IronMike

I do think it is a problem more than some know. On the Roadstar we even vent the cap, You just take it apart and take the steel balls out and reassemble. No idea why Yamaha can't get a vent to stay open. We did this mostly because we eliminated the pump. I have even tried to kind of unblock the vent tube in the tank, there is something in there! Probably some kind of rollover protection. Thats when I had to resort to venting the cap. We also poked holes in the Neck, this allowed better venting and more capacity. However there is a reason they don't want you filling up that much, you will toast your fuel guage at about $100 a pop. Also like removed the rollover valve. Put like a K&N filter on in place of it. Now keep in mind when the bike was new untouched, I tipped it in slow motion like to about where gas went pouring out of the cap area, so none of that crap worked anyways. I've felt this happening to mine and just opened the cap. Keep a spare key in the tank pouch for such on the fly adjustments. I bought the other fuel pump, the one for planes, not installed yet but i wonder if it might do better.

This is my version. I have a cabin deep in the woods 2 miles from electric, down a fire trail through a Cow pasture. Yes I go there by bike and yes I bottom out all the way down. Not good. Until now I could only take the Roadstar down in. On a good day, I can now take the RSV http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0121_zpsed359a84.jpg It was the first thing I noticed AFTER I bought this bike. The idiotic way they did the undercarriage. I swear they consulted with Larry and had him fab up a Jack Adapter so they could leave the drawing board early. Look at that thing hang down! What were they thinking? If you don't have a Carbon one Skid, you're running around NAKED! RSV STREAKING! http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0119_zpsf2f968ed.jpg Well Larry got to thinking and its certainly at the right price. Looks so good you don't even want to install it. Notice there is a hole for oil drainage, but this must be removed to use the Jack Adapter. Personally I always jack mine up to change oil. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0120_zps46f22761.jpg You can do this no jack, in fact you have to. and just a few tools you already have. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0122_zpsc43443db.jpg At the rear of the plate is one bolt stud facing left, its a finagle but put the plate up and slide it in the hole, it only fits one way, and put the lock washer and nut supplied on but leave it loose. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0128_zps855bb49d.jpg When you are done it will look like this from the kick stand side, you can see you have a clear and easy shot at the nut with a ratchet and an extension. easy Peasy nice and squeezy! http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0130_zpsf6173f34.jpg Once you have that rear nut on, you can rotate the skid up and see where it bolts up front and what you will have to remove, shown here is what is removed from each side. (Keep them) and the supplied bolt installed. IMPORTANT! When installing the FRONT bolts install ONE side loosely and then the other making sure each has good threads in the holes then tighten up. If you tighten one the other side will be almost if not totally impossible to thread. When done tightening them, go back to the rear and snug that one down. I suggest using a little Blue threadlocker for this install. And check the bolts on your pre trip. As a reminder... From this..... http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0121_zpsed359a84.jpg http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0135_zpsecf5f7ec.jpg TO THIS! Whoooooooooooooo! Come on Road debris! TRY IT NOW! http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/IMG_0132_zpsd0946d55.jpg I did run into a problem, Carbone One is going to Update this in future Skids. But on Early Models. the spring from the kick stand scrapes the skid, I am going to have to pound that out. Or Cut it as Larry suggested. Sad Face I am afraid I am going to hurt my powdercoat. Another sad face was when I went to jack up the bike. You have already guessed it, I have to uninstall the skid to Use the Carbon one Jack adapter. DRATS! I have a J&S Jack, wondering it the wider stance of a PIT BULL might avoid that step. Although this does come off in seconds! And will go on in a few minutes! I highly suggest having one! I always worried about this vulnerable area of this bike. No more. I wish it had some sort of a quicker release way of mounting. perhaps two stud bolts up front, that you slide the tabs over and just put nuts on, and maybe a Bicycle seat style Cam type bolt that went through BOTH holes in the back and tightened with the cam. Maybe next winter I will hop on that. Rare hardware I know but It can be done. (UPDATE!) Larry thought of another cheaper way see replies below) To Order one go to the Classifieds and Member Vendors and Carbon one, then Skid Plate and then Pay and in a few days it magically arrives. He must carry one in his pocket because he shipped mine while he was out of town! I ALWAYS order when he is out of town!

