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Beau-Kat

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Everything posted by Beau-Kat

  1. Beau-Kat
    YUP! Pinwall has boo-koos of used RSV parts. Ordered some from them already. Quick service and parts come labeled and tagged.
  2. Beau-Kat
    I discovered a deal on some pads one day here locally. I bought some dusty, parts shelf surviving EBC front pads for a 1st gen. The guy didn't know they were the same as the rear pads on the second gen so he figured he would never sell them. It seems there are not too many 1st gens near me these days. Bought the pads and a sack full of other stuff for under 20 bucks. I keep an extra set around because they also fit my VMax.
  3. Beau-Kat
    Hey Canuck. Glad to hear you are coming for a visit to the Southeast. Hope you have a safe and wonderful stay. Now some cautionary advice from an old man. I live in SC and my father-in-law lives in Robbinsville, so I go there a couple of times a year. Lots of nice roads up there. The locals drive vehicles pretty fast because they know their roads well. Been there and done the Dragon on my VMax, which has greater cornering clearance than my RSV. It's quite an adventure. Crazy tight curves make it easy to drift over the center line into oncomers. LOUD crotch rocketeers screaming by as they defy physics will startle ya too. It seems you can't hear them until they are beside you. A couple of police are also generally posted along the ride route. Haven't had my RSV up on the Dragon. Because it's heavy and not a real curve handler, I'm not sure I'd push my RSV very much on those curves. I'd throttle back to be safe and not worry about the Kawis keeping up. It ain't worth the bragging rights. Just my 2 cents.
  4. Beau-Kat
    Hey Guys. I have 47K on my 2000 RSV. Was wondering if anyone had a fuel pump fail and, at 9.5 years old, how long I could expect mine to last. I don't have any issues yet, but was thinking about picking up a lightly used pump from a newer, low mileage bike and stowing it (along with a spare coil and maybe ignition switch, Ha!) for some breakdown insurance when I take long trips. Any histories/war stories on nuisance/premature pump failures on 2nd Gens? Thanks.
  5. Beau-Kat
    Hey Thumper. I've heard a lot of stories about our rear shocks failing. I just replaced the one on my Millenium that has 47K miles on it. I found one on ebay from a 2007 with 3K miles on it. Works great. The only differnece I can see is that the 2007 model (I think Yamaha/Star made this change beginning in 2005) has a long breather type tube on it. Don't really know why they added that, but maybe it is some kind of improvement. My original one wasn't leaking oil, held air fine, and worked well, but it "barked" the first time or two when you sat on the bike during colder weather days. After a brief while into the ride, it would stop barking. It made no noises during the warmer months. The barking is a common issue with the rear shocks for many 2nd gen Venture owners. I see that WORKSperformance shocks http://www.worksperformance.com/pdf/app_guide/street.pdf offers a replacement shock. i don't think it is an air shock. The prices are on the right column of that pdf. RIDING FOCUSED. Rusty
  6. Beau-Kat
    I'm amazed you didn't loosen any teeth on that ride. I was peeing (non visable) blood one time after a 900 mile overnight ride back from Missouri. I didn't know it, but traces of blood showed up on the test strip when I had a scheduled checkup a couple of days later. Nurse told me it was probably from riding. But she probably hated me and still sent me to have a cystoscopy. Man, I wouldn't wish that on nobody! Turns out the doctor found nothing wrong just that my kidneys were most likely shaken up a little. And then I go out a couple years ago and buy a vibrating Sportster. I guess I got a brain injury in that long ride too. Ha!
  7. Beau-Kat
    What a sweet deal!!! Someone oughta jump on that!
  8. Beau-Kat
    Yup. Happened to me too a few years back. Thief got a $750 plane ticket from Orlando to La Guardia. Opened a Dell account and tried to open a Gateway account. Gateway called me to verify, but Dell just let it go right through. Thief never got a computer though and JetBlue got a reverse charge for the ticket they approved. I lost no money, but it was a hassle for awhile.
