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RedRider

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  1. RedRider
    http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21388&d=1220221415 I think this will lead you to a list of compatible oil filters. There are selections from WalMart, Napa, and others. As for oil, just look for the circle on the bottle. Around the outer ring of the circle, most oil will say 'energy conserving'. You don't want that. I have been using Mobile 1 synthetic along with a Walmart or Napa filter and it seems to work fine. RR
  2. RedRider
    If there are no generators available, and you have $1000 in meat, etc. you need to protect, and you didn't think ahead of time to prepare - why would it be gouging to supply generators at what the market will bear? Is it nice - NO. But the profit incentive will provide generators to those that really need it and didn't prepare ahead of time. Same goes for ice, gas, diapers, etc. The free market will provide products to those that really need it. Need is based on what the buyer will pay. If they don't want to pay the price, they don't really need it. If it is illegal to sell at above retail prices, once the local supply is gone - NO ONE gets a generator. All this theory gets seriously modified when it pertains to life and death. Strict Capitalistic Rant off. Let the floggings begin. RR
  3. RedRider
    Sent the DVD to Calperin. RR
  4. RedRider
    Deb, Hwy 60 up the WI River is pretty cool. Also, take some time and visit the Devil's Lake State Park. Hike around the lake on the bluffs. Incredible views looking down at the hawks soaring below. One of my favorite places in the state. RR
  5. RedRider
    When it locks up, try pressing the + button and the power button at the same time. I find this is like a Ctl-Alt-Del for the Zumo. You can also be some good advise on the Zumo forums. RR
  6. RedRider
    The Progressive pump is a zero let-off pump. This means it will maintain the air pressure in the forks and not leak any when you remove the pump. Since you only put 5 to 7 psi in the front forks, a little leak makes a lot of difference in the pressure. It is small and easy to carry. HD dealers usually have them in stock for about $45. Welcome to the family. RR
  7. RedRider
    That's one way. Or you can open the top of the master reservoir and, using a straw, pull some out. Don't suck on the straw. Brake fluid tastes awful (don't ask how I know). Just put your finger over the end and take some out a little at a time. Good luck. RR
  8. RedRider
    1) Is there any reasonable fix for the clutch noise? If it is real annoyance, you can have the clutch basket changed out to an 'I' clutch basket. Search this site for more info. 2) How difficult is it to adjust the carbs (syncing etc)? Easy - with the right tools. Several folks have made their own synchronizers, but the Morgan CarbTune II seems to be the purchased tool of choice. About $100. Usually one on hand at most VentureRider gatherings. Takes about 10-15 minutes. 3) Any recommended aftermarket (non-cosmetic) improvements (i.e. the Roadstar benefited greatly with an aftermarket breather (Baron BAK) and rejetting) Anything similar for the Venture? Oh my!! We are all really good at spending your money. First, upgrade tires from the stock Bridgestones to Avon Venoms. Secondly, add a set of lowering links (actually raises the back end) to the back end. It changes the geometry slightly and provides much better low speed handling. You CAN tell the difference immediately. About $75 and 30 minutes of work. 4) Any issues to look out for with respect to the engine, cooling system, shaft drive etc. (Major mechanical). Nope. Just need to lube the drive shaft splines and the drive hub pins when you change tires. 5) Suspension issues or bearings? There has been some discussions of premature failures of the rear shock. I have not experienced any difficulty in 60,000 miles. 6) Specific maintenance issues other than the usual - brakes, tires, oil, chasis lube... None that I recall. 7) Comments regarding comfort, noise, vibration etc compared to the R* (or other tourers like the HD Ultra Classic). I have not ridden others. Others will comment. 8) How is the "fit" for distance riding for someone who is less compact than most? (Tall with long legs) Would highway pegs be an important addition? How's the amount of room for the passenger? This is a great bike for taller folks (6'4" here). I would look at a set of offset Longhorn highway pegs. I believe they are available from Kurikian (sp?). Also, if you intend to put significant miles on the bike, you will benefit from a driver's back rest. DiamondR or Utopia seem to be the brands of choice. Your passenger will really enjoy the extra room on the Venture. 9) What's the nicest bit of bling to add? A new (to me) bike needs a little present to feel welcome in a new home! A Zumo 550. It will always get you home after you realize you have ridden 500 miles away and haven't paid attention to where you were going. Also, it provides an MP3, Bluetooth for your phone (which can be ported to your helmet headset with a special cable made by one of the members here). 10) Anything else I should know??? If you intend to do your own wrenching, get a lift adapter from CarbonOne (a member here). It makes the bike much more stable on the jack. There is even an option to get it with legs you you can remove the jack and have the bike on a very stable stand. Best money you can spend if you intend to do your own work. Adding SpeedBleeders to your brake calipers and clutch is an inexpensive convenience. Do this when you change out your fluids (should be done every couple of years). Can be purchased from SpeedBleeder.com - about $8 each (need 4 total - search the site for specific part numbers). If you don't believe the PO has done this, make this part of your first maintenance session. Welcome to the family. The Venture is a great bike that will provide many miles of comfortable riding - both for you and your passanger. RR
  9. RedRider
    The wheel should spin freely on the jack. I suspect the caliper is cocked relative to the rotor and is rubbing on one end of the pads. This needs to be fixed before riding. After you get the caliper mounting fixed, check for a warped rotor. Excess heat can cause the rotors to warp causing pulsations and potential lockup of the front wheel in hard braking. Good luck. RR
  10. RedRider
    Before my east coast trip this year, I couldn't find my spare key. I had one made by a locksmith and hid it on the bike (dropped it into the pouch on the back of the driver's back rest.) Sure enough, I looked in and saw my original spare key sitting right next to the new spare I had made. Must be a good hiding spot. RR
  11. RedRider
    The Ambassador is/was at Pork in the Pines this weekend. He was riding the blue Cow-o-Saki and impressing up with his emense gas tank. RR
  12. RedRider
    Good call. That is certainly a lot less than I would have expected. RR
  13. RedRider
    If you can't keep from adding extra miles, keep heading north to the Pork in the Pines Rally. North-Central MN. Good times, good eats, good beer (actually, the good beer will already be drank by the time you get here. Blatz and Wiedemann will be all that's left). RR
  14. RedRider
    Come to the Pork in the Pines rally this weekend. It will get taken care of better there than at most dealers. RR
  15. RedRider
    Smokey Mountains - the Dragon. Stay at the Iron Horse Lodge in Stecorah, NC. There are no bad roads down there. Enjoy. RR
  16. RedRider
    Slow speed handling is a little dicey until you get used to it. There are a couple of geometric changes you can make that will improve this. 1) Leveling links (Diamond R) - raise the rear end about an inch and make a huge difference in slow speed handling. Not for the inseam challanged. 2) Lower the front end - does the same thing without costing anything but time. If you like to carve corners, it will make it more likely to scrape a floorboard in corners. Better for the inseam challanged. 3) Go with a skinnier front tire. This also helps, but will cost you a front tire and mounting. Welcome to the family. Don't be afraid to ask anything - as long as you expect lots of answers. RR
  17. RedRider
    Deb and Gary made it safely to Fond du Lac on their trip over to Lake Michigan. My son Grant and I enjoyed showing them around town and sharing a great Mexican dinner together. What wonderful folks they are. I WILL be heading to their place in Iowa to see them again. Safe travels Deb and Gary. Sorry the pics are kind of dark. We took pics after dinner instead of before. RR
  18. RedRider
    From WI - if you want to try to keep it off your record and insurance, you can go to court and chat with the DA or get a lawyer to do it for you. You will find the lawyer will have a pretty good chance to get it reduced (been there, done that) to some trivial matter. You will likely need to still pay the same fine, and pay the lawyer. Overall, $160 for the ticket, $200 to $300 for the lawyer. But, it WILL be taken care of. Or, you can just pay the fine and hope not to get another ticket for a while. If you haven't had a ticket if 40 years, your insurance agent would not likely raise your rates. Good luck. RR
  19. RedRider
    Will anyone have a ColorTune there? I will bring another CarbTune and some tools. Do we need a jack and lift adapter? Since I will bring the trailer, I will have room. RR
  20. RedRider
    Welcome to the family. The intercom, as Bluelover stated, is built in. Works great and uses a standard 5 pin connector. There are ways to tie in a GPS and cell phone (they must be done together) if that is your desire. The VMax cams? Save your money and time and start saving for the 3rd generation Venture (hopefully) being introduced in the next couple of years. It will likely be based on the new VMax being introduced now. You will have plenty of power to get where you need to go, just not quite as much as you have been used to with the 1800. If you are intending to run heated clothes, the charging system will keep up with you - and only you. If you intend to also have your passenger run heated clothing, you will likely come up short. There are upgraded stators available that may cover your needs. I suggest adding an inexpensive volt meter to monitor the charging system if you are running lots of load. I run a heated liner and gloves with no problem. As long as you are not vertically challanged, you may want to look into levelling links. These change the geometry by lifting the rear end slightly and make low speed handling easier. This is an easy and inexpensive option. You can also lower the front end or get a thinner front tire to help with this. There are tech articles on here that explain all. However, first and foremost, please keep in mind this is the most expensive free website you will ever find. We are all very pleased to help you spend your disposable income on chrome and farkles. Again, welcome. The RSV is a wonderful cruising machine that will provide many miles of trouble free pleasure. RR
  21. RedRider
    My riding buddy just got one. He has long been a sport tourer guy but was intrigued by the LT. It is a beautiful bike and he is a happy camper. Like any fine machine, it requires maintenance. Unlike the GW which just requires gas and periodic oil changes. BTW, PM sent. RR
  22. RedRider

