Jump to content

maineventurerider

Expired Membership
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    51

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by maineventurerider

  1. maineventurerider
    I'll reply to each question in order- 1) Maybe that's why it didn't write very good and... I thought it had a funny smell! 2) Sorry...I didn't know there was a difference:confused24:...... 3) Just kidding (about #2), and let's just say, yes, I've been tempted! 1/2crazed
  2. maineventurerider
    Well put! I'm a male nurse myself (I prefer to say RN, it doesn't sound so girly) and I've told that same joke many times myself... Now where did I put my pen??? Ride Safe, 1/2 crazed
  3. maineventurerider
    Hi Mike, Looks like you had an awesome trip, and you are a great photographer! Like a lot of guys on this forum, I've done my share of long distance touring on the Venture. I appreciate your candid assessment of the Venture's performance at high altitude. I have done some miles at higher elevations, but nothing major. (Mt. Washington in NH, Mt Mitchell in NC, and a pass in eastern Wy at just over 8000 ft). I never noticed a significant performance decrease, but that was 2 up with my wife on the back so I wasn't really trying to push it anyway. We are looking forward to a 6000+ mile trip this summer-from Florida to the Grand Canyon, then on to Grand Teton and Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain National Park and then back to Fl. Obviously in those areas we'll be riding hundreds of miles at a time between 8 and 10,000 ft, and of course Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mountain Natl Park is over 12,000 ft. My question for all you experts out there is,,, do any of you have any advice for running a Venture at high altitude? I know about being in the right gear, but what about fuel? Does higher octane help-or hurt? What about carburetor adjustments? I'm all ears... Thanks and ride safe! 1/2crazed
  4. maineventurerider
    I have them wired with an accessory switch that I turn on and off. I just automatically turn them on whenever I'm on the bike. It's a Kurakyn also, and mounts right on top of the front brake master cylinder so it's a real clean install. It has 3 switches on it. I have my driving lights on one. On one of the others I have some rear and side LED runnings lights and some extra bright white LED stick on lights (a flexible strip) that I stuck under the frame to light up the road underneath me at night. I commute home every night on I-4 in north Orlando, which is a death trap. The white LEDs underneath don't help me see ahead of course, but are very noticeable from the side and rear. Let me know if you have any more questions or want specific info. Ride Safe, 1/2crazed
  5. maineventurerider
    Steve O, I put a set of Kuryakyn Silver Bullet halogen driving lights on my '03 Venture when I bought it a about 3 1/2 years ago. It didn't come with the usual passing lamps so I put the Silver Bullets on instead. I mounted them on the bottom of the crash bars with P clamps. They really light up the road at night, and since they're close to the ground you get good light from close up to far down the road. And of course you can aim them wherever you want. What I like about them best is because of where I have them mounted, oncoming cars see three brignt lights in a large triangle with the headlight in the top center and the two running lights maybe a foot off the road and a good 3 1/2 feet apart. To me they're much more noticeable than a headlight with traditional passing lamps right next it. I put about 40,000 miles on them in 3 years on my old venture and took them off just before I sold it and got my '06 Midnight Venture. I put them right on the '06 and have put about 4000 more miles on them in the last few months. I use them continuously, day and night, so they have a lot of hours on them. Only problem I have had was a couple of months ago when the right one quit working. I bought a new halogen bulb (from Home Depot and they're cheap!). Put in the new bulb and it didn't work either. Sprayed in some WD 40 and cleaned the socket a little and put the old bulb back in. Works good as new. So I now have about 44,000 miles on them with the original bulbs and they're still going strong. The whole setup was about $140 at JP cycles. I did use a Kurakyn accessory lighting switch and wired it to the battery with an inline fuse. It mounts to the top of the front brake master cylinder and looks factory. I wired it to the battery because 1, that way I didn't have to mess with the factory wiring and whether there would be too much load on the factory circuit, and 2, I'm a dunce when it comes to wiring. Anyway, it works great for me. I get a lot of comments from other bikers about how well they can see me too. Ride Safe! 1/2 crazed
  6. maineventurerider
    I agree with the Sea Foam recommendation. I, too am on my second Venture. A few months ago I sold my '03 with 67,000 miles on it (I know,it was barely broken in), and bought an '06 Midnight Venture with only 4,000 miles on it. It ran great too, but once it was really warmed up I noticed some backfiring on deceleration and one time, as soon as I got it home and parked it, gas started to puddle on the garage floor. Of course after that I shut off the petcock whenever I parked it. Anyway, I went out and bought some Sea Foam and added a full can, I believe, to a full tank of gas.I continued to use smaller amounts of Sea Foam at each fill up for several weeks. The backfiring improved almost immediately and I have not noticed the fuel leak anymore. The only time I shut off the petcock now is if I'm riding my Harley for a few days and I let the Venture sit for a while. But it probably is good practice to shut off the petcock on any carbureted bike. I'm guessing I had a stuck float needle or something, but I know there are plenty of guys on this site more knowledgable than me when it comes to the carbs on these bikes. I just know it worked for me, and it was a lot easier than tearing into the carbs. I still use Sea Foam in both my Venture and my Electra Glide at least once a month.
