YamahaLarry

Hate hearing that, especially you having to drive yourself to the ER at Christmas time. Have a friend of mine that woke up one morning back in the early 80's with one side of his face all drooped down and was diagnosed with Bells. It took years before his face was back to being close to normal and still has issues with his eye. When he smiles or laughs though, you can still see that the affected side does not function the same as the other side of his face. Hope you are back in the saddle real soon! Godspeed, Larry

Right around the 11k range for this year, which is maybe a little below average. Most years I am a little over 12k But, I do ride mine to work every day that I can.

Smart man. After the April 27, 2013 tragedies, I have considered building me one many times. I have an embankment behind my house that would be perfect to dig into, build a concrete reinforced room, and then cover it all back up. Where I live, we have been fortunate. On April 27th, one passed within a few hundred yards of my house, but on the other side of the hill behind my house and only blew garbage cans and lawn furniture around, but destroyed homes on the other side of the hill. But, it was close enough for me to give this some serious thought.

And just south of you, in Moody, AL, I came close to turning the A/C back on last night. Last severe weather forecast I looked at, had you guys more in the bubble that us down south of you. Better button down the hatches. Could be in for a rough ride later today.

Being from Alabama, I have heard of Jekyll Island, but have never visited. Now, I want to do just that. Me and my shipmates from the USCG Cutter Midgett (1975-1978) are planning a trip for this coming year and are trying to decide where. This definitely looks like an option. I can ride my bike, plus it has golfing. BTW, very nice photos. Nice enough to cause one to envy.

Man, that's a tough read. Prayers are with you. Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

It can't be any worse than coal. That is some nasty, stinky stuff. IMO, biggest issue would be accumulation of gunk in your spark arrestor screen, assuming you have one.

Looks like a crotch rocket with saddle bags. Does nothing for me.

My bike is a '99 with 41k miles, and best I can tell it has the original shock. It does have a very small leak, so it's days are numbered, but still works fine other than I have to air it back up ever so often. I put 35 to 40 psi in it, and a few weeks later is is down under 20 psi. The oil leak is not enough to put drops on my garage floor, but ever once in a while I will see a small drop hanging on the bottom. I just can't decide to go back with factory or one of the 3rd party such as Works. From all I have read, 3rd party shocks are better and rebuildable.

Most of the families that I deal with in the ugly world of childhood cancer have a strong faith, if not in the beginning, they always seem to end up that way. It is a very trying journey for families, especially the moms.

Hoping all goes well and doc is sandbagging on 80%. And, if my toe were to touch my butt, something would have to had been totally detached. Ouch!

Been driving my '73 VW Super Beetle Convertible with the top down a lot recently. Even last night after dark leaving the local Christmas parade here in Moody, AL. Grass is turning greener and looks like I will now need to give it 1 more cutting. Yestersay, I led a bike in 75 degree weather. I am not complaining. Loving the weather while it lasts, but looks like by this weekend we will be in the 20s for the lows and 50ish for the high. BTW, I love the Chimney Rock area.

What I love about my bike Puc, is every ride that I do, there will be some people examining the paint job and the color. Then, I get the opportunity to explain the "why", and tell them of Thomas and Emma. And if the sun is out, I get to show them the super heroes, and explain the purpose of why I have those ghosted into the hood of my bike. And most every time, the story is told with tears. A picture of me and my princess, the day of the first Princes Emma Ride. As we pulled into the church, I stopped and she sat in my lap, long enough for me to get a special princess hug and a kiss. This was taken the month before Emma passed away.

Tough read but so very thankful she is doing better and that you were blessed enough to come across the right doctor! I am one that does not believe in coincidences, but believe in fate and that everything happens for a reason. That one attack she had, that led you guys to the ER where the Drill Sargent was on duty, was fate. We only live today once.

Straight up honest, I would rather repaint a car that a Venture motorcycle. Many hours go into the prep work to do it right. There is nothing flat. Every tiny little crevice has to be sanded. And the assembly, being extra careful to avoid scratches is a very slow and tedious process. If I had it to do again, no way I would choose candy. It just compounds the labor. But, it is sharp, especially where there is a silver base coat. It changes colors based on the amount of light that hits it.

The Venture was released in "HOK Voodoo Violet Candy" in August of this year. Actually, it is my custom paint job in memory of one of the children that I have helped support over the past few years. Her name was Princess Emma Grace Mitchell. and passed away last year at 6 years old from childhood cancer. My wife and I got very close to her and her family. So close that I was 1 of 4 pall bearers. One of the greatest honors of my life. I spent many hours with her at the hospital and making trips to her home over the 20 months or so that I knew her, and we always carried her toys and her favorite foods and sweets. She was a dear princess that owned a huge portion of my heart, and still does. She and I would fuss about favorite colors a lot. Hers was pink and purple and mine are orange and blue. I was considering painting my bike orange. When we lost Emma, I decided to dedicate my bike to her (I put on a half dozen or so bike rides a year for childhood cancer and it's patients/families). This year, for the 2nd Annual Princess Emma Ride, I had just finished my bike and unveiled it to her family. Another special moment in my life. The bike has base coats of HOK Silver and HOK Pavo Purple (two toned) and 4 coats of HOK Voodoo Violet Kandy with 4 coats of clear. There is a tribute in gold (painted, not decal) to Emma on the trunk lid. Also, in the hood I have the Justice League ever so slightly ghosted into the paint job, and only visible in sunlight. This represents my super heroes, the many children that are battling, and have battled childhood cancer. The paint job is a total of 11 coats of paint on 60% of the bike, and 10 coats on the remainder. If I were to have had to pay for this, it is roughly a $4,000 paint job. But I did most of the prep work myself, including disassemble an reassemble, sanding, etc. The labor for painting was donated by someone who has a compassion similar to mine. I could go on and on about some special details included in my bike, but it is all about a very special princess we all called Princess Emma, and a very special little boy we called Superman Thomas J, both of whom where dear to me and are now rejoicing with heavenly bodies. The pinstriping is for Thomas. Superman colors (painted not decals) with gold replacing the yellow. Gold is the color for childhood cancer ribbon.

