saddlebum

There was once a rider who prided himself in riding every state in the USA. As it happens were ever he went, when ever someone needed assistance, He was more than willing to stop and lend a hand if he was able. One Day he had a close call and while recovering in the hospital, he was visited by the almighty Lord. The Lord commented on his more than helpful nature and offered to do something special for him. At this the rider commented that he had rode to every state except Hawaii. and asked if the lord could create a bridge from the main land to Hawaii. The Lord said that was a very difficult undertaking and could he request something different. So the rider asked for a means that would make it easier to understand his wife. The Lord responded by asking. "Now just exactly how long would that bridge need to be?"

Oddly enough, I did not feel bad to start with other than feeling like my normal high level of stamina was not what it was, leaving me to think I was just getting out of shape due to the fact that for the past 5 years I was doing more supervisory work versus full time physical work. I went for a checkup primarily because my two younger brothers had quadruple bypasses and both their surgeons stated that because none of us ever smoked, we ate healthy the majority of the time and where physically active, that it was likely hereditary and that myself and another brother should get checked out just in case. Well during the stress test they spotted a slight glitch in the ECG when I reached the target point. They then sent me for a nuclear stress test which indicated a small blockage. My cardiologist said that I would not need surgery that it could be treated with medication. He also went on to say that he did not feel I would need an Angiogram, but I could get one done if I wanted to get a more precise dignostic, since the Angiogram is the golden test. After talking to my brothers they insisted I should play it safe and get it done, so I did. So here I am laying there on the table feeling the instrument going up my arm and around the inside of my shoulder, then I feel a slight burning sensation which only lasted for a second as they injected the dye. Next the radiology scanner is moving back and forth over my chest like some sort of alien machine out of star wars trying to determine if I am Allie or foe. During all this time I am listening to the surgeons talking away when all of a sudden the word STENT, enters the conversation. Next part of the conversation turns into something you might hear between a navigator and a pilot as the negotiate a difficult maneuver through a tricky shipping lane, as I feel things moving in and out, and back and forth in my arm and shoulder. They whole procedure took about an hour. Once back in recovery they informed me that the artery was actually 90% blocked instead of 70% and that it was a good thing that I decided to go in for the Angiogram. So having said all this and trying not to be too boring about it, I think if any one reading this is in a similar situation and are offered the option to get an angiogram or not I would suggest you do it. The angiogram itself in most cases is not a big deal and the answers are more precise. Obviously there is risk involved but as with any intrusive surgery, But not knowing can be risky as well.

Mmmmm:think: learn something new everyday. Until now I was totally oblivious of the fact that splinters were part of the STD group .

Sorry to hear about your dilemma Jack. I hope and pray that with time and proper care things get a lot better. Both my brothers felt like you described and ended up with bypass surgery, that was less than a year ago and today they are feeling like their old selves. So keep your chin up and think positive.

I am sure every one has their personal reasons as to delink or not to delink.All the bikes I have ever ridden had independent front and rear brakes so I learned the scary way that my 89 had linked brakes and could not understand why someone would do that. In my case it had to do a lot with how I discovered linked brakes. I once topped a hill only to to be faced with a stop sign. Now usually there is a warning sign indicating stop sign ahead and whether it was there in this case I can't really say, Bottom line was I was now on a paved road coated with loose gravel and sand so naturally I only applied rear brake (or so I thought since at this time I was not aware that the brakes on the venture were linked) next thing I know front wheel locks up and slides out I quickly release the brakes and thinking I must have touched the front brake without thinking I reapply the rear brake. Now this time I am fully aware that I am not touching the front brake yet again the front wheel locks up and slides out. I quickly release the brake and now with no chance of stopping I quickly look both ways, roll on the throttle and scoot through the intersection, something I never want to willingly repeat. I get home and check the bike over to see why this is happening and discovered my brakes were linked so my first thought right then and there was to do something about delinking the brakes. While working out the details as to how I was going to go about this I happend to have a conversation with another member on the sight and discovered I was not the only one who was not comfortable with linked brakes and found out eventually that they too delinked brakes which eventually led me to skydoc and his kits. Personally I am happy and feel safer for doing it, but like I said to each his own.

If you do put new pads on old rotors Also chamfer the side edges a bit but on a flater angle than 45 say greater than 60 deg, you want just a very minor 1/4" wide relief on the side edges, this helps the pad get more face contact with the rotor. Old rotors usually have a ridge about 1/8" to 1/4" wide on the inner and outer diameter. This ridge will hold a new shoe up off the major surface of the rotor until they wear in. by putting a slight bevel (and dont go crazy) on the inside and outside edges of the new shoes the shoe can settle in between these ridges and wear into the rotor faster giving you more initial contact area other wise your only initial contact area will be on these ridges until the shoe wears in.