  7. maineventurerider
    I enjoy going to Daytona for all the bikeweek stuff but I'm local and only live about 30 minutes away, so it's easy for me to get to. In recent years attendance in Daytona proper is probably down, but a lot of it has moved to Orlando and other surrounding areas. There are Harley dealers down here on practically every street corner now so that alone really spreads things out. Last weekend me and some friends went to Daytona International Speedway and demo rode a bunch of bikes. It's a lot of fun riding brand new bikes without any sales pressure from anyone. I also like going to Beach St and Main St. I don't care about all the drinking and partying, to me that's for later on when the bikes are parked at the end of the day. But to me it's a total gas seeing all the thousands of bikes and what people have done to their own rides. I have a beautiful Midnight Venture and an old (1988) Electra Glide Classic so I enjoy looking at all the Harleys too. It was rainy last weekend so we didn't have any problem finding free parking. But I must say, having been to both Sturgis and Laconia in the last few years, the riding is way better in those areas. We all know what the Sturgis area has to offer and at Laconia the White Mountains are beautiful, with some world class motorcycle roads. So in those areas it's all about the ride, in Daytona it's more about the bikes and the party scene. But down here we can ride all year too. Ride safe! 1/2 Crazed
  8. maineventurerider
    I'm not an expert either but I took down the back chimney in our house we remodeled in Maine last year. It wasn't structural and I would be surprised if yours is either, but like you said, do some careful disassembly, especially on that second floor. There is probably a gap between the chimney and the floor joists to keep them from getting too hot and causing a fire. I CAN say that taking the chimney down was extremely easy, the old mortar just fell apart making the job very fast. I took down the whole chimney, from above the roofline down to the crawl space in a couple hours. The amount of space we gained, both in the upstairs bathroom and in the kitchen was unreal. This allowed us enough space to put in a nice modern kitchen downstairs and made the bathroom much more spacious. Good luck, 1/2crazed
  9. maineventurerider
    Early last Spring I was heading up I-91 in Northern Vermont in my F-150. I was noticing lots of deer in the surrounding pastures...just then 2 deer ran right out in front of me, all I remember was two heads, one right in front of the other, and their black eyes staring at me. Then, WHAM! :255: Took em both out. Did almost 7 grand worth of damage to the truck. Thank God for Allstate! We rode the Venture through the same area on the way out to Niagara Falls with friends just a couple months later. Didn't tell the wife it was the same road:no-no-no:...but I WAS a little nervous. Didn't see any deer that time-whew! 1/2crazed
  10. maineventurerider
    That was the FIRST DAY of a 4 day 2,400 mile ride from Sturgis to Central Maine. And I used several different Interstates after I-90, to pick up some more states and have a more scenic ride. But you ARE very observant! 1/2crazed
  11. maineventurerider
    Not much to add, other than that I am on my 2nd Venture, and my wife loves the back seat. She much prefers the pillowtop though, so I'm swapping out the seat on my '06 Midnight Venture for a pillowtop. We've done lots of long trips together on Ventures. One advantage to the Venture is that it is much less expensive on the used market, as much as 50% less than a comparable Wing or Harley. So if money is an issue... It is also way roomier than an Ultra Classic. Don't get one of those unless you don't mind being really crammed together with your passenger. On the Venture there is so much room back there you may forget you have a passenger. Good Luck and Ride Safe, 1/2crazed
  12. maineventurerider
    This is actually my favorite GPS. I used it for years before I got my Smartphone. It is so simple it doesn't require an instruction manual, or help menu. The display is large, unaffected by bright sunlight, and easy to read, even when bombing down the interstate at 80 mph. It will run forever without a charge. I can load my route of choice the night before in my hotel room, or even weeks before in the comfort of my home. It doesn't require you to lug around fancy input devices like a laptop, tablet or USB cables. As a matter of fact the input device can be bought at any convenience store for less than $2.00. Best of all, I don't have to worry about some cager stealing it when I go into a store. Here it is in action on the way back from Sturgis last summer. I call it my Redneck GPS (stands for Geographical Paper System). She's never steered me wrong over many thousands of miles. And she doesn't yell at me when she doesn't like the route I'm taking! :cool10: But I will say that when I get close to my destination, my Smartphone would be a lot better at finding an actual address. Ride Safe, 1/2crazedbikr
