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GaryZ

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Everything posted by GaryZ

  1. GaryZ
    These are the professional ones; http://www.wind-tech.net/Small_Windscreens.php
  2. GaryZ
    Years ago a new guy in my squadron towed his 500cc Suzuki street bike from Tennessee to California using a rig like this. The only trouble he had was wearing out the rear tire.
  3. GaryZ
    I added a pair of temporary front turn signals and rode my '85 for almost 2 months without plastic. I wanted to give it a good 'shake down' before re-assembly. We got a lot of looks and the bike seemed more agile. The dash panel provided as much wind protection as the windshield on my sport bike!
  4. GaryZ
    I almost painted my '85 white. Yours looks so good I wish I had followed through . . .
  5. GaryZ
    Thanks . . . This site is the best!
  6. GaryZ
    What are the black plastic panels on top of each head? I would like to remove them.
  7. GaryZ
    Deleted after I found a 3rd and fourth page . . .
  8. GaryZ
    The correct volume of fork oil should solve most of your front end problems. IMHO, using the spacer depends on the load you will be carrying. The spacers are a spring pre-load adjustment. Add length to the spacer to add stiffness, remove length for softer. I am 250lbs and I have the spacers installed to help support my weight plus passenger. Adding air is an option, however, I prefer not to be dependent on the air for the front end. I presently will add about 6psi when the bags are loaded and carrying a passenger.
  9. GaryZ
    Simple way to test a battery/charging system; 1) Measure the voltage of the battery without the engine running: 12.5V = good battery ---- 2) Measure the voltage of the battery with the engine running above 1500 rpm: 13.5 to 14.5V = good ---- same voltage as above says the charging system has failed 3) Measure the voltage 'drop' when the starter is cranking: Above 9.5V = good ---- less means the battery is failing to hold a load On modern vehicles there is a dash voltmeter that makes these tests easy. A good charging system will register in the 'green' when the engine is running and a red mark generally shows the good level for the battery when the engine is not running. A battery can fail by not keeping a charge or it will not maintain a load. My 2 cents . . .
  10. GaryZ
    What about using an AC motor and a 'variac' autotransformer to adjust the speed? The variac is sized by current. Select one that handles the current or amp rating of your AC motor. Here is one for a 10A application; http://www.iseincstore.com/1010bvariabletransformer120vacsinglephaseinput0-140vacoutput10amanualormotoroperated.aspx
  11. GaryZ
    All right then . . . I think I will start with changing the 'twinkie' gasket. Thanks guys!
  12. GaryZ
    I pulled the heads in 2010 and installed Vmax cams. Media blasted, replaced valve stem seals, lapped the valves, installed new head gaskets and new 'joints' with o-rings. I could have screwed something up.
  13. GaryZ
    I had a terrible time getting the pinstriping off of the Beast. I tried a couple of things and nothing worked well . . .
  14. GaryZ
    Thank you for this input. Can I get to this cover without pulling the engine?
  15. GaryZ
    Thanks for the input. There does not appear to be any milk in the oil site glass. I plan on draining the coolant and oil for closer inspection.
  16. GaryZ
    Your description of how it rides, the leakage, and the Progressive stickers suggests to me that there is/was too much fork oil used. Too much fork oil would cause binding of the action and force oil out of any weak seal. Progressive installation instructions say to assemble the fork, collapse the fork, and fill to approximately 5" from the top. I filled mine to 5.5" using 10 weight. My forks work great!
  17. GaryZ
    Here is a picture of Earl's fuse block installed on my Beast. I adapted the install slightly because I did not want to mount stuff to the airbox lid. The piece of paper inside the fuse cover lists the circuits by fuse number.
  18. GaryZ
    The Beast started pissing coolant yesterday. I tracked it down to a pin-hole leak in the large hose on top of the front head. While messing with it I removed the radiator cap and found it covered in 'milkshake' goop. Obviously I have oil leaking into the cooling system. All of the coolant that leaked out yesterday was nice and clean. Any suggestions would be appreciated about now . . .
  19. GaryZ
    Yes and No. The Vmax motor is the Venture motor on steroids. The intake manifold will fit, but, the Vmax intake is taller and the Venture airbox no longer fits.
  20. GaryZ
    OK, the bolt on the bottom of the fork tube is screwed into a bracket inside the fork tube. This bracket is a large female hex looking thing (5/8' per others here). You must hold this bracket in order to remove the bottom bolt. A number of homemade devices have been described in this thread. I had a mechanic tell me his method and I have used it successfully. I use a broom handle that has the end carved into a tapered square. Jam the square inside the fork and spin the bolt with a high speed impact. Put it back in the reverse . . .
  21. GaryZ
    There is lots of info on this site about the Venture carbs. The Vmax carbs are the same as the Venture with different jets. The Vmax magic is the 'V-boost' intake manifold that acts like secondaries on a 4-barrel.
  22. GaryZ

    stability

    GaryZ replied to skipbasler's topic in Watering Hole

    Skip, I will repeat what others have said . . . The Yamaha Gen I Venture does not have inherent stability issues. I will also say that I do not think the Venture is 'top heavy' compared to my two ZX11s or my son's ZX12R sport bike. It is not 'top heavy' compared to my 1980 KZ1000 that I sold last year after 22 years of ownership. It is not 'top heavy' compared to a Bandit 600 that I fixed up for a friend last summer. The Venture is just heavy, and it gets really, really heavy if you lean it over when standing still. Harleys and air cooled metric cruisers have a naturally low center of gravity. Are some of you folks comparing cruiser bikes to the VR? If not, what bikes are you comparing?
  23. GaryZ

    stability

    GaryZ replied to skipbasler's topic in Watering Hole

    I agree with verifying the fork oil is equal. However, the fork springs on these babies go bad after maybe 50,000 miles. My VR wanted to 'pogo' on fast sweepers before I changed the springs to Progressives. I run no more than 6lbs of air in my forks with Progressive springs. A stiff front end and soft rear can make the handling spooky.
  24. GaryZ
    I mounted my 'drive-on' chock to a 4-wheel dolly and strapped the handlebars to the rear crash bars to prevent the rig from tipping. This allowed me to move the bike around the garage.
  25. GaryZ
    A 22 short should do it . . . . . Think not? Read on . . . . . . . . . On Bud's Gun Shop Forums the question came up: What is the smallest caliber you trust to protect yourself? The best answer: My personal favorite defense gun has always been a Beretta Jetfire in 22 short . Over all the years I've been hiking I never leave without it in my pocket . Of course . we all know too the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy System . " For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this it means you NEVER hike alone . You bring a friend or companion, even an in-law . That way, if something happens, there is someone to go get help . I remember one time hiking with my brother-in-law in northern Alberta . Out of nowhere came this huge brown bear and man, was she mad . We must have been near one of her cubs . Anyway, if I had not had my little Jetfire I'd sure not be here today . Just one shot to my brother-in-law's knee cap and I was able to escape by just walking at a brisk pace .
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