Tisunac

Yea, you can definitely spray-paint them (inside)....or you can get tinting film (the one used to tint car windows) and apply to it. You can find different darkness levels at auto parts stores. Or you can do it on a real cheap - stop by the car window tinting place, they will have a bunch of left-overs that will be that size, I'm sure some will be mirror coated too....

I bought mine on Ebay, don't know the manufacturer but was very pleasantly surprised to find out that it blinks when pressed (like Brake-Off ones). Even more, since it is connected to my regular tail light, that one blinks too!... Very easy to see, day or night... You can find them red or clear, with connection for blinking OR connection for turn signals (half will blink with your turn signal). I opted for the blinking with the break, to me that was more important safety-wise.

Just FYI, if the RK mufflers are straight from the Harley and were never on Venture it will take you some muscle to put them on. Don't let that discourage you - it will go over but it's a little harder than putting the OEM mufflers. Once they are on it's fine. I just took off a pair of RK mufflers and replaced them with Screamin' Eagle ones (similar, but wider at the end and with a downturns) so now my old RK's are perfect for somebody who wants to put them on Venture cause they are already wider. The Screamin' Eagle ones were on Venture before (bought them here, on the forum) so it was much easier to put them on. You will loooove the sound difference, nice and deep...

I've replaced OEM with Road King ones and used the mounting brackets and clamps that I bought on Ebay. I paid more for the brackets and clamps than I paid for the RK mufflers hahaha... Both wife and I liked the sound of the Road King ones over the OEMs - deeper, but not too loud. Sounded like a motorcycle should sound (at least in our opinion). Than a couple of months ago, I got a Screamin' Eagle ones - similar to RK but wider opening (3.5" vs 4") and with turn-down caps. Very similar sound to RK, maybe a bit deeper but a different look with the caps. Like those ones a lot.... If somebody wants the Road King ones I have them for $50.- plus shipping. The clamps were worth the money - wide, shiny, match the rest of the chrome...

I bought my off of Ebay and they are working great. Same as the template. So if you are handy and have tools and time, use the template. If not, you can find it on Ebay.

Sorry, just remembered - there was a leak last year (that WAS the reason for losing the fluid) that was fixed by a mechanic. I apologize for not mentioning that earlier...

Once, maybe a year ago. I ran low on fluid so I pretty much just top it off back then. I guess it wouldn't hurt to change it, right? What's the best way to do it?

I've noticed recently that I have to release my clutch lever almost all the way before it engage in to the gear. No slipping, at least nothing obvious. Just as soon as you "touch" the lever it will disengage. I've been told that you cannot adjust the clutch on the Venture. Also, I've heard of upgrading the springs and plates with a different "kits".... Long story short - do I want to do anything or leave it as it is? Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

A couple of years ago I switched from OEM slip-on mufflers to HD Road Kind mufflers, also OEM for HD. The sound was deeper and a bit louder (not too loud, though) but I did not notice any difference in a ride or power. A few days ago I installed HD Screamin Eagle slip-on mufflers - the Road King's were 3.5 inches and Screamin Eagle are 4 inches diameter. Started it up - the sound is a little deeper and I think they look nice on the bike (have those "downturn" tips). Then I took it for a ride and immediately noticed an increase in power!... It felt like my bike is breathing easier! Taking it to 60 MPH in a 3rd gear felt just right, with no effort. I know that Venture likes higher revs but I could tell it was doing it with less effort, and it felt it wants more!... Definitely put a smile on my face!... I was reading about adding a little more power by installing an aftermarket slip-ons but in my case it was more than obvious. Anybody with a similar experience?

What about riding it like this? Still safe? Am I messing anything up???

You see, that's a good suggestion. I will check the pump first (on the rear shock). If that's not it, I will try to replace valves in it.... Thanks guys.

I need an advice. Sunday morning I went out to check the air pressure in my front forks ('99 Venture Sec.Gen.) before going to a 300-miles trip two-up. I would usually keep the pressure at 3-4 PSI and am using a digital HD pump that is quite precise. So I put about 4 PSI in left fork and could see air pressure dropping back to zero within a few seconds. Right fork did the same thing. I tried several times thinking that I didn't place the pump right but with the same result. So I guessed that my forks are leaking air. I checked around and couldn't see any trace of oil anywhere. So, we went for a ride and I paid a close attention on how it rides, especially the front of the bike. To my surprise, the ride was very smooth and with no problems at all. My questions - do I need to address that problem since it rides just fine? By ignoring it, will I make it worse? Is it safe to assume that it's not leaking any oil since I couldn't find any? What do I have to do, if anything? Please go easy on me - I'm not very handy and most of the work (if any) would be done by a mechanic. I would change the pipes or leveling links but I wouldn't mess with the forks. Bike have around 32K miles, bought it about 2.5 years ago with around 20K. Riding mostly two-up (me around 250 lb on a good day, my wife half that). Rear shock usually around 40 PSI. Thanks for your time.