Ive rode in rain and winter for over 20 years. It does not hurt anything to speak of. But to get an edge, WD 40 is great, Use a bit of blue threadlocker on every nut and bolt I think it keeps the moisture out of the threads making maintenance easier. Don't power wash it, or know it well enough to avoid key areas. In the winter I spray it with WD 40 in a lot of places and coat the bottom with Fogging oil. I have used some type of temporary paint for protection too, they sell it to spray the front of your car. But just the rain will basically do nothing. I have ridden in total downpours and have seen nothing happen because of it. I just wipe it dry with a micro fiber cloth. Now on my Roadstar I went to an aftermarket Air cleaner box (K&N) and in some rain I found out it was not rain proof like the factory one. was. So I switched back. The soaked filter gave me about 1/4 throttle.

I went for a ride today and stopped at Shadetree power sports. Guy I know works there. He had some new stuff in and a helmet faceshield in scratchy condition. He started to work on in while we were bsing. Wha LA! The stuff he was using did a remarkable job!!!! It was called NOVUS. Anyhow it was so impressive I bought some. Like $12 for step 1&2. I put it on right in the parking lot. Amazing stuff! Says it prevents fog and repels a rain. I'll vouch for that it was a downpour going home. I spent the next two hours doing all my plastic stuff. For now I am going to wait on a new screen mines back to like new.

Yea, instead of a wind vent it could be a bug vent. I'm with you on that. I can understand the tinted ones scratching more just because the way tint is added. So I guess I will go Naked, no vent no tint. Hardly ever what I want is cheaper, here is a new one on me. I live close to the place, I am wondering if they will let me pick it up direct. Only dealer close is an HD shop I don't go in those places they all make offers on my bike and get into my riding time.

And STILL #waiting on tinted version. I suppose. NO! Whooo they have Tint AND vent! https://www.f4customs.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=87 Now, do I want tinted? Do I want a Vent? Press input button below looking for input.

Man I loved the MT 66 you will get 6k out of it easily. Its known to be sticky. I had one loved it but it started to crack in the treads where the tread meets the carcass. So I just got another one thinking maybe I ran through some chemical. But it did the same thing. Just a little uneasy since I take long hard fast rides far from home. Just watch for the cracking. I actually ran one to the Tail and back cracked and it did not get any worse. I've got pictures but who can find them. I need a way to organize pictures that works. Off topic! Tires a a funny commodity. Used to be everyone swore by metzler then I noticed the made in USA ones were lasting longer than the ones made overseas. Then,, they all turned bad. I suppose its all in the supplies they use to make it and the talent. Both can vary.

Everything I can find still lists it as Virginville, the list office, wikipedia, trip advisor, AAA. Google maps. I go by there a lit ull have to detour and check this out. On the other hand. By some of the names I see its no wonder some members do not list their location. Yes I'm a big bad biker from Fruit ville. Don't mess with me! I'm just as mad as a boy named Sue!

Everything I can find still lists it as Virginville, the list office, wikipedia, trip advisor, AAA. Google maps. I go by there a lit ull have to detour and check this out.

I have no idea. But if you are ever in Carlisle Pa, on route 11 north of I76 also off i81. Eat at the Middlesex diner. Mmmmmm they must have one heck of a chef. I eat there every time I am there.