  9. Beau-Kat
    Did 1140 in about 21 hours for the Saddle Sore thing a couple of years ago. I was on my RSV and my buddy was on his Valkyrie. Long, fun day. I was on my stock seat. So, yes, my butt was a bit sore. I wanted to get the ride done before I had back surgery because I didn't know if I would have been able to do it after surgery in 2007. My spinal fusion surgery was a complete success (i.e. not a bit of pain anymore). So, I'm looking to do the 1500 miles in 36 hours ride sometime.
  10. Beau-Kat
    SO.... How much does the Speedohealer cost?
  11. Beau-Kat
    Hello folks. I have a set of brand new Road King Muffler brackets inadvertantly sent to me by Mark Hilliss. When I asked him what to do with them, he said I could offer them for a donation for Freebird. Sounded good to me. Thanks Mark. So, to help get some donations :mo money:for the site, Mark is graciously dionating these fine brackets to the highest contributer over the next two weeks. I know they are good quality brackets because I just received my own set a few weeks ago. So, if interested in helping Freebird out and getting some great brackets in the deal, this is all you need to do: Make a donation to the site (separate from your subscription dues). Send me a PM with your amount donated. After May 03, 2008, I'll see who made the largest contribution and then send them the brackets. Shipping costs will be on me. I hope this is the right way to go about doing this. Thanks for your assistance. Rusty Metts
  12. Beau-Kat
    Yup. 15K or so is about right for replacing my rear pads too. Haven't let them get to the scraping point yet. OUCH!
  13. Beau-Kat
    Interesting conversation going on here. I've had a bunch of Yamahas and Hondas in my life. Never had serious problems and do all of my maintenance. I bought the 883R from an older guy here for a decent price about three years ago. I rode it to my Road King riding friend's house and asked if he would now wave at me when I passed. He smirked and asked why I bought a "girl's bike". Never heard that term before, but said I would never buy a Harley for speed or dependability anyway. That's why I have Yamahas. I received no reply. The truth is: my Sportster is a 2003, so it doesn't have the rubber engine mounts. The vibes don't bother me at all. I really enjoy riding it and have had zero trouble with it. Although, being carbureted, it does cough from time to time. And there are no valve adjustments to bother with. I understand the Sportster's is probably the most dependable Harley engine in their lineup. I'll keep mine. But my V Star really is a much easier handling bike. And it doesn't have the Harley cough. So, I'll ride my Yamahas while wearing my Harley shirts that folks gave me. Makes no difference to me what I ride or wear. I would wear Yamaha shirts while riding the Sportster, but no one has given me any yet. I don't add bling or non-functional chrome to anything and I don't buy tshirts and hats to advertise. So, if you like the V Star, I'd try to keep it. I like my wife riding with motorcycles me, so she usually rides the V Star. She loves it. I was wondering, is your husband his own mechanic?
  14. Beau-Kat
    O.K. I really want that set-up on my trailer too! I recognize the top light bar in the photos, but what are/who makes the lower lights?
  15. Beau-Kat
    Never have had a cracking/checking problem with any Dunlops or Metzlers on my RSV. Never had Avons (yet), so don't know how they hold up in the Southeast heat. We rarely see the winter temps in the teens around here. Generally, Harley folks around here have some problems with early checking on their Harley labeled Dunlops. My 2003 883R Sportster's front checked after two years and less than 3K miles. I've 8K on the original rear and no checking at all. But, as y'all pointed out earlier, the rear is a fatter tire too.
  16. Beau-Kat
    In another thread, I had asked if the 1st gens had a rev limiter, but didn't get a responseyet. Since I am hearing how fast they must be (never ridden one myself...yet), I was wondering if any of them through the model years had rev limiters. Just wondering if you folks that have them are able to "spin 'em up" a bit more than our 2nd gens, which do have limiters. Thanks.
  17. Beau-Kat

