BlueSky

Happy Trails

I was in the Army from 67 to 70 when we had a half million GIs in Viet Nam. Fortunately for me, I was sent to S. Korea. But, a friend died over there, my first cousin was shot in the abdomen but survived and another friend came home with a creased helmet that was shot off his head. Almost everybody my age, 82, knows someone who died over there. I am a student of history and the heroes who sacrificed themselves in WWI and WW2, the Korean war and all the others are owed a tremendous debt. If anyone would like to know more about the war in the Pacific during WWII, watch Battle 360 on youtube. It's a series of programs mostly following the Aircraft carrier Enterprise, the only carrier we had that survived the entire war. It's an amazing story.

When the only bike I had was my Kawasaki, my wife complained about the uncomfortable little seat so I looked at some baggers. A coworker had a 2004 Kawasaki Voyager for sale for $4,000 and I test rode it but it seemed to be too top heavy for me. I then went to the Honda Dealer in Miami and test rode a 2006 Honda Goldwing. It was even gold colored. The wing has a much lower center of gravity. I wanted the wing but it only had about 6k miles on it and this was 2010 and the price was $16,995. I just couldn't justify spending that much on a bike. I then bought a 2004 Kawasaki Concours with about 21k miles on it for $3,000. It was a nice bike but the most top heavy bike I've ever ridden. It has a 7.5 gallon tank on top and less rake which made it even more tricky at slow speed. The Concours forum even has a section for discussing how many times you dropped it! I sold it after a couple of years.

Probably need to remove the carbs and clean out the jets. this video shows the jets. And another video showing fuel pump points replacement

My second motorcycle was a 73 CB750 with an orange metalflake tank bought in February, 1973. It was used with about 800 miles on it and paid $1150. A new one cost $1450 in the winter. What a smooth great bike after learning how to ride on my vibrating 71 CB350. Now my run around town bike is a 1985 Kawasaki ZN700.

Thanks, but I didn't mind paying the fee. I've gotten so much information and entertainment from this site.

Son Stuart now has been awarded 6 Grammys, all for recording/mixing music for Beyonce.

Has anyone tried the Shark Road mufflers on their RSVs? I've been listening to video clips of them and they sound awesome! Deeper throaty sound. Might be too loud for long trips? They sound a lot like the V&H Monster Ovals but I don't think they are quite as loud.

35 degrees here in Wilmington NC and it feels really cold to me. I've gotten soft since I retired and don't do any more contract jobs in the frozen north. I spent winters in NE, WI, IL, OH, NY, MI, PA, and VA when I was contracting. The wife keeps trying to convince me to move to FL. She might succeed. Ha!

Spray some starter fluid into the air cleaner intake and see if it starts. If so, its a fuel problem.

Yes, you need to solder one connection. Watch this video.

I thought carb cleaner would damage the rubber seals and the fuel needle tip which is rubber usually.

Those early Royal Stars have smaller carbs and less horsepower that the later models I'm pretty sure.

That tank looks good to me. I'm no expert on the tanks but I think WD 40 would keep it from rusting over the winter. I'm sure you are using Seafoam or something like Chevron Techron in the gas to help keep the carbs clean when you ride. I use Gumout with Regane (PEA) in mine. It helps a bit but nothing will keep the carbs from plugging up if it sits too much it seems...

It's the way the RSVs are made. The front brake takes too much pressure and the rear brake takes too little. It's easy to lock up the rear brake and skid in a panic stop. I think the sintered metallic pads will grip the best but they also wear the rotors the most.

I was working at the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant during my stay in Homestead from Jan 10, 2010 until August 31, 2013 during the power uprate modifications. During that time housing was dirt cheap after the recession. A nice 1800 sq ft home could be bought for about $130k. I should have bought one. I say one home go on the market that was almost new, 6000 sq ft, on 7 acres that was priced about $330k. We went to Penney camp too a few times. There were a lot of burglaries at that time so it prompted me and my wife to get concealed carry permits. We used to stop at the indoor range/gun shop in Key Largo and practice before going fishing on the weekends. I rode my Kawasaki to work every day I could. Lots of good memories.

We are thinking of maybe taking a TT to Florida and living in it for a month at a time after my wife retires. Hotels cost a fortune for an extended stay. And as stated it is your own place which we would like. It's hard to get but a camping site in Bahai Honda State Park would be ideal. My next to last contract job (3 1/2 years) I lived in Homestead FL, close to the Keys and we loved it down there. We fished a lot, soaked in the warm clear water a lot, went to Key West a lot, just thoroughly enjoying the area. We also saw many tourist attractions around Miami and southern Florida. It was my favorite contract job location. Now, we spend a week in the FL Keys almost every year.

I'm 81 with heart issues. And mostly, I just didn't use the boat any more. I'm sure I will miss it. It's such a great feeling to be out on the water in my own boat!

Yes, Wednesday I sold my 1998 18' Boston Whaler Ventura. I bought it in 2007. My wife and I enjoyed it very much but we are older and just didn't use it much any more. I sold it to a young couple who plan to have a lot of fun with it. Hopefully, it will serve them well.

Talk about iron butt rides. I think this man sets a record!

Could the rear brake pads have grease on them?

If my health hasn't degraded I'll try to get my 82 yr old butt on the bike and ride there too.

The MC is very simple. Nothing to rebuilding it. I disassembled mine but the seals looked fine so I didn't use my new kit. The RSV is notorious for having a too powerful rear brake so something is definitely wrong with yours. I would bleed it more and if that didn't fix it I might put new seals in the MC. Is the caliper working smoothly and releasing quickly like it should? You might need to rebuild the caliper.