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Stoutman

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Everything posted by Stoutman

  1. Stoutman
    Be sure to check for interference with your knees. I know you are raising the bar and it shouldn't be an issue for you. When I put on my mustang seat I didn't even think of it until I tried to do a tight u-turn. Then I discovered that the seat had pushed me forward enough that the handle bars hit me in the knees. I raised the bars using the method described above, take off the windshield, remove the speedo assembly (it unplugs in the back if you want to remove it), put a cover between the tank and the bars in case the bars drop, loosen the screws, raise the bars, tighten things up.... Once you're done check for interference at the new height. It made my throttle cable come really close to the windshield. Now I have a little wear mark on the shield where the two rub together a bit from normal vibration. This is even worse with the Clearview extra wide windshield. Best of luck.
  2. Stoutman
    I must confess I've stressed my RSTD beyond those limits a time or two. I can't recommend anybody exceed the manufacturers limits. I can and do decide what is safe for how I personally use the bike. I moved my daughter back to college this weekend. To facilitate the move I rented a uhaul trailer. The max speed on the trailer was very visibly posted at 45 MPH. I can only imagine how unreasonable weight loading and road conditions taken at worst case could lead someone to rate the trailer at that low speed. However, the reasonable and conscientious way I loaded the trailer, and given the road conditions I saw, 65 MPH seemed to be a reasonable speed for my use. The trailer actually handled better when loaded vs. empty. Your results may vary. Objects may be closer than they appear. You pays your money and you takes your chances....
  3. Stoutman

    Mazdas?

    Stoutman replied to craigatcsi's topic in Watering Hole

    Our 2009 Mazda 6 says "Zoom Zoom" on the multi-function read out when you turn it on. Also has a little sound effect to go with it. Wife thought it was cute.
  4. Stoutman

    Mazdas?

    Stoutman replied to craigatcsi's topic in Watering Hole

    My wife drives a new Mazda 6 with the V6 and 6 speed automatic. It is faster than her garage queen T-bird with its V8. It also handles better, probably because it isn't a convertable. We have owned 7 mazdas over the years and every one was a good car and a great value. The new Mazda 6 is built in PA with 70% American content. I also like that Mazda 3. Very sporty and roomy for a small car. I think if the Mazda 3 had a Lexus name plate it could sell for $6,000 more. They are a very good value.
  5. Stoutman
    I put a first gen center stand with the Freebird bracket on my RSTD. Works great. I noticed there is one for sale in the classifieds section. I also put the leveling links on that make the back of the bike about one inch taller. With the leveling links, the stand does not drag unless I am really pushing a left hand turn. I love the servicability of the stand. Washing the bike and changing the oil are made much easier with the center stand. I am also 6' 4" and 300 pounds, and I have the mustang seat. I agree that it pushes you forward, and without a 1 1/4 inch thick cushion I don't think I could use it for that very reason. The thick seat cushion gives me the legroom I need. Once I discovered that the cushion helps, I didn't go after a replacement for the mustang seat. I can get 500 miles a day with the mustang seat / thick cushion combo. That said, the Rick Butler seat mod is highly praised on this site. You may contact Rick to discuss a seat mod for you. It may be the cheaper and better alternative.
  6. Stoutman
    I've used this method also. The only problem is that the nozzel needs to be secure in the blower or it can come out and ding the tank. My experience is the nozzel will come out and ding the tank on the right side behind the emblem, so be careful in when drying that spot....
  7. Stoutman
    I have to say that is one fine looking motorcycle! I bet you remember that trip for a long while. Enjoy the road.
  8. Stoutman
    Don't use the tank bag that often (overnight trips), but it will usually carry my Sig P380, maps, intercomm, MP3 player, rain gear, ball cap for when I take off the helmet, and a light snack.
  9. Stoutman
    These look like the same thing I put on. I got the idea from Big Shell. I agree with the assessment that they move easily, but not unless bumped. They do provide a bigger picture. I put on some convex stick-on's to help keep track of my blind spots.
  10. Stoutman
    I bought the Mustang seat for my 2005 RSTD. The pillion seat is a bit wider, but my wife didn't notice any difference in comfort. I'm not sure the pillion alone will fit with the stock RSTD seat. Although I've found the Mustang seat to be superior to the stock seat, it is not for everyone. I am 6' 4" and find the seat pushes me forward enough to cramp my legroom. My solution is to sit on a 1 1/4 pad that I had purchased in an attempt to make the stock seat livable. The pad raises me up enough to let me enjoy the Mustang seat. I've read many good things about Rick Butler's seat mods. You may give him a shout and see what he recommends.
  11. Stoutman
    I'm in the market for an OBD II code reader/scanner. I just want to be able to read the codes and reset them if necessary. I don't mind using one in conjunction with my laptop if it saves me a few bucks. Any recommendation?
  12. Stoutman
    I have spent my fair share of dollars at HF. I always look at their tools as more of a kit. I have also seen much more expensive torque wrenches fail. We had boxes of them where I used to work that we took off the factory floor after they failed calibration. Many businesses that use torque wrenches have them calibrated every year or so. I don't know any shade tree mechanics that have had it done (including myself). I suspected my first torque wrench (30 year old JC Penney brand 1/2 inch drive) was not quite right so I bought a new HF one. The JC Penney brand would break at a much lower force. Now you have me wondering which one is right.
  13. Stoutman
    fb_78, You are not a troll. I am the troll. I hereby restrict myself to read only access.
  14. Stoutman
    I'll take one if you have any left. By my count you may not. Just let me know and I'll meet you half way.
  15. Stoutman
    I have to agree with this. The way these bikes last I don't think I'll live long enough to wear out my 05 RSTD. If I want to get a new bike I will have to re-think my strategy of keeping my rolling stock until it won't roll anymore.
  16. Stoutman
    I gotta get me some of those accessories. Best non-chrome I've seen on a venture. Oh yea, the bike looked nice to.
  17. Stoutman
    Down here in Texas I've lost a silver leaf maple, an apriocot tree, and peach trees to borers. They may not be the same type of bug you have but boring beatles kill a lot of different trees. Looks like you've got some good advice above.
  18. Stoutman
    Dave, My experience is that backfiring occurs when there is a need to sync the carbs. Mine backfired when it was new and has not backfired since I bought a sync tool and started syncing my carbs regulary. The tech library has good instructions on how to sync the carbs, and after the first time of locating all the nipples and twisty bits, and reading the instructions, it only takes about 10 minutes to sync the carbs on this bike. I do it every oil change. I'll sync it sooner, say after 2000 miles if I'm heading out for a long weekend, only because I love the way it runs after a carb sync. Best of luck.
  19. Stoutman