    New Toy

    RedRider replied to cpudoc's topic in General Tech Talk

    Check the inside of the gas tank. If it has been sitting for a long time, it may be rusted. Rust in the carbs = no worky. There are a variety of ways to clean out a rusty tank. Recently heard someone filling it with Coke and letting it sit. Good luck with it. And ..... the suspense is killing me ... WHAT IS IT? RR
  23. RedRider
    You are also welcome to stop in Fond du Lac if you are in the area. We have plenty of places to camp - aw, heck, we'd probably even let you come in the house to sleep in a bed. Also, if you have any trouble, have a shop with tools. Let me know. Phone number is in my profile. RR
  24. RedRider
    FYI You won'y need to modify your sidestand w/ leveling links. RR
  25. RedRider
    If you have a lift, it makes it much easier to get in there. Kind of like how it is easier to reach up into a cabinet to get the bottle of scotch than to reach down into the undercounter cabinet to get the ice bucket. BTW, splitting the fairing is really easy. Takes just a few minutes. However, you don't need to do it to change the bulb. As for the other issues, 1) Whimpy horn - replace with a Stebel horn. Costs about $70 including a wiring harness (you can make your own if you like). Carbon One makes a bracket that allows the horn to mount easily into the location of the current horn. There are a couple of other tips for this install which we can impart when you are ready to do this. 2) High Center of Gravity - Levelling links seem to help. They slightly change the slope of the bike which helps tremendously with the low speed handling. If you are vertically chanllenged, you can accomplish the same with going to a narrower front tire. It will still be somewhat top heavy, but will handle much better at slow speeds. Enjoy. RR
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