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Dave77459

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Everything posted by Dave77459

  1. Dave77459
    I actually used the white cord today. I kinda used V7Goose's "Easy way to use that White Power Plug by Battery" how-to. I used needle-nosed pliers to pulll the gray plugs out of the caps, then jammed in the wires of the reservoir cover switch I wanted to power. They were too big to tin (not that I can do that well, anyways). But they went in far enough that when I plugged it into the powered end, it works, and reliably. I used shrink tubing to keep them in place. Caveats: * I used a volt meter to determine positive and ground before I went crazy. * The Kuryakyn Accessory Switch comes with a crap ton of in-line fuses, so I wasn't too worried about a loose connection, not that I think it is. In short, it was a five minute puzzle and install (not including the tank removal and routing, ugh), and it was free. And it works really well. Go for it! Dave
  2. Dave77459
    I use the RAM RAM-B-149ZU (RAM Handlebar Rail Mount with Zinc Coated U-Bolt Base). It clamps onto the handlebars, rather than the reservoirs. One on the left fits the GPS, the one on the right fits the SPOT tracker. On long trips, I'm planning on swapping out the GPS for a cup holder, and the GPS will go into my tank bag for anti-vibration and security purposes. Or maybe the SPOT will. Not sure. But with the RAM system, it is interchangeable. Dave
  3. Dave77459
    That is true. I saved more than that during Christmas season, and my entire family can use it. If you are pregnant or have new babies, I think you can get a free account. Dennis Kirk is estimating overnight shipping at $161.51 (UPS) or $157.44 (FedEx). Saving $154 on one purchase makes $79 a year seem almost cheap. Dave
  4. Dave77459
    I am a member of Amazon.com Prime. This means I get free 2-day shipping and anything overnight for $3.99. My brother was hospitalized, I realized I might need to ride there, and my front tire was in iffy shape. I bought an Avon Venom 150/80-16 71H (front) for a good price ($145.80, near the cheapest I found) and selected overnight shipping for $3.99. It is out for delivery now. That $149.79 total is way cheap when you consider overnight shipping of a 16 pound tire. Heck, it's cheaper than Dennis Kirk by $10 and Jake Wilson doesn't carry the tire. Another option to consider if you have Amazon Prime and need something quick. I'll let you know if the tire comes out of date, as cheap tires have been known to do. Dave
  5. Dave77459
    Thank you all, you are giving me some great ideas. You introduced something I hadn't considered. The tank curves fore/aft and starboard/larboard. I'll have to mull over the implications of that. And also keep my eyes out for what you are talking about. I'm sure I don't know what you are referring to? Dave
  6. Dave77459
    There is actually a hobby store on my daily commute path. Great idea! I was thinking about DIY stores. I also thought about corrugated plastic boards or even foam core, but those add unwanted thickness. I could piece together cutting boards, but hoped there was a one-piece solution. Dave
  7. Dave77459
    The midnights also come with a blacked out engine. I believe the difference is trim levels and colors. I thought all RSTDs had chromed front ends? I would ascribe the difference in KBB value to desirability; those things that are more desirable cost more. Dave
  8. Dave77459
    I am electrifying a tank bag. I want to give the bag rigid walls so I can affix power ports, etc. What can I use to build walls inside the bag? I've seen instructions to use aluminum, but I don't have access to a metal shop. I have in mind something like my poly kitchen cutting board. It is a millimeter or so thick, flexible enough to bend, but still stiff. However, it isn't long enough (I think I'll need something 3-4" wide by 3' or so long) and I'd like it to be a single piece. Being white or a light color to help brighten the interior would be a plus. What can I use? Dave
  9. Dave77459
    Why does anyone trust Wikipedia? It can be more casual than here. At least all the posts are out in the open, not sequestered into dark areas no one travels. Even so, people quote Wikipedia as if it were trustworthy. Heck even debunking site Snopes isn't entirely trustworthy. Next time the warden brings up anything without documentation and references, perhaps you can ask her how she knows that what she says is true? Now, more positively, this site is vetted by hundreds of look-sees on every post. Dozens of eyes with direct or indirect experience look at everything written. How many hours of experience on any given subject is represented here? How many subject matter experts are here? This site is a great example of crowd-sourcing. Dave
