Snaggletooth

Hey Brian, All I'll say it this. I've had the Drift HD170 for years. Was pretty happy with it. Did the job and seemed to be quite durable over a lot for miles on the bike in all kinds for weather conditions. BUT a year or so ago i had a problem with it. The camera still records fine and can be linked into the 'puter for playback and file transfer. The only problem is that the display screen went to a bright white. No diplay, to fuction control, no menu options, nuttin. All i can do it record in the last setting the camera was in and view the clips. I made many attempts to contact service centers and tech support from Drift. Would wait months for a reply. And .... nuttin. I finally got a response early this year from tech support telling me that is was probably a connection on the main board that had come lose causing the problem. When I inquired as to where to send the camera for repair knowing full well it was past warrenty but was willing to pay for the repair as the camera was fine except the display I was told that line had been discontinued and they no longer would offer any service or repair for that model. They could tell me what was wrong but not willing to provide any support? Nice. They do seem to make a durable product but don't seem to stand behind the line when a problem appears. So... any future purchases of camera gear will NOT be through Drift. As far as my experience goes........... customer support was not only lacking, but didn't exist at all. A sad disappointment over a product I was quite happy with. Just my humble opinion.

You ain't hit bottom yet Wiz. Wait until you're doing 75 MPH and get a grip through the visor on that lil green monster and give it a yank only to discover it has roots all the way to the frontal lobe. Perks ya right up. Yeah, so much for the TMI rating.

I bought my '84 late 2006 as a project bike only knowing a little about the Venture model. As I started going through the bike as a restore my research brought me to this site. Joined early '07, and I believe it was still a "Free" site back then and haven't left yet. The information here brought my bike back to a fully functional and road ready reliable daily rider. Not bad for a 31 year old machine. But the technical information wasn't the only thing that kept me here. It was the people that I've crossed paths with here that made VR the place to stay. Something happened a few years ago that showed me the type of people that linger here. It's been as said many times before, it's family and much more than that. If VR shut down tomorrow it would be a sad event. To know it will be continue on in any form is comforting. The world of "social media" would not be the same without this site. Facebooks got nothing on this crowd. So soldier on Don and stay the course. You've brought one heck of a group together over the years. As the old saying goes, you've done us proud. Thanks to all of you. Mike

OK,my take on the tank. The tank itself is probably savable. The sending unit, well go for the obvious. Saving the tank can be expensive and complex or affordable and simple depending on the sealer used and the method to prep it. First choice, and the old school method, considering the pics provided would be find a shop that would actually split the tank and blast the inside to restore a fresh raw metal surface then re-weld the tank and reseal it. Expensive, yes. But a reasonable option for a tank that is rare or hard to find but with your bike that's not the problem. Plenty of them available. Second choice, and a more realistic one is the suggested treatment to remove the old varnish and crud. I'd take to a car wash and power wash it as best you can first to blow out as much as possible before even treating it with a gas cleaner. Then a couple handfuls for BB's, small nuts and bolts or other such metal objects to break down rust with a good "shake & bake" workout. Repeat as needed for best results. Then another power wash to clean it out again and a rinse with alcohol or similar drying agent. Then it's time to decide on the sealer to use. Over years I've used several types with mixed results. The one I'm most satisfied with was a product from Caswells. It's an 2 part epoxy that has given me the most durable and best seal results on all the different tanks I've done. The Caswell sealer can be used even on tanks that still have surface rust, rust damage along the seams or thin spots. It's thick and fills in the damage and creates a smooth surface. The epoxy bonds as well with the remaining surface rust and well as the raw metal surface. The results are like the inside of a Thermos bottle. It's been about 4 years since I did my '84 tank and more than pleased with the product. Even better, not a trace of rust has shown up in the filter. Of course, the option of buying a used tank with a sending unit, which you will need anyway is a fair solution. But cleaning the "new" used tank and re-sealing it before install is a good preventive measure for the future. A step I wouldn't skip myself. So just some options to consider. Best of luck.

Look back at my last post. Updated info

This is what I installed several years ago. Flawless performance through all weather conditions. A little pricey back then but worth the effort. About $50.00 I think it was. I'd have to research it again to tell you exactly to name and where I ordered it. Here ya go. http://www.datelmeters.com/cgi-bin/webshop.cgi?config=ent-home&uid=omxunluv142895878269&command=link--2-wireacdc.html

Yep, same on the East end. Been pretty decent here the last few weeks despite some chilly nights and mild winds. Been a lot of bikes out and the usual spring mishaps. Several single bike crashes and only two fatalities here in Omaha and maybe a couple more in the Lincoln area due to speed, road debris and just not being seen by others. The only other person that didn't look at me like I was off my rocker the other morning (42 degrees out) was a guy in a convertible with the top down. Another rider caging it I suppose. Not unusual to leave Omaha in the morning around 37 degrees and getting back to the barn around 75 degrees in the evening. Be safe out there.