Here is some food for thought. I delinked the brakes on my MK II. I removed the proprtioning valve completely and connected directly to the master. The pedal is hard and yes to lock up the rear wheel I pretty much have to stand on it. On the other hand If I make a hard application of both the front and rear brakes at the same time on dry pavement, the rear will lock up and the rear wheel will skid sideways if I hold the full application of the brakes. I can only assume this is because with applying the front brakes some of the bikes stopping weight is removed from the rear wheel and transferred to the front wheel. On gravel or wet road I have no problem locking the rear brake. I do believe if you want toucher rear brakes you either need to reduce the piston size in the master cylinder or increase the piston size on the caliper. This may be why 2nd Gen brakes are toucher ( and I am just guessing here) I wonder if they may run a smaller piston size in the master which would increase the ratio difference between the master and the rear caliper or have a longer brake pedal arm.

I definitely second that, not that Annie needs another physical issue to deal with but it is preferable to something worse and for that I am thankful.

I do not have face book so I hope details will get posted here. In the mean time I hope surely hope she was not seriously hurt.

Dunlop makes the Ellet E4 in both 120/90-18 front & 140/90-16 rear. I have them on my 89 XVZ1300 and so far I like them even better than the E3's, I had previously, which I would have bought again, had they not been replaced by the E4's but so far I am loving these tires both for ride quality and cornering ability. Their load carrying capacity is excellent. Also when putting new tires on air them up to max pressure shown on tire side wall rather than what the owners manual states. The reason for this is that the owners manual recommendations are based on the tires that were available at the time. You can always adjust pressure later based on the way the tires are wearing and the handling feel of the bike. Some like the Avon venoms, but many of the 1st Gen owners have experienced tail wag at highway speeds with the Avon's Myself included. I have heard no complaints from Gen 2 owners however who seem to love these tires.

The Second Gen has a Whine . Can't say as I have ever noticed it ...

I wil be camping. Just need to get my site booked.

Good thing you were on gen 1 venture. If any cruiser can handle off road conditions its the venture. @Trader and I once got off track Thanks to a GPS defined short cut) and ended up following a through the woods cow path then back again because though we were within throwing distance of our camp site we were cut off by a railroad track. Kinda reminded me of my old motocross days when we raced through the woods instead of a groomed track in a stadium.

All I can say is is that missing MD again really sucked and these pic's ain't help'n. Dang there nice pics.

Sorry you started out on the short end of the stick on those new hides. if it helps I have been running mine every day and putting them through some pretty testy moves and I got to say so far I am loving these e4 tires.

Yes they are Gen 1 MK-II

@wrscomncents Here is the set up I MacGyered together to bench set my floats a few years ago by modifying an old fire extinguisher and it worked a charm. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?86821-home-made-set-up-for-wet-setting-floats-on-the-bench&p=844346#post844346

Thanks Brother.

Know that feeling brother, was on my way to MD, left the house packed and ready and Aaaaaa %%%% no brakes. Turn around and like you played Solitary MD in my own garage and worse yet none of those Flyinfool rum balls to ease the pain.

So June 17th this year was not only Fathers day but my 65th birthday as well. It actually started the day before when my wife kidnapped me for what she referred to as a little pre-birthday thingy. So in the car we go headed for what I assumed would be a family breakfast at Cora's which is a bit of a family tradition. When suddenly I realize Marita just pulled a Marcarl, missed the turn and of course we all know about the U-turn that inevitably follows. Wrong again unlike Marcarl she actually seems to know where she is going and so now I am scratching my head. Next thing I know we are pulling into the parking lot of BBQ's Galore, and there in the middle of the lot stands my Kids and Grandchildren. After a bunch of hugs, they proceed to escort me inside and tell me to choose a BBQ of my choice. The next day Sunday the actual day of both Fathers Day and My 65th Birthday Marita sends me out on a length errand, from which I return to find again my entire family with the addition of my Mother, Brothers and their wives plus my Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews. So here is a cool pic drawn by my Sister in law. The horse was my old horse Snort, I had for 18 years and the dog is my Airedale Rio. Plus the BBQ in action

Ok now enough horse'n around ---we need to get back to serious business here........Sooo about this here CAKE were's my piece cause no one offered me any cake when I renewed?

I carry a couple tents that I use most often. I use them backpacking, canoeing and to venture rallies and I love them. No problem standing up either.....You just crawl outside the tent. Of the three A Eurika an MSR and a Big Agness only the Big Agness is three season rated the other two are 4 season rated and tie down well in heavy storms. everything including my clothes, cooking gear and sleeping gear pack right on the bike. I do feel though that its best to spend a bit for quality as I have bought cheaper tents from places like Wall mart and ended up drenched.

Well put Don and I agree One was no worse nor better than the other. Dan just put himself out there a bit more with all the ribbing and bantering etc. But Kevin was there when the need was felt and it looks like he is now needed elsewhere. May God be with you Kevin and peace and comfort with your family.

The shop were I work we used to use glass beads a lot but have stopped and resorted to a wheel spin balance machine. We found although they did often work there were quite a few cases were they did not. Why I have no idea although we did notice if the air put in the tire had moisture in it the beads would kinda bunch up. In the end we did find the wheel balance machine resulted in far fewer comebacks when it came to vibration issues. My suggestion dispense with the beads and get a proper tire balance performed. BTW you would have to make sure all the beads are removed from the tire. Oh and also I checked my E4 tires and did not find any marks at all with regards to locating the valve stem.

I work 3:30 to midnight so the same goes for me - all gone beddy bye.