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Snaggletooth

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  1. Snaggletooth
    It cracks me up when I roll a shopping cart up to the bike and pack the bags and trunk with a weeks worth of groceries. People actually stop and watch. One gal asked me if I had a car. Sure do! So why didn't I use that for shopping? I don't need THAT much food!
  2. Snaggletooth
    I have to admit, it was kind of a between quezy and exciting when I got settled on the seat, adjusted the mirrors and fired up the motor. My daughter was standing next to me as I took the helmet off the mirror and handed it to her. She asked "Are you sure you don't want to wear this?" I'm living on the edge today kiddo. I think I muttered "hoka key." I belive that means "It's a good day to die." I rolled backwards out of the driveway and dropped it into gear. When I make my first stop I went to move my feet and had no where to put them. Odd. As I made my left turn I banged my head on the side window. Damn! Should have worn the helmet. And what the hell it this thing digging into my butt? Seat belt? Haven't seen one of them in a while!! You see, it was the first time since March of this year I have been in a car. Even sitting in one as a passenger let alone behind the wheel. I've been on my bike every day since mid March no matter the weather or conditions. So for most the riders I know in my area think I'm nuts. A daily seven month riding season in Nebraska? Nobody does that anymore. And I'm not done. I hasn't snowed yet. LOL! But tomorrow will be the true test. I have to go to Walmart and wiggle my way through the parking lot in a 3,700 car and find a parking spot. Yikes! Maybe I'll wear the helmet for that. Now I need to find a car for my daughter. She "borrowed" it in March. Wish me luck. Mike
  3. Snaggletooth
    Why yes they do. About a month after the bike was sold new! The stock springs are way too weak for a bike to size of a Venture. Installing the Progressives will raise the front end, improve the ride and handling and eliminate the dive issue. Not to mention you can eliminate the anti-dives on the bike by disconnecting them or install the block off plates that skydoc_17 sells. You really won't be needing them once the Progressives are installed. And you won't need to add much air pressure, if any, to the front. Now add a Condor Fork Brace and you'll be done. LOL! (until you do the R1 conversion) And congrats on your projects. These guys can get you through about anything. Mike
  4. Snaggletooth
    Yammer...... Everybody needs a side kick sometimes. Line forms to the left. NEXT!! Mike
  5. Snaggletooth
    LOL! Nuttin wrong with that! Where else you gonna find a place to hang seven switches?
  6. Snaggletooth
    I've been using the Rusty Rattles and then a couple of coats of clear coat over that. The clear coat I get from NAPA, can't remember the name of the stuff off hand but it seems to help a bunch with the finish. Keeps the scratches down anyway. Not a fast dry time, it takes about 5 days to cure so if you're in a hurry....... Mike
  7. Snaggletooth
    Can't help you with that particular question but here is an idea for adding more switches to a 1st gen. Which as you have noticed is woefully short on places to do so. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34990 Worked out well for me and keeps the switches close at hand. Handles the driving lights, marker lights and parking lights in one panel. Mike
  8. Snaggletooth
    I've had a lot of comments on my '84 from some of the most unexpected folks but an encounter I had the other day took the cake. I had stopped at a WalMart on my route and had the bike right up front. I was on my way back out and saw a rather interesting fellow about my age (shut up!) standing by my bike eyeballing it. Fully decked out in the pirate apparel and HD all the way. Full leather gear, chaps, jacket and a sawed off jean jacket covered with patches. I gave him the once over to see if he was showing any affilations with the local clubs but no colors showing. He had a back pack over his shoulder so I couldn't make out any back patch. I figured I'd better know what I was dealing with up front. As soon as I approached the bike he asked me if it was mine. Sure nuf. He asked why I was riding a POS rice grinder. Well here we go....been through this conversation before. LOL! Told him it was my ride of choice and I prefer a comfortable and dependable bike as I ride everyday and rely on it as my primary transportation. I got the squinty eyeball look and he launched into the lecture on the HD quality and the American Way. He went on for a long time ranting about the HD bikes and their history and the way owning an American made bike will change my life. Make me "real" rider not rice grinding loser. I heard him out and told him thanks for the info and nice meeting you and held out my hand. He didn't take it and started to walk away. I had to ask, "What is your ride?" He turned around and said, "I saving up to get one." I suppose that explained the back pack. I was going to offer him a ride but decided maybe that wouldn't work out real well. He was at least one of the fun ones. I've had worse encounters.
  9. Snaggletooth
    I've had the Venoms on since I first bought the bike. Bought a new set this last spring to have on hand for when they started to look bad. Still waiting. I've got over 22,200 on them now and looks like I'll finish the season on them. So far they have done very well. Can't grumble about the miles and the bike handles great wet or dry roads. I've seen a LOT of wet this year. You're headed for a great combination. Mike
  10. Snaggletooth
    I changed out to the Progressives several years ago. Huge difference! I had removed the brake lines to the anti-dives at the same time. When skydoc_17 came out with the block off plates I pulled the anti-dives and installed the plates. Sure cleans up the forks so I had to polish the lower tubes to keep everything shiny.