Guess I'd better head to Vancouver. Appears "Blocked" in MY country due to SME content. Shame. I like a good show myself.

Well that explains the "FBI Surveillance Van" listing that shows up on my WiFi when I park my bike outside at night.

Yep, never had any shipping delay from Pinwall. Usually 4 days from order to received. Now I see you're showing Canada. Perhaps a cross border problem? The ONLY time I ever had a shipping problem was several years back a friend and member from "The Other" Yamaha club and from North of the Border sent me a proportioning valve to me on the wrong side of the border. He showed that he had sent it and from the border on it just vanished. Shipped but never arrived. No loss of money but frustrating as it was a needed part and the efforts of my friend ended up as a loss for his time and trouble. We wrote it off and it must have looked questionable to customs. Somebody was waiting to identify it I suspect. Ya never know. If you have tracking info go directly to the shipping party for best results.

Tricia, best of luck getting back in balance with your blood sugar. I went through that about 13 years ago. I was feeling fine (as normal for me anyway) and was kind of blind sided when the Docs told me I was Diabetic. Had no idea. Once they started me on the meds it all went crazy. Highs and lows and felt like crap and the once in a while "Fade to Black" routine. The meds seemed to me to be the main issue and had words several times with the Docs involved. I ended up getting frustrated and kind of frightened to even drive and ended to stopping all meds on my own. I took some pretty drastic steps with my diet, dropped a load of body weight, about 150 lbs, and started walking daily (a lot). It's been 12 years now with a lighter diet and NO meds at all and my BG average is 92 just before meals. Not taking the Docs advice is never something I recommend but the meds were not working in my favor and I was desperate to get my life functional again. I had even taught my daughter, 10 years old at the time to drive the car so she could get me to help is things went South for me. All in all its a frustrating situation to be dealing with. I wish you the best for getting on a track that works out for you. Best of luck and take care. Mike

Deka, Deka, Deka. Did I mention Deka? Performance for the money. Can't beat 'em.

Very cool Gary. As stated, shows your great human nature and character.

Word of advice. If you've had the brake system open to work on lines, calipers or master cylinders or such get the system bled out to both ends with OLD bleeders first. Then change out to the NEW SPEED BLEEDERS after you get pressure. Due to the nature of the valve in the speed bleeder they do not work as many expect with a lot of air in the lines and be a pain to bleed out on a fresh dry system. (they have to have fluid in them to work) If your current system is filled and working just quickly change them out and do a quick bleed to clear the air out. Don't get me wrong. Speed bleeders are great. Got them on mine and have installed them on half a dozen other bikes over the last few years. Having said that, there have a few of those (very few) that failed right of the bag brand new. Just saying if working on a system with a lot of air and new bleeders you might end up chasing a problem you really don't have.

Plus 1 on that. Went that route from Ace hardware about 4 years ago. Still holding up well and trunk stays dry.

Pulling the tank to clean and use a sealer is a bit of a job. Not hard, just time consuming. I found the easier way was to rather than remove every piece on the rear of the bike was to disconnect all wiring and lines of anything attached to the rear subframe then just remove the connecting bolts where the subframe bolts to the frame itself and remove the entire assembly with everything intact. One man job coming off. Nice to have a second pair of hands lining it back to when it's time to put it back together. As for dealing with the tank now, good idea. That was the root of all my carb problems several years ago. The fine flakes of rust were going all though my fuel system. Had the carbs off several times dealing with overflow nightmares. Ended up not needing the seats but just needles, floats and all fuel lines. The Epoxy tank seal took care of the rust. Been about three years now with no more carb or fuel problems. Worth the effort to check everything and do it all now and be done with it.

On my '84, like most others I leave the bags and trunk on most the time other than for cleaning and service. Like you i wanted more lights. I found some LED housings at Wally World that were real close to the same size as the OEM reflectors on the trunk and the radiator side covers. Peeled off the reflectors and with a lil work with the Dremel they fit into the recesses nicely. A quick wire mod and a new switch they were ready to go. I used 2 wire trailer lead plugs for the conections so bags still came off quick and easy. Now the new LED side light give me a lil more comfort on being seen both at night and daylight hours.

