Chaharly

I don't watch a lot of football, but I caught the second half of this excellent game! Money well spent for the fans who paid to go see it

Quick where's the Barf Button!!!!!

Casey, I'm with you 100% brotha. Its hardly even fun to ride the hills during Sturgis. One year we got caught behind a guy with a trike going up needles highway, and believe me... I understand ya. Like I told puc, I get down there at least twice a year on the bikes. I absolutely love it.. I feel like the hills are a second home to me... I wouldn't mind spending my 18 days just camping in the hills smelling the air honestly. I stay off the roads at night as well. Very scary out there with how small and skittish the deer are, let alone a large black buffalo. I would live in the hills if I could find a job Casey, I'd absolutely love it. Maybe not the winters as much, but I'd love it

Heyy there Cowpuc! You'll have to forgive me for not getting back to ya any sooner. I have a hell of a time jumping on my computer and wanting to type. Ya know how it goes, put it off til ya forget about it, REmember it, then put it off again!!! Yessir this will be year number three in a row for me. I've been there off and on for the last 20 years or so (think my first time was at 6 years old) and since I've been there with my Mom and Dad or was too young to have any fun, its time to change that my friend! As far as the law enforcement goes, it is definitely a "safe" place to be, the cops even give me dirty looks when I ride standing up through The Main Drag, but I cant help myself! I understand why they've stepped law enforcement up though. Especially since many of the bikers only ride once or twice a year, only up to Sturgis.... add alcohol into the mix and I could see I-90 being dotted with crashed bikes from Sturgis to Spearfish. It certainly dampens the "freedom" aspect that we all go to our bikes for, I'll give ya that. That said, the Rally also has not been the same for a lot of years now - sort of like the sales of the bikes,, its really really slowed down.. Still LOTS of fun but more laid back and those 6 hour waits to get into town are far removed.. The last few years we have seen LOTS of vacant yards with "CAMP HERE" posted on them - truthfully I wouldnt worry to much about that if all your looking for is a place to drop your tent within walking distance of main street.. Motel? No idea cause I dont motel it when bike touring but I wouldnt count on it - just not a lot of motels in the immediate area.. Personally I still camp on the same spot of open prairie land that I have since the 70's = a couple miles east of The Chip. Even in the years I've gone I've noticed a drop in attendance. Honestly I'm with you on the no motel and I'd prefer not to camp in town as well, but there are some very beautiful bars downtown with live music.... I'm talking baby-grand pianos on the stage music. And since I'll be 25 this year and not getting any younger I'd really like to ride up with some buddies and just get stumbling drunk and have a good time. Leave the bikes parked and walk home. I live in Wayne, NE which is a little over 450 miles from Rapid City, so the ride up the hills is almost perfect for me. I go up there at least twice every year If you ever get the chance check out the scenery around Valentine, NE. If you head north on on 83 and continue till you hit White River, head west on 44 into Interior South Dakota ( You know where I'm talking about, the gate to the Badlands!!!) it makes for a beautiful ride through some of my favorite country. Folding the tent/tarp/teddybear combo is going to take a little bit of practice, but I've already been using techniques Ive read from you. You were the only person who hasn't said I'm crazy for thinking the Ventures got some off road capabilities and honestly Puc, You're like an old West Throw Back, and I mean that in the best way! Honest! When I went out to California I had a tent on the trunk rack, a little lawn chair, a sleeping bag with a matt rolled in it double wrapped with trash bags facing opposite ways to keep any water out and I kept the rest of my gear including tools and stuff in the trunk and side bags. I do believe I brought a big comforter for extra warmth just in case... double wrapped in trash bags (see pic below) I felt I was packed pretty well for the trip, but putting the tent up and down was definitely a hassle with everything. I never thought to sleep at cell towers, but that's pretty brilliant! Especially if it gets dark and you're getting sleepy! Like you said, BOOM instant campground! Pacemaker or no Pacemaker I think that's a good idea! I bet you can get on some pretty interesting mountain roads CTCT (chasing the cell tower!) I'm definitely gonna do that It'd be great on my Glacier Trip, but I don't think I'm going to get to do that one this year. I wont have any holiday from July 1 through Thanksgiving this year, and I sort of needed to work off of a holiday. I think I'm going to Southwest, maybe see the Four Corners, Grand Canyon and all that, I'll take the first and second week of July. Maybe the last week of June and the first week of July! I'll have to attempt your tent wrap and throw it on youtube so you can judge it based on a scale of Venture Greatness to full on bull puccy! Good to hear from ya Puc! Hope you're doing well. I feel like you had something medically related while I was away from the site. Best of luck and a great 2018 of riding to you and the missus!!!! The ol Girl ready to Venture West!

