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petekadish

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Posts posted by petekadish

  1. Back in my day ... (okay, I'm not really that old), but as I recall ... If there is ever an emergency vehicle behind you on the road with with lights and/or siren, everyone is supposed to pull off to the right side of the road. Of course those who have worked the streets, know full well that the public typically forgets all common sense when they see an emergency vehicle behind them. So, I suggest pulling over, and then hope it's not your turn. Heck, I have even pulled over when I knew that I got tagged before the cop even had the opportunity to light me up.

     

    Secondly ..., When I had previously been asked the question "why didn't you stop the other cars next to me who were traveling at the exact same speed". I sometimes explained that "it is kind of like fishing in a river - you can only catch one fish at a time". I'm not so sure that people I pulled over appreciated that explanation, but they clearly understood the concept.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  2. I don't think that a tint film will get quite the look I hope for. But, thanks for the suggestion Dan.

     

    And Steve ..., thanks for the offer of the blue LED bulbs. While I don't really want to try opening-up the headset since it sounds like too much potential trouble, I might be interested in adding them to my collection of already-installed, blue LED lights on my bike. I still have a few spots which could use a little lighting-up. Are the LEDs which you have pretty bright? Do you know what brand they are or can you describe them a little bit for me? The ones which I currently have installed, are a combination of LED strip-lights, and a couple of multi-bulb LED pod units.

     

    Depending on what you might want for them, and if they look like something I might want to use, maybe we can work something out.

     

    Thanks & Be Safe!

    Pete.

  3. From what everyone has said, I don't think that this project would be very fun to take on for me. I think that I will leave the little whitish-yellow dash-lights as is. However, I still think that blue, LED dash-lights would look very cool. Maybe one day, someone else can figure out how to do this.

     

    Thanks guys & Be Safe!

    Pete.

  4. I worked for a couple different P.D.s and a Sheriff's Office for about 10 years. While in it, I loved it. K9 was the best part., But, about nine years ago, I decided that it was time to get my nights, weekends, and holidays back. So, at age forty one, I said thanks for the memories and moved on to an administrative position at BYU.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  5. I put the bike on it's side-stand, and then I stand with both feet firmly on the ground while holding on to the handlebar grips.

     

    Sandy then swings her right leg over the driver's backrest, pivots on her butt, and steps off the left side.

     

    This technique helps maintain the bike steady, and she has a nice and controlled step-off.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  6. Sometimes, you can pick-up electrical interference through your audio. And, this can be especially apparent when you are using ear or headphones. Someone who is experienced with audio component installations can probably offer some advice for you regarding noise-suppression devices and filters. Sometimes this can be as simple as having a device improperly grounded and it results in picking-up engine noises, etc. Very annoying! Or, it might even be from your ear or headphones. That would be an easy thing to troubleshoot.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  7. A posting like this absolutely saved me a few years ago. Someone brought up the fact that most insurance policies have considerable limits regarding what accessories they will cover and replace in the event of an accident. At the time, I was insured by Geico. So I called Geico and asked them how much all of the accessories on my bike were covered for, and they replied $1,500. And, they also had some other rather restrictive conditions regarding their motorcycle coverage. Well, I knew that I had to get substantially better coverage than that. So, I dropped my bike coverage with Geico and switched over to Foremost (through Farmer's).

     

    In order to cover all of my extras with Foremost, I was required to submit current photographs, along with a signed statement of inspection by my local Yamaha dealer stating that I indeed have everything on (or done) to my bike. My dealer also included a statement which attested to the current value of the bike, based on what it would cost me to replace it with a new comparable bike.

     

    Lastly, I have always tried to save all of my purchase receipts for things added and work done on my bikes. This later on proved to make all of the difference when it came time to file a claim.

     

    After the accident, when I initially spoke with an adjuster, he simply looked-up a "book value", added my mileage and then told me what they were willing to offer me. My reply was ... I don't think so. I then stated the value of what I had actually insured the bike for. I also told him about all of my photos, documentation and receipts. The adjusted then said that he would get back with me shortly.

