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Snaggletooth

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  1. Snaggletooth
    Here's what I came up with on my '84. Mine was missing when I bought the bike. I found some edge molding like they use on the car doors to keep them from getting (or making dings) and fabbed one out of that. The regular door trim is pretty stiff and some even had a metal strip in it. I found some trim at a hardware store that was a more flexable but firm rubber. It was about the right size to fit over the inside edges of the tank cover. I used a heat gun to soften it up and then fitted it while it was still warm. Had to cut the inside edges a bit to fit the tight bends. It's still there after two years. Holding up well. And if the tank cover is so far forward that the cover is coming loose while riding there is some adjustment. The flange that the screw goes into can be pivoted a bit. If you look on either side under the plastic you will see two bolts on either side that hold that bracket in place and secures the gas tank neck. Those four bolts can be loosened and the bracket can be rotated a bit. That moves the screw flange back and forth enough to pull the cover back a bit and bring that tab further into the grommet. Something to look at anyway.
  2. Snaggletooth
    A man after my own heart! What kind of rubber you running on yours? I found my Venoms are fine on cold pavement and fresh snow but pretty much suck on hardpack. Only went around the block a couple of times but it was interesting. Gives the neighbors something to gossip about anyway. LOL!!!
  3. Snaggletooth
    Hey! Glad you're back! You didn't mention if all that hardware they hung on ya was chrome of if you got stuck with powdercoat. Polished stainless steel at the very least. Heal well and heal fast Annie!
  4. Snaggletooth
    Anybody come forward with info on the semi that caused that? I spent 13 years in transportation safety for the trucking industry and the company that owns the semi can be held liable for all damages, injuries and incurred costs caused by the ice sheet sliding off. Don't let anybody give you the "Act of God" story. Won't stand up in a courtroom. In the eyes of the law, at least around here, it's no different than a wheel coming off a truck and causing damage. Glad you both are ok and your are lucky as you can be. Buy a handlfull of lottery tickets NOW before it wears off. Good luck on getting rolling again. I know the frustration. Check out the Jokes and Humor section for my adventure. (Lincoln for Sale) The ice was on the bottom in my case but the pucker factor is about the came either way. I'm going to change my BVDs to Fruit of the Loom. I don't care for the way Hanes taste. Take care. Mike
  5. Snaggletooth
    The mods made to the fairing are SWEET!!!!!!!! Most excellent work all around! A VR SS!!! Tell him to get over being shy......he's gonna be talking to people about this one.
  6. Snaggletooth
    I've been using the Wally World full cover for 3 years. I keep mine with me all the time as I ride every day and park the bike outside while at work in all weather. It's NOT totally water proof but does a great job in all but the heaviest rains. It has held up very well. I ordered one off eBay last night. like the one listed in the other post as it is a half cover. All I really need for my daily stuff. Just want to protect the electronics, and cover the rear trunk and keep the seat try as I have a fitted lamb skin cover on it. Save a little room in the side bag and still protect the important stuff As stated, you don't need to spend big bucks to get the best cover unless you plan on storing the bike out side ALL the time. There have been some listing on eBay from China for covers at .99 cents and a few bucks shipping. A couple of friends bought these and they seem to be real close in quality to what Wally World is selling. Go figure. Mike
  7. Snaggletooth
    Hey Chuck. I got to say you seem to be having quite an adventure on your trip. Just another day on the road eh? If you get to the point where you need to get a thermo into the bike NAPA has a replacement that is an excellent match. NAPA #THM 156. Been running one in my '84 for two years and it does great. It's a 180. About $8.00 if I remember right. I've never been a big supporter of running without a thermo as the engine needs that to keep the temps at the correct running range. As you get back to cooler temps the bike will not even come close to heating up. A radiator cover will help but be hard to maintain a good range. But some times ya do what ya gotta do to keep rolling. Been there myself. Good luck on your trip and ride safe.
  8. Snaggletooth
    Dan, You didn't grab that '84 that I mentioned off Craigslist the other day did ya? It was gone in less than 2 days. It was blue ya know so I figured you might be involved. I never even got a chance to see the thing. Mike
  9. Snaggletooth
    That they were Randy. Everbody that I knew that had one ended up busting them up. Fast bike for times. Not a lot of guys were used to the weight and that like of power back then.
  10. Snaggletooth
    Boomer......I'm looking forward to the day I get to meet up with you. It's been a long, long time since I've been able to hang out with somebody who got blamed for more stuff than I did. Not that I was ever guilty of anything.......just the other guy always looked MORE guilty. Hey, maybe we met already! Mike
  11. Snaggletooth
    Thanks Gary, that's the one. Mike
  12. Snaggletooth
    Hey Mike, Did you ever figure out what that rear lightbar was for? I saw these pics of a XS1100 on eBay and it rang a bell on your post. Not quite the same but it's got that pointed back end on it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280444666638&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Just noticed. BTW......love your Blonde. Mike
  13. Snaggletooth
    Someone here a while back had bought a rear bumper/light bar that was supposed to be for a Venture but it was odd shaped. He posted some pics but if I remember right nobody could figure out what it was for. Anybody recall who posted that? I can't find the thread now. Mike
  14. Snaggletooth
    Very cool! Break out the Pledge!!!
  15. Snaggletooth
    They say we got 24 inches during December and it was snowing again last night. Woke up to -12 degrees yesterday the it's sticking to the single digits most the time.
