RedRider

One of my dream cars. RR

Nice call on adding the notches. Wish I would have done that with my steering neck bearings when I replaced them. RR

Following comments are related to the Zumo GPS. Not sure if the Nuvi will be the same. The BR cable has two connectors for the GPS side. A 3.5mm connector for the audio out of the GPS and a 2.5mm connector for the microphone into the GPS. Both are connected to the side of the Zumo mounting cradle. The opposite end connectors are attached under the fairing per instructions from Buddy (in other words, I don't recall exactly where they are attached). RR

I did this several years ago. Along with my 5 gallon aux tank, I can fill right at 11 gallons. 350+ mile range. Now, if I can just get a aux bladder I can use all that gas at once. Sucks getting old (but it beats the alternative). RR

1956 Mercedes 190SL. Offered to me by my high school guidance counselor for $4000. Offer was one year too soon (didn't have my real job yet). This was in the early '80s. Wasn't quite in this good of shape, but wasn't bad. http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608025729807092593&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0 RR

If you are looking to do some serious miles per day (500+), custom is the way to go. If looking for relief on 200-400 mile days, ButtButler does a great job. Best money you can spend if you are not intending to do ultra-high mileage. - OR - You can spend a little bit of money many times or lots of money all at once. Only one of these actions will get you a perfect seat for high mileage days. http://www.day-long.com - Likely the most expensive, but absolutely the best - especially for heavier riders. I have never heard anyone disappointed with spending this extra money. http://www.billmayer-saddles.com http://www.rickmayer.com http://www.laamseats.com - relatively new company. Used to work for one of the Mayer brothers. http://www.kontourseat.com - again, relatively new. Getting good reviews by some of the LD rider crowd. All of these are custom made to your specs (will need to send in pictures or ride to the factory for fitting). Generally, these are built on your seat pan. Therefore, do it over the winter or buy an unused seat from another member to send in. Other premade seats seem to work for some, but not all. http://www.mustangseats.com - website shows a seat for the Venture, but I believe it is only for the TD. http://www.corbin.com http://www.saddlemen.com - website does not show a Venture/TD selection. However, I recall hearing there is one. Edit -- Forgot about these guys. http://www.ultimateseats.ca/ Others - chime in and let me know. I will update this list. RR

Use Moly60 (or equivalent) on the pins and splines. Use standard lithium based wheel bearing grease for the wheel bearings - needle, ball, or tapered. RR

Puc, That's why motorcycles are better than women. If you get a newer model, they don't really care if you ride it. Just so long as you ride the old one once in a while. Ummm, this is referring to the motorcycles, not the women. Women aren't like that. RR

At 80k it is good to replace the wheel bearings. Without looking it up, I seem to recall the manual calls a 50k replacement interval. Change out the rear bearings also. Mine went out at about 100k miles and it was an ugly sight. I will be replacing front and back every 50-60k miles from now on. RR

Relative to the clutch, there are few easier things to do yourself. Valves, they will require some wrenching confidence. RR

I carry beads (cut down and re-tied Walmart car seat) and a sheepskin (IKEA) to use over my custom seat. Usually, I don't need anything. If it is hot, beads allow really nice airflow. Sheepskin helps with some extra padding when periodically needed. I used both (skin over beads) on my KLR when I took a trip on it a few years ago. It was OK. AirHawk is great but don't use on the Venture since buying the custom seat. Use it on my other bikes when needed. RR