  13. maineventurerider
    I read an interesting article the other day titled "Reshoring:American Manfacturing Jobs Come Home". It is in "The New American." It included some of the only encouraging economic news I have heard for several years. The gist of it is this. A major thinktank, Boston Consulting Group, is predicting that a very large portion of the manufacturing jobs that left the US in the last decade are likely to return within the next 5 years. They are a predicting a major US manufacturing renaissance starting by around 2015. They state that due to increased labor costs in China (growing by 15-20% per year), increased cost of bunker fuel, issues with poor quality control, long lead times, etc, etc, many manufacturers are finding that it is no longer profitable to manufacture their products there. So,,, based on market forces that will almost always play out if our idiotic governments wouldn't interfere, it looks like things could very well start to swing back our way for both of our great countries. I sure hope they are right. It's really tough out there. We've been okay because I work in healthcare, but obviously a lot of people are struggling. Anyway, like I said, it's the most encouraging news I've heard in a long time... It's one thing to buy American or Canadian to keep a few jobs here, but if by doing so we can help create a tippng point that will bring MILLIONS of jobs back to North America, that's something else altogether and should encourage us all to buy North American. Better yet, just buy a used Harley. I guarantee you'll stimulate the economy all by yourself with all the parts and repairs you'll need. Of course most of the parts come from China, India or Mexico. Here's a link, hope it works.http://thenewamerican.com/economy/commentary-mainmenu-43/9418-reshoring-american-manufacturing-jobs-come-home Ride Safe, 1/2crazedbikr
  14. maineventurerider
    That is the one rub with the whole smart phone thing. We use Metro PCS (their coverage areas are smaller then the other guys) and the other day we were using my smart phone in our F150 (actually on our way to buy my, new to me, 2nd Venture) :Venture:and going across the state. We went through some areas that were definitely out of service but it actually seemed like the phone GPS kept working. At least I'm pretty sure it showed us progressing over the road. But we were on the same road for 35 miles so it didn't have to give any directions during that period. Whether it would have or not I don't know. After all, the GPS signal does come from satellites, so if the GPS app is stored on the phone...it might work. I just don't know yet. I'll have to use it in some areas when I definitely don't get any service and really pay attention this time and see if it works. I'll just need to put in a location for it to find that is definitely in an out of service area I guess. Anyway, they are great for motorcycles, in my opinion. Esp. when you see what a new Zumo costs. And they don't even have a camera. Ride safe, 1/2crazedbikr
  15. maineventurerider
    Hey guys, Just wondering how many of you out there are using a smart phone instead of a dedicated GPS. After all, there's only so much room on our handlebars, and you can't beat the functionality of a smartphone. I'm using a smaller smartphone on my bike-it's about 2/3 the size of an I-Phone type phone. I wanted a smaller one so it would definitely fit on the handlebars and so I would still have room for my cupholder. The phone only cost $50 through Metro PCS and has all the usual Android features. Another great thing about the smaller phone is I was able to get a cheap phone holder at Wally World for about $8. I removed the back (designed to insert into an automotive AC vent), then used two zip ties to attach it to the handlebars. A lot less expensive than a Ram-type mount and uses up way less space too! I use a patch cord to hook it up to the accessory jack on the cassette player and everything plays right through the speakers. Of course I can play it through my helmet speakers too. It all works great. So instead of just GPS I can also play Pandora internet radio (for free) unlike XM. And of course you can play all of your MP3 music through it. And I can also make calls through the helmet microphone and helmet speakers. It will also voice dial for you. Only thing is I haven't perfected is the right intercom volume to be able to hear and be heard by the caller but will still reduce windnoise to a manageable level. