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LilBeaver

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Everything posted by LilBeaver

  1. LilBeaver
    Glad I'm not the only one... By the way if you end up coming across the northern part of Texas (through Amarillo) and fill up you should expect an approximate 10-20% reduction in your fuel economy and overall range. The formulation they use for their gas is goofy and every-time I ride up there I'm always hitting reserve way earlier than I anticipate. Be safe!
  2. LilBeaver
    Based on the folks that have talked about the ME880s falling apart or 'chunking' and Meltzer's unwillingness to accept that it was a problem. But I'm glad yours have been good for you!
  3. LilBeaver
    Lots of good pictures and such, thanks for sharing. I have tried to do this on a few of my trips and i always end up not taking enough pictures and then not finishing the write ups because of the time it takes me to do it. Yup, been to THAT Las Vegas a few times, there is lots of good riding NW of there. Not far from here actually. Hope your trip and riding continues to go well!! I wish I could take the time off to ride like that too THANKS!
  4. LilBeaver
    Wow. That is amazing. I have similar thoughts when I see the 'custom choppers' that are around (mostly in pictures or parked outside of bars) but I am sure some folks look at our touring bikes and scratch their heads and wonder 'why in the world would you buy THAT'. To each their own. Thanks for the link.
  5. LilBeaver
    Me either, but us common folk just call 'threads' 'clothes' and I don't see what that has to do with the site...
  6. LilBeaver
    Good info, thanks a lot Gary. It is too bad shipping is so gosh darn much (that is where my partshark price of 30+ came from - ie. including shipping). I guess if it is really going to be that involved, when it comes time to do it I should just buy the switch, fix it right and be done with it. Thanks a lot!
  7. LilBeaver
    Nice. Although I think I would have just moved on all together... I suppose that might depend on what the part actually is and how hard they are to find. I always hate reinforcing poor business practices, bad customer service and dishonest salespeople...
  8. LilBeaver
    ^^I completely understand the rationale from the business perspective and the fact that the warranty good dates are pretty clearly set as is. But boy oh boy, I would be nervous about it... Yikes. Maybe a call to Yamaha customer service voicing the concerns; even if it is just for a 90 day 'workmanship guarantee' or whatever you want to call it. Or at least see what the shops NORMAL policy is on guaranteeing their work.
  9. LilBeaver
    Well at least they seem to be following through with the rebuild and everything. I too would be awfully skeptical until I saw the final product. Hopefully all will stay on track and whatnot. I wonder if you can get some sort of 'extended' warranty/guarantee on the rebuild since it is being done and you are so close to the end of your warranty period.
  10. LilBeaver
    So I have what is likely a dumb question, but I'll ask it anyways. My neutral light functions intermittently and it has been this way since I have had my bike. I presume that the switch itself it faulty or gummed up. If a new switch wasn't $30+ (partshark) or ~45+tax from my local stealer, I would just replace it and be done with it. What I would like to know is the following: 1) Can the neutral switch assembly be removed from the bike without loosing a significant amount of oil? 2) Is this switch something that CAN be cleaned and put back in (I have no idea how it works or what it looks like which is why I am uncertain about this. 3) Is it correct to assume that if I remove this puppy I will need to find a new gasket for it in order to reassemble? To be a little more clear about what I mean by it functions intermittently is that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't (when I am in neutral). There does seem to be a correlation with how warm the bike is but not an absolute since it comes and goes. That is it almost always functions just fine when the bike is cool. After a couple hours of riding it may function or it may not. It doesn't usually flicker on and off or anything it is either ON reliably or it is reliably OFF (again, YES I am in neutral :raspberry:). Anyone else have (and resolve) this issue? Further input? Thanks! Overall this really is not that big of a deal as it doesn't really affect anything other than I cannot leave the engine run and put down the sidestand when it stops functioning. But I am one of those people that likes things to work like they are supposed to and if it is going to be a quick fix, I just assume do it. Also, if the gasket wasn't ~$15 or so I wouldn't question replacing it; but thanks to my local stealership they do not have them in stock and assess a 'special order' fee for any parts they do not have on hand (not to mention their RIDICULOUS markup from the MSRP). Needless to say they get as little of my business as possible.
  11. LilBeaver
    Any news?
  12. LilBeaver
    You may want to avoid the eyes though, even if they are feeling a little dry.
  13. LilBeaver
    That is an EXCELLENT question. Avon AND the tire rep told me (when they replaced my first set) that the problem was resolved. A few months later, that set that was from the 'resolved batch' cracked almost exactly the same... And then it got worse, it started to crack in one of the treads itself. That set got replaced with E3s (courtesy of my dealer). Been on E3s for ~15k miles or something like that and am quite happy with them. I'll be looking for the next set sometime in the next couple of months and as far as I'm concerned Dunlop has my business.
