BlueSky

Takes a real man to admit his mistakes! Thanks for posting. It might keep me from doing the same thing.

Water cooled or air cooled, the same amount of heat is coming off the engine and if it isn't diverted away from the rider, heat will be a comfort issue. The engine will run cooler but not the passenger. Police depts. buying air cooled Harleys to tool around the cities is ridiculous. Gotta keep-em moving to cool them. Then there is that story in the news in Miami when I was there of a city motorcycle cop trying to catch a couple of sport bikes on his Harley and of course crashed the Harley and hurt himself. Idiocy!

Only 49! So sad. What ended his journey?

Chain Saw!!! The most dangerous tool ever invented!

A V-twin is much cheaper to manufacture and that is what seems to be the preferred design. I've read that a V4 is very expensive to manufacture, more than a straight four. To me this will just make the Goldwing more attractive or maybe even a BMW. Obviously my opinion doesn't count though. I still buy rear drive cars too and the choices are slim.

This one is priced a little higher with lower miles and may be worth a few bucks more. http://appleton.craigslist.org/mcy/4966025830.html

That price is about average retail according to nada. Take the photos of the issues you have noticed and try to bargain if you want it. It's a beautiful color but you are going to have to spend a few bucks on it or so it appears. There are better deals out there but maybe not the color you want.

Show that photo to the dealer-bargaining chip!

Most kids always have excuses for their failures. Kinda reminds me of our prez. I agree that you should not contact your agent. He won't help, but will make a note of it that will be held against you. If you can't document conversations any other way, write down everything that was said with dates and keep a file.

Hope with time it will heal and be normal.

Up is RESERVE. Down is ON. Towards the front is OFF.

The one recommended in the tech section looks different from the NAPA thermostat and is $5.99 at Advance Auto.

Just posted a few days ago. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?100751-Thermostats-1st-gen-exact-dupl-cheap

Wow! I just viewed your photos of your wrecked bike. You really tore that one up. I'm glad you survived to tell the tale.

Gypsygirl, I have lived in Wilmington from 73 to 78 and then from 93 to present. But, since 96 I have spent a lot of time working temp contract jobs in many other states. I need to get my ebay 4 brush starter installed and I'll be ready to ride. It runs great but is slow to turn over when hot. Maybe we can take some short rides together after both of us get our bikes sorted out. I haven't done much to mine since I bought it. I worked out of state for 4 1/2 months last year during prime time riding season and didn't ride it much, less than 200 miles so far. You may have read already that the 83 thru 90 models have 2 brush starters that are weak. Bluesky

Man, that's tough luck! That is one reason I don't do valet parking. When I was in the Miami area, some of the places we went to offered that "service". Besides the risk of what you experienced, if they run over someone in the parking lot with your vehicle, you will be sued along with the business.

What a nice neighbor you have!

Lots of people keep trying to find some negative health causes to convince us not to drink coffee, but they fail, fail, and fail!

Hey Puc! How often do you check the valve clearances in your extensive experience with Yamaha V4s?

I never had to take the course to get my motorcycle license because when NC decided to require one, I had been riding long enough to be grandfathered in. However, I have been to the course that you have to ride to get a license in NC and I could not navigate the short turns on my 750 Virago I had at that time. I would have to borrow a tiny motorcycle to be able to pass it. I would never be able to pass it riding an 1100 Shadow. In fact a friend was with me that day riding his 1100 Shadow and he couldn't pass the course riding either of our bikes. I admit I'm not the greatest rider but that course was tough.

I never had to take the course to get my motorcycle license because when NC decided to require one, I had been riding long enough to be grandfathered in. However, I have been to the course that you have to ride to get a license in NC and I could not navigate the short turns on my 750 Virago I had at that time. I would have to borrow a tiny motorcycle to be able to pass it. I would never be able to pass it riding an 1100 Shadow. In fact a friend was with me that day riding his 1100 Shadow and he couldn't pass the course riding either of our bikes. I admit I'm not the greatest rider but that course was tough.

If she doesn't have her license yet, maybe postpone the long trips with her on her own bike until next year. Get a small cheap bike to ride around home and to ride to take the test. It can be upgraded next year. Keep her on the back of you bike this year. I think it was 2010 when I was at the Honda dealer in Miami when a guy rode up on a 2003 750 Shadow with a duffle bag on the back and a backpack. I talked with him briefly. He was from Sweden. He flew to Miami, bought the used Shadow and spent over a month riding around the country. He was there to sell his bike and fly home. I think he was underwhelmed at what the dealer offered him and rode away.

I worked with a guy whose wife rode a Honda 250 Rebel. He said she rode with him to the Keys and held it wide open at 80mph most of the way. My point is that a small used Japanese bike is not so expensive. And the smaller the better as long as it is comfortable for her. Something like a Honda Shadow? I found my 85 Kawasaki ZN700 that had only 1,053 miles on it cheap. New spark plugs, cleaning the carbs and a few other things like tires and it was good to go.

How about telling us the bike and the year, miles, etc, everything that might be relevant?

The first thing I would try is to put some cleaner in the gas. The forum recommends seafoam. I might would try some Gumout with regane on the label available at Walmart. How long has it been since the valves were adjusted?