DarkLeftArm

Thanks Raider58 for all the options. And Chaharley... Yep that green menace is named Capt. Ike. I've been plagued with him for over 15 years now. And yes I take him on the bike. I have a backpack/birdcage where he rides. He loves the noise and wind!

Update here. The dealer wanted me to bring it in so they could witness a failure. Since it was a one time occurrence, I was skeptical. Well I guess the guy I was talking to believed I'd done my homework, because they put in a new pump. When this one fails, I'm going with the aircraft pump. Just seems like a good idea. Until then, I'm gonna keep riding it like I stole it.

I read PB&Js write up and saw that the hose barbs are the wrong size, which I think would just be a mess. And there's no provision for a check valve, and that I'd have to remember to turn off the petcock each time. Not too much trouble, but I just know myself too well. I'd forget. Maybe I'll look into the Mr. Gasket swap. Any idea if there's a check valve involved? I'd better get reading. Thanks for the suggestions.

Oh yeah, baby. Just found my warranty card, and it's still covered til July 2015. Wonder what they'll say.

Haha. Easy. Been driving big trucks since 1979. Left arm is REAL dark.

Hey all. It's been a while. Been riding too much to spend time in front of the computer! I think I have a problem. Went out to go for a ride this afternoon, and out of the blue, she wouldn't fire. ('07 RSV) Always fires on the first crank. I pulled the choke out all the way, and if I cranked it a while, she'd finally catch and idle real slow. If I touched the throttle or choke, she stalled. Then I started replaying my actions in my mind, and realized I never heard the fuel pump clicking. Off with the seat and side panel. Tapped on the pump with my fingertip, and when I turned on the ignition, the pump ran like the carbs were clear empty. Now it seems fine. Starts and runs like new. Is my pump trying to tell me something? Do they give warning before they fail? This was a New Old Stock bike, that might still be under warranty. Will the dealer replace the pump because I said it was having a fit? Looks like my Christmas road trip is out the window. Thanks for any help and opinions. Bert

2nd set of E3s just went on. Last set had 18000+ mi. and still had 3/32 of tread left. I'm surprised the front wore the same as the rear. Don't rears usually wear faster?

I have now decided that the cut-off for price is about 3 weeks, I am going to buy a bike there. My trip will be about 6 weeks, and the more I look at shipping my bike, or renting one there, buying one is obviously the way to go. Plus, now my trip includes Ireland! Cheers. Bert

Herb: Thanks for this writeup. I knew I would find somebody with a ton of info. All this is making me less interested in shipping my bike. Especially the part about how many people would be handling it, and having to truck/train across the country first. I would be hesitant to use a lowballer, that's for sure. Probably never see it again. Or worse yet, have it be all busted up when I did see it. I think I'm just gonna buy one there!

Lol! I already had my freak out in Australia.I think a bike will be easier than a car was. In the car, you are on the wrong side. and have to shift gears(i specifically asked for a standard just for the thrill factor) The hardest part was blind curves and roundabouts. I could never really relax. One second into instinctive driving put me in danger. Had to concentrate the whole time. I think it made me a better driver. A bike imported from here is hard to insure. A bike purchased there is easy... Just picking up info from another forum I belong to.

#KIC... Har de har har. #flyinfool: Turns out that is the best choice. I found a guy in Ireland who provides this service. Ireland's laws make it real easy for this to happen, and used bikes are CHEAP. I've been surfing the ie version of craigslist today, looking at all the bikes we can't get here. And this guy I found seems very genuine. His travelogues remind me of that Miles character that was here for awhile. Just simply loves motorcycling, and the people that ride.

Thanks, Boomer. Good tip. The only pygmy I have any more is Ike, my parrot, so I guess he'll just have to stay behind. heh heh heh

Good morning, everybody. I haven't been around much for a while. Just had a shoulder replacement, and have some time on my hands, though, and that is ALWAYS dangerous. I have been starting to plan a trip to the United Kingdom next spring, to go to the Isle Of Man for the Tourist Trophy races. I also have a friend who lives up on Shetland island who has invited me to come to their big motorcycle rally called Simmer Dim. I looked into renting a bike for a month, and holy catfish, that was enough to make me start looking at shipping my own bike over there. I have been real surprised how inexpensive it is to ship from L. A. The shippers I have contacted talk like there are possibly fees and taxes I'll have to pay. I attempted to contact the British consulate, but had no luck with that, yet. Just figured I'd float this here. I know this forum has a lot of experience with a LOT of different topics. Thanks Bert

I pretty much wave at anybody on 2 wheels (or 3 for that matter) and 9 out of 10 wave back. Including LEOs! The other Bert

I have made a trip to San Antonio, TX to see my son Frank. He is in basic training fo the US Air Force. His knee is giving him major trouble so he's laid up in medical. I have been allowed to visit. He needs some encouragement. I left my drive in Tucson, AZ on Thursday night at almost midnight. 15 hours and 915 miles later I rolled into my hotel lot here in San Antonio. What a ride. The time change was 3 hours! Best night of sleep in a hotel ever. I was exhausted. What is your longest day riding?

Went with the tall/wide F4 Customs for exactly the same reason you asked about. Backseat passenger reports very favorably about wind buffeting. Keeping the vent at least cracked seems to make it better yet. Maybe it pressurizes the "bubble", making it extend farther back.

Just do a search for risers. There's lots of talk about them. I think Kuryakn made mine, but I'm not sure. And yes, just about anybody with an allen wrench could install them. Once I settled on the most comfy position, I took the bolts back out one at a time and dosed them with blue locktite. Big difference for my neck and upper back. Ride safe.

"Fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again."- G.W. Bush

Nope. Mine had plenty of slack.

Welcome! Us big guys need big bikes just to keep from looking like shriners riding their mini bikes! Have you looked at handlebar risers yet?

KIC, you know, that's perfect timing. I am going on a ride all the way across to North Carolina/Tennessee border in about 10 days. That stand may prove valuable on a long trip like that. I'll call Monday!

Hah! My partner, Susan and I joked later that it was all her fault! If she had been there, I'd never have been riding like that. Kinda funny but totally true.

Very sorry to hear. My condolences.