LilBeaver

Gary: If this thing works like it claims to (and you verify that in your testing and you are happy with it) you can count me in for one Depending on weight and actual size, padded envelopes may be much cheaper than the $5 fixed rate boxes. (Just a thought) -Rick EDIT: I can do pay pal to you as well, no problem with that here.

Unfortunately, the best I have found is to sort by state. Maybe someone else will chime in with better knowledge on the subject. I wouldn't mind having a complete print out, if that is what we need to do. But I don't know of a way to get all of them to be displayed on a single page either (ie one would have to click next, then print, next then print, etc...)

Good luck friend!! Hope it all goes as planned

A cheap collapsible zipper lunch box/cooler type deal holds plenty of tools. (Thanks for the idea flb ) I agree with the craftsman bit. BUT, I have yet to find a reasonable all metric set. So, I have pieced together a handful of sockets, a few wrenches (key sized for the necessary items on the bike), two different sized adjustable wrenches (for anything I may have overlooked), a set of ball end hex key (allen) wrenches, hex head sockets for the few hex screws/bolts that are kept at a higher torque that having a ratchet on is a little bit easier than the hex key, a few different sized pliers from a few sets that I've picked up from sears when that stuff goes on sale once every other week (only a slight exaggeration) and a flashlight or two. As a result, I have a set of tools that stay in the bike - complete enough that I can do my routine maintenance with the tools in the saddle bag (after all, if I do not like working on the bike with the tools in the garage - I sure as heck do not want to be fumbling around on the side of a dark road with tools that honk me off under ideal conditions). And some partial sets that sit in my tool box in the garage (along with the rest of the complete sets in the box). After all, I do not know of a situation where too many tools is a bad thing... I guess what I'm trying to say is you may have to piece together your appropriate set instead of being able to find one that has most of what you want. I ended up making a list of the tools I used for routine maitenence, then sizes/tools needed for any other operation on the bike that I could think of. From those I was able to compile a (what I feel is) rather complete set of tools for the bike with only a few additional purchases which included one of those 8 or 12 pc combination wrench sets (that coem on the handy plastic hanger deals and go on sale for 40-50% off once every few weeks), a few 'extra' sockets that came with a ratchet, a neat little case and some more sockets :- P -- again, one of those things that go on sale for somewhere between 30 and 50% off. I guess my short summary wasn't much shorter than my initial statement. Oh well. Oh yea, don't forget extra fuses, zip ties, electrical tape, duct tape, some 10 or 12 gauge wire, a multi-meter, and most importantly the VR.org assistance list for the region you will be traveling through.

Just as a warning here, I am certainly no expert when it comes to carbs or this stuff, I am not a professional mechanic by any means (nor do I pretend to be) and I did not stay at a holiday inn express last night... But I'll offer a few thoughts as maybe something might help... A few things come to mind: First of all: You said that the carbs were cleaned less than 8500 miles ago and the plugs were changed at the same time. was there something wrong with performance or the carbs at that time? How long ago was that and how often was the bike run in between those times? How much time has passed since the bike ran well and the current behavior (was there a time that the bike sat?)? The book has an 8,000 mile change interval on plugs (I believe) so if you are close to 8k since the last plug change, that could be an easy check. Next: If you do have a passage that is completely plugged in the carbs, you could run all the seafoam in the world through it and it wouldn't help; so if you do have a fuel delivery problem (caused by a blocked passage in the carb) cleaning the carbs is probably the next thing. But pulling the cabrs off and checking for proper setting and positioning of floats, jets, etc could also be benificial here. Before you pull those puppies off I do have a few other ideas or things to check out (if you have not done so already; my apologies if you have already done any of the following but here they are anyway) Running with pops while choked and then hardly running while at idle could certainly be a caburator problem and that may be the way to go. However, something else to check is to see if you are getting fuel all cyliders at all and also to ensure that you are getting spark to all of the cyliders. I know that you said that you pulled the plugs and they look fine but here is an idea (if you have not done it yet). - Pull the plugs and clean them with a wire brush, gap them appropriately then put them back in - Crank the motor (with the choke fully in) but do not start the engine (ie turn it over a few times) - Pull the plugs (noting which one came out of which cylinder, of course) and look at them again while also smelling very carefully to see if you smell any of them with an overwhelming fuel smell. Also carefully inspect each one to see if they all look the same. If any of them look different, note which one(s) appear different and compare them to pictures (or a vehicle that you know is running fine) to see if you can determine whether you are actually getting fuel and combustion at that particular cylinder. - While you have the caps off of the plugs, I would go ahead and pull the ends of the caps off and check and clean the little spring inside each cap. Some of us have found that those get heavily corroded and inhibit the ability to deliver the appropriate spark to actually fire properly. (Goose has a real nice write up on this in the tech section, by the way). Oh yea, something else to do to determine which cylider is not firing (if that is the case) is to start it up (cold) and while warming up, monitor the temperature of each exhaust pipe as it comes right out of the motor. If any of them are colder than the others then you have identified a cylinder that is either not firing due to an ignition problem or a fuel delivery problem (well, fuel-air mixture delivery problem that is). Some folks have had some luck with filling the carbs with straight up seafoam and letting it sit over night (by draining the carbs, turning the fuel off, then running the hose that goes through the fuel pump and into the carbs into a bottle of seafoam and letting the fuel pump suck some seafoam into the system). I do maintain that if you have an idle passage that is 100% blocked this will probably not be helpful, but who knows - :shrugs: Some other thoughts are things like make sure that the vacuum caps/hoses and whatnot on the carbs are all run to the right places and that the caps seal properly. Sorry you are having trouble friend, and sorry that this probably isn't much help. Hopefully someone else can chime in with some more useful information/guidance.

