videoarizona

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.

Welcome.... name's Mark Hoskins in Phoenix. Might take a while for him to get in there...he's just bought a new home...kind of busy right now.. I'll keep on him..

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!!!

Don, Sent the link to your HD site to a friend who rides the Ultra.

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!

Okie dokie. Finally got antenna back on and did the SWR thing. After losing a little ground clamp for the antenna adapter end (1st gen VR is a hidey hole of spare parts), I found a CB store in Tucson! Went in and he found the proper adapter end for me....whoo hoo! After mucho soldering and crimping....finally got a good ground on the end adapter and put the whole shebang together. Attached the SWR meter...and wow! I got real lucky. Ch 1 and 40 - 1.8 Ch 19 - 1.2 Output of radio transmitter is a true 3.9 watts. Not to shabby for a 1989 CB with old technology output amps! And yea, I did the SWR right where the PL259 plug comes out of the mixer box and into the CB radio. So the SWR was taken with the antenna, cable, mixer box and short cable to the meter all factored in...jumpered then to the CB ant in. So thanks for the suggestion Kevin about the FL3 Firestik and cable. I did coil the extra in a nice figure 8, tied it, and lay it under the seat. I bet that helped a lot with ground plane since the cable plays a bit part in the CB world. I'll be curious how the radio works now. Just need some cool dry weather to try it out!

No side bets. I'm still sitting back grinning at what you have done! Good Job!

Eck...I love it. That sounds similar to my day as well. Up early...throw open the shades, make the coffee. If it's nice, I go sit outside and enjoy the view with my first cup. Read a little. Watch a few minutes of the local news to see the weather. Take an exercise walk around development. Make breakfast and another cup. Then open garage door, walk around both bikes...smile. Check my to do list and start my day with house/bike stuff. When done, take shower and go out and do outdoor stuff.,,ya know..shopping, etc.. And so on....ride when weather says "yes", do whatever, whenever. Volunteer for local groups. And in between all that, check emails, Venture site, talk to friends around country and eat! Not bored at all....always something to do.

Regarding rear brake lock up and sliding out. If you can't keep yourself from feathering the rear brake to avoid the lockup...you can learn to keep your head up and looking straight ahead. Doing so will keep you going straight...instead of laying down. Try it on an empty parking lot some day. It does work. But best bet is to use both...feather the rear and keep head straight...

djh3, You built a headset cable? I'm all ears. I have the J&M headset built into my helmet with the 5 pin connection to the stock 1st gen audio system. I'd appreciate any suggestions you have as to how I can use my earbuds instead of my speakers in the helmet. Want to retain all the capabilities I now have but need better wind isolation. thanks! david

Not good news, Jeff. But it is good that you are still there. I guess I have to wonder about the ownership of the company...let's face it...when you lay off the workers but keep management...the company has nothing left to sell. No pretty widgets, no fancy services...zippo. Ah well...time to crank up the resume and vitae...time to do some closet marketing. You might also think in terms of an exit strategy. If they do decide to let you go at some point...maybe offer them the opportunity to still use your services as a consultant for hire. You pick the price. I suggested that to my wife a number of years ago...she poopoo'd the idea until one day her ex-boss called and asked if she would work for them that way. She took my advice for $$ and was amazed that they would pay her that much until she realized they didn't have to pay anything else...no health care, no taxes, etc.. So same thought to you. They may still need your services, just not full time. Worth a shot. They can only say no... Good luck and hang in there!

I see there is a plug and play for 2nd gen offered for sale by a member, anyone make a similar unit for us 1st gen's? TIA, david

I'm with you, Don. I started riding when dinos ruled the Earth...took a breather for the military, career and family. The first thing I did when the decision was made to get back in the saddle was follow a friend's advice and take the course. I learned many new things, like, how NOT to lay the bike down in an emergency!! Did I feel like an idiot being one of two people who had ridden before? Nope. Felt good knowing if I made a mistake, my bike wouldn't be hurt!! Felt good learning. Felt real good knowing I didn't have to take the state test with some yahoo judging me so I could get my MC endorsement! Good course...I recommend it for everyone...every few years. That plus the advance course is on my radar.