    Las vegas

    Stoutman replied to Redneck's topic in Watering Hole

    My brother has lived there for most of his adult life. One of the few places a person can make a living as a musician. It's great to visit his family in the burbs, but I avoid downtown unless I'm going to watch the show he is in. Seems like everyone you meet is an "operator" with their own little scam going on. My brother has been robbed so often he keeps a fake id and fake credit cards in his wallet and his real ID and money in his sock. When they rob you on the street they take your shoes so you can't run after them. When my brother was younger he met a couple that made their living by using the woman as bait. She would pick up a guy, take him to a place, her boyfriend would then beat the guy and take his money and wallet and the hapless victim would be informed not to call the police or he would be hunted down and killed. I have no desire to go back there except to see family.
  20. Stoutman
    I hope your issue is an easy fix. I had a backoff module fail on me after about three years. It failed with the brake light on all the time. I had to take it out of the circuit. I was not happy. I bought that thing to enhance my safety and it did just the opposite. I did buy another one. I wired this new one into only the Harley add on tail lights so that if it fails I still have the other brake lights. Best of luck.
  21. Stoutman
    I seriously considered the ST1300 before I bought the RSTD. Biggest reason I went with the RSTD was the price. Since then I've spent a bunch of money on the RSTD upgrading the seat, added leveling links, brake lights, passing lamps, gauges, horn, intercom, threw out the dangerous stock tires, etc. One big factor to go with the RSTD was the extra room for the passenger along with the passenger backrest. Now mamma doesn't like to ride that much since I bought her the convertible. I may have been money ahead to go with the ST1300. I've got to say the RSTD is a great touring bike. Smooth, stable, reliable, more than enough power, cruise control, simple enough to work on. I only wish it had more range, and anti-lock brakes. Two questions: does your ST1300 have the anti-lock brakes? If yes, do you want to trade? I say that in jest, I think....
  22. Stoutman
    I like this idea. Another way would be to wire in the switch with a hidden two wire trailer type connector so you can keep the switch in the saddle bag and only get it out if you need to plug it in and use it.
  23. Stoutman
    Here is a writeup to the system I use. I bought mine used from a guy that couldn't figure it out so I didn't pay the retail price. http://www.ironworksmotorcycle.com/VTwinExpo2006.htm One caution here. The article says they used the 3M scotch locks. I don't recommend these for ANY reason. They are very unreliable and will only give you grief (that was what the guy that sold this system to me used, and I suspect that may have been his only problem.) If you can't use a crimp tool, or solder and heat shrink, get somebody that can. You could do something similar to this without the expense by substituting a couple of relays to handle the power for the bikes ignition and accessories, then turn the relays on via a hidden toggle switch. That is what I did at first to figure out how to do the wiring. Once that was in place I substituted my ARSE system for the toggle switch. If you use the right type of connectors you can make everything plug into the Yamaha wiring system so there is no need to cut and splice any wires. That makes things cleaner if you should ever sell the beast. Just be sure to pocket your key so you can open your gas tank, before you leave home on a long trip.
  24. Stoutman
    This is essentially what I did with mine. I use a keyless ignition switch that bypasses the ignition switch with a sensor that looks for a smart card in my wallet. When I get on the bike the smart card reader allows me to turn on the bike with the push of a button. Push the button without the smart card in the vicinity and nothing happens. I wired this system in exactly like the instructions in the tech library say to wire in the ignition bypass. I can use my key if the system fails. I know this because I disabled the system and was able to turn the bike on with the key. There are only two holes I can see in your plan. One is the lack of security. It may not be a big deal depending on how you do the install. The other one is a caution, and this happened to me. If you don't need your key to ride, you may leave home without it. Then when you run low on gas and you are far enough away from home that you won't make it back, you have a problem. I was lucky and made it home on fumes.
  25. Stoutman
    The rectifier is there so it can get some cool air. It can get pretty hot when the electrical system is under full load. Being a solid state device the heat can kill it so they put it in the air flow. I don't remove the rectifier when I change the oil. I use an oil filter wrench that is similar to a large pair of channel lock pliers. The filter comes off with just enough room to clear the rectifier. I've yet to find a strap wrench that will fit a filter that small, and that is the same filter as my son's Nissan pickup truck, hense the pliers.
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