I believe that there is actually is an additional set of holes setup so that all you need to do is pull the bolts out, slide it back and re-insert the bolts (you may need nuts for the ends of one of the sets) but on some RSVs (I presume all, but maybe they stopped after a particular year) that's all you've got to do. I believe someone has some pictures in here of how to do it. I know on mine it was pretty easy. Good luck!!

I guess I got the deluxe model or something... Mine already had numbers on them and a brief note explaining why the numbers were there. (Thanks Larry )

Yup yup. Also, within MS Outlook if you want to delete something permanently (that is get it ACTUALLY off of your system) you have to hold the "shift" key while you press delete. That removes it from your computer (or the exchange server, depending on how your particular machine is setup) instead of just moving it to the 'deleted items' folder.

I just don't get it. I have been using PCs all my life. I have used Macs when I have needed to and I choose to stick with PCs because of what I tend to do with computers PCs suit my needs more than a Mac does. I do need to use the windows OS over the Linux simply due to the types of stuff I end up needing to run and share and I don't have the time (or desire) to develop my own software or spend a lot of time downloading and debugging other's software (via Linux). With that said, I use both Linux and windows systems and have never had a virus problem with a windows machine that I have used. So, what do I do? Well I guess it is more so what I don't do... I don't open e-mails from anyone I don't know I don't open e-mails that have attachments unless I know what it is, who it is from, etc. I don't play games on the internet I don't download a bunch of stuff I don't do a lot of surfing on sites that would be conducive to attacking my machine I do not leave my computer plugged into any network unattended - that is, if I am done using the network for the time being, I either turn off the adapter or unplug it from the network I do not have any of the 'automatic updating' of the software on my machine enabled - that way I have complete control over when and what my pooter downloads etc etc... What I do: I do have a firewall setup on my personal computer as well as the networks that I have personal control over I do run the occasional anti-virus scan I do keep a complete backup of my system so that if something does happen my data loss is a minimum I do realize that there are far fewer viruses that make their way around to Linux or Mac systems (and the reasons for that from the computer programming standpoint) but so far I've been fine with the windows based machines I've been using. Oh well, I am sure it will happen some time... Just my :2cents::2cents: on the 'issue'

Mine: 2002 F-250 XLT Supercab, Long Bed -- LOVE it (18 mpg highway) 2005 Ford Escape XLT (with the V6) - Just got back from a ~4,000 mile trip and it was pretty good for it. I would have been much happier if I could have gotten more than 300 miles per tank of gas though... (I averaged 24 hwy, 20 city - it just has a small tank )

Tom: I got home and it was in the mail box. ) Thanks again!! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

Yes sir. Same here. Except I got home from being gone for about 3 weeks to find that I had a broken line... yee-haw. Good luck with yours!!