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating using the phone often while riding, I think it's too dangerous. But for occasional use on a country road it's pretty cool to have the ability to do so if you're very careful. And of course on top of all that you've got the camera on the phone handy whenever you want to use it! I'm sure there's a lot of guys way smarter than me already doing this...I just wanted to throw it out there. Ride Safe, 1/2crazedbikr
  16. maineventurerider
    I also have one. The previous owner of my 06 Midnight Venture removed it, and I plan on getting a leather one with studs and a pocket anyway. If no one else has come through yet, let me know and it's yours. BTW, if anyone has a nice leather tank bib with studs and pockets laying around, I may be interested... 1/2crazed
  17. maineventurerider
    Thanks for all the great info guys. I may just spring for the Star rack. I see what you mean about the straps between the legs to distribute the load. As far as the trailer thing... I just like to keep things simple, so a trailer's not for me, although I have two friends that use them. Also reminds me-a few summers ago near Deals Gap a buddy of mine was riding his Goldwing and a pulling a heavy trailer. We all had to stop on a STEEP incline in gravel and, you guessed it, he couldn't stop the bike from sliding backwards and he dropped it. Fortunately neither he nor the bike were hurt. But it took us all a time to get him sguared away after that! And I'm definitely lucky to have a wife that can go on a 2 or 3 week road trip and fit all her stuff in 1 saddlebag and a small portion of the trunk, including blow dryer and makeup! And she looks great doing it. Oh and Mike G in SC, that was a great line about how backing a trailer is like doing math while somebody tickles your feet! Ride Safe! 1/2crazed
  18. maineventurerider
    Thanks for the input guys. I realize I can't put too much weight up high without affecting low speed handling, etc. But I'm too much of a woos to want to back up with a trailer, deal with 2 up riding in parking lots with a trailer and all that. And my wife says NO WAY to a trailer! She's afraid it will make my low-speed technique even worse than it already is. I'd rather just travel light. On our 2 week 5000+ trip mile to Sturgis and back last summer we had no problem getting every thing inside the bags, esp in the AM when we were wearing our leather jackets. The only problem is when it gets hot later on and you take the leathers off. But we could still get them back in the trunk, it was just a tight squeeze. :mad: On this trip we plan to pack even lighter, one pair of long pants instead of 2, plenty of underwear, enough t-shirts for a few days (instead of a week), and that's really all we need. Heck, my wife even brings her blow dryer! You can always do laundry when you need to. I've just found that at the end of most long trips, I still have unworn clothes at the bottom of the saddlebag liners, so if I don't need them, why bring them? The difference this time is we're going to Yellowstone for a few days, Rocky Mtn Natl Park and the Grand Canyon and let me tell you, it's cold in them thar hills! :cold: So we'll probably both need to bring a hoodie along with our chaps and jackets. Ride Safe, 1/2crazedbikr
  19. maineventurerider
    That doesn't sound good about the threads. Do you remember what the brand that rack is? I may want to avoid that one. Is the rust much of a problem on the saddlebag guards? Are these the ones I've seen for about $75 on ebay? My bike doesn't have them and I'd like to add them too. Thanks and ride safe
  20. maineventurerider
    Don't know if this is the right place to post this or not, but do any of you guys know of a good trunk rack for 2nd gens? The one from Star Motorcycles is expensive and, frankly, looks a little small. I'd like to spend a little less money, and I need to know that what I'm getting will fit a Venture. We're going on a 2 1/2 to 3 week trip next summer and a little more storage room would be nice. We've gone on the road for two weeks before and getting everything inside the hard bags is a tight squeeze sometimes, and we travel light! Ride Safe! 1/2crazed
  21. maineventurerider
    To give them credit, just heard that Hess Express' insurance carrier was in contact with Karen's husband on Friday. We'll see how they do when the bills start rolling in...