On that same note with the whine: Sometimes you'll hear it louder than others, and the most noticeable at a certain speed. Mine was right about the speed limit 60 so I just went about 67 and never had much of an issue with it. It was wise to bring up the gear whine. What I would do is line up a few potential RSVs and go out and put a good half our on test riding each one! Find the one that you like the most and scoop it up!

Well I've gone up during the rally and stayed in Rapid City. I've stayed in Keystone. I've stayed in Belle Fourche. I've even stayed at the big campground across from the buffalo chip. They had Ted Nugent Playing that night, but at our campground they had a wet T-Shirt contest and a little country band. Now this year its time to tent it in town, just a stones throw from all the action. Trying to get two or three buddies to ride up with me for a Monday through Thursday thing, and I have no interest in camping so far out of town we need a shuttle to make it home... that just makes throwing the leg over the saddle a little too tempting for me. I posted on the Rapid City, Deadwood, Sturgis Exchange site on facebook and actually have gotten good information from a lot of friendly folks from the area. Seems like most of them will let you use the garage to keep your bikes dry, they do BBQs and beer donations and all in all it looks to be a safe, fun time! Anyone else camp there this way? I see signs in people's yards all the time, but I'd like to have an idea of where I'm going before I get there. Anyways just thought it was kind of an interesting way to find a place to stay, this Facebook thing. Goodnight Folks!

I just wanted to be sure before I tore all that plastic off to replace it. See on my old one, the threads got brittle and actually broke off which probably explains why I could screw my old one in all the way... Thanks!!!

I don't think I'd be a very delicious soft shell taco. I drink Budweiser, eat terrible foods, and I'll be covered in oil and dust from the road! I think I'd still be a better taco than a vegan though!

@Carbon_One I even created an account and it wouldn't let me see it

Sorry for the late reply! Here are a couple of pics to help explain See how it doesn't screw in all the way??

As far as the camping goes I wont really be bringing much for food along with. Will probably eat real light through the day even skip lunch then have a big ol supper then find a good place to crash for the night. Sometimes it might be off the beaten path and others may just be on the outskirts of town or in some city park. Morning comes, I give a good stretch and take off for the day in search of breakfast:biker:

Awesome thanks for that info there Randy. Saved me a hundred bucks!

I assume its cheaper to renew it than to get a new one

My buddy recently picked up a 83 Suzuki GS750 from another friend of mine for about 300 bucks. A little convincing and we got her runnin pretty decent, problem is this bike too has a charging issue. We kinda got the deep freeze before we could really take a good look at it, but i'm just hoping those carbs can survive one more winter without a good cleaning

Hell I'd love making the move up to the Black Hills but i have a hard time finding work out there

Well i dont know much about them, but you know we're here and will gladly help you brush off a few gremlins!

Well I'm a bit of a tightwad so If I get it i'll use it!

