rod
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Everything posted by rod
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I went to the auto parts store and got a 6 fuse block for around $11. It fits behind the battery box under the seat on my 2nd gen nicely. Not purdy but cheap, small and works great. Rod
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Coolant and Brake Fluid - '07
rod replied to N3FOL's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
Coolant is changed because it degrades over time/heat cycles. Brake fluid is changed because it picks up moisture and degrades a bit. I would change it for peace of mind but that is just me. I doubt there will be any big problems waiting to do the fluid change. Rod -
What do you need? Rod
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On vacation to Utah last year a friend and I bought the Nat. park pass. You get a "credit card" with both your names on it and it is good for 2 bikes with passengers. It was $80 and more than payed for itself just going through Zion. I recommend getting the pass it is a great deal. Rod
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Good for you!!! Wish it were me, but I don't have a shop or garage for that matter. Warm shop, wrenching on bike, good company,a puppy and venison on the wood stove what a great day. Rod
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For spacers I use black plastic tubing (like you use for sprinklers) or rubber splicing tape. I get the tubing larger than the the pipe size and use a razor knife to trim to fit the diameter I need. Any hardware store will have them. Rod
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A fellow rider coach sent me this. Ouch that will leave a mark. Rod
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My favorite is whatever I am riding at the time. For solo riding 98 Virago 1100. Touring would be MM Venture. Dirt or dual sport 175 Yamaha endro. Standard 68 Triumph Bonneville. Wish I had Old Indian Chief, Norton, Yamaha TDM, hell one of just about any bike, they are all good to me. I too have had may bikes and even the ones that gave me trouble I liked to ride. Ride safe Rod
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In the BRC we teach the friction zone and counter steering for handling the bike. (over simplified for brevity). There are many techniques that will help any rider doing the ERC. Try it you will like it. Rod
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We have very few students drop their bike on the ERC. If you have problems you just take off and try again. My biggest problem eith the 2nd Gen is not scraping the flooboards in the U turn box. Sport bikes are harder to ride in the tight turns. Have fun Rod
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The Venture is a hand full for us smaller guys, you are not alone. Practice. Get a copy of ride like a pro and practice. Tips: Make sure that your handle bars are straight when you stop. Heavy on the counter weight at slow speeds and "trail brake". Practice and get comfortable with it. Practice Building confidence did wonders for me. Practice Check the air in the front shocks; when mine was low it handled badly at slow speeds. Practice Make sure the steering head bearings are tight. Practice Try not to use the front brake at slow speeds till you get the feel for the weight of the bike. Practice Look where you want to go,keep your head up and don't look at the ground. Oh and did I mention practice 8^). I am sure you will get more tips. Ride safe Rod
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Here is a link to reviews of flip front helmets. http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/index.html I have the Arrow and like it a lot. I bought it at the Long Beach Motorcycle show and they changed the padding to fit my odd shaped head. I payed around $160 for it. Fit is #1 when choosing a helmet. Rod
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A friend I travel with a lot has a Unigo and loves it. It took him 6 mo to find a used one and he had to go to Los Angeles to pick it up. If I were to want a trailer that is the one I would get. Good luck on the search for a used one. Rod
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My dad and grandpa were at Hollister during the "riot". Grandpa ran in the hill climb and they went every year. Other than the local police blocking of the main street for drag racing they did not see anything. Sure a few drunken fights but that happened whether there was a bike rally or not. Life Magazine staged the pictures that they took. BTW they rode 3 up on an Indian Chief , Grandpa, Grandma and my Dad (on a home made seat on the fender rack). Ride safe Rod
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When I drive my truck I have darn near broken my hand trying to wave to bikes on the road. Duh Rod
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In class we get helmet questions a lot. 3 tips...fit,fit, fit. Wear the helmet for at LEAST 10 min in the shop to see if it fits your noggin. I have 4 helmets 1 Sm, 2 med, and 1 lg. Different styles and brands. Fit is the first test, $ and style (in that order), if it don't fit it is trash, if you have a $20 head get a $20 helmet; get the best you can afford that fits!!! I wear a relatively cheap 3/4 in the summer because it fits good (time for a new one but I hve a hard head to fit) and a flip face that the supplier changed liner pieces till it fit. Good luck Rod
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Regular old cheap bearing grease is safe for all rubber,fiber or whatever gaskets. Silicone and graphite based grease can cause some problems sometimes. Any time you need to hold something in place (part position or screw/bolt to the driver tool good old bearing grease does the job great. It is sticky,cheap and any extra does no harm; well not too much in the cooling system. Rod
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Need Some thoughts on gauge problem
rod replied to bikenut's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
I had problems with my fuel gauge at around 23,000 mi. I took it to the dealer and they fixed under warrente no problem. I had 00000 miles on the odo after the fix. Good luck Rod -
My wife and here friend so the walk. Thanks for you participation. It is a great cause. Good luck Rod
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We bought ours at JC Whitney. They look like the Yamaha bags only 1/2 the price. Rod
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I bought a 98 Virago and joined the local Virago Owners club. One of the guy's (Don Preston) got a 99 Venture. His wife Bobbie fell asleep on the back all the time. Rose decided we need a bigger bike for trips and I said only if I keep the Virago. When we started looking at the bikes on my list she sat on the MM Venture and said this one. I said I like the Midnight color and she said the MM so guess what we got? Lots of smiles and miles later I have gotten used to the white bike. Rod
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We have them for training bikes and also the xt225. I have taken an offroad corse on the TW. Very nice bikes and reliable. For short hauls and trails I would love to have one. 1st is real low and a lot of guys change the sprocket to raise the gearing a bit. Good luck Rod
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Here is what I would do from where you are at. Turn fuel valve to res, remove the fuel line and drain all the fuel out. Pour 1/2 in tank with the fuel line still off. check the fuel you flushed out for rust or contaminates. Replace fuel line. Mix Seafoam with 1 gal of gas and pour into the tank, run bike for a few minutes to get the fresh mix in the carbs and let set over night. Worth a try. Good luck Rod
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Had front lowered by dealer
rod replied to phochief's topic in Royal Star Venture Tech Talk ('99 - '13)
If the forks are above the trees, he lowered it. Lowering the front does not change the seat much. Moving forward on the seat will get you flat footed. Lowering the back changes the seat hight but affects the ground clearance of the bike. Rod -
I know how you feel. I had to deliver MSF booklets to the DMV today. It was hard, get paid hourly wage and 55 cents a mile to ride 120 miles. Ruff job but some one has to do it. Just wish it was full time. I thought of all you snowed in/cold weather guy's the whole time. Don't you feel better now? Helpful Rod