  22. maineventurerider
    It was at the Hess Express location at the southern end of Key Largo on US1 of course in the Florida Keys.
  23. maineventurerider
    I just spoke with them, she is still wearing the brace, can't grip a throttle now and her Dr. ordered an MRI for this week. We did take some pics just after the incident with her husband standing in the puddle with water up to mid calf-and he's about 6'4". I'm sure he'll be in touch with the mgmt.
  24. maineventurerider
    This may be obvious to all, but be very careful riding throug a puddle if the water is murky enough that you can't see the bottom! Last weekend we were riding back from the Fl. Keys with 2 other bikes through a monsoon-like rainstorm. We pulled into a gas station in, I think it was Long Key, for a fuel stop and I heard an engine behind me rev up really high...my wife yelled out from behind me "Karen just went down, go see if she's okay!". I carefully parked our 06 Midnight Venture and turned around to see Karen, her husband and a bystander lifting Karen's RSTD up off it's left side. Turns out Karen had ridden into a large puddle filled with water so murky she couldn't see how deep it was. Unbeknownst to her the puddle was over a foot deep and had a VERTICAL 12 inch dropoff. As soon as her front wheel went over the edge there wasn't anything she could do-of course her feet wouldn't reach the ground at that point- so she went over. Fortunately she wasn't badly hurt. Her right wrist was banged up, but after putting a brace on it she was able to complete the remaining 375 miles or so back home. And the engine and saddlebag guards must have done their job because the bike wasn't scratched. But obviously it could have been much worse. Like I said, it seems obvious, and we've probably all done it and never had a problem. But if you can't see the bottom of a muddy puddle...go around if at all possible! Oh and the gas station mgmt was totally unsympathetic. Couldn't even be bothered to go look at the puddle, much less put a cone in front of it. We watched several cars plunge both front wheels into the abyss before we left. Definitely a serious accident waiting to happen! Ride Safe! 1/2crazedbikr
  25. maineventurerider
    Hey guys I'm new here but I have put close to 50,000 miles on 2 Ventures in the last 3 years including about 9,000 miles touring with my wife on the back. I have had the same problem a lot of you are describing, and after finding a couple of techniques I finally seem to have gotten a handle on it. Last summer after getting back from Sturgis I picked up the "Ride Like a Pro" dvd and watched it. One thing he emphasizes in that video is how the rear brake acts to stand the bike up during LOW SPEED manuvers (GOOD), and that the front brake will pull you down towards whichever side the fork is turned, even slightly, at speeds below about 5 mph (BAD). So I incorporated that into my riding, and what I do is use both brakes during stopping like you should, but then when I feel I've slowed to about 5 mph, I make a conscious effort to release the front brake, continue to apply pressure with the rear brake, and then SLOWLY put out my left foot as I come to a stop. The more smoothly I put out my left foot it seems, the smoother the stop. If I "stab" my left foot down to the ground it wants to pull the bike to that side, but not severely. I used to put both my feet down when coming to a stop, which of course causes you to use the front brake only, which pulls the bike to whichever side, and makes everything worse. This was a simple change, that even I could remember, and has made a WORLD of difference for me. It has also made riding with my wife on the back a lot more stress free. It has reduced my number of "Ruptured Duck" type landings to zero and made almost all of my stops super smooth. Hope this helps. 1/2crazedbikr
×
×
  • Create New...