     

    A little later on, I was contacted by the adjuster and he agreed that since I had absolutely all of my bases covered (so to speak), that Foremost would have to honor their extended insurance agreement with me. So, instead of having to settle for something like $4,000 for my 1996 Yamaha Royal Star with 32,000 miles, I was able to receive about $12,500. This went a long way in to helping me get the Venture I now ride.

     

    The moral of this story? CYA. Save all of your receipts. Document everything. Take lots of good-quality,current pictures from many angels. Double-check your policy agreements with your current ins. carrier. It's so much nicer to be prepared than to be surprised or caught unprepared.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  8. I almost always have earphones in when I'm riding anywhere except for short distances. I really appreciate being able to hear well, what I am listening too. The earphones I use enable me to listen to any kind of music (even talk radio) and use my intercom and CB without complaint.

     

    I have used Air-Rider headsets and EdSets with full helmets, and I was never happy with the quality of the sound in any number of helmets I tried. But, when I ride with my wife on the back, or with friends who I want to communicate with, I need my microphone. So, I cut off the headset speakers, and I now use an EdSet Microphone with my earphones plugged-in to a EdSet 5-pin adapter plug. For me, this combination is perfect. Even with a half-helmet.

     

    And, probably one of the best things I ever added, were "Mic-Mutes" which makes it so I don't have to listen to all the wind noise constantly blowing through the microphone - that makes all the difference in the world!

     

    Here are the earphones I use. I understand that most people would consider these earphones absurdly expensive - and, they are. And, I probably shouldn't be spending money on gadgets like this. However, since these earphones solve all of my complaints regarding sound quality while I'm riding - to me they are worth it. Plus, I didn't pay full retail for them either.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/IE30.html

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  9. I'm not sure exactly how that worked out. I know that I typically get average MPG. But, on that one day, I did run dry about as much as I could possible tell. I mean, it wouldn't start. And then, after adding the 32oz MRS Bottle, I was able to go 17 miles before going empty again. Maybe I'll give it another test to see if I missed something the first time. Typically, I get about 35-38 MPG during most types of average riding.

     

    Mostly, I'm just happy to be getting the bike out and doing a little riding again after another long Utah winter.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  10. Hi Jeff!

     

    Finally, its beginning to warm-up around here. It's supposed to be about 60 degrees later on today. Last night after work, I decided that it was warm enough to install my new wind deflectors.

     

    They do look sharp, and the craftsmanship is apparent. Good job! I am thinking though, that since the polished aluminum doesn't quite match the look of all of the safety-chrome, I might either have them chromed or powder-coated. I just can't make-up my mind since they are such different looks. I am also wondering if anyone has opinions regarding which will maintain it's finish the best. I think that I am leaning towards a black, powder-coat.

     

    Thanks again & Be Safe!

    Pete.

  11. Here is The Salt Lake City and Utah County areas we currently have the worst air in the entire country. And, on top of that it only 9 degrees this morning. So, even if you did want to go out in that kind of cold to ride, you would probably want to hold your breath the whole time. Wintertime cold-weather, valley inversions are awful! Yuck!

     

    I miss summer!

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  12. Of course there are the Saddlebag Top-Rails (if you can find them), I'm looking for a set myself). And, you could always try applying some sort of protective film on the the lids - sort of like an invisible shield, like people put on their cell phone screens, or iPods.

     

    I don't think that you would want to put any sort of a rain-type cover over (or around) your bags while riding. They would likely blow-off, and even more likely, they would act like an abrasive in the wind to your paint and mess it up.

     

    Lastly, a good wax and polish is also a good idea.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

  13. I had Khromewerks 4x4s on my '96 Royal and they were reasonable. I wouldn't say that they were particular attention-getters though. If they were loud, I probably wouldn't have liked them as much. They had a respectable sound. Better than stock, but not loud.

     

    The difficulty these days, is finding 4x4 replacement pipes for the Royal. Last time I looked (a couple of years ago), no one was making them anymore. So, if you plan on holding on to your bike for a while, and you think that there is any possibility that you might want to change-out your pipes, I suggest buying them (if they are in good shape), because you might not be able to find another set.

     

    Be Safe!

    Pete.

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