Good luck with the Job! As everyone else, I'm glad that it seems your Dad is doing well. Oh yea, and look out for flying ice on your way back

On those suzukis the letters after the numbers described what types of options it had. For example: the 1978 GS750 and GS750E; the only difference was that the E had double front discs instead of single front disc. Other designations indicate seat type, fairing type (if applicable) etc. So, you are probably pretty safe with the wiring diagrams for just about any of the GS550s you would be looking at. Check out http://www.thegsresources.com/ That should give you some helpful reading Good luck!! P.s. I know there are a few of us Suzuki GS owners around here - maybe someone else will chime in. I do have a service manual for a GS750 - I don't know how much help it will be for your GS550, but if you want to take a look let me know and I can e-mail it to you.

What, no pictures of your new rig? Sheesh... :stickpoke: Seriously, Glad you are home and sounds like things are going okay, under the circumstances anyways. I hope that your recovery is as speedy and painless as possible. Take it easy down there,

I've known about it for quite some time ( I do not recall how I initially heard about it being in Vancouver though...)... Vancouver is a great place to visit (and work) but I cannot imagine how much of a zoo it will be with all of the 'extra' people there for the Olympics... That said, I certainly will not be doing anything to get up there to see anything Olympics related. I am not one for big crowds of people either; so I'm weird like that.

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the unit. If I recall correctly that particular unit was introduced in late 2003 or early 2004 (I used to sell these things) and was terrific for the time. Have you tried updating the unit's software and such? Often times that helps. Go to: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsUpdates.jsp?product=010-00408-04&cID=164&pID=297 All the way at the bottom there is a software update that was put out 14-Jan-08. You can check to see if that is actually on your unit or not. Either way, re-loading it may help your situation. Did you buy it from an individual or was it a 'store' type thing. If it was a store, and you paid via credit card you may be able to work something out with the store, or with your CC company (depending on how much you spent on it) under the CC protection act; as a last resort. That is, receiving a defective product, or whatever. It may be a long shot, but may be worth a try (again, depending on how much you put into it). Sorry; I hope you are able to figure something out with it. I have had nothing but good experiences with the many Garmin units I have demoed and the few that I have owned. In fact, my GPS V Deluxe is going on 7 years and still running fine...

This, according to Garmin, is 100% FALSE.

I think it helps that mine was pretty straight forward. ie. No claimed injuries, no other vehicles involved; pretty cut and dry. I hope that your situation comes to a close, in an acceptable manner, sometime in the near future...

Well. Things have gone amazingly smoothly so far. Yesterday I took the vehicle to the collision adjuster (that deals with vehicles). We spent about an hour or so and I walked out with a check for the initial estimated amount. With what we had discussed, and what I know about doing bodywork, etc. I know that there will be at least one or two supplements in getting this taken care of and the adjuster had mentioned the same thing to me but 'assured' me that progressive would take care of everything above my deductible, blah blah blah. So far so good. I just wish I was closer to my own shop so I could do the work myself and be done with it... (mostly because I enjoy this kind of stuff) I am still waiting to hear about getting reimbursed or subsidized for the rental car and hotel bill that I had to get because Progressive couldn't find me a windshield until the following Monday (the hit happend on a Saturday) but it does look promising. Thus far and considering the circumstances, I do not know that things could actually move any more smoothly than they are. Anyhoo, just thought I'd update anyone following along.

Started mine twice today. And several times yesterday. Twice today because I went to work then came home. Several times yesterday because I had a lot of running around to do.

To make sure you do not harm the paint, I would wash the surface with simple soap and water first (if you have not done so already) then use a degreaser (available from wal-mart or any autoparts store). Then, after using the degreaser, go ahead and wax/polish the tank (at least anything that the degreaser touched) The heat gun is fine as long as you do not get the plastic too hot. The mentioned items may work, but, there is some potential to do harm to the finish on the painted surfaces if you do use those materials (except for maybe the 'goo be gone' or whatever that is called...). **Source: Several years of family run body shop experience... But still just my

Yup yup... This one always makes me chuckle and think of almost every time I run into an older motorcyclist... Always have a story or two to share. Some are taller than others