  10. Dave77459
    I can't imagine driving that many miles and not having passing lamps. That is an absolute safety upgrade, IMO. Added all that chrome, and no passing lamps. Or luggage rack. Seems odd. Dave
  11. Dave77459
    First of all, welcome to the forum. I hope your stay is enjoyable. It is well worth becoming a paid member, especially if you get the RSTD. +1 to FR. I have a 2006 with nearly 70,000 miles on it. Had I ridden it for the first 2 years (previous owner put on 2K in 2Yr) and last summer (I worked out of state), it would easily have 107,000 miles on it. The miles don't bother me, but the dealer's lack of enthusiasm would. You don't know about this bike, and you would think the dealer would want to service it. Seeing the shape it is in now, would you? Knowing that fixing tire and fluids would cost $200 and 1 hour? I bet that when you ride it, if you do, the carbs will be out of sync. That's a great bike and a reasonable price, but unknown shape. I'd have an experienced member here go with you to inspect it. Dave
  12. Dave77459
    I can confirm that the peeps around Houston are great. Welcome! Dave
  13. Dave77459
    To amplify your post, I am in the market for a new helmet as well, and have been thinking of a modular (since I can't find the police helmet I wanted ). In Texas, air flow is important. Which modulars have worked well in hot climes? Dave
  14. Dave77459
    If we're sharing horror stories, I had a tank bag stolen off my RSTD. Shame on me for thinking I could use the loo at a gas station without locking it up. A month ago I bought a Cortech (pretty sure) from a local Cyclegear store. It looks like the Tri-bag, but isn't as tall. I think it might be discontinued. I put my phone in the clear plastic top, and ran a USB cord to a battery pack in the main compartment. Worked well, but I rode in the rain and I think some grime got underneath. Now I have a spot to buff out on my tank. I didn't have any problem seeing the "57 Chevy" speed-o. I have the battery monitor below it on the trees (next to the Yamaha badge) and could even see that if I wasn't totally slumped. I did pull it back so it didn't completely cover the gas cap, and that helped the visibility. Truth is, though, that I don't usually use the speedometer; rather, I use the GPS to tell me my speed. I am planning to electrify the bag, running a cord from my Powerlet outlet to it. From there I can power the phone, my heated gear, iPod, etc. Maybe I'll put my GPS in the clear compartment. Dave
  15. Dave77459
    Can someone shoot me directions? If not, I'll call Brad after I drop off my brother. Dave
  16. Dave77459
    Is there work to be done tomorrow? I drop my brother at IAH (Sunday, 8AM) and then we can come out. Thanks Val, for the update. Dave
  17. Dave77459
    Shoot! I missed this until now. My bro is in town next weekend, but they fly out at 9:30 on Sunday. We'll head that way after we drop them off at Bush! Dave
  18. Dave77459
    Thanks for the replies. I have some things to look at during our MD. Or, properly, I have things for experienced eyes to look at during our MD. I am thinking about switching lighting, but to LEDs rather than HIDs. My RSTD has no place to hide ignitors, etc. The current LEDs are nearly as bright as HID lights, without the extra brick issues. I am considering self-contained HIDs but they are really spendy now. Other ideas are appreciated, but thanks for these so far. Dave
  19. Dave77459
    Checking some old threads, it seems my stator might be an issue. Here's the situation. Squidley removed the switch from the passing lamp circuit while he was caretaking Roxie. The dealer had put in a rinky dink switch that frequently popped fuses. Going through a relay but then straight to the battery, the passing lamps are MUCH brighter. Our theory is that the switch was throttling power, so now the lamps are getting as much power as they want. The side effect is that now I have charging issues. It seems the energy output of the engine is just barely enough to power the bike. I put on 1200 miles last weekend, a quarter of it in the rain. It was 31-45F, so I had the Gerbings jacket liner out. With that background: Every time, not just this past weekend, 15 seconds after start, the Kuryakyn battery gauge will show green--as long as it is in neutral put it in gear, and it drops to yellow, even if you pull in the clutch after a while, if you lope along (60mph in 4th), it will get back to green run at high speed (72 in 4th), it drops to yellow With the Gerbings on, generally, the battery gauge will blink in