  14. LilBeaver
    What kind do you use? These are the EBC 'Organic' (Not the 'double sintered HH' ones) When I bought my bike it had the yamahaha metallic crap on there that squealed like a pig- they are almost brand new but I replaced them because I couldn't stand the noise.
  15. LilBeaver
    Or didn't care about my rotors!
  16. LilBeaver
    The ones shown in the first post (for now anyways) are one of the front sets. The other set was almost identical, I just didn't feel like washing my hands again to take another picture. I'll get A few shot of the rear pads up too. I actually still have about 10% of the rear pads left and that was with ~23k miles of wear (on the rear). I changed those anyways - since I was there.
  17. LilBeaver
    Popped off the ol calipers today doing my routine checks (I also changed the spark plugs, shielded my audio wiring and did a few other minor things) and realized it was about time to change the pads. Once I got down to about half worn I started checking them every week or two and I am absolutely amazed how quickly these things wear when they get close to the end... This is only about 17k miles but since my bike is used as my primary vehicle it does get its fair share of stop and go. I did realize that some of these didn't focus all that well - oops. Next time, I will just change them out when they start to get thin!! This was a bit too close for comfort for me.
  18. LilBeaver
    If it is any colsolation, it is my opinion that $3800 for the wing is way WAY too high. I have been pricing out newer wings and I have seen quite a few ~96 and newer for ~5k+. Only 19k miles on it? Like other have said, that is a huge can of unknowns. I don't give a rip how clean it looks on the outside that bike has done some serious sitting at some point. it is possible that it was purchased late and ridden a little bit every season, but still, lots of unknowns (especially for 3800). With the mileage on the venture, that wouldn't bother me at all from a longevity standpoint. I have put lots and lots of miles on an 82 GL1100, I absolutely love that bike (very well made, etc etc) but have never ridden a 1st gen venture so I cannot compare the two. I guess if you don't mind getting greasy and turning some wrenches that wing may be a good way to go (provided you can get the price down quite a bit). All of this said, if there is proof that the bike has been regularly ridden in the last couple years or has been torn down and rebuilt by a competent individual and runs well now then I guess maybe 3800 isn't that bad of a price; even so, seems a bit high. Just my
  19. LilBeaver
    Well done all around! Great write up, nice lookin' scoot and GLAD YOU MADE IT SAFELY!!
  20. LilBeaver
    Absolutely. Although, as Dan mentioned, I would certainly bring along a healthy set of tools and spare parts so that I could do just about anything (other than a complete rebuild, of course) on the side of the road or parking lot necessary - just in case. No sense in not being prepared. Oh yeah, that and the VR Assistance list. Giddy-up.
  21. LilBeaver
    I have to agree with DaveZipcode on this one - I have ridden in some NASTY storms and the only way I get wet is if I stop or from the road spray up from other traffic. My clearview did keep me a bit dryer but the OEM shield I have now does a fine job too. A significant coss-wind with the heavy rain and of course you get wet, but that is bound to happen regardless of what you are on or behind. I suppose different 'people' shapes and sizes may have something to do with it as well. I've cruised all day at 55 and also long times at 80+. It did just fine in that range. Staying out of 5th until 70mph or higher certainly makes a difference too. I think my favorite cruising speed on the bike is a hair under 70 but the bike is quite smooth through that entire range. I cannot really comment on how the air flows around a full face helmet but I can say that I wear a 3/4 helmet, sometimes with a face shield and with or without the face-shield I hardly ever have wind on my face unless I have my vent open. We do have quite a few folks on here that prefer the full face helmets and surely they will comment soon.
  22. LilBeaver
    That is a good question. The two by me that [claim to] sell ethanol free do it on ALL grades. On the road though, I have been tricked by a few signs that advertise the no ethanol and after I pull in and read the pump I see it is only premium.
  23. LilBeaver
    I guess I cannot really argue with that one. While you are being faster, I will just keep riding since I don't have to stop for fuel quite as frequently as you 'smaller tank' folks do As for your toes getting the bolt - it really depends on how large your feet are and how you position them when you are riding. I wear a 13-15 (depending on the brand/type of shoe and if I want to take the time to stretch them out or not) and it was definitely in my way. Wow, excellent price! I shopped around A LOT when I bought mine and this is easily the best price I've seen on these. Right after I got mine I was seeing $130+, frequently not including S&H.
  24. LilBeaver
    Thanks, all of those seem reasonable. Although I just put my helmet in the trunk . Considering the bugs, road grime and other crap that ends up on my pegs (and primarily my lack of motivation to wash the bike) I guess I am not sure I [personally] would want that as a storage place for the helmet. Here are a few shots of mine
  25. LilBeaver
    I have at least two in my town - neither of which are listed on that site.
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