  11. Snaggletooth
    Not a bad buy for all that. The '83 TCI's are getting a lil hard to find and usually go for $150.00 and up.
  12. Snaggletooth
    Check with the folks that provide products to your local grocery and chain stores in your area. Bread and snack companies like Wonder Bread/Hostess, Sara Lee and OroWheat and even Frito Lay are always looking for full and part time merchanisers. All depends on your available time and how much you want to work. Most pay by the store rather than the hour so you can set your own pace most the time. Most pay pretty good per store and some pay miles on your car to.
  13. Snaggletooth
    Man if that isn't the plain and simple truth.......what is?
  14. Snaggletooth
    Gee, I've done this a few times in the last couple years. LOL! The spring clip is below the air collar. The collar needs to be moved up just a bit to get to them. They are very thin and you can feel them with your finger tips once you get the collar moved up. I can lift them off with my finger nail once I reach them. I've had to use a drift everytime I needed to move them. Once they are on, they grip like crazy. Be careful when using the drift. Try to get it against the alignment tabs on the collars and not against the air line fittings. It takes a pretty good shot with a mallet on the drift to move them up. Once you break the bond of the O-rings you can start twisting and then work them off pretty easy. Once you get the clips off and the collar loose take care as the tubes can slide out very quickly. When prepping for the new seal install make sure to cover the spring clip groove with a layer of electrical tape. The groove will slice the seal lip real easy when sliding the new seal in. When reinstalling the air collars coat the O-rings with oil and they slide in real nice. Get the the clip back on to hold the tubes in. Make sure you aligne the tabs with the proper place so they air lines are held in the right spot for clearance. Mike
  15. Snaggletooth
    That should do it!! I always use a half cover on mine to help keep the seat a lil cooler. Now if you're looking for a fancy way out...........a lamb skin seat cover is sweet! Cooler in the sun and warmer in the winter. No more smelling bacon burning when I plant the old rump on the seat.
  16. Snaggletooth
    I ran across a '98 GMC SLS 4X4 that looks interesting for $2,500. Haven't seen it yet so no details but if anyone has owned one I'd like to hear your thoughts. Supposed to be loaded and very clean. I've never owed a Jimmy but I have had mixed opinions from owners in the past. Some love.... some hate. Ya know how that goes. Mike
  17. Snaggletooth
    What? Women talk? No wonder I'm always in trouble.
  18. Snaggletooth
    When I first found this site it was a freebie. I was stunned at the amount of info available and the attitude of the members here. Everybody was ready and willing to offer advice, parts, data and anything else that would help me get my bike to where I wanted it. I know Don struggled with the idea of needing to charge a subscription fee for the site, but there are costs involved and they do add up. When he announced the $12.00 fee I about fell over. I already new what the site and members were like and how much knowledge I had gained about my bike while being here. I had no issue with a fee at all. I have to thank our fearless leader for what he has created here. Well, I guess we all helped create it, to make it what it is today. So thanks to you all. If the info here is not everything you would would want.....the entertainment value is priceless. I got to get my fix everyday or I get bored.
  19. Snaggletooth
    What's that old saying? "The sum of its parts is greater than its whole........?" Well, probably on the insane side of the line. Mike
  20. Snaggletooth
    This is on my '84. Dat's all I gotta say.
  21. Snaggletooth
    Yep, been there. Here in Nebraska it can be 40 in the morning and 80 in the afternoon. My bags look like my closet. The trick is to keep a swim suit wrapped up in my thermal liner so I don't miss any chances to enjoy the weather. Mike
  22. Snaggletooth
    Got to look into the DEKA AGM's. Tough stuff and American made! More cold cranking amps than about anything out there. And for less $$ than most the other options. Got three years on mine and still as good as new. 12.8 volts everytime I hit the switch. Check Bohannonn Battery or PM skydoc_17 here on the site. He sells them also. If you haven't swapped for new spark plugs I'd go with that first. Makes a difference. Mike
  23. Snaggletooth
    Welcome to the site. Right place to ask questions on these old girls. I'm going to throw in for the Avon Venoms. Some have commented on cracking issues but I have had no problem with them. Great all round tire and do really well on wet roads. Just sticky enough to let you enjoy the twisties. I've run the current set to 21,200 miles and still have some left. I have a new set standing by for the next change. Just my Mike
  24. Snaggletooth
    An '83 with that many miles is barely broke in. But then again, it's got to be gummed up. The Sea Foam will deal with most of that. Run the SF for a while and then swap out the plugs for new. The SF will bust up the gummy stuff but it does end up fouling the plugs. Fresh plugs will make one heck of a difference. My '84 had been stored for 9 years when I bought it. The SF and freshening things up brought her back to life. As said, don't be afraid to run up the revs. These bikes are built to run all day at highway speeds without complaint. Enjoy the ride. Mike
  25. Snaggletooth
    Being in the business he is in I would guess he's been up to his nostrils working and now trying to finish up for the season. It usually takes him a day or two to get back when I PM him. Granted it's been a while since I chatted with him last but I'm sure he'll get back with us soon. Mike
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