  16. Snaggletooth
    Somebody posted here a while back about they were buying one. For the life of me I can't find the original post now. I added a digtial voltmeter in the dash panel of mine and it's comforting to know exactly where your battery is at at all time. I decided to add the Bug in the spring just for the added information it offers. I'm sure the OP will pop in here later with his comments on his. Mike
  17. Snaggletooth
    It's not as tough as it may seem when you look at it. I pulled my tank this spring and treated it for rust. Take a good look at the bike with all the plastic off and you will see the attach points for the rear subframe. Don't worry about all the little stuff on the rear of the bike. Just unplug the wires and disconnect the airlines for the C.L.A.S.S. system. The whole assembly can be lifted off in one piece with about everything attached. Saves a lot of time. I'd say take a lot of pics of the wiring routes and mounting points to refresh your memory when you are putting it back together. Removing and replacing the rear subframe can be done single handed but an extra pair of hands is great to have. I used this product to treat mine. I have to say, in my opinion, it far surpasses the other products out there for bonding and ease of use. http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any questions on doing the tank. It's just time consuming but not all that hard to do. I have some block off plates I made to seal the petcock and sending unit ports. If it comes down to that I'd be happy to loan them to you if you decide to seal the tank. Later Mike
  18. Snaggletooth
    Hey Don. The answer to that is simple. Too many variables on multipule carbs. Even if each float is set with a gauge at the exact same measurement with the bowls open there will still be a difference when filled with fuel. It may come out close but checking the actual fuel level is about the only way to know that the fuel bowl level is correct. Added note: As an example, on my '84 I had all kinds of float problems when I bought it. Two bad ones were sinking and the other two were not in good shape where the tang attached to the float itself. I had a whole range of setting on each carb to get the fuel levels right. I treated a second set with airplane dope and that does add a bit of weight to the float so the settings for that set were a bit different from the untreated set. I finally got with Squeeze and found that the V-Max floats were the same as the 1st gens. I bought a set of four new ones from Buckeye and installed them. I used a gauge and set all floats to the exact same level with the bowls open. When I installed the carbs I had pretty even readings between all four carbs but all were a little low. Opened them back up and tweaked each one as needed. Had to do it twice with the new floats but ended up with them at 15mm below the scribe line. I called that good enough. That was last spring and I checked them before I put the bike up for the winter and they were still spot on.
  19. Snaggletooth
    On the float level.......simple enough to do without changing anything. Hit the auto supply store and find a set of male/male nipples. Usually in an assortment pack. Make sure there is one small enough to fit the black drain lines on the carbs. I used air line tubing from the pet shop for the extention lines. All you need to do in plug the nipple into the new section of clear line (about 6 inches worth) and then plug the other end of the nipple into the black drain line. Run the bike for a minute and then shut it down. Hold the new clear line up to the side of the carb and open the drain line and you will see it fill with gas. With that line pointing up the fuel level should be about 15 to 16 mm BELOW the scribe line on the carbs. The scribe line is the center of the sliders. If it is over that mark you will be prone for running rich or flooding. Under it, fuel starvation and hard starting. I advise taking these reading BEFORE removing the carbs from the bike so you know if you have a problem before you go in and can make needed adjustments the first time. If you do change the float settings you will probably end up pulling the carbs on and off a couple of times to get them all the same or as close as you can. Remember the bike has to be on the center stand and use a short level to make sure the carbs are level. If the bike is leaning to the front or rear the carbs will not read correctly. As far as o-rings.......I go by how hard it is to get to them and replace them. If it's a toughy, I go OEM. I have a selection box I got through a friend of mine that I use for about everything else. Harbour Freight sells a selection box I think for about $20.00 Comes in handy to but only about a third of the sizes will fit the bikes needs. Still......cheaper than OEM.
  20. Snaggletooth
    Ya made me look at my calender. Tomorrow we hit our winter solstice here. Better take a flashlight with me in the morning.
  21. Snaggletooth
    The first two are on their way. Let me know if they will do and I'll send the rest. Mike
  22. Snaggletooth
    I know this sounds kind of strange coming from a guy who has been into tour bikes since since I strapped my first milk crate onto a luggage rack but about the only mag I'll actually buy anymore is "The Horse". It is built on folks who make do with what they have to work with and create some pretty nice rides out of what has piled up in the garage or better even still, what they made to fill the need. I like the "Talk Back" section where readers submit pics and talk about their bikes and and it shows there are a lot of very creative folks out there. So course "George the Painter" articles have been favorite of mine for a long time. I suppose that reflects on the the way I looked at life for so many years myself. But the ads are minimal compared to most bike mags and and articles are about people who build, repair, rebuild and modify their own and ride them. Sound familiar? I suppose this site is about the same as "The Horse" in what we are into and do here. Mike
  23. Snaggletooth
    Nice pics there Bob. That's why I kept shoveling my driveway for two days. So there wouldn't be any lumps in the snow drifts. Ya got me beat on the amount of snow though but not by much. Congrats
  24. Snaggletooth
    You got a PM.
  25. Snaggletooth
    I shoveled the other day to get the car in the garage. I shoveled yesterday to get out of the garage. I shoveled yesterday evening to get back into the garage. I shoveled last night so i won't have to shovel so much in the morning to get out of the garage. I'm gonna have to shovel some more in the morning to get back out again so I can go to work. And then it started snowing sideways. *^$^#$%%# I gave up shoveling this morning after backing my car out to the street, (after spending an hour to clear my driveway of the 3 ft of snow drifts) and promptly high centered it. Another hour to shovel the snow out from under it and then back into the garage. I love Nebraska So in short.......I found your freaking SNOW! Come on down!
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