videoarizona

Merlin, Both are very good manufacturer's. The issue is your own. We all fit different seats. Those who ride the Mustangs like them. I've owned two of them and both were harder than the stock seat, sat me farther forward but worked very well on the 650 Classic but not so well on the 950T. I find the 950 Mustang sits me to far forward...to close to tank. The Corbins are harder...but big people love the support. The Ultimates are most expensive, but those who like them...love them! The only solution is to find a way to try them. Buy from a reputable dealer so if a return can happen, it will be painless...

I heard a similar thing...2015 will include a new Venture. Regardless, if they keep the V4, they only have to change the electronics and fuel delivery to keep it a viable engine...unless...they may have emission issues. But I can't see that, FI should be better than carbs. Well...we have another year to enjoy our rides...then we shall see..

I'm hoping the Venture likes the 20-50 weight out here in Arizona's heat. Come Fall, will go back to 10-40 for winter riding....

Good find! Only question I have is it really printed from clean data or scanned like the 3rd party manuals. I'd hate to spend $100 for a scanned copy...

I used KR's Method he got from his friend. Bought the same products, but buffed by hand instead of the buffer. Got most of the scratches out and my original windscreen is so much better. Was thinking tomorrow might be a good day to take the windshield off and devote more time to it. Get out the buffer and do the process again. Takes an hour or so to do a good job and I have time to kill tomorrow anyway!!

Yikes, that's beautiful! So how much more does she way over my 89 1st gen??

Just did my first oil change with filter on the 89VR. Took my time, fudged around...figured out what was what, with a little help...of course! Added Yamalube 20-50 ...3.5 qrts. After running for a few to check for leaks...oil level is just above mid-level. I run same oil on my 950T vtwin. Runs quiet, shifts smoothly...so...bottom line for me is good ole dino oil.

Thought so... about the washer. Well...next time I'll put one on there. No leaks during run up...but have to wait until the weather cools down so I can go for a real ride and see if I did everything right. BTW, the Fram type filter did not have O-rings with it but the Wix 24933 did. So got two of those.. Thanks, guys....

Drained oil...everything looked good. Took filter assembly off, but couldn't get filter out of it's home. Finally used the socket and turned the bolt, while holding filter. "screwed" right out. Underneath, one spring. Thought maybe a washer to go between filter and spring, but nada. My bike does not have an O-ring around the bolt outside, rather a seal...similar to the two seals on either side of, and part of, the filter. It wasn't leaking so I'll put all back the same way. Put some oil on filter O-ring and tightened up to spec. Note: The drain bolt was on tighter than 31ftlbs. No O-ring or gasket there either. I did test the oil warning light and it worked. Now to run the bike and see what happens... Not bad at all...although I'm still a bit intimidated laying under or near the bike. Funny, I've rebuilt engines before and crawled under cars for fun and to save a few bux, but this bike scares me...and I DID strap the center stand open to the bike frame so it wouldn't accidently fall off forward. Maybe getting to be an ole fart has something to do with it. I know I'm not invincible!

> OK....that makes sense except .... Got the oil filter assembly on the bench and can't get the filter out. The seal (not O-ring) around the shaft looks brand new and I don't want to pry it to hard...

Took a dremel to the screw end..cut out a nice slot. Had to shape a cutoff wheel small enough to get in there. Even using a 90 degree flat screwdriver, I wasn't able to budge the screw. Started to bung up the screw...guess it's pretty soft. Quit while ahead. May have to find some way to remove mirror (don't want to break it!). Or simply put some epoxy around the adjustable joint. Thin coat will retard movement but I could easily break it off by a little bit of force. Epoxy by itself isn't that strong... I'll see if I was able to get it better or worse whenever I next ride. Oil change now...have two "O" rings...book shows one. Where does the little one go???

AHA! Looks like a screw...small guy. Ok will try a Dremel and cut the slot and see if that allows me to tighten it up. Wondering if those nuts on your screws are what is keeping your mirror from getting loose...? Another job for tomorrow! Thanks...

Hmm..going to go out and yank the mirror off and see what I have... Be right back...thanks.

Sorry I can't help on valuation of your bike. Did you look into any of the on-line sites? http://tinyurl.com/lsr7788

Yikes Glad to hear you are OK!!!

Ugh!

Stock mirror. Need to tighten up the right one. I position it, but the ultra high speed of these 1st generation VR's pushes the mirror back toward me.... I took mirror off but must have missed something...don't see any way to tighten up the innards!

I guess I'm going to agree and disagree. Agree... Yes, I agree to using the engine for braking downhill. I've practiced this procedure for years with my Yukon XL towing a 2.5 ton sailboat...and can hold a 7% grade going down in 3rd gear at 65mph. Not touch brakes for 6 or 7 miles. We have those hills in Arizona. I have over 137K miles... been across country so many times, the Best Western hotels know me by name... and she still gets good gas mileage and doesn't burn oil. BTW, on original set of brakes on this truck! So there ya go. I've done it with my bikes for years as well...with the caution that downshifting a gear then letting off the gas brings a dramatic change in velocity....so ease off gas on each gear change down...just in case. Disagree... Fuel injected motors, nope....BUT as far as carbs....Yep. If your carbs are set at sea level, you will feel a loss of power as your motor will be air starved...to much fuel. Not an issue, but not as much pep! I felt it going from 1200 feet to 7K feet on a ride up to mountains near Pine, AZ. Especially passing a truck up a long hill. She still went like a bat...just not a fast bat! Timing would be an issue but our computers on board are supposed to handle that. I didn't notice any additional backfiring or timing issues in my ride 3 weeks ago. So know this in advance, but know that no damage will be done...just enjoy the ride. Oh...bring a liner for your jacket...can be chilly..even in summer! Take pics!

I have a question: Looking underneath bike and can see the plug for the oil drain. HOWEVER, there is a Phillips head screw in the middle??? Is this for real or did a PO get fancy and drill a hole in the drain plug so he/she could dribble out a few teaspoons after overfilling? (my guess) Well two questions: I remember a post at some point that mentioned another drain plug that would get more oil out....searching didn't help...anyone remember? Thanks, as always! Oh..my Walmart does not carry a filter that fits...nor does any auto parts store near me. Have to ship one in from Phoenix. O"Reily's (sp?) can order it.

I have a Baron's on my 950T. It bounces like crazy at idle and slowly gets better at higher RPMS. I've never been able to find a cure. Baron's says it shouldn't do it. I was thinking it was my installation since I had to take two leads from the 2 cylinders to get an accurate reading. Guess not...cheap tach most likely. No dampening...

DelTran Battery Tender. Worth it's weight in gold for two bikes and my sail boat. My boat battery is 8 years old and still kicking strong. My 950T battery is 3 years old and fine. Don't know age of VR battery but it's holding up well and sits on charger once a week for a day if I'm not riding...

That really sucks. Glad to see you have lots of good ideas and help. Here's hoping everything comes out...

Heard back concerning the F4 and 1st generation VR's. They are not planning on making a windshield for us... sigh...

On my 650 Classic and my 950 Tourer, I went with Clearview with a vent and noticed a major difference in lack of buffeting and the additional airflow...which is good in Arizona! I had no clue that the acrylic would shatter like the video shows.... Guess I need to research the F4. I want one that I can see over...unless the reports from you all say the buffeting is to much for the backseater. Does the F4 come in that size for 1st gen VR's? Thoughts? david

Fantastic! I love it when I get a chance to see my kidlets. Was really hard when the oldest was in the Peace Corps and spent two years in Belize. I managed to get her home on a surprise visit when her sister graduated from HS. So good to hear your son is coming home! Have a great time and enjoy every minute!