Great White

Well, we went with bumper tow. Mainly because we didn't want the step up into the bathroom/bedroom area and loosing storage in the truck bed. Our trailer is 35 feet and tows like its not back there most of the time. Presents less of a frontal area since its not up and over the truck. We just had it delivered from our last posting and the guy who dropped it off couldn't believe how easy it towed for 35 feet and 9000 lbs. I use a weight distribution hitch with active sway control. What the hitch does is a "trick" of geometry to fool the truck into thinking it has a fifth wheel attached. Basically, the weight point in above the rear axle. It's sounds like malarky, but it works. 5th wheel is easier to maneuver into and out of right spots. 5th wheel will allow you to get a toyhauler model if you would like to take the bike with you. 5th wheels are "anti sway" by design. Bumper tow needs an anti sway mechanism, usually friction bars or such. 5th wheels are easier to hook up solo. 5th wheels need a special "slider" hitch if your truck is a short box or you could hit the cab when backing and turning. 5th wheels pretty much screw up any real storage in the bed except for small items. You need to be far more aware with a 5th wheel on overhead clearances (ie: underpasses, signs,etc) Pretty sure most (if not all) Canadian provinces don't allow a tandem tow on recreational trailers. That's about it off the top of my head. I also will never own another trailer WITHOUT slide outs. No cost when towing other than a bit more weight but the extra space is INVALUABLE at the camp site. Especially if you get rained out for the week and youre stuck in the trailer with a bunch of people. Even if its just the type where the bed or couch slide out, you won't believe how much difference it will make in interior space and comfort. It's often the difference in being able to walk around the bed and having to climb over it. I don't know about you, but I'm getting old enough to not want to be climbing over anything.... Get the slide out awnings if you have an option for them. They're great because theynkeep leaves and rain from laying of the slide outs. So when you pull them in to go they're dry and clean, even in the rain. Put the slide lock bars in when towing and remember to remove them before extending or you can do some real danger to the trailer. It's not a problem if you just take your time and keep SA about what is what.

I want the amber lenses, but I'm having a bit of trouble selling myself on the cost. $18.95 + the site quote of $30 UPS shipping = 48.95 USD. Toss on that our dollar is only about .75 and it jumps to 61.85 CAD Then the "hidden" charge will be the ups shipping charging brokerage, which should be 19.95 USD or 24.93 CAD. Then ups charges you a $5 COD fee to collect the brokerage fees (the b@st@rds don't allow you to pay until they deliver so you're stuck with it) which is another 6.25 CAD. So : $61.85+$24.93+$6.25= 92.73 CAD And that's assuming they don't ding you with extra taxes and duties at the border. UPS will pay those to import the item, but will charge you when it shows up at your door. That's a lot of cash to just get a couple tiny pieces of amber plastic. It's the the shipping companies that kills us north of the border...

Oh no, broken femur is never good. Makes me cringe just thinking about it. Best wishes for a successful operation and recovery.

Thanks! I went to their site but couldn't find those so I thought they were just discontinued. Looks like shipping is going to cost twice as much as the lenses though and exchange is brutal right now....

That's what I'm thinking of doing. I can make it, but it sure would be simpler to just buy it...

Almost all the MKII top boxes I've seen have an all red reflector on them. But every now and then I run across a pic with amber end lenses. Like so: http://pinwall2.pinwallcycle.com/ebay/bike4443/9002.jpg http://img.2ememain.be/f/normal/240759080-yamaha-venture-royale-1300.jpg Anyone know if this is an aftermarket thing or is it OEM? I wouldn't mind getting a set if they are available and making them functional turn signals to augment the lower signals....

If you still have them, you could probably sell them to someone her eon the board I would think. Sounds like hard to come by items.

Better to have found the broken link now and attend your rally in a cage instead of finding it on the next ride and needing an ambulance. I'd say lucky find. Someone is watching over you.

The thing with electronics and heat is not always about outright "baking" them. It's more to do with heat cycles. The temp delta a component experiences is just as important as the absolute temp it experiences. If the temp delta is fairly wide, then components stress (ie: expansion/contraction) and things like solder joints and such can crack and/or fail. Of course, if you exceed the component manufactures rated max temp, them you're asking for trouble also.

The heat shields, contrary to popular belief, are there to protect the electrical components in the area not the rider's "wedding tackle". That being said, it's only protection. More relevant to long term reliability than whether or not it's going to make it down the road tomorrow. On or off, your choice. If you were to ask what I would do I would re-install them. Even though they can be one major PITA......

The bike was an 86, but it is possible the bars are not as it was a bit of a junkyard dog. Top box and rack was gone by the time I got to it. The 85 top rack I have for it does have helmet locks on it, but I have a couple spares also. Might put the spares on there just so it looks right. Googled a couple 90-92 pics and some of them do indeed show helmet locks on the lower bars. Not all, but some. 92 with locks: http://www.2040-motos.com/_content/cars/images/40/3240/001.jpg 92 without: http://www.bluedogbrewing.com.au/images/cp7.JPG Very odd that some did and some didn't.

Seems some do, some don't. No big, just the way she goes....

Actually, it was an honest question. It may have been clear in your mind but I didn't know or understand what you were getting at. It was not a comment on spelling by any means. I haven't seen or read any threads on horns. Didn't really appreciate the "tone" of that either.....

Stable?

Thats an idea for sure, but I dont really want an air horn right below my wife's butt. Shes a pretty steady chick, but that would make her jump if she didn't know it was coming. Not a good thing on a bike. Nor am I a fan of it right beside me on the bike. Should be sitting behind the horn...

Looks like a good deal. Getting hands on will tell you if its actually a good bike or not. One owner low mileage bikes usually need a good going through just beciase they sat so much. Nothing serious, fluids, pivots points, making sure things like calipers move freely, etc....

I can't decide if he's actually riding the bike or is just laying back, giving it 'er head and seeing where it goes.......

Theres already 2 on the back of the 85 top box bracket so nope, don't need helmet locks there.

Looks like they have good prices on the commander II's also. My local shop may have some competition.....

Now that's an idea I like! I've got all kinds of schrapnel floating around in my trunk and that would do nicely.

I've got a decent idea on what they are and how they work now. Not something I can make any use of. I'll either cut mine off or go with my original plan of mounting something like a reflector there. Just so it doesn't look like a useless bracket...

Here's and almost pic: http://www.venturerider.org/clutch/clutch_files/YAMAHACLUTCH13.jpg (Borrowed from the Barnet clutch install tutorial)

That's certainly an interesting use....

Anyone have a picture or one so I can possibly get a better idea of what we're talking about here? I'm thinking of possibly just chopping them off....

Here's a bit more: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?183868-GL1800-turbo-on-the-road