Wrench

Well, just rest up my friend, you'll be good as new in no time. Don't go springing no more leaks either, that ain't good. I had a cath done a few years back, I thought the cardio tech was going to break my leg when he was holding pressure on mine. That hurt more than any part of the procedure. Luckily I had no ill effects from it, nor did they find any blockage.

I'm bettin' that you wish you could chase that tire again right about now?? How ya feeling?

I just measured the framework of my HF Tagalong, it is 33" long x 29" wide, the framework is 2" x 2" square tube. the tongue measures 49" long, and is 2 1/2" wide x 2" high(thick), and it attaches underneath to a 2" x 2" crossmember, and it has a 1 7/8" ball coupler. I didn't measure the dimensions of the clamshell but will if you need them. It overhangs the framework by about 1 1/2" all around.

I went thru that same thing back in '04. The wife and I had just got in from a ride on the Volusia we had at the time. There was a cloud coming up so I put the bike under the carport in front of the car. We were standing at the edge of the carport watching the storm when the wind hit. It snapped off a silver maple at ground level,,,,, and it fell right across the cab of my '95 GMC Sonoma. It also broke the corner of the roof/overhang off the house and it hit the rear of the car under the carport. All this happened while we were trying to get away from the flying/falling debris. My homeowners covered everything, tree removal, repair of the house, and replacement of the truck. I was really glad just to have to be out that $500 deductible!! It probably helped that my homeowners and auto insurance are with the same company,,, never had a problem in getting it taken care of. I think I'd at least check into it, just my .02.

I showed it to the wife, I thought she was gonna choke on a drink of tea. I'm just speechless,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Getting 36 to 38 on open hwy running at 80 +/- most of the time, and get around 42-43 when I do back road riding, and carbs are in sync. I didn't consider my purchase a steal, but considering all other bikes available at the time, a good buy. Lots of miles on the one you mentioned, but from all I have read, these engines are practically bullet proof. I've had 2 Ventures, the first was an '04 Midnight that had 26k when I sold it and currently a '99 with 33k. The mileage you mention is spot on with my experience on both. I bought the '99 3 years ago from another member here who had spent several $$'s getting it back into shape after a long garage-sit and I gave what was then about the going price according to internet & craigslist pricing. To me, $3900 doesn't sound bad, even with 83k miles. If you keep these things maintained they'll run forever, I've seen a few with close to 200k on them.

My Dad went thru the A-fib ordeal back in the mid-90's. He also had an ablation procedure, but from time to time his heart would still act up so his cardiologist implanted a defibrillator and that took care of it. Once in a while he said it would shock him to take care of an A-fib episode, which he said felt like he was grabbing an electric fence. Good luck with your journey!!

I think Bub's are the best sounding mufflers for a Venture,,,,,, packed or unpacked!!

After they charged mine overnight it failed the load test, new one in the bike and ready to go.

The battery I replaced with this one was a Parts Unlimited and it lasted 4 years, the stock Yuasa that came in the '04 RSV I had lasted 7 years. It seems to be a roll of the dice with batteries.

Wow!! I'm in favor of anything that will make people stop and THINK.

Now, next big decision is dyna beads, Ride-On or lead weights. Leaning towards the Ride-On product. Probably going to mount tires myself. Too cheap to pay someone to do something that I can do. I mounted my tires myself, that also lets me take care of cleaning/greasing the splines too. I static balanced mine using clip-on lead weights, no issues.

I also did the MCII's with the smaller front. Early indications are that I'm going to like it, but I haven't ridden much on them yet. Mine were $269.00 from MotoSport.

Took mine by Batteries Plus after charging it, it tested "marginal", so they are going to charge it overnight and test it in the morning, the guy said most likely they'll replace it. At least it's still under the 1 year warranty, it doesn't have but maybe 100 or so miles on it. I asked if possibly the tender could have caused an issue and he said no. I also overheard one of the other guys working there tell a customer that their private label batteries were made by the same company that makes the Duracells.

