pa_don

Bill, Looks like a few of us would like more info on what it took to install the day makers, especially the headlight. Write-up, description or pictures would be appreciated. Looking into same thing. pa_don

Certainly can't compete with cowpuc but been there on 2 wheels and in cage... great time either way! Its al about what you want to do .. I can only mention a few other things that weren't brought up yet.. Just about a mile east of Sturgis is Fort Meade and the Cavalry Museum.. built in 1878 by the remaining troops of General Custer's 7th Cavalry and claims to the birthplace of the "Star Spangled Banner". I also read once that every US Calvary General did time there ... Just outside Deadwood on the hill behind town is Mount Moriah Cemetery... burial place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Sol Star, but to see the grave site of Seth Bullock you need to take the path to the the top of the mountain. not a bad walk and you can Roosevelt National Park from there An exit or 2 west of the Badlands on I-90 is a Nike Site there actually 2 locations run by NPS. the 1st one lets you see a control station and has a brief vide presentation. Usually has a ranger there. I short hop down 90 and you can see one of the launch silos. Definitely make it to Rushmore and make sure to go back for the night show/closing ceremonies. Do Iron Mountain road from south to north. You get the tunnel framing Rushmore picture that way. Walk the perimeter of Devils tower, worth the time... Not for lack of sightseeing.. just depends on what you like! pa_don

Don, You know I don't post much but it seems you are truly troubled and seeking input. It I first crossed your path back in '99 and we were both on the VTS/MTA sites. I followed you here when you started up Venturerider.org and even joined a few of your other forums when you attempted to launch them. I've been here through 3 different Ventures. Two, 2 wheel and now my tike. I've witnessed you working to morph this into what exist today. I am pretty much a solo rider and have never attended any ride-ins, It's definitely not because I don't like the folks here. That would be the furthest thing from the truth. It's just who I am. I am also what you would call, "mechanically challenged". Never was good with engines of any type. I'm saying all this to set the stage. I don't get to visit the site as often as I once did. I was also on the brink of leaving the membership at one point during some very tough economic times. That 12 bucks was hard to come by but I found a way to keep my membership. What I personally have gained here is access to and contact with some very great people that have helped me along the way. Sometimes it's just reading post by others about issues. Other times its hearing about a great trip that helps me plan. or dream about, a new adventure for myself. What I hear everyone here saying is you have something "special". I couldn't agree more. You've now made it clear you do not intend to shut the site down, at least at this time. It takes a lot to maintain a forum like this and let's face it, there is always a cost. That said, there may be a day when we will all have to bare hearing you make that tough decision. While not specifically stated, the forum has always been open to non-Yamaha brands but it is difficult to promote to them given the other available resources that are brand specific. The previously stated concept of expanding to try and include additional Yamaha / Star bike models is something to consider specifically keeping focus on the touring / adventure touring focus. As mentioned, whether Yamaha releases a 3rd generation Venture or not, there is a lot of activity in the market place especially the touring / adventure touring segment. As technology moves on, things needs to adapt or they are left behind. I know you were around in the days of the dialup BBS! In the case of the forum, I've heard a few times about can the forum be made more mobile device friendly. I am not sure that is even possible with the current software used to administer the site. To be honest, I haven't tried in quite a while to access the site on my mobile so there may already be a mobile site available and I am not even aware. If not, this would probably be the other area to look toward to keep and possibly grow the membership. I work with very diverse team of people at my job and the number that only use their mobile devices and don't even own a computer continues amaze me. It can be difficult o be all things to all people and like most organizations, things change as they stay around longer: growth, decreases in membership, structure and sometimes they have to totally reinvent themselves. Whatever the future holds for yourself and Venturerider.org, I am sure you will do your best to keep it a place people want to visit. For the information. For the enjoyment. For the people! BTW, if I haven't said it for a while, Thanks to you, and the other members that make this place what it is!

