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RedRider

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  1. RedRider
    OK, who's goin' other than me and two of my boys? We will be there about noon. I am tall and, ...ahem... big bones, one son is just as tall and thin, the other son is about 6 foot and thin. May be an elderly gentleman (my Dad) with us also. If you see us, stop and say hello. Is it spring yet? RR
  2. RedRider
    There is a Harley rear light bracket that looks really nice and helps light up the tail. Someone should have pics (or I could go out into the garage and take a pic - Naaahhh, it -10F out there). The driving light addition requires a new bar. It will add a pair of PAR32 (35W ea) driving lights. Bib and Chrome ignition cover - hit Ebay. Saw the cover on there the other day. RR
  3. RedRider
    This is getting a lot of play on the LD websites. The LD guys have a tendency to add lots of electrical stuff to their rides. This is a really interesting product (just bought a fuzeblock www.fuzeblocks.com) that I was made aware of a little too late. RR
  4. RedRider
    This was made more confusing a couple of years ago when Yamaha decided to split their marketing into STAR and YAMAHA branding. The YAMAHA was kept for the off road products (and ATVs, PWC, Snowmobiles) while STAR was the on road motorcycle brand. Nothing changed with the bikes other than the badge. Therefore, a Yamaha Royal Star Venture and a Star Royal Star Venture are the same thing. The bike you have is the same from 1999 to present day models. The only major difference is the paint scheme. At some point, they started adding a pillowtop seat, some different chrome pieces on the tank, and a few other cosmetic items. However, all the functional components are identical. OK, since you are an auto tech, you will likely be doing your own maintenance. Good - you are in the right forum. Some items you will like to know: 1) Look in the classifieds for the CarbonOne Lift Adapter. Buy one (adding the legs is nice). Accept no substitute. It will make your life less complicated with this heavy bike on a lift. 2) Get some Honda Moly60 lubricant. Purchase from the Honda car dealer - it is less expensive than purchasing thru the bike dealer. You will need this for drive pins and splines which are notoriously dry. 3) Unless you have money to spend, don't ask us about farkles. We are like the government and really like spending other people's money. 4) There are cross references in the tech sections for oil filters. No need to pay top $ to Mama Yama. 5) Search for threads on oil selection, don't ask the question in a new thread. There are at least 100 threads on here and no one agrees. Just make sure the circle on the back of the jug does not have 'Energy Conserving' in the outer ring. 6) Attend a regional Maintenance Day. You will learn a lot about your bike at one of these. 7) If you have the stock Brickstone tires, look forward to when they start to wear out. You will once again have the opportunity to ride a new (feeling) bike when you put good skins one. Avon Venoms, Dunlop Elite3, and Michelin Commanders seem to be the tires of choice. Again, search for threads. There are 100s of them about tires also. 8) Pay your $12 to become a full member here. It will pay off in spades. 9) There are a couple of easy geometry changes that can be made to improve low speed handling. Either changing out the dogbones which raises the rear about an inch, lowering the front about an inch, or a skinnier front tire. Only do one of these. 10) Don't hesitate to ask questions. We are here to harrass and help - whichever is appropriate for the request. 11) Review #8. This is the best advice in this posting. Welcome to the family. RR
  5. RedRider
    I'm not sure of the individual switch cost. $12 seems to stick in my head, but that could be wrong. I will likely have an itemized invoice once they arrive. I will let you know. RR
  6. RedRider
    I have on order, soon to arrive, a set of HID driving lights from Martin Fabrication. Combined with the (newly replaced) HID headlight from Canadian Custom Cruisers, this should create a light path that will sear the retinas out of Bambi!! Will likely need to turn off my standard driving lights when these beasts fire up, but that's OK. The standard driving lights would just be illuminated bug catchers compared to the (claimed) light output of the HIDs. May need to install the stator upgrade next winter. Martin Fab also has a really cool waterproof switch for turning on these lights. I bought two switches so I can turn on/off the HID headlight also. If the HID headlight is on when you start the bike, it often goes off and doesn't come back on. Will post pics once they are installed. I'm sooooo ready for spring. http://www.martinfabrication.com/Martin_Fabrication/Motorcycle_Driving_LIghts.html Not the most user friendly website, but the owner seems to be a good guy. RR
  7. RedRider
    Aren't the "Jeff's" maning the dunk tank this year.. :rotfl: This 'Jeff' will only be manning beer and wrenches. RR
  8. RedRider
    Don't be a'feard, sir noob. These are pretty easy to work on and pretty difficult to damage. 1) Cleaning. Just wipe them clean with a clean cloth or shop towel. 2) Wipe enough Moly60 to mostly fill the splines in the hub. That will be enough without also filling the splines on the wheel. Recommend to wear some throw away gloves 'cuz the Moly60 is tough to get off. 3) You don't need to remove the pumpkin to get at the splines. Just remove the wheel and they are right there. However, if you really want to lube everything up right: a) Remove the wheel hub and lube the pins. If you haven't done this, they are likely bone dry. There is a snap ring on the top of the hub that needs removed before you can pull the hub off. b) Drop the pumpkin and lube the drive shaft splines. If you are not overly confident in your mechanical abilities, this can likely wait until a Maintenance Day. It isn't difficult once you know the trick of getting the drive shaft back in. Without knowing the trick, it is a long, frustrating job. Once you are done with the above, put some miles on that baby. It's not broken in yet. RR
  9. RedRider

    Moly 60.