Good answers. I concur. I should get out and meet more members. But for me its a time thing. I drive for a living. On call 24. 7. Then after I clock in six times and work 70 hours I get 58 off. And five weeks vacation. Any time off needs approved by seniority. So like fourth of July I would never get. So I do a lot of lone wolf spare of the moment riding. Last year I bought the Venture and in thirty days taking only one week off I put 7k miles on it using my time off. Blood mountain I thought was lame, but the loops around there were really cool. I lucked out according to the locals. I arrived between rains on a very rainy season. I hated all the signs saying they were going to catch me speeding and toss me in jail and keep my bike. Grrrrrrrrr My dads half of the family lives in South. Most in Alabama. I'd like to go but we shall see. I should have went last year. But I didn't have a plate for my bike. And I didn't want to show up on a Roadstar and take attention away from Dons new HD! I love seeing other members bikes and the myriad of cool things people do to them. Got too see a trike, same year as mine while harvesting the leftover parts. That was cool as all get out right Venture 08? Time constraints. Time constraints.

Pa has some of the best. Middlesex. Intercourse, blue ball, and virginville to name a few. In fact they hold the funny name record according to this. http://www.squidoo.com/pennsylvania-town-names Since I am single I think I'll schedule a ride to virginville.

http://enigma1050.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/MCN_200612_016.pdf It is a picture of early delevopment. As pointed out in this article it will go in soon for radiator fab.

Posted here in another thread my friend owns a bike repair shop and customers rave about the commanders. To the front end vibration. If when the bike is on a jack front wheel off the ground....the handlebars placed at center. If they flop wither way your bearings need tightened. You can do this thorough the hole with a punch while on the jack. However much I hate Avon's too. Once you have a loose steering head bearing to the shake level, it will wear the tire and even if you fix the tightness of the bearing the wear of the tire will still let it shake. So new tire in order. Also Like to add, that instead of weight balancing I use media balancing. Equal or Dyna beads, this keeps the tires in balance through out the life even when it picks up a stone, snow or changes balance for some other reason like uneven wear. I hear ride on also works and provides some flat protection. When you mount tires yourself dyna beads is real friendly option and I even re use the beads using a vacuum cleaner and a filter positioned in the hose. Also note that when a front tire is not available. Just order a rear. I've run a rear up front for over 70k miles. About half of that I rotate it for more even wear running it backwards and forwards. You can expect a LOT more mikes for your money with a rear tire on the front. Choose a sticky tire as the front provides most the traction. I've used an MT 66 and a Metzler. Good luck on both but the MT 66's would show cracking before they wear out. So far the Metz is good. When I put a slightly less wide tire on. The handling improved greatly for me. I suppose when I go to the dark side on this bike a stock size might work better.

Where is that mic on a second gen so I can avoid it when I wash it once a year?

Oh Dragonslayer I think I should be in your club! I see you live near Blood Mountain. OK let's go for a ride. LOL. I wish I lived that close to the Dragon area. Hey but I make it there about four times a year for from a week to a few days each. I know the feeling. Its funny when someone here posts the dumbest question that comes up a thousand threads on a search and they get like two months of responses. Page after page. Then a person posts up a question hardley any information on it and no one answers even though you know the knowledge is here. I think there is just a click here. You have to pay your dues and go to a few meet ups and sit around and drink, or whatever they do besides ride. LOL I'm not quite sure. One thing is for sure. Its a highly religious site..... And clicky. Almost like a certain group own it. Don't tread on them. A FEW people here know me, and if they do, they know how great a person I am and full of knowledge and giving. I've met people out of my way for parts, delivered parts for people, bought parts from people here, sent parts in the mail. Yet still I'm a thread killer too! So at least your not alone! LOL. I recently did a wheel change tire and all. This is my first shaft drive bike. I never done one. And I've never paid a shop in 45 years of riding. I just knew it was not as hard as the manual said, they have you taking off the rear seat fender, and lots of other stuff. Good thing I had someone number on here to call and get the scoop. Maybe your post will open up some minds and the click will loosen up a bit. I'm afraid to show up at the international, my armor suit has some parts that rocks can get to. I didn't see anything wrong with your avatar. People have to realize their personal beliefs, religious and political preferences should not good them back when helping out another biker from a different way of thinking. Know of a fire extinguisher sale?

