petekadish

Go with the "Insanity" plea, and then offer the to give the judge a ride on the next beautiful day. Perhaps after the ride ... he'll understand. Pete.

Not an issue with any wind! Pete.

This July, our Star Chapter from Salt Lake City, Utah is headed to Star Days. During this trip, we'll be riding the Beartooth and Chief Joseph Highways in Wyoming and Montana. Somehow, before I began planning this trip, I had never heard much about these highways. Now, after doing some research I'm thinking ... where have I been? How have I not heard about these rides? From what I have read on-line so far, The Beartooth is like riding in the mountains of Switzerland. Charles Kerault (the late CBS news reporter), declared the Beartooth "America's most beautiful highway". Along with the Beartooth, I have been reading about the connecting Chief Joseph Highway. It also looks totally amazing. I can't wait! So, I would really enjoy hearing about anyone here who has ridden these roads and anyone who might also be making this trip in July. In the meantime ... think warm thoughts,and let's hope for an early spring! Thanks! Pete.

Well, the folks in Quebec City, Canada apparently don't let the wintertime cool their need for speed. Check-out this video I saw on this evening's news broadcast: http://www.fox13now.com/news/seenontv/kstu-video-raw-video-red-bull-crashed-ice,0,7996998.worldnowvideo Enjoy! Pete.

Hi Guys I haven't had the need yet, but I would like to know if there are significant risks with jumping my Venture with either a portable power supply unit, or from a passenger vehicle. If I happened to be out in the middle of nowhere and I was stuck with a dead battery, would it be okay to jump my bike's battery with anything besides besides another motorcycle? Or, could the potential consequences from such an attempt, make it not even worth taking the risk? I figure that it would be best to find out these answers before I need to make a decision. Once again, the state of my battery right now is just fine, and I haven't had any problems with it. It's currently hooked-up to a Battery-Tender and the bike is parked in a closed garage. I just want to know about this just in case I am faced with the need to make a decision sometime in the future. Thanks & Be Warm! Pete.

It's actually looks like a multi-step system which also includes base coats and clear coats. It looks pretty slick. Unfortunately, to get all of the stages it's going to cost you. Not that it's not worth it. You typically get what you pay for. But, it's probably priced out of range for many amateurs to experiment with. I don't think that my painting skills would do it justice. Pete.

Hang in there. It'll be better before you know it. I had my first C.T. surgery done one year and one week ago and I road 13,000 miles this past year and I was pain-free the whole time. Today both wrists have completely healed and I have had zero problems. You'll have a little soreness when it comes to putting direct pressure on exact spot where they made the incision for a number of months (like when you push yourself up from an armchair, or when you are sitting on the floor polishing your bike, and you go to push yourself up off the floor with one of your hands), but it wasn't ever a problem riding. I had my first wrist done in Jan and the other done about six weeks later in Feb. And, I was back on my bike riding by the first of April. In the meantime ... let's hope for an early spring. Pete.

Just to make sure ... that I was providing accurate information, I just phoned Geico and spoke for one of their agents. I asked what the maximum amount is, which they would insure a motorcycle's accessories , and she said that it was $2,000. So, I stand corrected. And, no, Geico will not permit you to increase your accessory coverage. That's what they top-out at, period -company policy. Perhaps some other companies will let you increase your standard coverage, but make sure that you get it in writing. And, don't rely on anyone's word over the phone regarding policy or obligations. If it's not written down, it doesn't matter when it comes time to write your check. Don't assume that because your agent is a good guy, that you can take his word for everything. This is strictly a business agreement and we all need to all make sure that what we believe is in fact, in writing. And, no matter what anyone says ... take multiple pictures from all around your bike that clearly shows what great condition it's in. Pictures are just another form or aspect of your insurance. And, it can never hurt you to save your receipts - just in case. I doubt that there are that many new riders here on this forum, but I remember when I first had a pretty big bike which was knocked-over. I couldn't believe how much damage could occure from a bike simply falling over. It's amazing how much stuff can get easialy scuffed, bent and broken when a big bike goes on it's side. I hope none of you ever need to take advantage of this info. Pete.