    RedRider replied to ken's topic in Watering Hole

    Moly60 on hub pins, splines, and drive shaft splines. RR
  10. RedRider
    Several of these commercials really pushed the limits - but where incredibly funny. The Telefloral where the guy is trying to write his thought on the card (with Faith Hill - I think - just coaching him to write what was in his heart) ... classic. Beaver karma from Bridgestone. Pretty good. Bud Light commercials were so so. RR
  11. RedRider
    I long for the day when 'In Loving Color' did a half time show. That was one of the funniest half hour of television ever. BEPs was awful. RR
  12. RedRider
    Great game!!! Way to go Packers!! Won two boxes of Perogies and a Terrible Towel (and $300 in the pool). Good night had by all in Wisconsin. RR
  13. RedRider

    Tire Question.

    RedRider replied to ken's topic in Watering Hole

    No you wouldn't. I have not run the Commanders (although the Boss - Freebird - really likes them), but the Avons give great grip (as good or better than the D404) and should provide 10000 to 15000 miles. The E3 is just about as good as the Avons (comparable to the D404), but appear to last a little longer - 14000 to 20000 miles. YMMV. RR
  14. RedRider
    A couple of suggestions on the route - 1) Alice's Restaurant - just south of San Fransisco. Get the burger and a tshirt. 2) If you are going this far south, don't miss Hwy 170 from Presidio, TX to Big Bend NP. Amazing scenary. Have a great time. RR
  15. RedRider
    Which one of you grumpy, old crusty farts wrote the letter to American Motorcyclist (AMA magazine) complaining about those young whippersnappers ruining the riding world? Actually, it was a good letter with valid points (with a picture of a beautiful Venture). However, the first reading of the letter had kind of a 'git off my lawn' tone. After reading it again, he was right. RR
  16. RedRider

    Tire Question.

    RedRider replied to ken's topic in Watering Hole

    If you put on more than 4000 miles per year, and don't mind buying multiple new tires every year, use the D404. However, if you would like to see some miles on the rear tire before having to change it, spend a little more money and get an Elite3, Avon Venom, or Michelin Commander. It will save you significant money in the long run. In other words, stay away from the D404. It is too light for the Venture. RR
  17. RedRider
    These are used for ice riding and snowmobiles/ATVs. They make all the difference when riding on the ice. (Haven't tried this brand, but ridden with the HippoHands). RR
  18. RedRider
    .......
  19. RedRider
    If you met STARDBOG, it would answer that question. He is never without an ample supply of good beer. RR
  20. RedRider
    Jeff, Just let us know when it works for you. Would enjoy coming down to see everyone. Bob, Not Early April, that's when I am going to OK, TX, and NM (and AZ, NV, CA, UT, CO, NE, IA, IL) to warm up for a few days. Care to come along? This might give you enough time to get an aux gas tank installed. Doin' the Alice burger to Moon burger comparison run on the way back. RR
  21. RedRider
    Bob, You are going to save a fortune on name tags. RR
  22. RedRider
    Change the clutch and brake fluid? Good idea to do that every other year or so. Speedbleeders make that job really easy. Change brake lines? Naaah. Unless you want to upgrade to stainless steel lines. Otherwise, don't bother. Swing arm bearings? Maybe, but this is a difficult job. Most have opened them up and found the lube was fine. Change fork oil? Probably a good idea. I need to do this (and install Progressive springs). Repack wheel bearings? I will defer to others on this one. Thought the bearings were sealed ball bearings and are lubed for life. Could be wrong on this one. Valve clearance? Good idea to have this done since the down side is really expensive (burned valve). Find someone with the tool and shim kit, find a friend, and get it done. Engine Oil pressure test? That's done every time you ride. Does it leak? Does it burn oil? Never heard of anyone ever doing this test. Which 2000 do you have? The pretty MM or the faster Salsa Red? RR
  23. RedRider
    Your typing was pretty good. Glad you had a good time and a brief escape. RR
  24. RedRider
    Color of the liquid. RR
  25. RedRider
    +1 on the impact wrench. And it cannot be one of those Harbor Frieght ones. I've needed one a couple of times and have a buddy that is a heavy truck mechanic. He has an electric (Snap-On or Milwaukee don't recall which) impact wrench that puts out about 550 to 600 ft-lbs of torque. It has worked every time. Make sure the battery is charged fully. Good luck. RR
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