In my next post I did mention that I have a Clearview XXL windshield with a vent. I also thought that should do it but didn't... It protect me well but she's still getting all the wind...

Did you get your helmet? I would like to hear your opinion about it since I'm considering getting a modular helmet for the first time and HJC usually fits me. Thanks. p.s. Those speakers looks nice, too....

Forgot to mention that I have Clearshield XXL windshield with a vent (tallest, widest one) and it's still not enough to protect my wife from the buffeting...

My wife finds the passenger seat on 2nd gen very comfortable. HOWEVER, she always complains about wind buffeting since she's sitting much higher than I. Rick Butler modified my seat and made it much more comfortable but also lower so my wife is even more exposed to the wind. Spoke with Rick about her seat but he said there's not much material he can take out and make it lower. Again, she said the comfort is great (better than any bike we tried) - if only we can lower it somehow...

Aren't our passing lights 4.5 inches in diameter?

Anybody have any experience (or opinion?) with the airbag-style jackets? I'm seriously considering purchasing them for my wife and myself, based mostly on reviews and testimonials that I could find online. I do understand that some of them might be fake or form a shady source, but all of them (including reviews from some magazines and official blogs) rave about them, considering them as important as the helmets. So, before I purchase them (and they are not cheap, unfortunately) I would like to consult my fellow Venture riders. I'm considering Hit-Air brand, model JP-3 (men) and FR2 (women) form BikeBone. Thanks for your input.

Garmin Nuvi 360 (smaller screen), 660 or 760 (bigger screen) - I used 360 till it died on me, than switched to 660 (same thing, bigger screen). Load your music on SD card, plug it to gps, plug gps to aux on your bike (next to cassete player) and that's it. It can play your music "from A to Z" or it can shuffle - your choice. They also have a Bluetooth so you can sync it with your phone, if you like... Very inexpensive, $30-$40, not waterproof but zip-lock bag takes care of that...

HA! Interesting topic! I happen to drive Prius and I'm driving it the way I would drive any other car. And it drives like any other car, too. So, no excuse for anybody driving that car to drive too slow. Granted, it's not a sports or muscle car but it can accelerate just fine (if you want to). I would respectfully disagree when you put the guilt solely on the Prius drivers - you just happen to came across two in a row that are like that. And you wouldn't even notice what car they've been driving - unless they are driving a PRIUS. Wouldn't it be awkward to say: "Those Honda Rebell riders are riding way too slow. I saw two of them today and both of them were riding bellow speed limit!". Why am I saying that? Believe it or not, there's quite an animosity towards Prius drivers, at least in the area where I live. As a matter of fact, I've posted a thread about it at the Prius forum and quite a few drivers respond with the same experience - truck and SUV drivers trying to race the Prius drivers! I know, I agree, it's totally childish and immature... but it happens more often than you think. I would drive easily 10-15 over and they'll still try to pass me by. Not mentioning at the stop light, that "drag racing" is another story... Personally, I even have an experience of a truck driver cutting me off to the point of almost pushing me off the road. There are good drivers and there are bad drivers. And they are driving all kind of cars, depending of what they like and what they can afford. I don't believe Prius should be driving slower than any other car cause there's no reason for it. But, other drivers will notice if they do drive slow. More than they would notice any other car makers. Just my two cents...as a fellow rider and a Prius driver. p.s. I have to drive a Prius since I'm driving a lot (a lot!) and that's the only way to save on gas (when it's really cold hahaha)... With two kids in college, you do what you have to do, right?!

That bed liner stuff would be great (I think) but would I have any problem with ventilation? I've heard that might (?) be an issue... Not sure why, though...

Thanks for your quick reply. Yea, the shed is "pre-made" kind, built by New Hickory Buildings, nice quality with durable floor. I did not have an option for a concrete slab since the place (end of my driveway) is slanted. So, it's on cement blocks on one side. Still, they guaranty that floor will hold both bikes (Venture and Vstrom). Cement would be nice but this will do. Now, I was thinking about protecting the floor from the spills, dirt etc...

My new shed finally arrived and is waiting for my bikes. Any suggestions what to do with the floor - leave it like it is (3/4" plywood), paint it (what kind of paint? why?), protect it with a thick coat of polyurethane (pros/cons), modular plastic tiles,....? Any concerns about the venting in a case of covering the existing floor with paint? Thanks for your time, guys!... Ride safe!

Yep, Edsets have a nice sale!... That 15% off can save you a nice amount of money. Great product, high quality, great people to deal with. I just updated our old system and it works great. Bought first set "to try" about a month ago, liked it and now decided to get another one, just in time for the sale!... Check them out...

CHEAP VERSION - You can find clamps at Lowe's, under "specialty clamps", where all the screws and bolts are. They have drawers full of "specialty" stuff there - you'll see round clamps there. They are aluminum made (I think?), with a black rubber inside so it grips really well. They have different sizes, you need 1" for the crash bars. I just bought two the other day, I think they are less than $2.- a piece. Granted, not shiny but small, cheap and useful....