You know I never thought about it being too cold at that point in the year... I never realized how long it takes for that northern land to warm up. I kinda worry that that I could only take off on the 20th of august if I were to take that long and I kind of wonder if that would be getting too late in the year... Luckily my schedule is somewhat fluid so I can sort of pick and choose when to go. Might have to start getting into watching the weather channel a little more LMAO. I can handle a couple days of cold weather like that, but you raise a really good point, a guy would get awful tired of that after 10 days or so. I'd obviously bring enough money to motel it for emergencies, but it kinda ruins the fun... I've been thinking about the bear situation as well, glad you brought that up!! I've got no problem finding little cozey corners close to town or even in town (did that out in Nevada, stayed at a city park. The said they had people do stuff like that all the time and they were just happy for the business), because I'm the type of guy to lose a wrestling match with an imaginary bear . I could imagine this post turning into a bear survival guide. The best tip, ride with someone you know you can outrun on foot. At least one of ya will get away! Its kind of unfortunate that you cant bring a little personal protection over the border, but I understand, different culture different rules. I'll have to see about an Enhanced License or the Nebraska equivalent. Just looked and we don't have any, which is unfortunate. I'd love to hear about some campgrounds and out of the way locations that stuck out to ya puc! I'm always open to secrets and tips! Besides, I can maybe pretend I'm on the bike crawling up a mountain or something. I got no interest in paying to sleep on the ground if I an absolutely help it, so I'd especially like them sort of, off the beaten path type of "campgrounds" would love to hear from ya bud. Hope ya had a merry Christmas and you and the Mrs. are doing alright!

I personally think you'd have a much better time selling it on the highway and maybe your local craigslist. I agree that if someone does a little shopping they can find these bikes at next to nothing but I still see early 90s GL1500s sitting on the highway for 5000 OBO and get sold up pretty quick. Hell they even have an 84 Venture at the local dealer they're trying to get I think 3500 for. One quick look over and the fork seals leak, and I believe the front springs are shot as well. Has a few mods etc, but they're totally dreaming if they can sell that bike for half the price. But I think someone will come through, talk them down a thousand and walk out with his head held high thinking he got a good bargain when he was actually paying way over market value. Set her out in a safe place while the weather is nice and cover it at night and I think you ask 8k you should go any under what you decide is best for you. Or go Puc's route and trade that sucker for a sick stang!

Hey all! I'm planning on takin the 88 up to Glacier National Park in the first week in July. Leaving from Randolph, NE on June 25, and I've got enough vacation to take up to the 13th of July off. I've never been up north that way and further than Devil's Tower so Its going to be a lot of new country for me. My mom and dad have been there a couple of times on the Goldwings and say it is some of their favorite scenery. They also told me that I should get a passport and travel on the Canadian side of it. They said you can see the glaciers a lot closer that way. My buddy got a passport for 160 bucks or so and they're good for 10 years, so they're truly not bad on price. Any of you guys do the Canadian side of it? I know there are people on here from Canada who had probably been there. I'd love to hear any tips on good roads to checkout, stops and points of interest on the way, and hell I'd even like to hear some biker stories about some road trips... I got M/C fever something fierce right now..... Just gonna throw the pup tent on the luggage rack, my little law chair and a sleeping bag and head out into the wild blue yonder. The 88 needs a new clutch and I just got my throttle cable in the mail with a luber so I cant expect to many set backs. That being said It is a 30 year old machine with 30 year old parts. Need to get a fork seal replaced and I really need to do the starter clutch, but I'm starting with the cables and Sky-Doc clutch replacement! Have a good one guys and I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and you're on your way to an even better 2018:guitarist 2:

Being that it is that cold try it again and if it does it again I agree. New cooling fan

That looks great!

Hey guys! I got my new throttle cable in the mail because the plastic adjustment on it was busted. I got the new one and it doesn't screw in all the way. It only goes up half way. Is this normal? I don't wanna go through the trouble of putting a bad throttle cable on! Thanks in advance fellas!

I ordered myself a new throttle cable and a cable lube kit! Also repaired my trunk over the last few days. Been a productive Christmas!

I shared the link for this post on my facebook. Not sure if its against the rules or if people who aren't members can even see the video, but I felt like I shoulda shared it