I lost a bike almost two years ago in an accident. It was a 1996 Royal Star (Standard). Even though it was ten years old at the time, I had it fixed-up nicer than new, and when it came time to settle my claim, I was able to collect pretty close to it's current replacement value. I think that I got around $12,350. About three years ago, someone on one of the Delphi forums mentioned that Geico Ins. would only cover up to $1,000 in aftermarket accessories on any motorcycle accident. Well, that didn't sound like it was right, so I called Geico to double-check. Yep! That was a fact. There were also some other restrictions and limitations I found out about that I wasn't aware of. So I checked around and found out that, that type of limited liability policy was fairly common among most motorcycle insurance companies. I then decided that it was time to find a new insurance carrier. I knew that my bike had over $1,000 in accessories and work invested in it. But, it was hardly a collector's bike. And, it wasn't an antique either. However, it did have pretty low miles on it (about 24,000), and it was in exceptional condition. See attached pic. So, I began to wonder ... What if I owned a sixty-year old Vincent Black Shadow - which was in pristine, showroom condition, and one day while transporting this beautiful piece of history it to a show, I was in an accident and the bike was destroyed? Would my current insurance company answer my claim with a reply like "we're sorry for your loss, but your motorcycle was so old that it doesn't even show-up on our current blue book". So, what do you do if your awesomely-sweet ride is clearly more valuable than what your insurance company thinks that it is? Well, I switched to a company which would provide me enough coverage to replace my bike in the event of a total loss. I began by contacting my homeowner's insurance agent who is with Farmer's. He also works with other insurance companies and sells their coverage. He told me that Foremost Insurance Co. would cover my bike for it's officially documented value, but first I would have to provide the following: 1. Current pictures, clearing showing the condition of the bike. 2. Documentation detailing all of the accessories and the work done on the bike along with receipts from retailers. 3. A signed statement from a Yamaha dealer attesting to the extra work done on the bike and what it would cost to replace the bike now, with one of equal quality and value. Well, I was probably short on a few receipts, but I was able to collect everything else, and my dealer agreed that my ten year old Royal Star, was in equal value to a brand new Tour Deluxe. Fortunately, my agent didn't need to see and verify every single sales receipt and signed me up for nearly full replacement value. And, the insurance premiums were pretty reasonable too. Nothing excessive. Now, all of this preparation might seem like a lot of effort. However, had I not had this kind of insurance at the time of my accident, I would have probably received a settlement offer for the book-value of my ten year old bike and perhaps a few accessories. Little could I predict, but that about six months after securing my new insurance coverage, that my bike being transported inside a closed trailer would be in an accident. The short version of the story, is that the trailer came off the hitch while in-tow. Fortunately, I managed to pull the trailer to the side of the road (right side-up) with just one safety-chain attached to my Yukon and the trailer. It was indeed a small miracle. Well, the bike (inside of the trailer), broke loose from it's tie-downs and it was flung back and forth several times inside of my fish-tailing trailer before I managed to get it under control. When the insurance adjuster (Foremost) checked out the bike after the accident, they pretty quickly decided to write it off as a total loss. They then offered me some sort of minimal settlement. I countered with the comment that if they weren't willing to fix it, that they better be prepared to write me a check for it's replacement value. The adjuster seemed a little surprised at my expectation, until I produced all of my coverage documentation. He was essentially check-matted. The insurance company had to fully honor my claim because it was air-tight. About six weeks later, I was riding a new Venture and I again have made sure that all of my accessories and improvements are thoroughly documented and properly insured. See attached pic. I share this experience in hopes that anyone who is under-insured, might take action to get the necessary coverage in place before it's too late. If I hadn't double-checked my initial coverage through Geico, I probably would not have been able to afford another bike as nice for a long time. So, don't assume that because you know how nice your bike is, that your insurance company has the same appreciation of it. An insurance company won't pay you a dime more than they have too in the event of a claim. Take good pictures. Get your documentation in place. Keep your receipts. And, make sure that you understand what your coverage limitations are. Most of all ... Be Safe! Pete.

Just so I'm not overcome with undeserved praise, I didn't do the actual work myself. I had a guy who I have had do previous work on my accent lighting do it for me. But thanks, he did do an awesome job. It took him a few hours, a razor knife, a lot of patience and a big ol' can of spray adhesive. I just supplied the idea. I have lots of those, just not too many skills. Pete.

A little while ago, just after completing the install of a power-amp in the trunk, I got to wondering what it would look like to line the inside of the trunk and make it look like the inside of the trunk of a car. So, I asked a friend of mine who used to build custom speakers boxes if he had any old speaker-cloth sitting around. He did and he provided me with a few yards for this project. The attached pictures are the result. What do you think? Pete.

The Avon Venoms are awesome! On my old '96 Royal I got about 13,000+ on them riding two-up. Plus, they feel really good on the road. However ..., I have since found another tire which I also really really like, and that's the Dunlop Touring-Elite III. I have been using these for about a year on my '07 Venture riding two-up almost all the time and I have zero complaints about them. Everything is great about them from my experience. Be Safe! Pete.

I too have a Clearview wide-profile windshield. I installed my LED windshield lights by taping them (lights facing up), to the base of my windshield (inside the fairing). Pete.

Actually, the idea to light-up the bike's windshield wasn't my idea in the first place. But, I was the first person I know to actually do it. Nothing stay's original for long I guess - especially when it's cool in the world of motorcycle hobbyists. I picked-up my LED Strip Lights at an auto-parts store called Pep Boys here in Utah. The strip lights are actually pretty small but very bright, and come with an adhesive-backing. I installed my LED windshield lights by taping them (lights facing up), to the base of my windshield (inside the fairing). And, I flip-on all of the lights with a single toggle-switch. The LED lights I used are sold in individual packages. The strip lights are sold in lengths of 6" and 10". I also used a couple of LED Pod Lights in both the front and the rear. Pete.

