weekend, we'll see him in action? Dave
  24. Dave77459
    Did you happen to test the aiming? My CCC HID was aimed feet too high after a simple switch out. Dave
  25. Dave77459
    I am, although Owen visited her and she had 20 miles on the new engine. However, she had popping on decel that they were figuring out. I had taken her to a different dealer 6 months ago because there was a leak in the left exhaust collection chamber that I wanted fixed under warranty because there was popping, but they claimed they couldn't find the obvious leak. Maybe this place could find it. BTW, she's been in the shop 3 months now. Dave / Sent from my phone using Tapatalk
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