GaThumper

Good Evening! and Happy St Patrick's Day! I haven't been around for a while and it's been an interesting couple of years here in Georgia. My wife has had several surgeries during the past few years that kept me busy looking after her, and then in December 2014 I had my first surgery ever. I fell in November and suffered a complete tear of my right supraspinatus tendon. Doc said it was a bad tear and I had apparently had a partial tear for some time before the fall. She warned that it might not be repairable, but she was able to get it back together in surgery on December 14. Eight weeks in a sling, three months of physical therapy, three months more of extended therapy, and a little over a year later I've got about 75% of my range of motion and wondering whether I'll get any more. The good news is within the 75% range of motion I have no pain and good strength! I have tried riding the dial sport bike last fall and was able to take some short rides before winter. It still bothers me to hold my arm out and steer the bike for long, but I'm hoping it will get better. However, I've come to the conclusion that I don't feel safe on the Venture and I'm going to put it up for sale. Sadly, it's sat for over a year and it's going to need carb work before it will go on the street again. I'll probably drain the tank and put some fresh fuel in it to see if it will crank, but you all know what happens to a bike that's been sitting. I can't do the work myself, and last time I had it done at the dealer it was expensive. I'm going to get some pictures and post it in the classifieds here first and will let it go to a Venturerider for a good deal either way. Thinking maybe someone with mechanical ability might want a project. It's a pretty nice '01 with low miles. If no one here wants it, I'll post it on the Atlanta Craigslist and let her find a new home there. What do you think I should ask for it needing the carbs gone through? Thank You! James

I bought a Polar Bear 12 pack cooler for my Kayaka nd it is a GREAT quality cooler. I haven't tried it in the saddlebags yet, but it looks like it may fit? However... this is the one I'm thinking about! http://www.aocoolers.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=61&ParentCat=16 http://www.aocoolers.com/images/18saddle.jpg

Just sent you a PM. I'm coming for sure. Can't open Word docs on the home computer but I'll fill out a registration tomorrow at work and send it to you. Email and Paypal OK, or snail mail a check? Thanks, James

Yesh, she's a trailer queen, or trailer trash, or something like that! I drove from northeast Georgia out to Tupalo MS to pick it up today. Not much choice but to let her ride in the back She's a 2009 Suzuki DR650 and I wouldn't be afraid to ride it anywhere. Two years old and only 580 miles, she's not even broke in yet, but I'll see what I can do about that! SHe's replacing the KLR650 that I sold my riding buddy last week and is more versatile, being a bit lighter for the trails, but giving up very little on the street. After trying 6 different dual sport bikes in the past three years, I think this one is the best all around.

Here She Is! I don't even want to get the tires dirty yet... She's never been rode hard, and never been wet. Well, sooner or later, she's in for a RUDE awakening! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/460e860e.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/157be294.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/1aa5b199.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/d5a07ec4.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/b913d578.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/928b67f8.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/DR650/b6b313f2.jpg

I was about to order a set and saw the linked item was "small" and said it was for 7/8" bars. But it also said fits grips that are 1.25 to 1.75... Is that the right ones and will they fit my 2001? Thanks! James

Found this post with lot's of info. Maybe it will help. It looks like you need to determine if you are working with the factory coating that has been ruined and you may be able to remove it with duct tape? Seems like you've not got much to lose at this point, I would give it a try! http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=313571&highlight=windshield#post313571

Don't give up yet. I remember reading about some who had removed the film and polished the underlying windshield. I can't remember how it was removed, but I'll look around and maybe someone else will chime in...

I need to do mine this year as well. Randy, please let me know if you would like an assistant/tool monkey. I'd like to watch. Thanks, James

Added to my calander and I plan to make it! Probably need to confirm a bit closer to the date, but I sure hope it works out. Thanks, James

I went with a plug/patch and a tube in my Dunlop after consulting the tire dealer and him calling his Dunlop representative to get their thoughts. He wouldn't re-install the tire without the tube. He didn't want to be liable for the repair even though Dunlop said it was OK. He's a motorcycle only tire dealer and been in the business along time, so I went with his advice. On my own I may have installed just the patch/plug and let her ride! Here's a quote from Dunlop's "Tire Tips Guide" http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/pdf/11D_FL_SAFETY.pdf Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired. Dunlop recommends only permanent plug-patch repairs of small (maximum 1/4-inch diameter) tread-area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair. Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Advise your customer to check inflation pressure after tire cools for at least three (3) hours following run-in, or sooner if air loss is suspected. See the Dunlop Service Advisory for additional motorcycle tubeless-tire repair information. Follow the same repair procedures for tires on rims requiring tube replacement. The repairer is solely responsible for the repair and any instructions to the repaired-tire user. Advise your customers that no form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by a penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date. Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object. Advise your customers that reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.

Thanks for the advice. I'll take a look at the 3m sealer. I've been reading up and looking at options, wondering whether to use a water based product, and not wanting to alter the breathability and flexability of the canvas (or cotton duct?).

I paid $400 for this one and thought it wasn't a bad deal. It's not braced as well as I ewould like, but I have a friend who can weld aluminum and I'm planning to get him to add some extra bracing for me. It also needs new tires so I'm figuring I'll have $500 in it ready to roll.

Well, I got it home and it's a pretty cool little trailer! I still haven't found a name or been able to match up any pictures on Google to figure out what it is? It has thin canvas? cotton? or somthing, I guess TENT FABRIC! and it's in good shape with the screens intact and the zippers all functional. I'll need to figure out if it needs to be treated/sprayed with something, and lubricate the zippers a bit, but it went up pretty quick and looked good. Missing one of the prop poles for when the top is propped open (it origianally had two) and one plastic tip on one of the support poles, but I'm sure I can find these parts from a tent pole supplier or come up with something that will work. It's definately old, (the PO said his friend had bought it about 20 years ago) and I'm going to be making a few improvements in the bracing, but I'll be a happy camper soon! I'd still appreciate any clues as to the brand. The top and bottom are both plastic if that helps. Thanks! James

Thanks for the reply! It was a good deal (I think) and I went ahead and bought it before it could get away. It looks like a decent enough rig for me solo and I can figure out if I use it enough and want to upgrade to a newer, and much more expensive Roll-A-Home, Bunkhouse, Aspen, etc.