Attached, are some pics of my version of that project. Utah code states that blue lights are reserved exclusively for law enforcement vehicles which are in motion. Non law enforcement vehicles may have have blue lights on them (and turned-on), but not when the vehicle is in operation. So, when I park my ride and I want to show it off, I flip-on the blues. It looks like you also figured out that the windshield act like fiber-optic when you light it up from the base inside the fairing. Pretty darn cool effect isn't it! Now, I just wish that I was able to ride someplace and park besides in my garage. It's currently 23 degrees here in Orem, Utah and the roads are mostly snow-packed & slick. No riding for me until the roads are clear and dry. Temperatures are bound to be pretty steady for the next three and a half months. So, any rides I take will be pretty short probably. Even when fully dressed for Extreeme Clold Weather and with electric gear, there's only so much benefit to be gained when the temps. are weel below freezing. Be Safe (and warm) Pete. Pete.

While reading these threads, I had a hunch. And, I was right. So, I checked everyone's profile and (almost) everyone is probably frozen-in and can't go out and do any decent riding. You can almost sense that most of us are in serious need of a little riding just to maintain what's left of our sanity. Pete.

If you bring your current garage door opener, to a garage door vendor, they might be able to check it out and hook you up with another brand opener and set the programming the same so it will work for you. It worked for me anyway, so it might be worth a try. Good luck! Pete.

I had one of these on my old '96 Royal Star and was very pleased with the performance. Now, I'm thinking about putting one on my '07 venture. Baron's in having a holiday sale right now for their retail, E-Mail customers - 25% off their in-stock items. Their regular price is $289 for their Dyna units, so that would be a pretty good price. Plus, I like dealing with them. They are a good vendor! But, times are tight and I gotta watch those Christmas funds, so I'm looking for the best price I can find. Does anyone have any suggestions for a better price? I need the model D3K7-5. Thanks guys & Merry Christmas! Pete.

STAR's website has some for sale: http://www.startouring.org/store/products.asp?department_id=15 Pete. See attached.

This summer while out on a big trip, we began to hear the rear brakes grinding. When we checked it, the right side looked pretty good. But something still didn't sound right. So we decided to play it safe and pulled the right rear saddlebag, and then the caliper. Well, my brake pads looked identical to yours. The outside pad hardly looked worn, while the inside was worn out. So, why does this happen when the calipers are working perfectly? At first, I thought that only the inside was closing, but not the outside. But, that wasn't the case. Both sides opened and closed just fine. So, why would one pad wear so far down, but not the other? Pete.

I was reading along was all concerned and ready for the big finish, when all of a sudden the story changed direction and went from a suspected affair to a plug with worn wires? I hope that the plug turns out to be your greater concern. Sure, wires and plugs can all be replaced. Of course, it's best to have someone who is experienced with that sort of a thing to do the work. Good luck on both situations! Pete.

Think about all of the beautiful sites that you could see here in Utah. Isn't it about time that you finally took that trip you have always wanted. Gas is reasonable now, the tourist season is over, and it's not even that cold yet. Doesn't someone want to bring that beautiful trailer to Utah - for me? Nothing Ventured, nothing gained. Oh wow, that was clever. Get it Venture, ventured? Never mind! I just want a Time-Out Trailer and another six months of warm ridin' weather. I'm not looking forward to winter. Be Safe! Pete

I just can't think of a practical way to get it to Utah. Unfortunately, driving or riding down to Florida isn't possible this time of the year. Anyone have any suggestions on shipping such an item cross country? Thanks! Pete.

There are a number of days during the wintertime when the roads are free of ice and snow, and I just can't stand being cooped-up inside the house any longer and I just have to go out for a ride. Last January, I took about a 40 mile ride up Provo Canyon when the temps were 16 degrees. I believe that when factoring-in the wind-chill, that it was about -10. I looked like an astronaut as I set out. I had on my Gerbings heated jacket-liner and gloves, and every bit of other ECW (extreem cold weather) gear I could put on. I road untill I reached the point where I knew that I could still return home fairly comfortable. One thing that I have discovered about the Gerbings heated gloves, is that they do have a limit of heating effectivness. Once temps reach around 30 degrees (which means a wind chill of about 11 degrees, at 55 MPH), they will protect you significantly better than most other gloves which you could ride with, but you'll probably not have warm and toasty hands in those kinds of temps:snow:. Be Safe & Warm! Pete.

Is that because the lights are hard-wired in to a solid-state circuitboard? Just wondering, because how would one be fixed it it happened to go out? Thanks! Pete.