He found my gun.

Thanks. Was a very fun ride. Pics posted. Click here.

BTW, we will do this again next year. Was lots of fun leading this great ride as Santa. Huge success. I think last count was 89 bikes, plus 4 Jefferson County Sheriff Bike Division bikes and 1 patrol car. My bike ready for the ride. Olaf says GO. Santa busted by a deputy. So sad! Motorcycle division deputies with Santa and the ladies of Christmas Blessings of Alabama. A few of the bikes in the staging area before the ride. Santa giving pre-ride thanks and safety instructions. An absolutely gorgeous 75 degree December day in Alabama. Don't know if there is ever a more beautiful site than this. Santa (me) finally made it safely to our destination to deliver well over 100 toys for local area needy children.

Olaf is my passenger of choice this year. Fixing to post some pics from the ride.

I am sure someone will be snapping some photos, and maybe a video or two. We are to arrive at a location where a box bed will be set up by Christmas Blessings, and hopefully one of the ladies there will be grabbing videos as we arrive. And, love my daughter tons. 2 boys and 1 girl, so she is special to me. Just wish I could get her to ride passenger with me on some of these rides. I would enjoy that. I miss the daddy/daughter days a whole lots. She and I used to go to a lot of Auburn football games together, but they grow up.

I will have my Santa suit on. This is a Toy Run for Christmas Blessings of Alabama, an organization that provides 'adoptions' for children for Christmas and also delivers toys to children that otherwise would have little or no Christmas. We are expecting close to 100 bikes. Ride is rather short, 82 miles and law enforcement escorted the entire route. Anyone in this area that would like to participate, you can find more information at this Facebook page: Christmas Blessings TOY RUN 2015 I put together several rides a year for children, primarily for childhood cancer patients, but really looking forward to this ride. Oh, I have a passenger for tomorrow. He stands 29" tall and was delivered by USP. His name is Olaf. I do Santa every year. Here is a pic of me and my daughter from last year. Most years, Santa appears at the local elementary school riding his bike. The reindeer can only fly on Christmas Eve.

It's a '73 Karmann version Super Beetle. Body is sold, no rust other than very very small spots on top edge of driver's door. Paint job is bad. The guy that did it just put a couple coats over factory paint and it is eggshell all over, but what I call a 20 footer. It is an older reconditioned bug. I bought it to restore and to enjoy on weekends riding in the mountains. Wanted to restore one that didn't require separating the body from the pan. If I can get 'er right, they NADA on a restored model is close to 24k. Have always had a love for the old bugs and have owned a few over the years, but always wanted a convertible. I just think they look so cool and are a blast to drive. Not motorcycle fun, but fun still.

Puc, you da man! I went out and put 3" of wood under my kickstand and bike was standing almost straight up (just didn't want to take the time to put it on the jack. Turn bars all the way to the right, covered all under handlebars with a sheet of plastic and once again removed the clutch reservoir cover. Went ahead and took out what little fluid was there and took some tissue and wiped out the bottom. It had a lot of real fine black powdery looking crap in it. After I got it all cleaned up, filled it almost full with fluid and begin pumping it slowly. Air bubbles would come out of the small hole about every other release of the lever, and especially if I just pumped it the 1st 1/2" or so. But did that for maybe 5 minutes until no more air was coming out of the small hole. I did notice that after 3 or 4 minutes, some of the discolored fluid was coming out of the small hole. I will try to flush the entire clutch system maybe this weekend. Anyhow, got it all filled and buttoned down, fired it up, pulled in the lever, popper her in first gear and we are as good as new! Have a few family members blocking the garage and couldn't take for a spin, but very confident that all is fine. I do question where the fluid is going though. I would guess either a connection underneath or slave cylinder. Will just have to keep an eye on it. I really do appreciate the tips last night. Not riding it as much now with cooler weather and the deer roaming the roads at night. Plus, I got me a new toy a couple weeks ago. Refinished my bike completely this past year. And, will be doing a restoration of this baby come spring time (or before).

Sorry, I was doing some screen printing. Hopefully that won't be necessary. I am going to get out there tomorrow (Thur) night and tinker with it. I did get back on it and had to pump lever again several times before I could get any clutch, so I guess I just need to get it leaned over to the right some and add some fluid. As for the cover and the rubber in the cover look good to me. I did notice a small amount of trash in the bottom of the reservoir. I may clean it out good before I fill it up with fluid. Thanks for your help. I will try to post my findings tomorrow night. All you guys on this forum ROCK!