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Stoutman

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Everything posted by Stoutman

  1. Stoutman
    Ditto on that. I do run 87 or above if I get into the higher elevations. At those altitudes the regular gas is 84 octane or less dep[ending on altitude. I found on this last trip that I still need 87 octane even at higher altitude. It sure does run good on curve three.
  2. Stoutman

    avon tires

    Stoutman replied to a topic in General Tech Talk

    I've had the narrow Avon for 16000 miles. It fit the rim fine, and the rim size on our bikes is within Avon's own specs for the tire. That said I'll probably go to the stock size when I change this one because I have the leveling links and think the handling will be fine with the stock size Avon. The stock size Avon is narrower by about 1/2 inch than the Bridgestone stock size tire. That alone will give some improvement in handling. Look for posts by V7Goose on this subject.
  3. Stoutman
    I've only heard my fan come on twice, both times at the same backed up four way stop, and in the Texas summer. I'll drag the rear brake and slip the clutch, while going very slowly toward my turn to go through the intersection. On hot days the fan will come on after about 2 minutes of that. It is very quiet.
  4. Stoutman
    I'm going to split this one down the middle. I looked at Avons web site for recommended tire pressure. For our bike they recommend 41 front 44 rear. I just ran through my first Avon rear. It had 11,500 miles on it with about 1.5mm of tread left, but I changed it before a long trip. I probably could have ran that tire for 14,000 miles. It wore very evenly with a constant 44psi. I'm still running my front tire with 15,000 miles on it. I'll probably order a new one for Christmas.
  5. Stoutman
    I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit behind the license plate, then bent it back about 60 degrees. It is still visible from behind, but lays more flat toward the fender. It works great for the inspection sticker.
  6. Stoutman
    My Avons have no dots to mount by the tire stem. I installed the rear tire three weeks ago. It took exactly 1 oz of weights to balance the tire. Just inspected it this week after 3400 miles. Looks fine with no excessive wear.
  7. Stoutman
    I found this link on how to use the tire changer with motorcycle adapter. Good luck. The first time will take longer than the next. Just take your time and if you get frustrated then take a break. The first time I did it I was surprise at how easy the new tire went on. One secret is to leave the new tire in the sun while you take the old tire off, then the new tire will be warm and pliable. Also, whatever you use for lubricant, don't slosh it into the tire. You don't want to have a bunch of liquid swishing around messing up your balance. I really don't use the big long tire changing tool that comes with the Harbor freight tire changer. I just use two tire irons and work the tire into place. The big long changing bar works great on car tires though.
  8. Stoutman
    Good stuff here. My two cents is to keep track of what is around you. I often find cagers driving right beside me with the phone glued to their ear, or talking with their passengers, putting on makeup, etc. They'll also do the same while following 6 feet off my back tire. There is no way they can see me with their head somewhere else. I always make sure I'm staggered in traffic so nobody is right beside me. Similarly, I stay out of blind spots. That way I have some place to go if things get dicey. If they follow to close I'll slow down, or even show them the flat of my hand in a stop signal. You'd be amazed at how many people back off. The ones that don't back off find a way to go around. My closest call lately was to pass someone on the right as they slowed to make a left turn. The oncoming traffic was also turning left, and they didn't see me behind the car I was passing. It was only my situational awareness that saved my bacon that day. That and the wonderful V4 motor that moved me out of the way when I grabbed a handful. If I had tried to stop I would have been road rash.
  9. Stoutman
    I did the same thing. Nice low mellow sound and they look good as well. Now if I sell the bike I can put the stock pipes with it and they will have no road wear.
  10. Stoutman

