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Dave77459

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Everything posted by Dave77459

  1. Dave77459
    I guess I'll have to take the bike indoors then. Cold and Houston don't go together between February and December. Thanks all for the advice.
  2. Dave77459
    First off, I have a RSTD, not a RSV, and I gather things are different. But my bike was near perfect in ergos for me from the start. I guess they looked at me when they designed it. I put on multiple 500+ mile days without an issue. I only Rick Butler'd it when I contemplated an ironbutt. I mean, "for my wife's comfort". Of course. The one change I can definitely recommend is changing the tires. The stock Brickstones were complete crap. Luckily, they had very little tread life. I went to the Avon Venoms and my bike became suddenly nimble. As nimble as an 800 pound touring bike can be. You might consider that before the lowering links, just to see if that gets you where you want.
  3. Dave77459
    Where can I find it? Wallyworld?
  4. Dave77459
    I was aware that I was being overtaken by two bikes. I should have expected to, since I was only going 80mph in 60mph zone. They were still small in my mirror when I began the freeway-to-freeway merge. There is an advisory speed of 40mph on this dual-lane left exit. I slowed to 60mph, and was prepared to go even slower. As I began to bank into the turn, one of the bikes--the sportbike--blew past. My wife thought he was going 100mph, but it was more likely 80mph. Uncontent to merely pass, he decided to teach me a lesson by cutting in front of me. As he did, he hit one of the expansion joints. It was patched like crap, forming a little hump. Hitting the hump, he went airpborne. He landed astride the next, even bigger hump. At that point, I had a problem. He was skidding, fishtailing and leaving a dark black mark on the road. I thought for sure he was going down and I was running him over. I slowed rapidly, senses hyper aware. He managed to keep it straight enough, but began smoking. He was also slowing, and made an emergency veer to the right shoulder. He made it safely and was looking down at his engine as he rolled to a stop when I passed and didn't look back. I take that back, because I know his riding partner, a chopper, was stopping for him. I saw that I had driven through a rain sprinkle, with droplets on my windscreen. When it didn't begin to run like water, I reached over the screen and felt oil. He had indeed taught me a lesson by spraying my bike with his oil. I think he spanked his oil pan when he landed or something. So now... how do I clean motor oil from the front of the bike? It's on the chrome, the paint, the plastic, and the windscreen. I don't suppose I can use Formula 409, so what can I use?
  5. Dave77459
    Thanks Larry! I am not interested, but maybe someone else is. (Also, if someone has the Flamin' pegs and wants to comment on them, please do!)
  6. Dave77459
    I put Roxie on the adapter for whatever work I do, or even when I am cleaning her. Takes very little time and cuts way down on the backaches. The legs make changing oil a snap, since the drain pan goes right underneath without the lift in the way. I guess I ought to take more photos, especially of the "mod" I did that makes putting the legs in WAY faster for me.
  7. Dave77459
    I haven't heard any feedback about the Flamin' Switchblade, which makes me think that perhaps the consensus is that they aren't much good on a touring bike. This post will serve as the last bump, and then I'll PM you about the particulars of your pegs. Dave
  8. Dave77459
    I could never get Disk 1 of Long Way Round on Netflix. Disk 2 was amazing.
  9. Dave77459
    Since no one else will, I'll ask: where's the photos to go with this post about safety chrome? Great story too. I guess the real moral is that people wanting carb covers need to order them now, while there is a fresh supply!
  10. Dave77459
    I am getting some highway pegs, and I like Kuryakyn despite the cost. Due to my stature (or lack thereof, 30" inseam plus "muscular" thighs), I am getting the Longhorn Offset Peg Mounts (P/N 7985). What I don't know is which pegs to attach to it. I like the look of the Flamin' Switchblade (P/N 4412). What I don't know is how comfortable they are? Can anyone with experience with these Flamin' Switchblade pegs speak to the long-ride comfort? They look cool, but the flame part seems to be narrow on the ball of the foot. I am not sure how effective the heel rest part is. I like the look, but I want it to be utilitarian first of all. I'm not getting highway pegs to make my bike look better, but to support a 3000 mile ride. My alternate is the Switchblade Peg (P/N 4445), which looks kinda dowdy but is undoubtedly effective. I've heard nothing but good things about the heel rest on these, but perhaps it is because the peg portion is wide enough to support a range of boot positions. So, anyone here have the Flamin' Switchblade? Are they durable and comfortable?
  11. Dave77459
    I cannot post my name without being sanctioned by the moderators!
  12. Dave77459
    Thank you. I've joined a group where Three Sisters is an annual event. I'll pass this along.