Sylvester, Thanks for the response. I wasn't sure which version of the light anyone had tried and if they liked the results. pa_don

Steve, Do you have / recommend any passing lamp replacements to mate to the Fusion LED Headlight? pa_don

Don, Thanks for all your personal hard work along with the other members that keep this site going. Wishing you and the family (including all those here on the forum) a very Merry Christmas and safe Holiday Season! pa_don

Jeff, Thanks for checking it out for me. I need to go look at them so I remember what they were. When I looked for the 266HH I saw a few versions so your pics were great (as usual!). Looks like most of these fit Ducati's. I saw the part number in the 1st post of this thread but when reading though it, it seemed that the 266HH were NOT the right pads for the new rotors.... Guess I just to easy to confuse. Any way, came up with similar links as you did for the pads and best price I see is about $28 a pair ( on amazon ). Will start looking into having a set on hand as I probably will need them later this year - assuming the rain ever stops! pa_don

Ok guys.. over a year later and know I need to think about having a replacement set of pads as they will probably need to changed out this season. If I read the post correct I DO NOT want to use the EBC FA-266. so.... the question is (since I am really that clueless), what pads should I be looking for since I now have the FANTASTIC stainless steel upgraded rotors? Info and recommendations are greatly appreciated! pa_don

lot's of great advice... mostly carry lot's of water. depending on your route, great sand dunes national Park, just north of New Mexico in CO Lots of great rides around Taos, New Mexico, (home to Kit Carson) see the rio grande river / gorge bridge - San Juan mts. Since in/near Vegas - definitely do Valley of Fire . Can also pick up Death Valley. Messa Verde, & Canyons of the Ancients near Cortez ,CO. Since near Durango, spend some time in San Juan Forrest. Here's a link to a site with the scenic byways in NM. Lots to choose from around Taos & Santa Fe: http://sangres.com/newmexico/scenic-byways/index.htm#.UbP-tBXD_ct pa_don

I have a very hard time creating the listings on line. Instead I use eBay’s Turbo Lister Program. Takes a bit to figure it out at first but no worries, nothing matters until you upload your final listing. Lots of decent help files. Very nice in that you can create a standard template that can be used for all listings and just edit as needed. Will also let you calculate cost before uploading and add all the extra features you may want for your listings. You have to download it but for me it was worth it. http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/sellingresources/turbolister.html pa_don

Thanks for all the feed back.... dino has been fine since I've had the trike. I am not necessarily "looking" to change; in fact, I have some concerns about slippage due to extra weight of trike kit and really just looking for feed back. Seems more folks are running synthetic and I am not sure if there is that much more benefit (vs. costs). Always looking to hear what is working for everyone.

Ok... I know this will bring about some varied replies... Currently using "standard" (non-synthetic) oil on my Hannigan trike. I am considering changing to synthetic but am on the fence. If I don't change, what brands do others recommend staying with? If I do change, is there a recommended procedure to clear out the old oil before adding the new synthetic? I have head lots of good things about the Rotella but I do worry about clutch slippage. pa_don

Ton's of great rides along the way.. Look for alternatives (and there are plenty) to stay off I-81. Just no fun ... I won't focus much on the southern areas as I figure you have heard plenty of them before (Blue Ridge, skyline drive, etc). If you don't want to come that far east right away, you can shoot up from Nashville into WV. Lots of great roads, scenery & historical sights. If you stay a little more west of PA coming out of WV, you can see Harpers Ferry, cruise up into PA and see Gettysburg, then head east through Lancaster and Amish Country to PHL. Heading north when you leave PHL you can back road it up though the Poconos and into NY or following the Delaware River up into NY. Either way it a good ride. Depending on routes you could skirt the finger lake area or go more into the Adirondacks. So many choices and plenty to see. I typically start my route planning looking at the State and National Byways, then National Parks and Battle Grounds. Depending on your interest there is so much between here and there.. 3 weeks might not be enough time!

Quote: "Yea, think I'll go have a coffee and Bailey's. " Geezzzzz... Don can't catch a break on anything around here... Runs the site.... Performs an upgrade ... (that no one is even aware of!) and all we can do do is drive the porr guy to drink! (hope you enjoy the Bailey's and have one for me!) Thanks for all the hard work and HAPPY NEW YEAR Don! pa_don

Jeff & Jay, Thanks for the help. The info you provided was VERY helpful. I was not really sure what would be entailed until you started providing the information. It was definitely much more straight forward than I had thought having never even changed the pads on the bike before..... It definitely made a world of difference... no more grinding stops! While it took nearly a month from my 1st contact, some delays in parts and manufacturing, but Hannigan stepped up to the plate and made things right. A class act and good folks to do business with!