    83 wow

    Beau-Kat replied to KarlS's topic in Watering Hole

    Did the 1st gens have a rev limiter? I don't think many bikes had them back then, but am probably wrong on the Venture. Being able to "Spin 'em up" is the plus. I know my V-Max has no limiter. That above 6 grand punch (thanks V-Boost) is the real party. RPMs shoot up so fast, I gotta be cautious up there. And V-Maxes have that stupid faux tank mounted tach. I'm glad Yamaha/Star gave the new VMax a real in your face tach. That's pretty much the only dislike about my RSV, the limiter. At least it could limit revs a little higher up (goodbye 5 year warranty offering). I rode an 1800 Wing. Man it was quick, but the limiter, in my opinion, comes on too quickly on it too.
  18. Beau-Kat
    I travel sometimes great distances to get motorcycles I aquire every now and then. Sometimes I de-fluidize the bikes, remove the mirrors and battery, and stuff them in the back of my Suburban (minus the third seat). I've done this with my Rebel and SR500. Sometimes I use my enclosed 6x10 trailer for larger bikes. I've often wanted to go get one with my 2nd gen. But I wouldn't want to haul a larger bike the likes of a 1st gen though. Maybe a shorter bike like my XJ650. My pull behind for my RSV is a jet ski trailer which was narrowed 8" and has an 18 cu.ft. Sears cargo top box bolted to it and a "long tongue". I thought I could just remove the box and cooler, load and strap down my purchased bike on the trailer frame. Anyway, my point is: I have always been leary of towing a high centered load like a bike on a trailer behind my bike, and would like some input from the bike-towing sages:bowdown: on here 'cause I don't wanna end up bustin' my cheeze all over the highway. How do you guys tow another bike behind your Ventures?
  19. Beau-Kat
    Great idea. I don't really care for the "loud pipes save lives" thing, my old ears can't take that stuff anymore. But I really want some serious horn action. Don't know what the db of my Fiam is, but it probably isn't near 139db. Might just put the old Fiam on my lawn tractor as return fire for when my neighbor's dog barks. Thanks.
  20. Beau-Kat
    Hey Ken. I guess I'm a chicken and use my reserve position when I run out on the main tank. Been riding forever and that's just what I do. If I lived in the Aloha State, from what I hear about prices over there, I wouldn't worry about running out of gas. I probably couldn't afford to ride anyway. And if I did run ever run out of fuel over there, I hope it wouldn't be when I was running from a lava flow. L.O.L. Maybe one day I'll have the good fortune of visiting the islands.
  21. Beau-Kat

    tire hash

    Beau-Kat replied to pakidaho's topic in Watering Hole

    And that's why I love this forum. Info from many personal experiences. Thanks.
  22. Beau-Kat
    I'm beholdin' to ya for that great info. Thanks.
  23. Beau-Kat
    Oooo! :thumbdown:That cut deep! But it was funny.
  24. Beau-Kat
    Good question, but is there really an answer? I know many of us pull trailers, but I never heard of any bike ever having a towing capacity rating. Who would rate them? Certainly not the manufacturer. They frown on trailers. I have pulled about 400 lbs behind my RSV without problems.
  25. Beau-Kat

    tire hash

    Beau-Kat replied to pakidaho's topic in Watering Hole

    Thanks for the heads up about the ME880s chunking out. Never heard about those problems, but I'll be watching mine. I do all my own maintenance and change my own tires, so I keep a close eye on my bike. I also check my air pressures every few days and keep my tires well aired up. We all know low air pressure can heat them up quickly, setting them up for early demise. The guy that turned me on to the ME880s had them on a 1999 Road Star which he bought new and personally rode over 160,000 miles. His wife rode everywhere with him while he also pulled a trailer configuration all over the USA. I called the set up, "the wagon train". It was a made up of a short tongue leading to an axle. In the center of the axle was a trailer ball. He connected his Bunkhouse camper to this hitch. That way, he kept the Bunkhouse's tongue weight off his bike. So, in short, he was pulling two trailers. Don't know if I would have done that, but it worked well for him. He would have put many more miles on that bike, but was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. So, knowing his time was short, he purchased an 1800 Wing and triked it out for his wife to ride after he died, which happened 15 months later. If this guy ever told you something, you could take it to the bank. He researched everything about motorcycling constantly. Thanks to your comments, I'll still keep a yet closer eye on my tires from now on.
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