  13. Dave77459
    I run with the windscreen on all the time. Doing 115kph/70mph with any headwind, I will frequently see the low fuel indicator at 170km/105miles. On backroads doing 95kph/60mph, I will see the low fuel indicator at 195km/120miles. I do know that resistance increases with the square of velocity, so going from 95-115kph/60-70mph will have a huge effect. The windscreen does increase the surface area, so that too will have a big effect. I always marvel at the folks who see 77kpg/48mpg because I have never come close to that. 55kpg/35mpg is about the best I've ever managed, even with a fresh tune-up. I figured I was hard on the throttle, and I am.
  14. Dave77459
  15. Dave77459
    If you decide to leave in the boot for the existing bulb, lubricate things with WD-40 so that the wires won't get "pinched". That was the advice the manufacturer gave me when I installed my auxiliary LED brake lights (Electrical Connection).
  16. Dave77459
    The Houston RLAP class for this weekend is canceled due to 70% chance of rain. They will let us reschedule. Is there a date in the near future that works for people?
  17. Dave77459
    Thanks for the suggestions. Spraying it with PB penetrating oil, then tapping it did the trick. Looks great! http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3445876735_5ff26675af_m.jpg (OK, so it's a bit gratuitous, but the pegs are sexy!)
  18. Dave77459
    Here's mine. If you don't see much difference between my modified seat and the OEM, it's because it looks almost the same. Rick Butler removes some of the stock foam and replaces it with memory foam. He also cuts out a tailbone relief. He can do more, but that's all I needed doing. He reused my existing seat cover. Here's a link to his Classified Ad on this site.
  19. Dave77459
    I have a cabinet full of penetrating oils, from when I needed to remove a front axle pinch bolt that was rusted in place. I also have an impact wrench from the same experience. Also? A tap and die set. I'd just as soon avoid going through all that again! One of my solvents actually freezes the bolt too. You might try that on a toilet seat for a different experience. Dave
  20. Dave77459
    I bought a pair of the Diamond R swinging pegs for my passenger. To install, the rear floorboard bolt needs to be removed. The left side one was very tight, but it came out. The right side one is beyond tight. I was using the bike toolkit since I wanted to install them at lunch and surprise her after work. The L-shaped "allen wrench" didn't move it, so I used the tube to make a breaker bar. No joy. I don't want to damage the bolt, so I stopped. Is the bolt really that tight? Should I use penetrating oil? Ideas? Dave
  21. Dave77459
    I've done many 200+ miles days, and a 400+ mile day. Never a complaint about the modified seat. My wife doesn't squirm any more, either.
  22. Dave77459
    I have a Houston EZ Tag. The first one I got was the giant bar-style one used by semis. It is supposedly super powerful. Putting it in my saddle bag, it worked like crap. I went back and got the MC wallet-sized one. I put it in the right saddlebag pocket and it works nearly all the time. It will sometimes NOT work when I am using an attended toll-booth. When it doesn't, I can reach back, open the saddlebag, and wave it at the attendant. They open the gates and let me through. If I had a fairing, I don't know if I would put it inside for that reason. But the truth is that more often than not I will ride the paint between lanes and between detector loops so I don't get charged. I don't mind paying for the value the toll road represents; I just like being a rebel a dollar at a time.
  23. Dave77459
    Payday is Friday, when my mad money account is replenished. I'll join then. I'll also continue to chip in whenever I drop the bike. :-( I have a couple thoughts. $12 is not much for the benefits you get from the site. BUT, having forums closed means that Mr. Google will not span the site. That will make VR less findable and helpful to our community. We may never see new members, and that would make me sad. One of my favorite sites is the weather underground, wunderground.com. They have a cheap annual fee of $5, which gets rid of the very annoying advertisements. Yeah, you get some useless add-ons too, like email (do I need another email address???), but the main benefit is that you do not see ads. But, it also means freeloaders are helping to pay for the site by seeing the advertisements. It's a winner both ways; I don't know if the model here is open for discussion, but it's an idea. OK, I posted three thoughts, which means it is a "few" instead of a "couple". Throw away your least favorite.
  24. Dave77459
    I also have a 2006 and love it. I thought the passing lamps and luggage rack were must haves. I also have added LED lights to the rear turn stalks to give me three points of light for safety. The last upgrade I have done was an air horn. Oh, and I had the stock seat modified by Rick Butler to make it more endurance-oriented. This thread features many of the RSTD owners, and will give you a feel for popular upgrades.
  25. Dave77459
    This is the kind of thing that makes the public hate motorcycles and more willing to pass laws against them. Imagine how many people were shaking their fist at him.
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