I'm on my second DEKA AGM. I removed the first one after about 5 years but was load testing at 25% battery life and I was planning a long summer of riding. Didn't want problems on the road. Cheap insurance like they say. Still have that old battery on the shelf in storage. Still tests at 25%. I did put a full charge on it when I pulled it out a almost two years ago. Hasn't been touched since. Still will start the bike. Now the old one has never seen the Tender since installed. Never had the charger on it. With the old wet cells the Tender was wired in. It was SOP to plug it in if the bike was going to sit for any period of time. With the DEKAs I've never had problem with the voltage dropping low enough to be a start problem. Over time I've come to belive the best way to treat an AGM is use a low amp charger (2 amp) to FULLY charge if it's going to be in storage for any amount of time. Other than that leave it alone. I can't see a tender doing any thing to help an AGM for a few months at a time. Just my $.02 but I've aways seen problems with AGM's living on Tenders and not a lot of good stories from that.

Karma Payback's a B...h What goes around comes around I guess these all apply. Had an interesting morning the other day. The area had some nasty winter weather for a couple days. Heavy, wet snow overnight with about 10 inches on the ground and temps had dropped to -8 degrees by morning. I had some things I had to take care of so needed to get out for a while to head across town. I recently purchased a newer car, a flawless one owner so I had my concerns on the road conditions. You understand, not so much as the streets themselves and the local drivers that have been born and raised in the Midwest that forget how to drive at the sight of the first snowflake. Those of you from the Midwest know the ones I'm talking about. The ones that should move to Florida. But this isn't about them this time. I had only gone a few miles across town avoiding the main streets and taking a street along the college and park. The traffic light had changed and I stopped behind several other cars in front of me at the intersection. Traffic behind me was crawling up slowly. Seemed safe enough for the moment. Sat back and enjoyed the fresh snow covered park scenery and watching cars creeping along the main street. Then I felt the "Nudge". Not a hard hit. Just a light bump, but enough to make you notice. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a small SUV behind me. Looked like it was up against my bumper. The driver was looking down inside her car leaning forward. First thought, "not my new car", second thought was "nit wit (or slightly more colorful.) Got out of my car and walked to the rear. Yep, the SUV was right up against my car. The other driver was still in her seat leaning forward and looking down. I had a moment for concern for her well being, maybe a medical problem until I got the her drivers door and saw her leaning down, typing on her call phone texting. She looked completely surprised when I knocked on her window, like what are you doing? I pointed to my car and told her through the window "you hit me." I went back to rear of my car and pointed down. She still sat in her car looking at me. I pulled my car ahead and checked the back of mine and the front of the SUV. No damage, just the snow and ice rubbed of. Now keep in mind at this time we are blocking the only open lane through the snow. I told her though her window she might want to take a look at this. She finally opened her door and got out and looked at the bumpers. When she did a blue cloth bundle fell out on the ground. She looked at the car and asked me why I backed into her. OK, this is the point where most people snap. I have to admit my first thought was I would like to teach this young woman how to make snow angels next to her SUV. Nah, it's -8 out, all traffic is stopped (too many witnesses) and apparently no damage. Ain't worth the effort to argue. She walked back to her car and got in, leaving that blue bundle in the snow next to her SUV. I picked up the bundle and held it up by her window. All I got was an angry stare, rapidly moving lips and she shot me the old #1 salute. Exit stage left. Time to go. End of story, you'd think so. Not quite yet. I continued on my way. (I hung onto that blue bundle) She followed at a reasonable distance on the same road for quite a while. There are usually a lot of cars parked long that road but not today with the low temps and snow. Traffic was moving along well. After a bit of keeping an eye on her making sure she was staying back a ways I saw her SUV go sideways in the street and into a drift. OK, this is where I'm allowed to chuckle right? She had it coming. Probably texting on her cell again. Probably about the moron that had backed into her at the stoplight. Did I laugh? ok, a lil bit. But..... I did stop and circle the block to see what had happened. I felt like I had to. What it appeared to happen was she had swerved and ran into the back of a parked car. The car had been pushed over the curb and was badly damaged on the rear quarter. Her SUV was beat up pretty well to, and stuck in the snow drift. She wasn't going anywhere. She was out of her car stomping around and waving her arms, (with the cell phone in her hand.) At least that wasn't damaged. She looked fine and others had stopped so I continued on my way. But as I drove by her I did return her one finger salute. I felt I owed her that much. So that should have ended my story on Karma. Nope, don't think so. There is more to tell, I think. I go on to my original destination and first stop of the day. I sat in my car for a few moments thinking over the short trip across town. I made it. I survived. Nobody got hurt. Car wasn't damaged. It's all good. Oh yeah, the blue bundle..... Turned out it was a rather nice blanket. Heavy fleece, almost new. Thought she would have liked to have that standing next to her damaged SUV in the cold. Almost felt bad for her. Almost. So with the weather being nasty the parking close to the building was packed. I had to park away a bit and walk around a drift in parking lot. I avoided the deep tire tracks, stomped though the deeper snow and kept heading towards the building. What I didn't notice (until I was in a horizontal position three feet in the air) was the glare ice behind the drift. Yep, there are times even in the deep of winter storms that one can really appreciate decent motorcycle gear. A warm riders jacket with armor in the elbows and back. Decent gloves. Warm boots. Good sunglasses ( but should have been polarized. Might have seen the ice) The only thing missing was the helmet. Should have had the helmet. Once the stars and lil birdies had cleared, laying there on the ice in the -8 temps and wind blowing across me the first thought was "I shouldn't have flipped her off." Maybe I should have made a better effort to return the blue bundle. I did my best to be nice. I tried. Maybe I failed completely. I gave up for the day. Returned to my nest. So this story turned long winded as I'm sitting here wrapped in a new blue blanket waiting for my back to quit feeling like a rusty ratchet and stop making squeaking noises while I walk. I'm still pondering who got the worst of the Karma? Who exactly got the payback? Is there something else yet to come around? As for that young woman texting....... be afraid. They are out there. The next time I see a woman texting should I give her a blanket? Would it help? Nah... Ya'll be safe and warm.

