dfitzbiz

Ron, You should attach some pic's and mounting instructions for the horns on your RSV. The position between the engine V looks good and is out of the way.

You got WET, I thought you said VET. I figured your dog was sick. Who knew! It was great meeting you, see you down the road.

Just got home also. Thanks to all for a great time and a special thanks to Don and Eileen for opening their estate to such a ragged bunch.

Thanks for this great tip Puc! I've always found it easier to stick a wet noddle up as wildcat's A$$ than to put just a drop of WD anywhere. Keep the good info coming.

Mad Dog, I'm the guy. PM me. Fitz Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Puc, I just saw this post after I PM'ed you. Here are some pics of the dis-assembled RSV shock. It is very different from the 1st Gen. In the RSV the oil and air share the same chamber. Contact me with any questions you may have. Fitz

I have a short Clearview with a vent. I'll PM you later this evening. Fitz

This manual is available in the Second Generation and Royal Star Technical Library see page 2-22 for torque specs. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?14-Second-Gen-and-Royal-Star-Technical-Library-READ-ONLY!

As a child of the 50’s you can bet my heroes were cowboys. I remember well watching Roy, Gabby, Gene, Tex and a whole host of those Saturday morning heroes with my Grandfather. That’s how I learned right from wrong, to stand up for the weak and less fortunate and how to treat a lady. America’s youth could use some of these lessons. And now I’m the Grandfather-- if only I could get my grandsons interested. I guess I’ll have to find a way to add a joystick and computer screen to the process. Go figure. Great song and singing Puc and Cappy, straight from the heart. Send us more!!

Yep, that's how it starts. It looks pretty minor right now. Keep an eye on it and if it gets worse we can do an exchange. I can PM you instructions on how to change the shock. You will need a motorcycle jack and it is easier with a lift adapter like the one sold by CarbonOne. Search "Hagon" for an after market shock. I'm sure someone on here will let us know the cost. Ride smooth, ride safe! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would wait until I noticed a leak. Something to check when you do your regular oil change. You may notice a puddle on the floor but most likely you will notice some dampness around the lower shock mounting clevis. They seem to start slow and gain momentum over time. I have repaired 7 or 8 so far Raven. All have returned to near original performance according to those who have mounted and put some miles on them. Of course the sooner you detect the leak the better. I'm not sure what will happen if the cylinder inside is operated dry for an extended period of time. It appears to be more of a dampener than a gas/oil filled shock absorber. It pulls oil in through ports in the bottom on the up stroke and expels it out on the down stroke. Seems to be some type of valving inside. Anyway, what happens is that the oring, just above the bottom mounting clevis, develops a leak and the oil runs out on your garage floor. When the oil is gone your RSV turns into a pogo stick. If you would like to try the repair shoot me a PM. I have a unit I will be repairing early next week and we can do an exchange if you need a quick turn-around. Ride smooth, ride safe! Fitz

Keep an eye on your rear shock. It's not catastrophic but it can be expensive. You may notice an oil drip under the shock mount area or some dampness around the bottom clevis and mounting bolt. A new shock from Mama Yamaha is around $700-$800. Aftermarket a little less but you lose the air adjustability. If you have this issue don't panic, I have a fix and the sooner you catch it the better. I do this as a service for VR supporting members at no charge other than freight and $.25 for an oring and a couple of buck for suspension oil. Freight each way via USPS is about $20. Any extra $$ I receive I donate to the site or to one of the rally's I attend. Ride smooth and ride safe, Fitz

BIG TOM, Thanks but no thanks. Fitz

Hey Don, I like your numbers, your formula is just a bit off. 419 max load and a max pressure of 57 psi gives you a ratio of 7.4:1 or 7.4 pounds of load for each psi of air. Your formula should be the load in pounds divided by 7.4. You got the right answer 200 lb load/7.4=27psi. Ride on Brother, See you in Ontario, Fitz

From the RSV Service Manual, see pages 119 and 120. .2L of oil required. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?1828-Download-the-Owners-and-Service-Manuals

Charles, I made a donation to the Venturerider Forum this morning with the funds left over from the money order you sent for your shock repair. I couldn't make the donation in your name but you deserve the credit. I'm sure it will be appreciated by all. Ride smooth and leak free, Fitz

Chuck, NO HEART ATTACKS ALLOWED ON THE VENTURERIDER FORUM!!! I sent you a PM and I have a repaired shock in stock. Get back to me. Fitz

Charles, thanks for the good review. Happy to hear the repair is working for you. 40psi in the rear and 5psi in the front seems like a lot to me but ride is a personal preference. I use about 15psi in the rear shock when riding solo (25psi two up) and 1psi in the forks and I'm a pretty big guy. I feel your pain when removing/reinstalling the shock. With the testing I have done I've removed and reinstalled more than a dozen times in the past 9 months. The best method I have found is to lift the bike on a lift adapter like the one CarbonOne provides until the back wheel just leaves the ground by about 1/4 inch. You should have enough play in the jack and suspension to bounce the rear tire to relieve pressure on the bolts as required. Remove the Passenger Floor Boards and the side covers. It can be frustrating attempting to get the top bolt in place. I replace the bottom bolt first and use a line-up punch in the top hole, FROM THE LEFT SIDE, using the jack to move the frame up or down as required for alignment. I insert the top bolt from the right side using a socket and swivel. Sometimes it takes the dexterity of Houdini to get it in. I'm not sure where the vent hose from the rubber boot attaches. There is a clip that snaps onto a frame member or a cable, I just don't know which one. I guess just pick one that will keep it from falling into a pinch point or the tire. Ride smooth and leak free, Fitz

When you're ready to replace the plugs you will find that the threaded end of a spark plug screws right on. Makes a great handle for removal and insertion. If you fast enough you won't lose much fluid. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Carbon One make a bracket that mounts the WOLO horn pretty discreetly into the space where the factory horn is located. Check it out in the classified section. Several pic's there. It tucks in very nicely. It mounts to the engine at the ground bolt for the battery cable. The WOLO horn will rock your world.

Congrats Freebird, it's guy like you that will genuinely make America great again. I've been an independent business owner in the past and spent 11 years as a professional business advisor. I'm now semi-retired and really enjoying life working with a small company a few hours a week. If I can be of any assistance don't hesitate to call. Business problems trend to shrink when you share them with someone. Give me a call and we can talk about by business views. Good Luck and God's Speed! Fitz

Wow Craig, you knocked me for a loop this morning. I'm not far away, don't hesitate to call if I can be of any assistance. Rose Mary and I will keep you and Kim in our prayers.

And don't hold on to the saddle horn!

Our prayers are with you and your family. What a beautiful heart felt tribute. Dave and Rose Mary

OK, Rose Mary and I are signed up. Can't wait! Now it's time to start recruiting friends, neighbors, riders of other brands, the homeless and other motorcycle enthusiast.