    tire change

    Stoutman replied to bill04's topic in Watering Hole

    The narrower Avon also has a ligher load rating than the stock size. It is a 74 load rating, vs. a 71 on the stock size. The rear tire is sold in the regular and higher load rating. If you buy from Southwest Moto they ship the higher load rating tire for the rear. If you run heavy this is a good way to go. The other option is to go with the Michelin Commanders. I know Freebird and others use the Michellin and like the ride and wear.
  11. Stoutman
    If you look close at the fins there is no boss on the inside that sits up against the block plugs. The plugs are held in with the friction of the plug alone. Mine have held just fine for over 18,000 miles.
  12. Stoutman
    If you did the powder coat, what color would you use? I think the powder coat is a great idea. That would be different. Of course, you can't go wrong with chrome either.
  13. Stoutman
    Very glad to hear he is doing OK. Don't want to kick a guy when he is down, but no helmet, MSF, or endorsement... I hope it knocked some sense into him.
  14. Stoutman
    I do like the look of the older engine covers. That silver looks more natural. I took my covers off all together and have not put them back on. If I've got to look at the black I'll look at the engine block. I think it runs cooler in this Texas heat without those fake fins.
  15. Stoutman
    The manual suggested shift points are for the 1000 mph break in period. Even then I think it is way to low. I tried driving my RSTD that way when I first got it and was not happy. When I finally broke the 1000 mile point and started letting it run at higher revs it is a much happier bike. I agree with others here. I'll hit 3rd gear at 65 mph if I need to pass on a hill. This bike just gets up and goes.
  16. Stoutman
    I don't know how you do it. I can never get out of Bass Pro shops for only 10 bucks. My hat is off to you.
  17. Stoutman
    I have bought many items from them and I've always been satisfied with their service. The big draw for me is their descriptions usually include sizing information and a personal review of the item by their staff. That helps me decide if the size I need will arrive as I expect. Many clothing manufacturers have a different idea of what XXL means. Often, it is not what I need. With New Enough, I can be sure that I'll get what I need. All that and they do business from the Great State of Texas.
  18. Stoutman
    I bought the DVD and learned a lot. I also burned up a new set of rear brake pads in the process. His technique for dragging the rear brake while slipping the clutch to add stability during slow speed maneuvers really works, but it is hard on the rear brake pads. I wore a new set out in 6000 miles after I learned that trick. Here is a picture of the Yamaha rear brake pads after 6000 miles, compared to new EBC pads.
  19. Stoutman
    Don / Dragracer, Maybe you could post the name and address of the vendor that sells these plans. As an engineer, I'd feel better about buying someone's intellectual property rather than copying it.
  20. Stoutman
    I use the H3 halogen. I buy them from Susquehanna Motorsports. They are about 1/5 what Mamayamaha wants. You can get the 55 watt instead of the stock 35 watt. I"ve found that oncoming drivers do not tolerate 55 watt lamps well at night. I've even had people flash their lights at me in the day when I run the 55 watt. I find the 35 watt well tolerated by oncoming traffic even at night. I tried it with the left lamp 35 watt and the right lamp 55 watt, and aimed the right lamp a bit toward the right side of the road to help illuminate deer and such. People still flashed their high beams at me. Best of luck.
  21. Stoutman
    I've used my tractor battery also.
  22. Stoutman
    If you have a center stand or a bike lift you can leave the lights turned off and just use a level to get the vertical alignment. Put the bike on its center stand, or put it on the lift just enough to get it to stand up with both tires on the ground. Take the front bezel off and loosen the adjusting nut. Take the light out and let it dangle. Adjust the lamp so that the face is plumb straight up and down. Check to make sure both lamps are facing straight ahead. I do this with a level or straight edge laying across the top, then look down on the lights to see they both align side to side. I put blue locktite on the adjuster nut because I had trouble with the lamp coming loose and turning around to face the bike. Didn't lose the light, but had to turn it off until I could stop and tighten things back down. Hold everything in place while you tighten things up. They can slip out of alignment as mentioned above, and then you have to start over. Check them again to be sure the are straight up and down, and square side to side, then put the lamps back together. I have found this process to align the lights perfectly.
  23. Stoutman
    This is a common problem with automotive audio. There are filters that you can install in the power to your AUX plug that will reduce this noise. My favorite one looks like a small coil of wire wrapped around an iron core and is sold by AC Delco authorized repair facilities. Also, the ground suggestion above is good advice. I would check that first. The reason you are not getting the noise when you run the GPS on its battery is that the noise is entering the system via the AUX power plug. Making sure you have a good ground could reduce this noise. If not go to your local car stereo shop and describe the problem and ask them to recommend a choke or filter.
  24. Stoutman
    I saw that when you posted it the first time. That is Legendary! As fun as that looks, I think I'll keep the old tire and try to get another 3-4k out of it, or just keep it around in case I damage my good tire and need a quick replacement to keep me on the road.
  25. Stoutman
    I received this coupon via e-mail. Not a bad price for the basic tire changer. You still need the motorcycle adaptor to change your bike tires. Good until 8-15-07. I found this link on how to use the tire changer with motorcycle adapter.
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