If you would like to be added or removed from this list - let me know via posting to this thread and I will do my best to stay on top of it. Thank you KiteSquid for taking care of this up to this point, what a terrific idea!! I hope this can keep going and continue to help people out. KiteSquid's original text, with rules (slightly adjusted in a few places for clarity and redundancy): There are three copies of Ride Like a Pro (RLAP) IV or V DVD's that are free for anybody who wants it. FREE, but they have to agree NOT to copy it, and to pass it along for FREE to the next person after a short viewing session.... maybe two weeks???? The sender pays the postage, NOT the recipient, so no money changes hands, this I think will keep it all legal!! To request to be put on this list, please post to this thread and you will be put on in order posted on my next visit to the thread. Please DO NOT PM me as you will only be put on the list if you post to this thread... My apologies if you got missed, just let me know and I will put you in the appropriate place. PLEASE Remember to post something you learned from the video. And again, I am not connected with RLAP, I just want my fellow bikers to have a long and healthy life on two wheels and anyway that we all can learn to ride safely is a good thing!!!!!! By the way, if you are tired of waiting, or would like to purchase your own copy please click HERE to order and be sure to ask for your Venture Rider Forum member discount. IIRC it saves you $5. BTW this DVD is worth every penny!!!!!!! The List: People who originally, freely gave away their copy of RLAP IV or V (Thanks a lot you guys!!) KiteSquid, Friesman1, jburrell :clap2: Currently HAS a copy: Reed -- somewhere in ND Bubber JMorrison ** Going to BurgyMon Canada camos – Saanichton, BC Semi-Retired - St. Catherines, Ontario Mover - Stratford, Ontario Australia United States krome rose ** Reported as no response BurgyMon ** Confirmation/Will Receive indianriverjack -- Belpre OH 1sttenor in Jeff City MO Condor in Carmichael Ca fixit3546 in Mechanicsburg (Bentonia) MS RandyR in Dahlonega GA GaThumper in Cleveland GA Blackjack in Snellville GA Black Owl in Apple Valley MN eusa1 in Dixon IL Larry M – Pullman WA MidlifeVenture – Twinsburg, OH 67mini67 – Cheney, WA Jemorrisonjr – New Berlin, WI Joer – Hudson Oaks, TX Hunter_1500 – Ferrisburgh, VT Little Bob – Steven’s Point, WI camos – Saanichton, BC Motorcycle Mike – Lawrenceville, GA midnite – Mc Kenzie, TN Donde - Rockport, TX nbowersock - North Ft. Worth, TX Travelin Man (formerly: Crazy_Frog) - McRae, GA SylWoody - Talladega, AL Gdlover - Newton, IA Dave3 - Fayetteville, GA Slick97spirit (Ken) - Jackson, MO Semi-Retired (Mike) - St. Catherines, Ontario TopV (Joe) - Fall River, MA DAKn2 - Mundelein, IL Mover - Stratford, Ontario ronhenry4 (Ron) - Cincinnati, OH Scooter45 (Jim) - Redwood Falls, MN Nemo (Owen) - Council Bluffs, IA The Black Pearl () - Traverse City, MI Short-haul () - River Oaks, TX T hole () - North Liberty, IA Removed from list, for aforementioned reasons (or I think that they have seen it): Seen it: kbay, MikeC, timgray, painterman67, skydoc_17, uthpda, Bubber, Naked Rider (changed forum name from 1_2_ride_RSV), JMorrison, Roadhand For the efficient passage of the video how please do the following: 1) Upon receipt of the video, post that you have received it. 2) Initiate communication with the next person on the list (which ought to be included with the video and I will do my best to keep the list updated on here too) **Maybe contact the next 2 or 3 at a time, with the understanding that the list order will be maintained, just in case the first one does not respond 3) Communication with the next person on the list ought to be done via e-mail, PM or telephone call (based on whatever you are comfortable with and what is available in the person's profile). 4) Let us allow 1 week for the person next on the list to respond (which is why initiating the communication immediately would be advised). 5) If no response, move to the next person on the list. 6) When a response is confirmed, post the results so we know where they are at. 7) After viewing the video, post something you learned from it (as per KiteSquid's request), and post when sent to the next person. MOST IMPORTANTLY: 8) Ride safe **** Sample message to next person: Howdy: I have received a copy of "Ride Like a Pro" and you are the next on the list to receive it. (According to the list on: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24973&page=21) If you could let me know either way (whether you are still interested in viewing it or not) that would be appreciated. I will wait about a week before I contact the next person on the list. If someone else commits to it before you do (after the 1 week) then you will not lose your place on the list, but may not get it from me ~depending on whether I still have it or not. Just post in the thread (linked to above) that you would still like to view it and you can be next in line to get a copy. If you do want it, let me know and send me the address that you would like it sent to. I will send it first class mail when I am done with it (probably a week or so). Thanks a lot, - YOUR NAME HERE *******END sample message Thanks ya'll.

Owen: Gotcha Ron: I added you to the list not long after you requested a few weeks ago... We've got quite the list going on here