Sounds like a fun trip. You should first pack me (snowed again here yesterday - aaarrrggghhhh!!). I usually break my packing into 3 categories. Bike stuff, gear stuff, personal stuff. You have added Camping stuff. Bike stuff - tools, tire plug kit with inflater, first aid kit, Plexus (small) and rag, 3 soft straps, extra headlight and taillight bulb, bike half cover. This usually fills my right (throttle) side saddlebag. We can go into a long discussion of tools to carry. Gear stuff - Multiple sets of gloves - mesh, leather uninsulated, leather insulated, rain gloves, electrics (if so equipped), rain suit (unless your everyday riding apparel is waterproof), extra helmet visor, boot rain covers, sweatshirt/pull over, electric jacket liner (if equipped), neck gator, small atlas or maps of states you are traveling through (even if you have a GPS). This all goes in the left saddlebag. Personal stuff - Clothes, shoes (don't overpack shoes. Tennies and flipflops cover everything), toiletries, etc. Goes in the top box. Camping gear - tent, sleeping bag, Thermarest. Strap to luggage rack. Pack food and camp stove where it will fit. Extra bottles of water to fill openings. Personal items can also go in a tank bag - camera, phone, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, notepad and pen, gum/candy, jerky, bottle of water, wiping towel. Yes, it will all fit. Keep track of what you pack and what you end up using. After two or three trips you will have your list well defined and will find a place on the bike for everything you need. There is a LOT of storage on these beasts. Lastly, don't over think it. We are in a great land that has Walmarts every few miles. If you need something you didn't pack, no problem. As my wise father says, best things to pack are a phone and a credit card. Have a great trip. RR

Define what Touring means to you. A long weekend of flower sniffing (2-300 miles per day) or a week+ of 600+ miles? Hoteling or camping? Only when warm or in all weather. The packing list will differ. RR

When you are in New Buffalo - http://www.redamaks.com/ You won't forget it. Best hamburger evah. RR

From those pictures, the axle does not appear broken. Perhaps not properly installed as there shouldn't be any space between the washer and the swingarm. Something strange is going on there. RR

Don't worry. You'd be safe. It appears you have a helmet on. RR

These bikes were designed for a center stand. To try to make a centre stand fit causes problems. Darn Canucks. RR

You are a lucky man. I have never heard of a broken axle. I would also have the dealer replace the bearings in the wheel while they are at it. Since the axle has been running with a single support end, the bearings have been running with non-perpendicular loading. They are not designed for that. Learn to do your own wrenching. I am very leery of letting the dealer (and I have a good one) work on my bike. RR

Day cover? RR

Save some money. Get to know your dealer shop manager. Many will exchange shims for free if you happen to do 'some' business with them. RR

Most importantly, this is the line for a Moonburger. First picture from the store area back, the other from the end to the store (which you can't really see). This was one of the most well behaved and happy crowds I have ever been a part of. Lots of folks, lots of disparate styles, no conflicts. It may be due to there being no alcohol, but it was great. RR

First picture is of where I parked. Pulled in next to another Venture and his wife on a V-Star. Didn't socialize with him much as I needed to get to the store to meet up with my Dad (and I was running a bit late). BTW, the store is behind the tree line on the left of the road - about 1 mile away. I was on the north road 2nd picture is looking down the road to the east. 3rd picture was looking south. 4th picture is the Moonshine General Store. The HQ for all this fun. RR

I missed this post as I was already on the way. BTW, several wings with aux tanks as well as other bikes with aux tanks. Couldn't believe how many bikes were there. Saw Mike's (EUSA1) beautiful bike right by the store but wasn't able to find him. Good day of riding. On the road at about 5:15 am, got to Moonshine and parked by 11:00, walked to the store and my Dad just sat down at the picnic table with a hamburger - and another one right next to him for me!! Yeah (wait 'til you see the picture of the food line). Walked around looking at bikes and chatting with folks until 1 and started back. Visited my daughter in Chicago and got caught in some nasty storms in Milwaukee (sorry I didn't call Jeff. Needed to get home). A little over 800 miles. Good day indeed. Time for a shower and bed. RR

I have a 3x5 map that I glued to a cork board. Then made a frame for it and have it hanging in my home office. Each trip I use different colored push pins and different color string to lay it out. Will post a picture in the morning. RR

Am just short of 114,000 miles on my 2nd Gen after the Moonshine run today. RR