Good for you puc, maybe they are onto something. The Prednisone, which is a steroid, bumps up you immune system too. Glad you're feeling better. My wife is headed for surgery the 26th of this month. She has been having gradually increasing pain in her low back/legs for about the last year. She's gone thru epidural injections to help it but they are only temporary. The surgeon that did her fusion in '09 did a BUNCH of tests and determined that the titanium rods/screws are rubbing nerves and causing the pain. He's going to go in and take them out, so hopefully that'll get her back on the mend. It just plain sucks when you have to deal with anything medical-related.

I'm having the same issue. I bought an AGM at Batteries Plus last Sept 26, had a tender on it all winter, went to start it today and it was dead. I put my other charger on it and it's charging now. Going to take it to them and have it load tested when it's charged. Sorry for the long way around, but no, I haven't used a Duracell brand.

Mine had one wrap around them, I found it when I changed the first set of tips. The Roadhouse slipons I have now also have one wrap but it's a denser, tighter packing than the Bub's. I'm thinking of un-packing these to see if they sound as good as the Bub's did, the baffles look similar. I also heard, never tried this, that you can wrap the packing with stainless steel window screen wire and the packing will last longer. Still though, in my mind, packing a set of Bub's is like driving a convertible with the top down and the windows rolled up!!

First, let me say that I know not everybody shares my opinion, and that's cool, it's what makes the world interesting. Now,,,,, ahhh the humanity!!!!,,,,,,,, packing a set of Bub's???!!! Good for you on your dealings with them, doesn't seem to happen much anymore with this newfangled e-commerce thing.

OOPS!!! My bad, I forgot Helen, it is a must-see. It's been a few years since I was there but it's well worth the trip. Another good ride is the Moonshiner 28 from Deal's Gap to Walhalla SC. You can take in some sweet scenery and stop at Dry Falls for a little break. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever found a "bad" road down there.

I guess I'm still used to the manure smell from my younger farm days, it don't really bother me. We passed the Bush's Bean plant in Dandridge TN last year and it was almost unbearable for a few seconds. Anybody else been by there?

I did that about 33 or 34 yrs ago, the wife threatened divorce and our at-the-time 2 yr old wouldn't stop cryin'!!! Even though it's all gray now I guess in my case it still camoflages the ugly.

Not a bad road among the ones you mention. If you get the chance take 321 east out of Gatlinburg to Cosby, then a right on 32. It takes you to the TN/NC state line where the Appalachian Trail crosses, and in my opinion is every bit as much fun to ride as Deal's Gap. The next 4 or 5 miles are well maintained gravel, don't know how you feel about that, but you can come out at the old TVA plant at Waterville or turn around and go back to Cosby and pick up the Foothills Pkwy over to I-40. It's a good little ride and well worth the time. You can go to eastTNVacations.com and get some great info too. I'm an "old school" map kinda guy, and I picked up a brochure last fall called "The Long & Winding Road", you can find them just about anywhere in a brochure stand down there. Good luck and good riding!!

I have a 2 pocket bib on my '99 RSV. One pocket is zippered, it's closest to the gas cap, the other pocket has a Velcro flap and it's close to the seat. I usually put my cell phone in the zippered and my wallet in the other one. I'll take a pic tomorrow if you want to see it. I don't know what brand it is, it was installed by the previous owner. I personally prefer it to a tank bag, just my .02.

Yes, long miles are definitely easier on the Venture. I went from an '02 Suzuki Volusia 800 to an '04 RSMV, then "down" to an '03 Roadstar after back surgery, and now back on a '99 RSV. The Venture by far is my favorite even though I do miss the old Roadie when riding solo. I'm envious of the Natchez Trace bit of your trip.

Yes that is a heckuva way to spend a birthday. Happy (late) Birthday ol buddy! Do whatever it takes to get all healed up, we gotta meet up somewhere this year.