Glad to hear you are doing ok. Just went through this with one of my best friends about a month ago. About the same age, apparent good health with no problems. Just took the whammy you described out of nowhere. Again, his wife made the call and had a bag packed for the hospital before the ambulance even got there. That lil trip left him in ICU for 5 days for tests and observation. Found the same issues as you. Doctors finally released him with a couple of scripts and scheduled some regular visits for a while. He's doing well now but grateful his wife called and glad to know what happened and Doctors are keeping an eye on him. Hug your wife, do as the Doctors say and all will be well. Who was it that said, "Behave yourself!"

Nice!! Congrats

Sleeping in is good. Poor girl needs her rest. Best of recovery there kiddo.

This is from an email exchange with Martin at Sirius back from 7/2013. Might be kind of dated on price by now but the process should hook you up. Just exchanged a couple e-mails with Mr. Martin at SCI. Just to have to keep an eye on the product listing on their site. http://www.siriusconinc.com/search_r...earch&x=44&y=4 But here is the update on the ordering process through PayPal to get the club price of $79.00. Open your PayPal account and select "Send Money". Enter the Sirius PayPal address: paypal@siriusconinc.com Enter the total amount of: $92.49 USD (that's the club price of $79.99 + $12.50 shipping. Current price confirmed by Mr. Martin on July 9th 2013. Mark transaction for "Goods". No fee will be charged as it is figured into the selling price. On the next page in the note box mark it as ATTN: Mr. Martin State your product "SD-1 X 4" for the Venturerider Club price and your club name. Then your full name and your complete mailing address. I got a comfirmation e-mail from their CS and they shipped next day. The only way to get our price is doing the PayPal directly. No way to get it going through the Sirius site. NOTE: The $12.50 shipping is UPS Ground with tracking which SCI prefers to use. They will mail them for $5.00 but you would need to adjust the total and state that request in the "Note" section on PayPal during payment.

Yep. Sirius is the way to go. Bought two sets from them. I had a couple posts around here on the way to get them for the club price. It has to be done to Sirius through PayPal to get the price. Let me see if I can find the info. Or maybe someone else has the order process handy.

Had a similar problem couple years ago on my '84. An annoying seep on the upper corner. Pulled it off, pressure washed it and took it in to an old radiator shop to have it pressure tested. The shop owner called me later in the day and said all was good. No problem found. I stopped in to pick it up and talked with the owner. He said it was one of the best constructed radiators he had seen in years. He seemed surprised at what it was out of. He had combed out the fins already so I had him go ahead and dip it. Still in the bike today with no problems. Turned out it was only a minor pin hole in the upper hose. Only leaked a bit when the bike was hot and the spray was blowing away at highway speed. The coolant was almost dry when the bike was stopped. Ended up using the strobe light from a timing light in a dark garage just to see the mist from the leak. A quick clip on the hose at the nipple and a new clamp ended the problem. Like you, the weather here has been great. Got some miles in over the last couple days and enjoying the sunshine. I can deal with the 40's and 50's. Don't sound like it's gonna last long. Talking snow in the next couple days. I got my fix for a little longer. Tent is checked and cleaned, sleeping bag is washed and trailer is packed and ready to go. I'm read to get on the road.