RedRider

Thanks Saddlebum. We found a used complete head for about $50 and have it on the way. RR

GoldenRider and I were working on a new-to-us 2008 Venture and while adjusting the shims we damaged one of the buckets. It periodically gets stuck when the cam rotates away. Not good. It is 3 weeks for a new one from MamaYama. Anybody have a damaged head that might have a shim bucket available? Thanks.

Lots of good ideas already listed here. As VA suggested, getting riding gear that is waterproof/resistant is the easiest way to go. Firstgear Kilimanjaro has been my goto for many years. You can get often NOS from motorcyclegear.com at closeout prices (they will be older versions, but still new). However, what has worked for me is to start travelling and paying attention to what you didn't use. When my wife and I started doing multiday trips, I pulled a trailer with all our stuff. Found we didn't need about 80% of it. We have recently done a 7 day trip where the right saddlebag carries tools/spares/fluids/first aid kit/TP/etc. Left saddlebag is riding gear - different gloves/boot covers/non-riding shoes (Chucks are great as they mash flat)/lightweight bike cover/etc. Topbox is where my wife packs all her stuff. Mine goes into an Ortlieb roll top bag that gets strapped to the luggage rack on the topbox.

Fantastic review. It appears there is a new king in adventure boots since Aerostich obsoleted the Combat / Combat Lite. Wish they went up to larger sizes (wear a 15 and I know others that are looking that wear 16). Gotta start somewhere. RR

Sexy!! RR

The biggest problem in the cannabis business (medical or recreational) is it's an all cash business. Banks are regulated by the federal government and cannabis is still listed as a schedule 1 drug. Not that I agree, but that's the way it currently works. Banks won't touch a business that deals with it. Be careful, very careful. RR

"What is Both for $1500, Alex". Fix them both and sell whichever doesn't make you smile when you walk into the garage. Personally, I've always loved the looks of the FJ. As I am a bigger guy, I would look like a parade Shriner on the ZX11. RR

Hey Brad! Good to see you post on here again. Was down your way in May (Sargent, TX) and was thinking about finding you. Didn't have enough time though. RR

Get the points as shown above. Easy to replace. 99% chance that's your issue. Take the black rubber end cover off your current pump and you will see the points. Look at the contacts. They should be clean and cross-hatched. If yours has burns on it, replace it with new points. RR

oldbikebarn.com is a great resource for old Japanese bike parts. Here are the rotors: https://oldbikebarn.com/collections/vf1100?gf_72847=Brakes RR Edit: I see they are sold out. However, OBB is a good bookmark for parts.

Start at the top in Front Royal, VA and ride Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. This turns into the Blue Ridge Pkwy once it leaves the SNP. Great ride all the way. RR

Great Review. And thank you, thank you, thank you for including the helmet shape in the review. That is essential to the proper fit of a helmet and is too often left out of a review/description. Question: You mentioned having sufficient volume. Is this with ear plugs or without? RR

Forgot about the Butt-Butler. Takes a stock seat from 100 miles to 200-250 miles. Big improvement for very little money. Rick did/does nice work. If you are going to spend $700, get a Russell Day Long (day-long.com). If you look through the parking lot of the Iron Butt Rally (1000+ miles/day for 11 days) you will see 80% RDLs. If you want all day comfort regardless of miles, there is no substitute. I have one on my Venture and have done 6000+ miles in 6 days and my butt was ready for more. RR Edit: Looked at the Diamond site and they do make a good looking saddle that appears would be significantly better than stock.

I'm pretty sure Mustang does not make a seat for the Venture - only the TD. As to what is the best seat? Depends on what kind of riding you intend to do. Saturday poker runs where you might run a half tank of gas? Stock seat will be fine. Commute 40 miles per day? Stock might be OK but might want to add a gel pad or sheepskin. 200-400 mile days? Corbin, Saddleman, Airhawk pad 500-700 mile days? Corbin, Saddleman, Russell Day Long 700-1000+ mile days? Russell Day Long is the only choice. RR

Jake, I suspect your bowl floats are not adjusted properly. Fairly common with the second gen's and I assume the same issue with the RSTD. Search the site for the procedure to set them correctly. Kind of a pain, but not hard. Good luck. RR

I usually call it 'clutch side' and 'throttle side'. Never heard these noises on my Gen2. I too am very curious as to the cause. RR

I have found the HF torque wrenches to be pretty accurate when tested against my Snap-On. Just make sure you unload the spring before you store it. 70 inlb is just right. Finish the oil change and enjoy many miles of clutch-slip free riding. RR

Going by memory here - 27mm. Will check it later this evening. And the Allen wrench to turn the axle out is 10mm (again, memory only - will advise). I went to Sears (remember them) and got a combo wrench that I carry in my right saddle bag with my tool roll. RR

If this is the same as for the Venture, the fuel pump is a weakness. Didn't know it would throw a code though (perhaps not on the Venture). Often is is only the points in the rear of the fuel pump that are fairly easy to change out. Do a search in the tech section if you find this is your issue. Procedures and sources for 'points' are listed. RR

Have you replaced the fuel filter? Kind of a pain to get to, but not hard to do. RR

Barnett also sells heavy duty springs for their pressure plates. I was going through a clutch every 20-25k miles (spring weakening) and then did a Barnett. Lasted about 60k miles so it was a good upgrade. I then replaced the springs with the Barnett HD springs and I am good to go. With pulling the tug, I would suggest the HD springs. It WILL be a bear riding in rush hour Chicago traffic (harder clutch lever pull). DAMHIK. RR

Hope you're feeling better Don. RR

Just thought I would throw in here a plug for the HF lift table. It has held my RSV up all winter at times. Often on sale for $300 it is wonderful not to have to get on the ground for anything. And I have a Craftsman jack with CarbonOne's lift adapter (with legs). Excellent when needing to remove the wheels (and one of the other bikes is on the lift {humble brag}). RR

Depending on when it is, I may have to actually ride my Venture to this one. RR

I have one on my 2000 (installed 2002). Have 175k-ish miles without issue. It isn't a problem and will provide protection. RR