neutral when the controller is heating the elements at one point last weekend, traveling 78mph in 5th, the green light came on after an hour. Not only that, but it eventually got to two green lights. I didn't even know there were two green lights! I've only seen one. The jacket liner was ON, but on low. I downshifted to 4th to take an exit, and I lost the green. I never saw the two greens again. On the ride to MO, it was cold and raining. I kept my eye on the battery gauge because if it ever got to one yellow (there are two), I would have pulled the fuse on the passing lamps (no switch any longer). But it never did, even with the Gerbings on med-high. When the rain stopped, the green light came on as I loped through small towns. The same was true on the ride back. It was 31F when I left, so I had the Gerbings on high. I could always get green when in idle, and if I wasn't running at high RPMs, I could sometimes glimpse green. It really seems as if it is on the verge of getting enough output. I am confused about the difference between being in neutral vs being in gear with the clutch pulled; what extra load is being placed on the engine simply by being out of neutral? We have the SW Texas Maintenance Day coming up. What things should I check? I replaced the battery, thinking that was it, but that was before this trip. Ideas? Dave http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2007_Kuryakyn_LED_Battery_Gauge.jpg
  20. Dave77459
    Dropbox has been lame on Android. It doesn't sync back to the cloud, AFAIK. It does allow you to pick which of the items on the cloud you want to manually download. For the space it takes on my phone, I'd rather just navigate to the web site and manually download. YMMV. Dave
  21. Dave77459
    Tasker is the app that I think most exemplifies why I chose Android over iOS. It allows me to automate my phone in ways that Apple doesn't think necessary. I don't appreciate the locked down nature of Apple products. With Tasker, I Silence my phone when I turn it face down and it is plugged in (at the office) Automatically send a text message to my wife when I am riding the bike and arrive safely at the office. Read me the morning weather from Wunderground, based on my GPS location Send me the phone's location and a current picture when a keyworded text message is received Launch Foursquare so that I can check in at certain locations Strobe the flash/LED when I get the message my wife is on the way (we commute together) Turn the sound off for ten minutes at the press of a button, then turn it on again (I call this 'Loo Mode') Send an SMS telling my wife that I am close, so she can be in her building's lobby whenI arrive I used to have it turn off the wireless at the office, but Google gets better location sensing at lower power when you use wireless. I don't use it to its full potential. If you can imagine something needing automation on yur phone, it probably can be done. Website. (geeky) Android Market link: http://intellidick.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/QR-tasker.png
  22. Dave77459
    I planned to sleep in Ironbutt Hotels on my ride to Indianapolis last year. I left after working all day, had dinner in Shreveport, and was riding through LA and MS when I realized all the rest areas were closed due to budget cuts! So I ended up staying at a hotel for three hours, an utter waste of money. I was at least safe, I guess. FWIW, I've ridden several ironbutts, but only documented one. I'm planning an in-state this month, just so I qualify for the Mile Eaters program. LOL I might decide on the ride to extend it to an instate BB... what is the deadline you are working with? Have you tried the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum? Lots of LD riders there. Dave IBA 39330
  23. Dave77459
    I started with the walk-around video linked at a long distance riding group. It made me interested enough to slog through all the pretty pictures.... http://contour.com/stories/goldwing-farkles-deluxe
  24. Dave77459
    I don't know if they do. I guess at this point, let's meet for lunch and go afterwards if there's a hankering. Dave
  25. Dave77459
    Nice to see so much interest! Anyone interested in hitting the gun range before or after lunch? My wife is itching to pull the trigger. [ame=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Hot+Wells+Public+Shooting+Rng,+24815+NW+Freeway,+Cypress,+TX+77433&hl=en&sll=29.956385,-95.682002&sspn=0.003444,0.004919&vpsrc=0&hq=Hot+Wells+Public+Shooting+Rng,&hnear=24815+Northwest+Fwy,+Cypress,+Texas+77433&t=h&z=17]Hot Wells Public Shooting Rng, 24815 NW Freeway, Cypress, TX 77433 - Google Maps[/ame]
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