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/darkside/d0076fe4.jpg http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/20130829_181308_zpsa58c2b6c.jpg A cool picture of me and my Roadstar on winter day in Jan. Riding two up on worst day of the year. Even the Yamaha shop was closed. Ice with snow on top. Don't try that at home and don't hate dark side tires. And my Venture 08 style on the Applaachian trail in a secret location at the end of the best road I've been on in America. Don't eat the bears!

Yep. Four wheeler. But that chick he picks up has the perfect dose of meat on her bones. He sure put that cute away fast. However.

Yep. They load on all three of my phones, my note. My two laptops and two desktops. And in the hotel lobby. And I just uploaded a picture using my phone.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/MOAB/IMG_5048-1.jpg Well that was a good post for me, I would buy it to tow behind my OFF Road XTERRA. Winner of Cool rides online and celebrity vehicle on the internet in ads and such. But since I drove it to MOAB and back to NE ohio I have not had much time to wheel with it since I have taken riding back up. Due to gas prices its just more fun per dollar to ride. That is one very very very cool trailer. Like the departure angle on it. Watching the video it would have followed me all over Moab for two weeks. But maybe not of made the stairway. Would have been a problem having that behind. Maybe winch it up after ascending. I would want one if I had time to use it. For sure.

For a second.... I thought I got married last night after drinking too much. That was close!

Now I am worried, I might be really lean, I have never in 8K miles gotten less than 200 out of a tank. I normally burn the REALGAS found at http://www.buyrealgas.com/# It's 96 OCT. No Ethanol, So I add a little Upper Cyl Lube to it like Lucas Gas additive, or MMO whatever I have on hand. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/usmcxterra/20130805_125818_zpsaee830f8.jpg Picture for the non believers. And I don't recall ever putting more than about 4.5 gallons in it. I want to ride it out to empty just to see where it does run out and how much it takes! Have to do the old carry the Gallon in the trunk thing pretty soon. If you belong to the AMA you get the fight to keep Ethanol out of our tanks.

I started to hurt when i got to the pictures. The dumbest stuff happens under 10 MPH! Thanks for the reminder.... I have a killer driveway too. Least you did it early enough to heal all the way up and get back out there at 100%.

I despise Avon's I have had 2 fronts and 4 rears. I just got a Almost new Rear on the rear rim, I hate that I have to run it out, but I am green. Had it not been mounted on the rim I would never run it! And even as new as it is, it shows dippy wear pattern. You CAN mix Radial and Bias tires on a bike and several come that way from the factory, I know Harley does some and so Does Yamaha, I think the Raider has the Mix. I have run a Radial CT on the rear with a Bias on the front. The thinking that you cannot applies when you have 4 wheels, the radials on one axle could cause a sway out of control situation. On two wheels this is not a problem. Fact. Just take my work, save yourself the searching. A friend of mine owns a Bike shop and he says his customers swear by the Michelin Commander. He hates the tire because he only sees them about half as much. Then he laughs. He has a small shop, but he says I can order them in ahead of time knowing they will sell.

LOL Well, You are in same boat as me. Having an MC tire ruined my last trip last year. I ran into a few extra days vacation and the rear tire was at the point they always seem to be, Good for local riding but dont dare take it on a trip tread! So I thought I was going to run out and buy a CT NOT! Had to order it. Trip canceled. SO, CT is like yours Waiting, while I wear the rear all the way down. BUT I ran into another problem. I bought some parts off a Member and it included a Rear rim and almost new Rear tire! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Now I have to wear that one out! (2 month deal for me) But now my Front, which would last anyone else two rears, it at the same point as the rear, and I just bought it THIS rear tire! (Too many Curvy roads, thats what I like!) I thought I would get tons of info. Glad Someone gave me some feedback. Well. if you think about it post back what you do. I think I will maybe study up the DS database a bit and go with the commander on the front since I wore this one out so fast. Im 7K miles from changing to the CT AGAIN! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Its SO unsafe having a bike tire on the rear, ESPECIALLY when You've put 50K on a CT on your other bike.